Outperform Cancer

Marybeth Gilliam
  • 5.0 (8)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Actionable, anti-cancer strategies found in peer-reviewed, scientific research to improve cancer outcomes.

  1. The Cancer Test Too Many Patients Still Aren't Getting

    APR 16

    The Cancer Test Too Many Patients Still Aren't Getting

    In this episode, Marybeth speaks with Dr. Nathan Fowler, Chief Medical Officer of BostonGene and former Professor of Medicine at MD Anderson Cancer Center, about why biomarker testing is helping turn personalized medicine from an idea into a reality. They discuss what biomarker testing, tumor sequencing, liquid biopsy, and ctDNA actually mean, why this information can be critical to choosing the right treatment, and why too many patients still are not being tested. Dr. Fowler explains why he believes biomarker testing should happen as early as possible, how patients can advocate for themselves, how tumor testing differs from inherited genetic testing, and when repeat testing may be needed. He also shares a remarkable story of a patient with advanced lymphoma whose biomarker matched an experimental therapy and led to a complete remission that has lasted more than a decade. Topics discussed: What biomarker-driven care actually means Why tumor sequencing can change treatment decisions The difference between tumor testing and genetic testing When liquid biopsy and ctDNA may be useful How biomarker testing can open clinical trial options Why testing should happen earlier in cancer care How BostonGene is using AI to improve precision oncology If you found this valuable, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to help others access life-saving information! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/outperformcancer/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/outperform-cancer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marybethgilliam/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@marybethgilliam

    54 min
  2. 22 Years Metastatic: How Teri Pollastro Combined Standard Treatment, Cancer Vaccines & Self-Advocacy

    FEB 17

    22 Years Metastatic: How Teri Pollastro Combined Standard Treatment, Cancer Vaccines & Self-Advocacy

    Teri Pollastro shares how she combined standard of care treatment with bold, informed self-advocacy — and why that combination may have shaped her extraordinary 22-year survival after a stage 4 metastatic breast cancer diagnosis. Her story highlights a critical reality: Standard of care is foundational.But progress often requires patients willing to responsibly go beyond it. If you found this valuable, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to help others access life-saving information! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/outperformcancer/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/outperform-cancer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marybethgilliam/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@marybethgilliam Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/outperformcancer.bsky.social

    1h 4m
  3. Dr. Abby Overacre's Warning for Cancer Patients: Sucralose May Block Immunotherapy

    11/07/2025

    Dr. Abby Overacre's Warning for Cancer Patients: Sucralose May Block Immunotherapy

    What if something as small as the sweetener in your coffee could decide whether your cancer treatment works? In this episode, Dr. Abby Overacre, a microbiome and immunology researcher at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, discusses her team’s new findings published in Cancer Discovery: the common artificial sweetener sucralose can undermine immunotherapy effectiveness by disrupting the gut microbiome and depleting immune-fueling amino acids like arginine. Even modest use—about three packets of Splenda per day—was associated with faster tumor growth and poorer progression-free survival in both preclinical models and cancer patients. Dr. Overacre explains how the microbiome links diet to immune response, why natural sweeteners such as stevia and monk fruit appear safer, and how fiber-rich and fermented foods can support gut and immune health during treatment. She also shares emerging research into arginine and citrulline supplementation, fecal microbiota transplants (FMT), and how restoring microbial balance could improve outcomes across cancer types, including melanoma, lung, and liver metastases. Key takeaways: —Sucralose consumption can blunt immunotherapy response. —Gut microbiome diversity plays a pivotal role in cancer outcomes. —Fiber and fermented foods strengthen immune-microbiome synergy. —Arginine and citrulline may help restore immune cell metabolism. Patients can take concrete steps to protect their microbiome during therapy. “Just three packets of sucralose a day were enough to completely blunt immunotherapy response. Patients deserve to know this.” — Dr. Abby Overacre 🎧 Listen now and learn what every cancer patient on immunotherapy should know about artificial sweeteners. If you found this valuable, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to help others access life-saving information! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/outperformcancer/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/outperform-cancer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marybethgilliam/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@marybethgilliam Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/outperformcancer.bsky.social

    1h 9m
  4. Kristen Dahlgren on the Cancer Vaccine That’s Changing Lives

    06/04/2025

    Kristen Dahlgren on the Cancer Vaccine That’s Changing Lives

    When Kristen Dahlgren was diagnosed with breast cancer, she thought she’d seen it all as an NBC correspondent. But she quickly discovered a story no one was telling: the promise of therapeutic cancer vaccines. These revolutionary treatments are showing 10+ year survival in advanced breast cancer clinical trials, and similar mind blowing results for other cancers, yet most doctors—and patients—still don’t know they exist. In this inspiring and informative episode, Kristen shares her journey from diagnosis to advocacy, the science behind cancer vaccines, and how we can all play a role in bringing them to market faster. If you found this valuable, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to help others access life-saving information!

