The Cracking Cancer Podcast

Dr. Concannon and the Patient Community
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Education
  • Updated Biweekly

Join Dr. Kyle Concannon, an MD Anderson–trained cancer doctor and scientist, together with the patient community, as we break down the knowledge and cultural barriers between cancer patients and cancer providers. Cracking Cancer empowers listeners with clear, accessible insights into cancer care, treatment options, and the complex world of cancer. Here, academic experts (providers) and experiential experts (patients) come together to discuss critical topics and build a more informed, supportive cancer community. Join us as we crack the code to better communication, knowledge, and collaboration in the fight against cancer. This podcast is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and should not be relied upon as such. The views expressed are those of the participants and not of their affiliated organizations.

  1. 5h ago

    What are trial exclusion criteria? Know before you go with Max Doppelt. Episode 60.

    In this eye-opening episode of Cracking Cancer, host Dr. Kyle Concannon is joined by Max Doppelt, founder of Patient Data Vault, to tackle one of the most frustrating aspects of modern oncology: clinical trial exclusion criteria. Max shares the heartbreaking story of his mother, who was diagnosed with EGFR Exon 20 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). After weeks of agonizing screening to access a promising targeted trial, she was rejected over subtle CT scan findings that hinted at—but did not confirm—pneumonitis. That screening failure forced their family to travel to China to obtain a life-saving drug that was not yet accessible to her in the United States. Dr. Kyle and Max dissect the hidden mechanics of clinical trial design, explaining why trials are often risk-averse, hyper-rigorous experiments designed to isolate variables for FDA approval rather than accommodate real-world complexity. The panel exposes common pitfalls that screen-fail patients—from active brain metastases and strict ECOG performance scores to the "first-line trap," where receiving a single dose of standard chemotherapy permanently disqualifies a patient from frontline trials. They also address "time toxicity"—the dangerous weeks lost in administrative limbo while a patient's cancer progresses—and highlight how platforms like Patient Data Vault use AI to bring total protocol transparency to patients before they waste critical time.   Key Takeaways: The "First-Line" Trap ECOG Performance Status is Dynamic Brain Metastases Risk-Aversion The High Cost of "Time Toxicity" The US vs. EU Protocol Transparency Gap   Want to get more involved with cancer research and support the podcast? Visit the link below: ⬇️ (All proceeds go strictly towards furthering cancer research and supporting this podcast) Giving.CU.EDU/CrackingCancer    Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to Cracking Cancer 00:59 Meet Max Doppelt 01:20 A Trial Rejection Story 04:36 Why Exclusion Criteria Exist 06:40 Pneumonitis Gray Areas 09:58 Common Trial Dealbreakers 11:04 Brain Mets and Delays 16:29 Lines of Therapy Trap 18:56 Finding Frontline Trials 23:59 ECOG Performance Status 34:25 Labs and Modifiable Factors 36:32 Screening Delays and Retesting 42:33 Protocol Design and Copy Paste 45:25 Transparency and AI Tools 55:12 Patient Support and Advocacy 59:37 Final Takeaways and Resources   To find out more about supporting the show and research endeavors, please go to the following website: www.crackingcancer.org   Attributions The music track - Progression Pulse - is provided by Denys Brodovskyi through the Attribution 4.0 International License   X: (1) Cracking Cancer Podcast (@Cracking_Cancer) / X IG: Cracking Cancer (@crackingcancerpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos

  2. Aug 6

    Cancer Trial Prediction Markets Have Arrived with Samantha Murrell and Rob Swanda. Episode 59.

