"Life After Cancer" Podcast Series
"Life After Cancer" is a monthly radio interview series presented by Norris Cotton Cancer Center and Concord/Manchester radio station WTPL 107.7 The Pulse. (The show is simulcast on the Upper Valley's WTSL AM 1400 / FM 94.3.)
Each month, host Jack Heath dedicates the first part of his daily New Hampshire Today show to a conversation with a survivor of a particular type of cancer. Each survivor talks about his or her personal journey from diagnosis to health. Care providers from the Cancer Center are also on hand to talk about what the Cancer Center is doing to prevent and treat the cancer, and how the latest research at the Cancer Center benefits prevention and treatment efforts.
Upcoming Episodes
Episode Four: TBD
Episodes are scheduled for the second Tuesday each month. "Life After Cancer" Episode Four will air on WTSL AM 1400 / FM 94.3 (Upper Valley listeners) and WTPL 107.7 The Pulse (Concord/Manchester listeners) on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 3 p.m. For more information, contact Mary Hawkins, (603) 653-3615.
Subscribe to our podcast
Requires Internet Explorer 7 or above.
When you subscribe to our podcast, new episodes of "Life After Cancer" will automatically be downloaded to your computer. Podcasts allow you to listen to a radio program or interview from your web browser, or on your portable media device (such as an iPod of other type of mp3 player).
Episode Three: Lung Cancer
Download Episode Three to your computer or preferred device (mp3, 11.3 MB)
20 minutes. Originally aired on November 10, 2009.
(To download using Internet Explorer, right-click the link and select Save Target As...)
Because it shows so few symptoms, most lung cancers are not diagnosed until they have reached stage 4 and spread to other parts of the body. Dina Dubey was fortunate: her lung cancer was detected early. In this episode, we talk with Dina, a lung cancer survivor from Northern Vermont, and advance practice nurse Wendye DiSalvo, who works with patients in Norris Cotton Cancer Center's Interdisciplinary Lung Cancer Program.
Diagnosed in March 2008 with stage 2B lung cancer, Dina received her chemotherapy in Lebanon, but was able to receive her radiation therapy in St. Johnsbury, which is close to where she works. Dina completed treatment in August 2008 and to date has been cancer free.
In addition to DiSalvo's work in the Cancer Center's Interdisciplinary Lung Cancer Program, DiSalvo also sees people in the Smoking Cessation Clinic, which is open to anyone over the age of 18 who wants to end their dependence on tobacco. DiSalvo also authored a book, A Nurse's Guide to Caring for Cancer Survivors: Lung Cancer, which provides valuable tips on counseling people with cancer through the various aspects of survivorship, including diagnosis and treatment, follow-up, healthy behaviors, and personal growth.
Dina and DiSalvo also talk about the Great American Smokeout on November 19, during which smokers across the nation take part by smoking less or quitting for the day.
Episode Two: Breast Cancer
Download Episode Two to your computer or preferred device (mp3, 18.7 MB)
20 minutes. Originally aired on October 13, 2009.
(To download using Internet Explorer, right-click the link and select Save Target As...)
More than 200,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. That's why screening and early detection are so important. In this episode, we talk with Norris Cotton Cancer Center oncology nurse Laura Urquhart and Shirley, a breast cancer survivor from Orford, New Hampshire. Shirley shares her experience after a routine mammogram revealed a tumor in her breast that was the size of a grain of sand.
Both women share personal stories about how cancer has touched their lives, and inspired them to give back. Shirley is involved in several efforts to raise awareness and funds for research. She also volunteers at the Cancer Center, delivering treats to patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. Urquhart authored a book, A Nurse’s Guide to Caring for Cancer Survivors: Breast Cancer, which provides valuable tips on counseling people with cancer through the various aspects of survivorship, including diagnosis and treatment, follow-up, healthy behaviors, and personal growth.
They also talk about the Let No Woman Be Overlooked Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, which provides free breast and cervical cancer screenings to New Hampshire women who meet certain requirements. Moreover, inherited risk of cancer and genetic testing and counseling are discussed (more information about the Familial Cancer Program).
Episode One: Bone Marrow Transplant
Download Episode One to your computer or preferred device (mp3, 35 MB)
36 minutes. Originally aired on September 15, 2009.
(To download using Internet Explorer, right-click the link and select Save Target As...)
Norris Cotton Cancer Center transplant nurse coordinator, Idalina Williams, describes the steps necessary to become a bone marrow donor. She also reminisces with her former patient Gerald, a bone marrow donor recipient and leukemia survivor, and Kevin, Gerald's bone marrow donor.
Kevin, of Norwalk, Connecticut, signed up for the registry in college, encouraged by his lacrosse coach to get involved. Seven years later, Kevin was called as a potential match for Gerald, who lives in Claremont, New Hampshire. Gerald was struggling with CML, a type of leukemia. Gerald received a transplant of Kevin's bone marrow in January 2008.
