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.

  1. Jul 15

    Sidelining cancer treatment's side effects through exercise, nutrition, prehab and rehab

    Cancer survivorship is about far more than finishing treatment. In this episode of Bench to Bedside and Beyond, Diane Mapes speaks with prostate cancer survivor and advocate Marty Chakoian and cancer rehabilitation specialist Dr. Hanna Hunter about the physical, emotional and practical realities of life after a cancer diagnosis. Together, they discuss treatment side effects, the value of patient advocacy and support groups, advances in less toxic therapies, and how rehabilitation, exercise and supportive care services help patients maintain quality of life throughout the cancer continuum. Key Takeaways Cancer care is increasingly focused on quality of life, not just survival. Modern oncology aims to treat the whole person, balancing effective cancer treatment with physical function, emotional well-being, independence and long-term survivorship outcomes. Both Chakoian and Hunter emphasize that living well during and after treatment is now a core goal of cancer care. Patients play a critical role in treatment decisions. Chakoian stresses the importance of shared decision-making, encouraging patients to understand their diagnosis, know their personal values and communicate openly with their care teams. The best treatment plan is often the one that balances medical effectiveness with the quality-of-life outcomes that matter most to the individual patient. Supportive care and rehabilitation can start before treatment begins. Dr. Hunter explains that rehabilitation services including physical therapy, lymphedema care, speech therapy and exercise programs can help patients before, during and after treatment. Early intervention can improve resilience, reduce side effects and help patients recover more quickly. Exercise and community support are powerful survivorship tools. Research increasingly shows that physical activity can improve function, quality of life and even cancer outcomes. At the same time, support groups provide practical advice, emotional support and a sense of community that helps people navigate the challenges of cancer and its aftermath.

  2. Jun 24

    Beyond the Five-Year Myth: How Survivorship Care Helps Cancer Patients Live Well

    In this episode of From Bench to Bedside and Beyond, host Diane Mapes talks with Dr. Vidhya Nair, medical director of adult cancer survivorship at Fred Hutch, about what truly happens after active cancer treatment ends. Together, they explore late and long-term side effects, fear of recurrence, and the emotional whiplash many patients feel when treatment stops but symptoms and worries do not. Dr. Nair also explains how Fred Hutch's evolving survivorship program—from embedded care in disease clinics to specialized services in rehab, sexual health, and integrative medicine—helps survivors navigate life after cancer with more support and less uncertainty. Survivorship is more than "being done" with treatment; it is a structured phase of care focused on late and long-term effects, surveillance for recurrence, and helping patients move forward informed rather than fearful. Fred Hutch is embedding survivorship into disease-specific clinics and expanding specialized services such as cancer rehabilitation, sexual health, integrative medicine, and psychosocial support so more patients receive tailored help over 5–10 years after treatment. Survivorship care plans and primary care collaboration give survivors clear guidance on symptoms to watch for, risks like secondary cancers and osteoporosis, and practical steps—exercise, nutrition, and mental health support—to live as well as possible after cancer.

  3. Jun 4

    From Treatment to Thriving: Redefining Cancer Survivorship

    As cancer survival rates rise, "survivorship" has emerged as a critical new phase of care - one that extends far beyond treatment and into long-term physical, emotional, and psychological recovery. Through firsthand stories from a breast cancer survivor and a melanoma survivor-turned-provider, this episode reveals how patients navigate side effects, fear of recurrence, and life-altering changes that can last for decades. It also highlights how survivorship programs at Fred Hutch are evolving to support patients earlier and more holistically, helping them move from treatment toward living well. Key takeaways Survivorship starts at diagnosis, not after treatment ends—and often means coping with the effects of treatment, not just the cancer itself. Cancer care leaves lasting impacts across physical health, mental health, relationships, and finances, requiring ongoing support long after therapy. New treatments like immunotherapy are transforming outcomes, but their long-term effects are still being understood. Modern survivorship programs are expanding earlier and more holistically, meeting patients where they are and helping them rebuild strength, confidence, and quality of life.

    From Treatment to Thriving: Redefining Cancer Survivorship

  4. Apr 6

    How Wildfire Smoke, Light at Night, and 'Solar Jet Lag' Can Increase Cancer Risk

    In this episode, Trang VoPham, PhD, MPH, MS, from Fred Hutch Cancer Center discusses the impact of environmental exposures like wildfire smoke and solar jet lag on health with Diane Mapes from Fred Hutch News. Dr. VoPham also lists other potential risks, such as for liver cancer, and offers potential strategies for mitigation of these impacts.  One takeaway: Where you live in a time zone impacts your circadian rhythms and your risks for disease.

  5. 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."

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

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

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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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