Cancer Experts

The doctors, nurses, and care team at the hospital or clinic are an integral part of the cancer experience. Hear directly from those who have worked in the industry for years on what you can ask them about, their guidance on navigating a cancer diagnosis, and what got them passionate about working with patients in the first place.

We have interviews with oncologists from across all cancer specialities, including breast, colorectal, Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, kidney, leukemia, multiple myeloma, lung.

Also explore interviews with the medical staff members you’ll most likely see and interact with the most, including nurses and social workers. While doctors have answers to your medical questions, this part of the care team will often be the go-to people for navigating the day-to-day life with cancer.

For stories from the people who’ve been in your shoes right now, don’t forget to check out our extensive library of cancer patient stories, and those from our wonderful personal caregivers.

Oncologists

Breast Cancer

Doug Blayney, MD



Oncologist: Specializing in breast cancer | HER2, Estrogen+, Triple Negative, Lumpectomy vs. Mastectomy
Experience: 30+ years
Institution: Stanford Medical

Dr. Fayanju, MD, MA Role: Chief, Division of Breast Surgery Focus: Breast Cancer Provider: Penn Medicine

SABCS 2022 Highlights



Top breast cancer doctors Dr. Paolo Tarantino with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Dr. Lola Fayanju with Penn Medicine discuss the big highlights from this year’s San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Palbociclib Side Effects & Patient Stories Palbociclib, commercially known as IBRANCE, is a treatment for a specific kind of metastatic breast cancer, or breast cancer that has already spread to other parts of the body, known as HR+/HER2- mBC. Palbociclib may be able to renew patients’ hope and offer them a greater sense of possibility.

Blood Cancers (Hematology)

Advances in GVHD Treatments and Clinical Trials



Hematologist-oncologists Dr. Satyajit Kosuri and Dr. Shernan Holtan, patient advocate Meredith Cowden, and LLS clinical trial nurse navigator Ashley Giacobbi discuss the role clinical trials play in advancing the GVHD treatment landscape.
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Accessing the Best Care for You or a Loved One: Understanding New Options for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma



Dr. Kulsum Bano, Dr. Nilanjan Ghosh, and Dr. Justin Favaro discuss the latest advances with 3-time DLBCL survivor and patient advocate Dr. Robyn Stacy-Humphries.
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Rafael Fonseca, MD



Role: Interim executive director, hematologist-oncologist
Focus: Multiple myeloma, new drug development
Institution: Mayo Clinic
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Farrukh Awan, MD



Role: Hematologist-oncologist, associate professor
Focus: Leukemias, Lymphomas, BMT
Institution: UT Southwestern
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Nina Shah, MD



Role: Hematologist-oncologist, researcher
Focus: Multiple Myeloma
Institution: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
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Gastrointestinal Cancers

Kimmie Ng, MD, MPH



Role: Gastrointestinal oncologist
Focus: Young-onset colorectal cancer, microbiome
Provider: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston)

Mark Lewis, MD, is not just an oncologist, he's a cancer survivor, himself. This gives him a unique perspective as both physician and patient. Hear more about his thoughts on second opinions and importance of self-advocacy.

Lynch Syndrome: What Patients Need to Know



Medical oncologist Michael Hall, MD, MS, discusses Lynch syndrome, what cancers patients would be more at risk for, and who should get tested.

Patients and doctors share their real-life colonoscopy experiences

Cancer Survivorship Care Plan for Hodgkin Lymphoma Patients

Lung Cancer

Dr. D. Ross Camidge, M.D., Ph.D.



Role: Thoracic oncologist, Director of the Thoracic Oncology Clinical Research Programs
Focus: Lung cancer, small cell (Immunotherapy), EGFR (Osimertinib), ALK (Alectinib), ROS1 (Crizotinib), BRAF (Dabrafenib & Trametinib), NTRK
Provider: Univ. of Colorado

The Latest in Lung Cancer Treatments: Is a Clinical Trial Right for Me?



Leading experts Estelamari Rodriguez, MD, MPH, from the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Jason Porter, MD, from West Cancer Center & Research Institute, and Terri Conneran, founder of KRAS Kickers, discuss the latest in lung cancer treatments and ongoing clinical trials.

Radiation

Dr. Kenneth Biehl, M.D.



Role: Radiation oncologist
Focus: Specializing in radiation therapy treatment for all cancers | Brachytherapy, External Beam Radiation Treatment, IMRT
Provider: Salinas Valley Memorial Health

Urological Cancers

Testicular Cancer: What Patients Need to Know



Medical oncologist Alok Tewari, MD, PhD, who specializes in cancers arising from the genitourinary tract, discusses what patients need to know about testicular cancer.

Dr. Christopher Weight, M.D.



Role: Center Director Urologic Oncology
Focus: Urological oncology, including kidney, prostate, bladder cancers
Provider: Cleveland Clinic

Dr. Samuel Washington, MD, MAS



Role: Assistant Professor of Urology, UCSF



Focus: Treatment disparities in bladder cancer treatment



Provider: University of California San Francisco

Nurses and Nurse Navigators

What Is a Clinical Trial Really?



Clinical trials can be confusing to navigate, so The Patient Story partnered with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) to discuss what a clinical trial is, the phases of a clinical trial, and figuring out the logistics of paperwork, scans, and finances.

Julie McFadden, Hospice Nurse



Hospice nurse: For last 5 years, helps patients and families understand end of life options
Experience: 14 years
Focus: Introduction to hospice, education

Jennifer Hagerty, Cancer Clinic Nurse



Clinic nurse: works mostly outpatient
Experience: 12 years
Hospital size: Large teaching institution

Brianna Banachoski, Hem-Onc Nurse



Nurse: works 12-hour shifts on blood oncology floor
Experience: was a lymphoma patient, became a nurse in early 2019
Hospital size: mid-range

Bernadette Lucas-Burch, Nurse Navigator



Nurse Navigator: help cancer patients and caregivers at diagnosis through treatment.
Experience: 35+ years
Hospital size: Mid-range but largest in the region

Genetic Counselors

Angela Brickle, Genetic Counselor



Genetic counselor: helps cancer patients and their families with genetic testing
Experience: ~5 years
Hospital size: Mid-sized edu
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Social Workers

Lia Akhilanda, Social Worker



Social worker: help cancer patients & caregivers on issues like insurance coverage, disability, and housing during treatment.
Experience: 10 years
Hospital size: Large teaching institution
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Oncology Clinical Trial Program Managers

Integrative Oncologists

Dr. Donald Abrams



Integrative Medicine:



Experience: 30 years



Institution: UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Medicine
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