    The Ethics and Impacts of Clinical Trial Prediction Markets In this episode of Cracking Cancer, host Dr. Kyle Concannon is joined by patient advocate Samantha Murrell and science communicator Rob Swanda, PhD, to tackle an unforeseen intersection in modern medicine: the rise of prediction markets on clinical trial outcomes. The panel dissects the recent introduction of prediction markets for FDA regulatory approvals and Phase 3 trial endpoints—including progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The team explores the severe moral and psychological ramifications of treating life-saving medical research like a sports wager. Samantha shares the distressing reality for cancer patients facing a Phase 3 trial, who may now see public financial markets actively "b*****g against" their treatment's success. Dr. Kyle and Rob analyze how these speculative markets risk introducing profound biases into clinical trial measurements, threatening patient enrollment, compromising investigator objectivity, and reducing complex biological discoveries down to binary, short-term financial wagers.   Key Takeaways: The Arrival of Clinical Trial Prediction Markets The Psychological Toll on Enrolled Patients Unconscious Bias in Scan Measurement Erosion of Scientific Nuance Ethical and Insider Trading Vulnerabilities   Want to get more involved with cancer research and support the podcast? Visit the link below: ⬇️ (All proceeds go strictly towards furthering cancer research and supporting this podcast) Giving.CU.EDU/CrackingCancer    Chapters: 00:00 B*****g On Trials 02:47 Patient Advocate Reaction 05:03 Hope And Harm 09:24 Endpoints Explained 11:25 How Trial Data Forms 12:40 Bias And Measurement 17:29 Insider Info Risks 25:01 Threats And Coercion 39:04 Negative Trials Still Help 47:57 Symptom Bias And Reporting 59:07 Better Things To B** On   To find out more about supporting the show and research endeavors, please go to the following website: www.crackingcancer.org   Attributions The music track - Progression Pulse - is provided by Denys Brodovskyi through the Attribution 4.0 International License   X: (1) Cracking Cancer Podcast (@Cracking_Cancer) / X IG: Cracking Cancer (@crackingcancerpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos

  3. Jul 30

    What is stomach cancer? With Frank Blandon and Dr. Sam Klempner. Episode 58.

    In this episode of Cracking Cancer, host Dr. Kyle Concannon is joined by GI medical oncologist Dr. Sam Klempner (Mass General Brigham) and Stage IV gastric cancer patient advocate Frank Blandon. Frank shares his journey of navigating a diagnostic whirlwind—from being initially misdiagnosed with testicular cancer to finding that a "collapsed stomach" on CT scans hid the true primary tumor. Dr. Klempner breaks down the biology of gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancers, explaining how chronic inflammation (from sources like H. pylori or Epstein-Barr Virus) can spark mutations. The panel explores the rapidly expanding biomarker landscape—including PD-L1, HER2, MSI/MMR, and Claudin 18.2—and why getting comprehensive testing upfront is vital for matching patients to modern immunotherapies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and clinical trials. They also address the psychological hurdles of seeking a second opinion and why "stage is just a number" in an era of transformative treatments.   Key Takeaways: Vague Early Symptoms Lead to Delays The Four Essential Biomarkers EBV-Associated Gastric Cancer Managing "Time Toxicity" and Treatment Regimens Second Opinions Are Not Insults (MOST IMPORTANT)   Want to get more involved with cancer research and support the podcast? Visit the link below: ⬇️ (All proceeds go strictly towards furthering cancer research and supporting this podcast) Giving.CU.EDU/CrackingCancer    Chapters: (00:00) Meet The Guests (02:48) Frank Misdiagnosis Story (07:02) Symptoms And Early Clues (09:07) Risk Factors And Causes (12:03) EBV And Anemia Explained (14:49) Biomarkers That Guide Care (22:05) Frank Treatment Journey (24:48) Managing Side Effects (27:28) Stage Based Treatment Options (31:59) Trials And New Therapies (37:04) Hope From Research And ASCO (39:01) Support Groups And Advocacy (41:09) Second Opinions Matter (47:57) Final Advice And Wrap Up   To find out more about supporting the show and research endeavors, please go to the following website: www.crackingcancer.org   Attributions The music track - Progression Pulse - is provided by Denys Brodovskyi through the Attribution 4.0 International License   X: (1) Cracking Cancer Podcast (@Cracking_Cancer) / X IG: Cracking Cancer (@crackingcancerpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos

  4. Jul 24

    IV or Subcutaneous Injection - What’s the Difference? With Jeanne Szurek and Dr. Rob Swanda. Episode 57.

