CancerSurvivorMD®

Brad Buchanan and G [Josie] van Londen

Hello! Welcome to CancerSurvivorMD’s podcast by Brad and Josie! We will share our experiences with living in sickness, health, and anything in between to allow healing and growth. The topics will focus on cancer survivors and caregivers but will likely resonate with anyone who has been diagnosed with any health condition. Brad is a retired English professor and cancer survivor, now a facilitator of the Writing as Healing workshop. Josie is a retired medical oncologist and cancer survivor.  If you have any questions or topic suggestions, please send them our way, and we will try to incorporate your request.  Please take a look at the disclaimers (https://cancersurvivormd.org/disclaimers). Words can hurt—if you feel you might get or have been triggered, please stop listening and seek support.  

  1. MAR 16

    Essential Elements of Cancersurvivorship Care: Symptoms

    Colleen Dwyer, Brad Buchanan, and Dr Josie explain in this episode that symptoms after cancer treatment can be physical, emotional, functional, or financial, and they often come in clusters. Some begin during treatment, some appear much later, and some problems such as bone loss or heart disease may stay silent until they become serious. Because evidence for symptom treatment in cancer survivors is sometimes limited, care often involves shared decision-making: talking openly with providers about symptoms, personal preferences, and the pros and cons of different options. A major theme is that survivors should not hide symptoms or try to manage everything alone. Help may come from many places, including doctors, physical therapy, occupational therapy, talk therapy, massage, exercise programs, and community resources. Brad’s story shows how recovery can involve trial and error, emotional healing, trauma processing, support for intimacy and relationships, and adapting over time as the body changes. The episode also strongly emphasizes support groups. They help normalize what people are experiencing, reduce isolation, offer practical advice, and create meaning. Survivors may not always be ready right away, but finding the right group and staying connected can be deeply helpful.  Overall, the message is: speak up, keep seeking support, and remember that healing after cancer is an ongoing process that is best done with a team. Relevant links for this episode:  https://manuptocancer.org/https://onecancerplace.org/https://colontown.org/GvHD Speaks has been defunded since this recording.  General Links: Disclaimers: https://cancersurvivormd.org/disclaimers/ Brad Buchanan: https://linktr.ee/bradthechimera G [Josie] van Londen: https://linktr.ee/cancersurvivormd CancerBridges: https://cancerbridges.org/

    42 min

  2. MAR 5

    Essential Elements of Cancersurvivorship Care: Lifestyle

    In this episode of the Cancer Survivor MD podcast series on essential elements of cancer survivorship care, Dr. Josie van Londen is joined by Brad Buchanan and Colleen Dwyer to discuss lifestyle and health behaviors as tools for coping and healing after cancer. The conversation explores how survivors often turn to diet, exercise, and other habits to regain a sense of control, while emphasizing the importance of balance rather than perfection. The group discusses practical guidance—such as starting lifestyle changes slowly, focusing on moderation and variety in diet (with some evidence supporting Mediterranean-style eating), and being cautious with unregulated supplements unless medically indicated. They also highlight how building a personal “toolkit” of coping strategies—movement, mindfulness, creative outlets, therapy, and community support—can help survivors process stress and adapt to life after treatment. Through Brad’s powerful personal story of recovery and adaptation after intensive cancer therapy, the episode underscores that healing is often gradual and individualized, and that survivors benefit from experimenting with different approaches while giving themselves time, compassion, and support along the way. Relevant links for this episode:  EMDR: https://www.apa.org/topics/psychotherapy/emdr-therapy-ptsd General Links: Disclaimers: https://cancersurvivormd.org/disclaimers/ Brad Buchanan: https://linktr.ee/bradthechimera G [Josie] van Londen: https://linktr.ee/cancersurvivormd CancerBridges: https://cancerbridges.org/

    39 min

  3. JAN 23

    Survivorchat with Trevor Maxwell

    We introduce Trevor Maxwell, founder of Man Up To Cancer, who shares his stage IV colon cancer diagnosis at 41 and how a rare MSI-high tumor type, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and multiple major surgeries (including HIPEC) have helped him live with cancer for years and stay present for his family. They talk candidly about parenting through cancer, balancing hope with realism, and pushing back against toxic positivity. Trevor explains that his own depression and isolation—and the lack of spaces where men feel safe asking for help—sparked Man Up To Cancer, which now provides peer support, local chapters, retreats, and practical help to reduce isolation and redefine “manning up” as strength plus vulnerability. Relevant links:  If you have thoughts or feelings about hurting yourself, or others, please call someone near you, or your local emergency number (in USA -> call 911 or call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988; outside of USA -> https://findahelpline.com).https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/hipec-surgery-what-you-need-to-knowhttps://www.dempseycenter.orghttps://manuptocancer.orghttps://manuptocancer.org/blog1/blazinganewtrail General Links: Disclaimers: https://cancersurvivormd.org/disclaimers/ Brad Buchanan: https://linktr.ee/bradthechimera G [Josie] van Londen: https://linktr.ee/cancersurvivormd CancerBridges: https://cancerbridges.org/

