Dana-farber Cancer Institute

From 2016: Judy Garber, MD, MPH, director of clinical research for Dana-Farber’s Center for Cancer Genetics and Prevention, shares updates in genetics, hereditary risk, and testing for women's cancers.

Although they were both diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, Amanda and Judy elected two very different surgical treatments. They discuss their surgery options and decisions along with Dr. Tari King, chief of breast surgery at the Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center.

Kelly (Drummond) Giles, LICSW, a Dana-Farber social worker, joins fellow Dana-Farber social worker Allison Dibiaso, LICSW, and Sarah Silvia, a single mom who was treated for lymphoma, to discuss some of the common challenges parents face during treatment.

From 2016: Dana-Farber's Mark Kieran, MD, PhD, and Peter Manley, MD, discuss treatment options and new research for pediatric brain tumors.

Tara Shuman didn’t necessarily set out to be a blogger, let alone a book author. But in the throes of a cancer diagnosis, she turned to writing as an outlet. Abby Morgan also turned to blogging. A painter since an early age, and an art teacher, writing carried less pressure than painting. “I don’t want everything that I do — any creative outlet I do — to have to be about cancer. I don’t want it to take over my identity,” Morgan says. “But it is hard to not have it be a part of the things that you create because cancer influences you in such a deep way.”

Maggie was faced with a number of difficult decisions when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 28. Some of the biggest decisions she faced centered around her ability to have children later in life, and whether treatment would affect her future fertility. Ann Partridge, MD, MPH, Maggie’s oncologist and founder/director of the Program for Young Women with Breast Cancer at the Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers at Dana-Farber, joins Maggie to discuss some of the important decisions young breast cancer patients face.

From 2016: Jennifer Lin, MD, from Dana-Farber's Center for Melanoma Oncology, discusses prevention tips and the latest treatment options and research for melanoma.

For otherwise healthy individuals, a CT scan or an MRI is an uncommon event. But for cancer survivors like Jeremy Pivor, it’s a routine part of life. So too is the anxiety that often accompanies each test – often referred to as “scanxiety.” Diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 12, Pivor navigated his way through the fear of relapse throughout his teen years, and confronted it head on when he found out at age 23 that his cancer was back. That relapse brought an even greater significance to each scan. And while he’s used to the process, the scanxiety is real. “You’re in this constant tug of war between trying not to think about it, and having it consume you,” Pivor says. For Danielle Ameden, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, the emotional challenges also include the fear that any potential symptom might be a sign that the disease has returned. “As much as you try to put it out of your head, there’s always reminders out there that the cancer may come back,” Ameden says

From 2016: Dana-Farber's Barrett Rollins, MD, PhD, and David Jackman, MD, discuss developments in precision cancer medicine and how new research may impact future treatment of lung cancer and other diseases.

Duncan was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer in October 2015, but she isn’t fond of the phrase “stage IV” and prefers to say she has “treatable, non-curable cancer.” With that mentality, Duncan has been able to put her diagnosis into perspective and live life to the fullest. Eric Winer, MD, Duncan’s oncologist and director of the Breast Oncology Program in the Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers at Dana-Farber, joins Duncan to chat about her treatment experience.

From 2016: Dana-Farber nutritionist Stacy Kennedy, MPH, RD, CSO, discusses the optimal foods for cancer patients and answers questions about the latest food fads and myths.

Melissa and Noel were both diagnosed with stage III breast cancer in their 30s. Matched through Dana-Farber's SoulMates program, Noel was tasked with mentoring Melissa through her treatment, which began in early 2015. Now, as both women are finished with active treatment, the mentor-mentee relationship has blossomed into a friendship beyond breast cancer.

Lisa Diller, MD, chief medical officer of Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, answers questions about the unique needs and concerns for patients and families transitioning off treatment, including fertility issues, follow-up care, and emotional challenges young survivors face.

From 2016: Ursula Matulonis, MD, medical director of the Gynecologic Oncology Program in the Susan F. Smith Center for Women's Cancers, joins medical oncologist Alexi Wright, MD, MPH, and radiation oncologist Larissa Lee, MD, for a discussion on the latest information on the prevention, treatment and research of cervical cancer.

From 2016: Eric Winer, MD, director of the Breast Oncology Program in the Susan F. Smith Center for Women's Cancers, discusses the latest treatments for metastatic breast cancer as well as information on emerging clinical trials.

From 2016: Irene Ghobrial, MD, and Matthew Davids, MD, from Dana-Farber's Hematologic Oncology Treatment Center discuss the latest treatment advances and research in multiple myeloma, leukemia, and more. They also share highlights from the 2015 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting.

From 2016: Ursula Matulonis, MD, Panos Konstantinopoulos, MD, PhD, and Susana Campos, MD, MPH, from the Gynecologic Oncology Program at the Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers discuss the latest treatment options for ovarian cancer as well as answer patient questions about side effects and new clinical trials.

Huma Rana, MD, clinical director of Dana-Farber's Center for Cancer Genetics and Prevention, gives an overview of the link between genetics and women's cancers, and why certain women have a higher risk for developing disease.

David Rosenthal, MD, former clinical director of Dana-Farber's Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies, discusses acupuncture, meditation, yoga, massage, and other forms of integrative therapy used to ease cancer-related symptoms and side effects.