    50 min
  5. Are Cancer Vaccines the Breakthrough We've Been Waiting For? Dr. Nora Disis Explains

    05/07/2025

    Are Cancer Vaccines the Breakthrough We've Been Waiting For? Dr. Nora Disis Explains

    What if your own immune system could be trained to find and destroy cancer? In this uplifting episode, Dr. Nora Disis shares the exciting breakthroughs in cancer vaccines—and why there’s real hope for patients today and in the future. If you found this valuable, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to help others access life-saving information!

    1h 12m
  6. The Future of Cancer Radiation Treatment with Dr. Henry Park

    04/04/2025

    The Future of Cancer Radiation Treatment with Dr. Henry Park

    Leading radiation oncologist Dr. Henry Park—Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital— reveals how radiation can cure some cancers and be used to treat patients with multiple tumors. Learn which gender may respond better to radiation and how cutting-edge technology like RefleXion Scintix is changing the game by targeting multiple tumors in real time, even while patients breathe. This episode dives into what “curative intent” really means, the impact of genomics and immunotherapy on radiation outcomes, and why radiation is more precise—and powerful—than ever. If you found this valuable, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to help others access life-saving information!

    1h 15m
  7. Bone Trauma & Cancer: The Hidden Risk No One Talks About & What to Do

    02/05/2025

    Bone Trauma & Cancer: The Hidden Risk No One Talks About & What to Do

    Surprising New Research by Dr. Xiang Zhang Reveals the Hidden Cancer Risk of Bone Trauma and How His Work is Helping Patients Did you know that bone is one of the most common sites for cancer metastasis? If you've had breast, prostate, lung, renal, liver, or bladder cancer, this is a must-watch conversation. Dr. Xiang Zhang, a leading cancer researcher at Baylor College of Medicine, joins us to discuss groundbreaking findings on bone metastasis, including: -- How bone fractures, injuries, and even osteoporosis can awaken dormant cancer cells -- Why exercise plays a crucial role in reducing recurrence risk by up to 50% -- How bisphosphonates may help prevent bone metastasis -- New precision therapies being developed to stop bone metastasis in its tracks As a metastatic breast cancer survivor, this conversation was mind-blowing for me. Understanding these risks is critical for anyone looking to outperform cancer and take control of their health. If you found this valuable, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to help others access life-saving information!

    58 min
  8. Double Survival in Pancreatic Cancer: High-Dose IV Vitamin C Breakthrough in New Randomized Trial

    11/20/2024

    Double Survival in Pancreatic Cancer: High-Dose IV Vitamin C Breakthrough in New Randomized Trial

    NEW RESULTS. Dr. Joseph Cullen’s latest randomized clinical trial reveals double progression-free survival and double overall survival for pancreatic cancer patients when receiving high-dose vitamin C with standard chemotherapy. Additional clinical trial work by Dr. Cullen indicates this approach also improves survival in for glioblastoma. We reconnect with Dr. Joseph Cullen, a distinguished Professor of Surgery at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, to discuss his seminal research newly published in Redox Biology. This important study not only confirms the promise shown in previous trials but significantly strengthens the evidence supporting IVC's role as a game-changing adjunctive treatment in cancer care. Dr. Cullen, who has led extensive clinical investigations including trials on glioblastoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and colorectal cancer, has observed consistent life-extending benefits across cancer types with the integration of IVC. These consistent outcomes underscore the transformative potential of high-dose vitamin C in enhancing the efficacy of conventional cancer therapies. With over 162 peer-reviewed papers and 32 book chapters to his name, Dr. Cullen's expertise continues to shape the future of oncology. His ongoing research at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine is advancing the understanding of how pharmacological ascorbate manipulates redox metabolism, paving the way for innovative and more effective cancer treatments. Tune in to learn how this groundbreaking trial is reshaping the narrative around cancer treatment and why Dr. Cullen's work holds profound implications for patients and the medical community alike.

    28 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Actionable, anti-cancer strategies found in peer-reviewed, scientific research to improve cancer outcomes.

Information

  • Creator
    Marybeth Gilliam
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Outperform Cancer. All rights reserved. This podcast is protected by copyright under the laws of the United States and other countries. No part of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of Outperform Cancer, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to marybeth@outperformcancer.com, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator.” 560284
  • Show Website
    Outperform Cancer

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