    1h 14m

  4. 12/22/2025

    Author Chat with Fred Appelbaum

    In this episode of Cancer Survivor MD, Josie van Londen and Brad Buchanan interview Dr. Fred Appelbaum of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center about his book Living Medicine and the history—and humanity—behind bone marrow transplantation, the breakthrough that paved the way for today’s cell and gene therapies.  Appelbaum explains what transplantation is and how it works, reflects on his path into the field and mentorship under pioneer Don Thomas, and addresses the early ethical dilemmas, medical skepticism, and later legal scrutiny that shaped standards for transparency.  Brad adds the patient perspective through his own transplant and graft-versus-host disease experience, including discussion of treatments like photopheresis and newer GVHD therapies.  The conversation closes by looking ahead to the next era. Relevant links:  https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/product/living-medicine/https://www.fredhutch.org/en/faculty-lab-directory/appelbaum-frederick.htmlhttps://www.uwmedicine.org/bios/frederick-appelbaum General Links: Disclaimers: https://cancersurvivormd.org/disclaimers/ Brad Buchanan: https://linktr.ee/bradthechimera G [Josie] van Londen: https://linktr.ee/cancersurvivormd CancerBridges: https://cancerbridges.org/

    55 min

  5. 10/31/2025

    Survivor Chat with Matthew Zachary

    A 21-year-old pianist gets brain cancer, refuses chemo to save his music, survives 30 years, founds Stupid Cancer, and now wants to organize 20 million cancer patients into a political force. Josie and Brad sit down with Matthew Zachary to talk history, late effects, parents, creativity, survivor guilt, and his next act: We The Patients. https://wethepatients.org Relevant links pertinent to this episode: https://stupidcancer.org/https://www.wethepatients.org/https://www.matthewzachary.com/https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/hair-skin-nails/hair-loss/cold-caps.html General Links: Disclaimers: https://cancersurvivormd.org/disclaimers/ Brad Buchanan: https://linktr.ee/bradthechimera G [Josie] van Londen: https://linktr.ee/cancersurvivormd CancerBridges: https://cancerbridges.org/

    53 min

  6. 10/23/2025

    Essential Elements of Cancer Survivorship Care: Screening for Secondary Cancers

    Brad Buchanan, Colleen Dwyer, and I will discuss an essential aspect of cancer survivorship care. In this episode, we’ll focus on the importance of screening for secondary cancers among cancer survivors. Relevant links pertinent to this episode: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/screening/american-cancer-society-guidelines-for-the-early-detection-of-cancer.htmlhttps://www.cdc.gov/cancer/prevention/screening.htmlhttps://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/screening General Links: Disclaimers: https://cancersurvivormd.org/disclaimers/ Brad Buchanan: https://linktr.ee/bradthechimera G [Josie] van Londen: https://linktr.ee/cancersurvivormd CancerBridges: https://cancerbridges.org/

    35 min

  7. 10/08/2025

    Author Chat with Joelle Kaufman

    Joelle Kaufman — cancer survivor, BRCA1 carrier, and author of “Crushing the Cancer Curve Ball: A Playbook for the Newly Diagnosed (and Their Family and Friends)” — joins Josie and co-host Brad Buchanan to talk about building a practical, compassionate “approach at the plate” for life with cancer. Joelle shares how writing helped her process, why her book is deliberately modular for foggy days, the origins of her free financial-toxicity calculator, and her idea of “happiness tripwires”. The conversation lands on a memorable refrain: we don’t choose the pitch; we choose the swing. Relevant links for this episode: Joelle Kaufman:Joelle Kaufman: https://joellekaufman.comKicking Cancer's Ass Podcast: https://www.kcapodcast.comJoelle Kaufman Revenue Catalyst Coaching: http://www.gtmflow.comBreast Cancer in Men: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/breast-male Cold Caps: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/hair-skin-nails/hair-loss/cold-caps.html Cancer Gene Mutation Facts: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/brca-fact-sheet General Links: Disclaimers: https://cancersurvivormd.org/disclaimers/ Brad Buchanan: https://linktr.ee/bradthechimera G [Josie] van Londen: https://linktr.ee/cancersurvivormd CancerBridges: https://cancerbridges.org/

    51 min

  8. 09/09/2025

    Essential Elements of Cancer Survivorship Care: Cancer Surveillance

    In this episode, we sit down with social worker Colleen Dwyer from Cancer Bridges to talk about one of the five key parts of survivorship care: keeping an eye out for cancer coming back, also called cancer surveillance. We’ll share what surveillance really means, how it changes over time, and the emotions that can come with it. You’ll also hear tips for working with your health care team as your check-ups and tests gradually become less frequent—so you can feel more confident moving forward. Relevant links for this episode:  Man Up to Cancer: https://manuptocancer.org/CancerBridges: https://cancerbridges.org/ General Links: Disclaimers: https://cancersurvivormd.org/disclaimers/ Brad Buchanan: https://linktr.ee/bradthechimera G [Josie] van Londen: https://linktr.ee/cancersurvivormd CancerBridges: https://cancerbridges.org/

    48 min
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Trailer

About

Hello! Welcome to CancerSurvivorMD’s podcast by Brad and Josie! We will share our experiences with living in sickness, health, and anything in between to allow healing and growth. The topics will focus on cancer survivors and caregivers but will likely resonate with anyone who has been diagnosed with any health condition. Brad is a retired English professor and cancer survivor, now a facilitator of the Writing as Healing workshop. Josie is a retired medical oncologist and cancer survivor.  If you have any questions or topic suggestions, please send them our way, and we will try to incorporate your request.  Please take a look at the disclaimers (https://cancersurvivormd.org/disclaimers). Words can hurt—if you feel you might get or have been triggered, please stop listening and seek support.  

Information

  • Creator
    Brad Buchanan and G [Josie] van Londen
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 CancerSurvivorMD®
  • Show Website
    CancerSurvivorMD®