    In this episode of Cracking Cancer, host Dr. Kyle Concannon is joined by Jeanne Zurek, a Stage IV EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer patient from Minnesota, and science communicator Rob Swanda, PhD. The episode focuses on how the route of drug administration impacts a patient's quality of life, moving from oral TKIs to intravenous (IV) infusions and, ultimately, to subcutaneous (SubQ) injections. Jeanne shares their personal experience transitioning from hours-long IV infusions of amivantamab—which frequently triggered infusion reactions and required heavy steroid pre-medications—to a 5-minute SubQ injection. Rob explains the underlying biochemistry of this transition, highlighting how formulation innovations like hyaluronidase break down tissue barriers to allow larger drug volumes under the skin. Together with Dr. Kyle, they discuss the reduction of "time toxicity," how shorter administration times increase infusion clinic capacity for newly diagnosed patients, and the future of long-acting injectables and home-based cancer care.   Key Takeaways: The Shift from IV to SubQ The Role of Hyaluronidase Reduction in Infusion Reactions Mitigating "Time Toxicity" Systemic Clinic Benefits   Want to get more involved with cancer research and support the podcast? Visit the link below: ⬇️ (All proceeds go strictly towards furthering cancer research and supporting this podcast) Giving.CU.EDU/CrackingCancer    Chapters: (00:00) Meet the Guests (02:22) Jeanne’s Diagnosis Journey (04:26) From Pills to Antibodies (06:03) Routes of Administration 101 (07:36) IV Infusion Reality Check (10:06) Managing Infusion Reactions (15:14) Switching to SubQ Injections (24:26) SubQ Benefits and Time Toxicity (30:48) How SubQ Delivery Works (37:55) Side Effects and Patient Advocacy (48:12) Future Delivery and Clinic Capacity (54:05) Pills vs Long Acting Options (58:39) Wrap Up and Next Steps   To find out more about supporting the show and research endeavors, please go to the following website: www.crackingcancer.org   Attributions The music track - Progression Pulse - is provided by Denys Brodovskyi through the Attribution 4.0 International License   X: (1) Cracking Cancer Podcast (@Cracking_Cancer) / X IG: Cracking Cancer (@crackingcancerpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos

  5. Jul 2

    What’s the buzz around GLP-1s and cancer with Samantha Murrell and Rob Swanda, PhD? Episode 56.

    The Metabolic Blueprint: Weighing the Evidence on GLP-1s and Cancer Survival In this highly anticipated episode of Cracking Cancer, host Dr. Kyle Concannon sits down with patient advocate Samantha Murrell and science communicator Rob Swanda, PhD, to tackle the most talked-about presentation from the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting: the intersection of GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro) and oncology. Samantha reveals that she has been using an off-label microdose of a GLP-1 alongside her targeted therapy for Stage IV HER2-mutant lung cancer, not for weight loss, but to target systemic, chronic inflammation. The trio breaks down large-scale real-world data tracking over 25,000 patients, which uncovered a striking associative signal: patients taking GLP-1s alongside traditional targeted therapies were twice as likely to be alive at five years compared to matched cohorts. Dr. Kyle and Rob dissect what this means from a biochemical perspective. They separate mere association from actual causation, explore why chronic inflammation can act as a shield for tumors, and detail the strict clinical rules patients must follow—such as preserving lean muscle mass to prevent cachexia—if they choose to discuss these metabolically active compounds with their oncology teams.   Key Takeaways: The Staggering ASCO Survival Signal Chronic Inflammation vs. Acute Immune Response The Metformin Connection The Critical Muscle Mass Warning The "Healthy Baseline" Confounder   Want to get more involved with cancer research and support the podcast? Visit the link below: ⬇️ (All proceeds go strictly towards furthering cancer research and supporting this podcast) Giving.CU.EDU/CrackingCancer    Chapters: (00:00) Sugar Feeds Cancer (01:57) Why GLP-1s Are Buzzing (05:15) Association vs Causation (07:06) Patient Concerns and Anecdotes (10:54) Inflammation Theory and ASCO Data (15:22) Evidence Review and Metformin Link (21:12) Glucose Control Mythbusting (28:00) What GLP-1 Drugs Are (30:36) Next Gen GLP-1s (31:31) Long Acting and Oral Options (32:07) ASCO Lung Cancer Signal (36:23) Interpreting Retrospective Data (39:13) Why Samantha Tried It (40:14) Absorption Theory and Dosing (41:28) Early Side Effects and Adaptation (43:01) Microdosing Caveats (45:14) Autoimmune and Histamine Effects (50:55) Broader Cancer Survival Data (53:35) Practical Safety Guidance (56:34) What We Still Dont Know   To find out more about supporting the show and research endeavors, please go to the following website: www.crackingcancer.org   Attributions The music track - Progression Pulse - is provided by Denys Brodovskyi through the Attribution 4.0 International License   X: (1) Cracking Cancer Podcast (@Cracking_Cancer) / X IG: Cracking Cancer (@crackingcancerpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos

  6. Jun 19

    Empowerment through scientific communication with Dr. Rob Swanda. Episode 55.

