Welcome to Cancer Rebranded

Hello and welcome to Cancer Rebranded.  In 1992, I was diagnosed with brain cancer, a type of brain tumor usually seen in adolescents and young adults.  My name is Craig Lustig and more than 30 years after hearing the words, “you have cancer,” I’m having conversations about what has changed in the cancer experience, what hasn’t and the work ahead.  

When I meet newly diagnosed cancer patients, I encourage them, that regardless of their prognosis, remember that just because you have cancer, doesn’t mean that you are cancer.  You have a family, friends, a community, a profession, hobbies and dreams.  The impact of cancer is significant, but just because you have cancer, all of the elements that make you unique are still there.

This podcast aims to do a few things.  First, take a big picture view of the cancer experience.  Let’s talk about treatment decisions, side effects and clinical trials.  But I also want to focus on questions like, what does it mean to be a young adult, a person of color, a queer person with cancer, an older person, a caregiver.  In the US there are more than 18 million cancer survivors and growing.  What does it mean to integrate the cancer experience into your life 1, 5, 10, 20 or 30 years after your diagnosis?  These topics are complicated, because every person impacted by cancer is a unique and complex individual.

I want to engage you in the conversation.  I’ve invited people I’ve met along the way in my life and cancer journey to discuss all sorts of things, and I welcome your ideas and input.