Category Archives: Episode

A Journalist Journals His Own Journey: TV reporter, Bill Shields’ Own Lung Cancer Story

November 2, 2022Episodebackstageupstage

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:47 — 22.7MB) | Embed

Host: Hildy Grossman Co-Host: Jordan Rich
Guest: Bill Shields, Journalist and TV Field Reporter
Bill Shields has had a celebrated career as a Boston area broadcaster for over forty years. Originally from Texas, Bill began his career at a local TV station before moving to Boston for a job at WBZ-TV where he happily spent his career after falling in love with the city. Ten years ago, Bill was diagnosed with Stage 3B small cell lung cancer. He describes how he was successfully treated at the time and lived cancer free until last year when he received a new diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer. Bill describes his cancer journey, his experience as a reporter and how important humor is to living a full life. Bill’s own words show his grace, humanity and ability to find joy in life, no matter the hardships. You’ll hear why he’s so beloved by all who worked with him and all who watched him on the news.

GENETIC ENGINEERING AND LUNG CANCER, This Isn’t Science Fiction

September 13, 2022Episodebackstageupstage

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:13 — 34.1MB) | Embed

Hosts: Hildy Grossman with Jordan Rich co-host
Guests: Francisco J. Sánchez-Rivera, Ph.D. and Jane Wilkinson
Our prior podcast, “What Did the Human Genome Project Ever Do For Us?” was so exciting and enjoyable that we all felt there was no stopping the conversation with just one podcast. We just had to go on. Our guest, Jane Wilkinson actually worked on the original Human Genome Project and was able to share her experiences and explain this blockbuster effort in such a down-to-earth way that it transformed this complicated topic to a very accessible one. Our other guest, Francisco Sanchez-Revera, Ph.D. began to describe some of the medical consequences that resulted from this work.
Today’s podcast continues with Francisco’s highlighting some of the amazing work being conducted in his lab at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His work is focusing attention on the cause of cancer as well as specifically on the cause of lung cancer. Listen to this important and wonderful conversation!

WHAT DID THE HUMAN GENOME PROJECT EVER DO FOR US? Genetics of Lung Cancer Made Simple

July 26, 2022Episodebackstageupstage

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 42:08 — 38.6MB) | Embed

Hosts: Hildy Grossman with Jordan Rich co-host
Guests: Jane Wilkinson and Francisco J. Sánchez-Rivera, Ph.D.

In this podcast, we do our utmost to help make a complicated topic something we can all understand. Many of us have heard about the Human Genome Project (HGP), but few of us could explain it to someone else. There are terms that are basic to the project, such as “genes”, “genome”, “DNA” “Sequencing” and – no! Wait a minute! Don’t be frightened!

Jane Wilkinson, Executive Director of MIT’s Koch Institute for Cancer Research shares her experience of being a part of the original team unraveling the human genome. She clarifies some of the basic ideas behind the HGP, and describes her specific role. Her exciting explanation of the development and significance of this amazing project directly impacts the research of our other guest, professor of biology at MIT, Francisco Sanchez- Rivera, PhD. He explains, in a very understandable way, how his laboratory is investigating the origins of cancer and how the knowledge of the human genome has resulted in finding and targeting treatment of lung, and other cancers. This project is a perfect compliment to our other podcasts looking at biomarker testing. Don’t miss this thoroughly enjoyable and informative discussion.

She Refuses To Be Knocked Down! One woman’s strategy for thriving with lung cancer

June 29, 2022Episodebackstageupstage

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:35 — 28.0MB) | Embed

Hosts: Hildy Grossman with Jordan Rich co-host
Guests: Heather Smith

Heather Smith was only 34 when she was diagnosed, simply by accident, with
lung cancer. It had already spread to other areas of her body. After experiencing
this frightening curve ball, she was grateful that biomarker testing revealed that
she was ALK+. Knowing this genetic mutation, she could be treated with targeted
therapies that specifically aim at this genetic mutation. Heather discusses her
diagnosis, the course the disease has taken and the challenges she continues
to face.
Once her disease progressed, she developed seizures, and after one of
the seizures, she fell onto her concrete patio and was hospitalized. While
hospitalized, she resolved to not be taken down by her circumstances. “I didn’t
want to merely survive my cancer diagnosis. No! I wanted to thrive with cancer.”
Heather got up from being knocked down by her lung cancer diagnosis,
more determined than ever. She became a life coach. She creatively
decided to share what she’s learned, to help other lung cancer
patients face adversities. Heather is empowered by knowing: “I’m living my best life as a kick a** cancer thriver!” Her message is powerful for all of us.
Do not to take threats lying down!

Creativity at the Heart of Research and Music

June 5, 2022Episodebackstageupstage

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 18:58 — 17.4MB) | Embed

Co-Hosts: Hildy Grossman and Jordan Rich

Good friends, Hildy Grossman and Jordan Rich put their heads together to talk about the importance of creativity when initiating innovative new research. They compare this experience in the lab to one of a songwriter and composer looking at a blank sheet of paper to come up with a new song. Upstage Lung Cancer has always taken pride in being innovative and outside of the box where lung cancer advocacy is concerned. Song requires a healthy use of lungs, and ULC produces concerts to share the joy and vitality of music while bringing information to the audience about lung cancer. This is a bit like Mary Poppins’ concept of “a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down”. Thus, the dynamic duo delightfully discuss ULC’s musical programs as well as the innovative research and scientists our organization support.

What is Exon 20 in Lung Cancer?