    In this special behind-the-scenes episode of Cracking Cancer, host Dr. Kyle Concannon sits down for a candid, scientist-to-scientist conversation with science communicator Rob Swanda, PhD. Stepping away from the traditional patient-interview format, Kyle and Rob pull back the curtain on their own medical paths to explore a profound systemic challenge: the widening chasm between complex oncology research and the everyday patient. Rob shares his viral origin story, which began during his doctoral work at Cornell studying mRNA therapeutics for kidney cancer. When the pandemic hit, a simple explanatory video made for his own family skyrocketed into a full-time mission to demystify laboratory science. Kyle shares a deeply personal, never-before-told story about growing up in a low-healthcare-literacy household in rural Vermont, navigating his brother’s rare genetic liver disorder, and the decades of silent anxiety his mother carried simply because she lacked the vocabulary to ask her doctors the right questions. Together, they deconstruct the broken incentives of modern academic publishing, the flaws of the journal "impact factor" business, and how breaking down elitist medical jargon empowers patients to reclaim control over their own clinical destinies.   Key Takeaways: The Widening Scientific Chasm The "Whiteboard" Anchor for Clinical Care The Fragmented Reality of Learning The Business of the Peer-Review "Paywall" Empathy as a Clinical Metric   Want to get more involved with cancer research and support the podcast? Visit the link below: ⬇️ (All proceeds go strictly towards furthering cancer research and supporting this podcast) Giving.CU.EDU/CrackingCancer    Chapters: (00:00) Welcome to Cracking Cancer (00:22) Why Those mRNA Videos Took Off (09:55) How to Explain Complex Science (13:35) Empowering Patients and Caregivers (18:37) Many Ways to Communicate Science (23:08) Finding Credible Information (25:09) Peer Review and Impact Factor (35:05) AI as a Learning Tool (40:22) Kyle’s Personal Why (50:42) Advice and Wrap Up   To find out more about supporting the show and research endeavors, please go to the following website: www.crackingcancer.org   Attributions The music track - Progression Pulse - is provided by Denys Brodovskyi through the Attribution 4.0 International License   X: (1) Cracking Cancer Podcast (@Cracking_Cancer) / X IG: Cracking Cancer (@crackingcancerpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos

  7. May 28

    Does Fenbendazole Target Cancer with Dr. Rob Swanda and Samantha Murrell. Episode 54.

    Deconstructing Fenbendazole: Scaffolding, Solvents, and the "Joe Tippens" Protocol In this highly requested follow-up to their Ivermectin discussion, host Dr. Kyle Concannon, patient advocate Samantha Murrell, and science communicator Rob Swanda, PhD, touch the hot stove of alternative oncology once again. This time, they dive deep into Fenbendazole (commonly called "Fenben"), an antiparasitic veterinary drug that has exploded in popularity across cancer forums due to the viral "Joe Tippens Protocol." Samantha opens up about her personal choice to take Fenbendazole secretly for eight months alongside conventional chemotherapy, providing an unfiltered look at the immense "what if" pressure patients face behind closed doors. The conversation shifts to rigorous biochemical scrutiny as Dr. Kyle and Rob break down what the drug actually does inside a petri dish and a living organism. They expose the fascinating irony of alternative health branding: while Fenbendazole is frequently marketed online as a "natural, holistic alternative to harsh toxins," it is completely synthetic. Conversely, the very chemotherapies it seeks to replace are the ones derived directly from nature. Moving step-by-step through peer-reviewed data, they analyze how this compound disrupts cellular architecture, why its therapeutic thresholds carry hidden toxicities, and how missing variables in animal models can obscure the difference between a true anti-tumor signal and a general cellular poison.   Key Takeaways: The Microtubule Mechanism (Chemo in Disguise) The P53 Gene Context The "Healthy Tissue" Toxicity Flaw Flawed Mouse Models & Missing Data Association vs. Causation   Want to get more involved with cancer research and support the podcast? Visit the link below: ⬇️ (All proceeds go strictly towards furthering cancer research and supporting this podcast) Giving.CU.EDU/CrackingCancer    For more information on Fenbendazole, check out Rob's info-packed video below! https://youtu.be/DDVko6G84wo   Want to see the data yourself? Check out the actual papers below: Fenbendazole acts as a moderate microtubule destabilizing agent and causes cancer cell death by modulating multiple cellular pathways https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6085345/ Fenbendazole Exhibits Differential Anticancer Effects In Vitro and In Vivo in Models of Mouse Lymphoma https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/45/11/560    Chapters: (00:00) Why Fenbendazole Now (01:38) Samantha Tries Fenben (02:09) Joe Tippens Protocol Buzz (04:04) How She Took It (06:14) Social Pressure and Disclosure (08:23) What Fenbendazole Is (11:17) Microtubules and Cancer Logic (13:29) Natural Versus Synthetic Debate (17:25) Preclinical Evidence Deep Dive (19:31) Mouse Study Caveats (25:57) Safety Unknowns and Next Steps (30:39) Paper Rigor Check (31:42) Dose Response Reality (33:15) P53 Dependency Explained (38:25) Healthy Cell Toxicity (40:32) Missing Controls Bias (42:28) Second Study Lymphoma (44:42) Why Immune Free Mice (49:30) How Strong Is Evidence (54:38) Anecdotes Versus Causation (57:00) Mechanism Gaps Takeaways (59:33) Final Verdict Sign Off   To find out more about supporting the show and research endeavors, please go to the following website: www.crackingcancer.org   Attributions The music track - Progression Pulse - is provided by Denys Brodovskyi through the Attribution 4.0 International License   X: (1) Cracking Cancer Podcast (@Cracking_Cancer) / X IG: Cracking Cancer (@crackingcancerpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos

  8. May 21

    Challenges of Rural Cancer Care with Zack Schroeder and J.J. Singleton. Episode 53.

    In this critical episode of Cracking Cancer, host Dr. Kyle Concannon reunites with co-host JJ Singleton and welcomes Zach Schroeder, a first-year intern at Wake Forest and the founder of the Rural Cancer Institute. Zach sharing his harrowing personal journey as a 21-year-old diagnosed with Stage III melanoma in a tiny Kansas town anchors the conversation. To receive life-saving surgeries and radiation at MD Anderson, Zach faced an 1100-mile round trip, waking up at 2:00 AM on treatment days to fly across state lines—all while balancing his junior year of college. The trio dives into the staggering statistics defining the "Rural Cancer Gap." They explore the reality that while cancer mortality is declining nationwide, urban survival rates are improving significantly faster than rural ones. From local hospital closures and severe screening shortages (like having only seven providers to perform colonoscopies across a 14-county region in western North Carolina) to systemic medical licensing laws that legally prohibit academic oncologists from billing for telehealth across state lines, this episode exposes the bureaucratic and geographic barriers holding back rural survival. But it also highlights a powerful cultural truth: the profound community support unique to small-town medicine, and how model frameworks like the "Rural Oncology Home" are blending high-tier academic decision-making with local, close-to-home infusion care.   Key Takeaways: The Widening Rural Mortality Gap The Telehealth "Billing Wall" The "Rural Oncology Home" Model Severe Screening Deserts The Sibling/Caregiver Strain   Want to get more involved with cancer research and support the podcast? Visit the link below: ⬇️ (All proceeds go strictly towards furthering cancer research and supporting this podcast) Giving.CU.EDU/CrackingCancer    Chapters: (00:00) Zach Melanoma Journey (08:16) JJ Colon Cancer Travel (10:34) Rural Care Barriers Data (16:35) Rural Cancer Gap Explained (20:45) Rural Oncology Home Model (25:18) Telehealth and Licensing (39:41) Isolation and Culture Shock (49:45) Solutions Training and Teams (53:20) Second Opinions and Support (56:22) Final Advice and Wrap   To find out more about supporting the show and research endeavors, please go to the following website: www.crackingcancer.org   Attributions The music track - Progression Pulse - is provided by Denys Brodovskyi through the Attribution 4.0 International License   X: (1) Cracking Cancer Podcast (@Cracking_Cancer) / X IG: Cracking Cancer (@crackingcancerpodcast) • Instagram photos and videos

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Join Dr. Kyle Concannon, an MD Anderson–trained cancer doctor and scientist, together with the patient community, as we break down the knowledge and cultural barriers between cancer patients and cancer providers. Cracking Cancer empowers listeners with clear, accessible insights into cancer care, treatment options, and the complex world of cancer. Here, academic experts (providers) and experiential experts (patients) come together to discuss critical topics and build a more informed, supportive cancer community. Join us as we crack the code to better communication, knowledge, and collaboration in the fight against cancer. This podcast is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and should not be relied upon as such. The views expressed are those of the participants and not of their affiliated organizations.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Concannon and the Patient Community
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    60
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Cracking Cancer Podcast

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