From Bench to Bedside and Beyond

Fred Hutch News team
  • 5.0 (3)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Stories from Fred Hutch Cancer Center about how our scientists and clinicians are combining innovative research with compassionate care to address the impact of cancer and infectious disease. You'll hear from patients, researchers, doctors, caregivers, supporters and others seeking to prevent and eliminate cancer.

Episodes

  1. Why do we choose the 'quick fix' over tried-and-true cancer prevention?

    MAR 3

    Why do we choose the 'quick fix' over tried-and-true cancer prevention?

    In this episode of From Bench to Bedside and Beyond, Fred Hutch psychologist and public health researcher Dr. Jonathan Bricker, who holds the Endowed Chair in Cancer Prevention, talks to Diane Mapes about why people embrace dietary supplements, which are unregulated by the FDA and require no safety or scientific studies, and turn away from science-based cancer prevention like the HPV vaccine. "It's not about ignorance or misinformation," Bricker said. "It's about a basic human desire to avoid discomfort and to have control." Takeaways:  Many people take supplements in order to improve health and avoid cancer.  But large clinical trials led by Fred Hutch have found some supplements actually promote, not prevent, cancer.   At the same time, vaccine hesitancy is increasing – even for safe, long-studied vaccines that actually prevent cancer.  What's the psychology behind our willingness to embrace 'quick fixes' like supplements and peptides even when there's little science behind their efficacy, and turn away from tried-and-true cancer prevention like the HPV vaccine?  It's about a 'basic human desire to avoid discomfort and to have control,' Bricker said.  Dietary supplements 'aren't just biological interventions, they're psychological interventions,' Bricker said, because they promise immediate action and give us agency.  Public health messaging tends to take a rational approach. This triggers fear, which then drives people toward the 'quick biomedical fix.' It creates a "psychological feedback loop."

    5 min

  2. MAR 3

    From diagnosis to biking in Croatia: a kidney cancer patient's journey

    In this episode of From Bench to Bedside and Beyond, Dr. Yaw Nyame and patient Dave Lucas talk with Fred Hutch's Bonnie Rochman on exploring innovative kidney cancer treatments, robotic surgery and the importance of personalized care. Discover how advanced surgical techniques and patient-centered approaches can lead to remarkable recovery stories like Lucas's.  Takeaways Robotic surgery can significantly reduce recovery time for complex cases Personalized care involves understanding patient goals and lifestyle. Advanced surgical techniques require meticulous planning and teamwork.

    21 min

  3. 12/15/2025

    Cancer patient advocate reinforces importance of normalizing conversations about symptoms

    In this conversation, Margie Wilson talks to Fred Hutch Cancer Center's Bonnie Rochman about her experience being diagnosed with endometrial cancer and her evolution into a patient advocate for Black women. She discusses her initial symptoms and treatment, the challenges of navigating the medical system, and the importance of having open conversations about women's health and finding a supportive healthcare provider.  Margie was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2016 after experiencing unexplained bleeding that she attributed to menopause. The first oncologist she saw was dismissive and rushed, but finding a compassionate and understanding doctor made a significant difference in her treatment experience. Brachytherapy was a key part of her treatment plan. Margie became involved with ECANA to advocate for Black women with endometrial cancer. Education and awareness are vital in saving lives and improving health outcomes for women.

    21 min

  4. 11/25/2025

    CAR T-cell therapy with Dr. Mazyar Shadman

    Dr. Mazyar Shadman is a blood cancer specialist at Fred Hutch Cancer Center who focuses on lymphoid malignancies. In a conversation with Bonnie Rochman, they explore the advancements in CAR T-cell therapy, particularly for large B-cell lymphoma, highlighting its impact on patient outcomes and survival rates.  Takeaways  CAR T therapy is a significant advancement in cancer treatment. The future of cancer treatment may heavily rely on CAR T advancements.  CAR T therapy represents a shift in cancer care paradigms. It is particularly effective for large B-cell lymphoma. Patients with relapsed disease historically had limited survival chances. CAR T therapy has improved outcomes for high-risk patients. 30 to 40% of patients are now being cured with CAR T therapy. The treatment offers better quality of life compared to standard care. Ongoing research is crucial for further advancements in CAR T. Patient selection is key for the success of CAR T therapy.

    16 min

  5. 11/05/2025

    Delivering the Best Possible Cancer Care with Tom Purcell

    In this conversation, Dr. Tom Purcell, Chief Medical Officer at Fred Hutch Cancer Center, discusses his role in overseeing quality care delivery and patient satisfaction with Bonnie Rochman. He reflects on his previous experience in a community cancer program and emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach in optimizing patient care. The conversation also touches on the cultural shifts necessary for improving healthcare delivery and the ongoing efforts to enhance patient access and satisfaction.

    13 min
  6. Frogs help Fred Hutch find the shape of small things

    10/27/2025

    Frogs help Fred Hutch find the shape of small things

    Frogs are back at Fred Hutch after a long absence to study the structure of DNA-linked molecular complexes that change during the cell cycle and malfunction in cancer and other diseases. Fred Hutch writer / editor John Higgins discusses his latest story on the current and past frog research with multimedia editor Robert Hood.

