68 episodes
Bladder Cancer Matters Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network
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- Health & Fitness
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4.9 • 26 Ratings
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Bladder Cancer Matters is the podcast for, by and about the bladder cancer community. Host Rick Bangs interviews interesting guests from the bladder cancer community, including patients, survivors, advocates, medical professionals, researchers, caregivers and more. It is brought to you by the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network.
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Alan: My Life as a Bladder Cancer Survivor
In Episode 59 of Bladder Cancer Matters, host Rick Bangs talks with Alan Lifton, a survivor of muscle invasive bladder cancer.
Alan shares his journey and experiences and discusses his diagnosis, treatment, and choice of urinary diversion (ileal conduit). He also highlights the importance of support from organizations like the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) and its Survivor to Survivor program, which connects newly diagnosed bladder cancer survivors with survivors with similar diagnoses.
Alan also emphasizes the need for doctors to provide more information about the emotional and practical aspects of living with bladder cancer. He expresses gratitude for the medical professionals who treated him and the support he received from BCAN.
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What Does It Mean to be a Bladder Cancer Survivor?
In this episode of Bladder Cancer Matters, host Rick Bangs interviews Mary Dunn, MSN, NP-C, OCN, RN of the University of North Carolina. Mary is a nurse practitioner and co-chair of the BCAN Survivorship Task Force.
They discuss the definition of a cancer survivor, the concept of survivorship, and the unique aspects of bladder cancer survivorship. They also talk about the work of the BCAN Survivorship Task Force, including the development of survivorship care plans, the creation of a survivorship section on the BCAN website, and the importance of outreach to clinicians and patients.
The goal of the task force is to improve survivorship care for bladder cancer patients and provide resources and support for both patients and healthcare providers.
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Everything You Need to Know About Bladder Preservation with Dr. Leslie Ballas
In Episode 57 of Bladder Cancer Matters, host Rick Bangs talks with Dr. Leslie Ballas of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center about a topic on the minds of many patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer: keeping their bladders. Even when the cancer has penetrated the bladder wall, can bladders still be saved? Then answer (for some) is “yes,” and Rick and Dr. Ballas discuss:
What bladder preservation is Different types of preservation like tri-modality therapy The role that radiation plays Options that patients with metastatic bladder cancer may have
What oligometastatic bladder cancer is The increase in attend paid to bladder preservation as an alternative to a radical cystectomy Never miss an episode of Bladder Cancer Matters by subscribing in your favorite podcasting platform. -
Which Type of Chemo Is Best When Facing a Radical Cystectomy? with Dr. Matthew Galsky
In Episode 56 of Bladder Cancer Matters, host Rick Bangs talks with Dr. Matthew Galsky, a medical oncologist who specializes in treating bladder cancer patients, about advancing new treatments for bladder cancer through clinical development and investigating the gap between the efficacy and real-world effectiveness of existing chemotherapies. Among other topics, they discuss:
The VESPER trial and its purpose related to bladder cancer Background on two chemotherapies, MVAC and GemCis, for muscle invasive bladder cancer The side effects of both chemotherapy regimens Identifying who requires treatment and who benefits from it Other promising developments occurring in the field of chemotherapy for the initial treatment of bladder cancer patients Never miss an episode by subscribing to our podcast. Simply search for “Bladder Cancer Matters” on your favorite podcast and click the “subscribe” button. -
Bladder Cancer Was Not Cathy's First Cancer Diagnosis
In Episode 55 of Bladder Cancer Matters, host Rick Bangs talks with Cathy Murphy about how she overcame multiple cancer diagnoses and faced them head-on. Their conversation will draw you in with its emotional depth and compelling insights. Among other topics, they discuss:
Her journey with two forms of breast cancer prior to her bladder cancer diagnosis Coping mechanisms she implemented during treatment Receiving the news of diagnosis during the height of COVID The difficulties in determining an effective treatment option Prioritizing her physical and mental health Her advice for those newly diagnosed with bladder cancer Never miss an episode of Bladder Cancer Matters by subscribing in your favorite podcasting platform. -
Raw, Real, and Relevant: A Conversation with Shannon Murphy
In Episode 54 of Bladder Cancer Matters, host Rick Bangs talks with Shannon Murphy about her bladder cancer diagnosis at age 35. Their discussion is real, raw, and riveting. Among other topics, they discuss:
Her experiences with a cystoscopy, TURBT, and BCG The difficulties in determining when and whom to inform about her diagnosis Her advice for managers and colleagues on how to navigate a direct report's cancer diagnosis Overcoming a bladder cancer diagnosis as a young woman Intimacy with a partner while undergoing bladder cancer treatment Never miss an episode of Bladder Cancer Matters by subscribing in your favorite podcasting platform.
Customer Reviews
Brilliant Podcast of Inestimable Value
In late May 2023, when my cystoscopy indicated a tumor in my bladder, I was in a state of shock. At 66 and excellent health, bladder cancer was the last thing I expected. But I did what everyone does these days, I turned to the internet to do my research. So many of the "page one" entries are short and superficial descriptions, symptoms, causes, etc. (dominated by advertising and sundry click-baits). But BCAN's website was such a welcoming and reassuring compilation of information, data, personal stories, research, etc., that I felt no need to go elsewhere for clear, concise information & support.
Once I found BCAN's podcast Bladder Cancer Matters, it proved to be one of the most impactful podcasts I've ever listened to, and I've listened to a lot. I happen to do 2 podcasts myself that deal with the major disease of alcoholism. My shows have been downloaded over half-a-million times. When I first listened to Rick Bangs' interviews, I considered them through a production-quality lens, but also from a value-added standpoint of support & reassurance to listeners. In both cases, Rick hits a home run! His thoughtful questioning and genuine interest in what his guests have to say is second-to-none. The sound engineering is superb which makes listening a comfortable and comforting experience.
If you or someone you love is facing bladder cancer, I believe you can get 99% of what you need to deal with it from the BCAN website and, more so, from the Bladder Cancer Matters podcast.
Just What I Needed
BCAN’s podcast, Bladder Cancer Matters, has made this tremendous challenge much more manageable than it seemed even 10 days ago at diagnosis. I guess I’ve binge-listened! Thank you. Thank you.
So helpful.
Thanks so much for this podcast. I have found it so helpful in understanding my bladder cancer. It’s so easy to feel alone and isolated with bladder cancer. However, having information and knowledge is so empowering. I couldn’t appreciate this more. I would love to hear more about people in there 40’s as we are such a niche group.