    8 min
  7. The Message Is the Medium - David Patton and Robert Hood

    10/22/2025

    The Message Is the Medium - David Patton and Robert Hood

    After more than a decade of providing high-quality cancer and research stories via the Fred Hutch website, the organization is evolving its storytelling to go beyond the browser. David Patton, Fred Hutch's content strategy lead, talks with Heart of the Hutch producer and multimedia editor Robert Hood about this dynamic storytelling evolution. The goal is to reach audiences with the same high value cancer and science information in the platforms and formats they are now relying on more often. Learn more at FredHutch.com/News

    15 min

  8. 09/24/2025

    When work becomes personal - John Scheleen

    Welcome to Bench to Bedside and Beyond, stories from Fred Hutch Cancer Center about how our scientists and clinicians are combining innovative research with compassionate care to address the impact of cancer and infectious disease. You'll hear from patients, researchers, doctors, caregivers, supporters and others seeking to prevent and eliminate cancer. In this conversation, John Scheleen talks about his experience being treated for cancer for much of his tenure as a Fred Hutch employee with Bonnie Rochman, a writer for Fred Hutch News. Scheleen recounts how he found a "weird mole" that catapulted him out of the world of grants and financial reports and into the world of patient care. He recalls what it was like to wait for biopsy results during the weekend in which his son celebrated his first birthday, a time of anxiety and joy. And he explains that his work closing out grants is especially meaningful when he recognizes the names of providers who have treated him.

    11 min

  9. 09/24/2025

    Gratitude inspires a job search - Tiffany Bucklin

    Welcome to Bench to Bedside and Beyond, stories from Fred Hutch Cancer Center about how our scientists and clinicians are combining innovative research with compassionate care to address the impact of cancer and infectious disease. You'll hear from patients, researchers, doctors, caregivers, supporters and others seeking to prevent and eliminate cancer. In this conversation, Tiffany Bucklin talks about her unwavering commitment to getting a job at Fred Hutch after her husband was treated here for leukemia. She tells Bonnie Rochman, a writer for Fred Hutch News, how her husband's care team impressed her by remembering their children's names. Bucklin reflects on how it felt to have the team take a "vested interest in our story and how it ended."

    10 min

  10. 09/24/2025

    From guinea pig to long-term survivor - Chris Lundy

    Welcome to Bench to Bedside and Beyond, stories from Fred Hutch Cancer Center about how our scientists and clinicians are combining innovative research with compassionate care to address the impact of cancer and infectious disease. You'll hear from patients, researchers, doctors, caregivers, supporters and others seeking to prevent and eliminate cancer.   In this conversation, Chris Lundy tells Bonnie Rochman, a writer for Fred Hutch News, what it was like to be among the first wave of bone marrow transplant recipients. Lundy was 21 and in the military when he came to Fred Hutch in 1971 for a life-saving transplant. He recalls being told that he had a 10% chance of survival. More than 50 years later, he reflects on how he beat the odds in a big way.

    23 min

  11. 09/23/2025

    A mother-daughter connection - Bonnie and Katie Kraskouskas

    Welcome to Bench to Bedside and Beyond, stories from Fred Hutch Cancer Center about how our scientists and clinicians are combining innovative research with compassionate care to address the impact of cancer and infectious disease. You'll hear from patients, researchers, doctors, caregivers, supporters and others seeking to prevent and eliminate cancer.   In this conversation, Bonnie Kraskouskas shares her pride with Bonnie Rochman, a writer for Fred Hutch News, at having her daughter, Katie, work in research at Fred Hutch—two decades after she first enrolled baby Katie at Hutch Kids daycare.  Bonnie talks about what it's like to retire after more than 30 years at Fred Hutch managing grants, knowing that her daughter is continuing to contribute to Fred Hutch's mission. Katie reflects on the impact that her high school biology teacher, who participated in Fred Hutch's Science Education Partnership program, had on her future career. In a full-circle moment, Katie notes she now works at the same desk where she observed the operations of her lab as a high schooler.

    12 min

  12. 09/03/2025

    Being a bone marrow donor for a brother - Jenn Vehrs

    Welcome to Bench to Bedside and Beyond, stories from Fred Hutch Cancer Center about how our scientists and clinicians are combining innovative research with compassionate care to address the impact of cancer and infectious disease. You'll hear from patients, researchers, doctors, caregivers, supporters and others seeking to prevent and eliminate cancer. In this conversation, Jenn Vehrs shares her journey as a bone marrow donor for her brother with Bonnie Rochman, a writer for Fred Hutch News. Vehrs talks about her experiences growing up with cancer in the family and her professional journey at Fred Hutch. She reflects on the emotional and physical challenges of being a donor at a young age, the honor she felt in helping her brother and the full-circle moment of working at the very institution that played a crucial role in her family's life. Jenn also discusses her parents' battles with cancer and the impact of Fred Hutch on their lives.

    21 min
  • 12 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

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Stories from Fred Hutch Cancer Center about how our scientists and clinicians are combining innovative research with compassionate care to address the impact of cancer and infectious disease. You'll hear from patients, researchers, doctors, caregivers, supporters and others seeking to prevent and eliminate cancer.

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