May 24, 2022Episodebackstageupstage

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:56 — 32.0MB) | Embed

Listen to caregivers for spouses diagnosed with rare biomarkers

HOST: HILDY GROSSMAN CO-HOST: JORDAN RICH

Guests: Marcia Horn, JD. President and CEO at ICAN, International Cancer Advocacy Network and Executive Director, Exon 20 Group;
Caren Suesserman, Care Partner, Spouse, and Patient Advocate, Exon 20 Group; Sandy Kitchner, Care Partner, Spouse and Patient Advocate, Exon 20 Group

In our latest podcast focusing on biomarkers, we talk with Marcia Horn, from ICAN, the International Cancer Advocacy Network, and who serves as executive director of the Exon 20 Group. Previously as part of our podcast series, we’ve discussed the biomarker EGFR and how drug therapies have been developed to directly target this mutation. In this podcast, Marcia discusses rare Exon 20 Insertion Mutations found primarily in Non Small Cell Lung Cancer, but also found in many other cancer types. The problem is, these rare mutations do not respond like classical EGFR mutation to traditional targeted therapies. Also, Non Small Cell Lung Cancer patients can also be diagnosed with a HER2 Exon 20 insertion mutation, and those insertion mutations in fact, comprise around 50% of all HER2 lung cancer mutations.

Our guests, Caren Suesserman and Sandy Kitchner, have both been care partners for spouses who were diagnosed with EXON 20 insertion mutations. They discuss what can be helpful for those caring for loved ones with advanced disease, and how their own experiences have led them to advocate for other Exon 20 Group lung cancer patients.

FROM THE PATIENT’S EYE VIEW

April 25, 2022Episodebackstageupstage

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:56 — 35.6MB) | Embed

How a positive attitude and biomarkers can guide your journey
Hosts: Hildy Grossman with Jordan Rich
Guests: Jill Feldman and Ivy Elkins with Dann Wonser, EGFR survivors

Two of our other Podcasts have emphasized how important it is to get your tumor tested for biomarkers. We focused on one specific biomarker, EGFR, with two outstanding guests who were both diagnosed with lung cancer and had this mutation. Jill Feldman and Ivy Elkins, of the EGFR Resisters advocacy group return to share more about the work of their organization to help patients and their families. They bring along another member of the EGFR Resisters community, Dann Wonser. Dann shares his own experience being diagnosed with lung cancer, by accident, in 2006. Being free of disease for five years, in 2011 he was diagnosed with advanced stage lung cancer. Dan’s story is inspirational, and he conveys his perspective of hope and fortitude as he continues to be active in his treatment. One way of coping with difficulties is to take action. Dann, Jill and Ivy are inspirational examples.

Biomarkers Benefit Lung Cancer Resisters

March 14, 2022Episodebackstageupstage

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:47 — 35.5MB) | Embed

Jill Feldman and Ivy Elkins
Hosts: Hildy Grossman with Jordan Rich
Guests: Jill Feldman and Ivy Elkins
Two outstanding and determined women share how their lung cancer diagnosis, along with the ability to detect a particular biomarker, EGFR, has had a significant effect on the course of their lives. Biomarkers indicate alterations in your DNA that may drive a tumor. Using biomarker testing, it’s possible to refine diagnostic information to help select treatments to target directly that alteration. Both Jill Feldman and Ivy Elkins have channeled their experience as lung cancer survivors and advocates, to create a patient-centered organization, EGFR Resisters. This organization supports and notifies the EGFR-positive, lung cancer community about the latest information in diagnosis, research and treatment. They encourage us to persevere, and to support continued research to make lung cancer a manageable, chronic disease.

SMALL CELL: BIG PROBLEM

February 13, 2022Episodebackstageupstage

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 42:07 — 38.6MB) | Embed

HOST: HILDY GROSSMAN CO-HOST: JORDAN RICH

GUESTS: Jacob Sands, MD, and Catherine Meador, MD, Ph.D.

Small cell lung Cancer (SCLC) is often called the smoker’s lung cancer, since it is most often diagnosed in heavy smokers. While this type of lung cancer is less prevalent than non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), it’s more aggressive.

Two dedicated and experienced physicians who specialize in treating lung cancer, Dr. Jacob Sands and Dr. Catherine Meador, offer their fascinating insights about the importance of getting a low-dose CT scan when there is a history of heavy smoking. There are often powerful emotional reactions that accompany a SCLC diagnosis, including fear, anxiety, stigma and guilt. It’s important for patients and medical professionals to address these emotional reactions, assuring that they are reasonable under the circumstances.

New and exciting research offers new prospects to live with SCLC. Diagnostic and treatment options include biomarker testing, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, combinations of drug with chemotherapy, and clinical trials. The conversation in this podcast emphasizes that each person is a unique individual who should not be swept away by statistics.

What if Sherlock Holmes Had Cancer? Innovations in Detecting Lung Cancer

December 14, 2021Episodebackstageupstage

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:18 — 28.7MB) | Embed

Host: Hildy Grossman Co-Host: Jordan Rich
Guests: Jane Wilkinson, Tarek Fadel, Jesse Kirkpatrick, Christina Cabana

Imagine the scene of a murder. Detectives are called in to figure out how to solve the case. Sherlock Holmes was created by Sir Arthur Canon Doyle. Holmes was the most famous mastermind detective, whose powers of observation led him to uncover clues and evidence that others would miss. Upstage Lung Cancer’s mission is to support research that develops innovative techniques to find lung cancer at the earliest possible time. To date, there are no reliable, easily available and inexpensive ways to do this. We have been supporting a team from MIT’s Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research who use state-of-the-art research methods that creatively wed science and engineering to discover the presence of cancer. They use nanotechnology to study in real time tiny nano particles that are one hundred to ten thousand times smaller than human cells. This new method has the potential to detect lung cancer during the earliest stages of progression. What would Sherlock Holmes think? Listen to this fascinating discussion to learn more.

“It’s my business to know what other people don’t know.”
-Sir Arthur Canon Doyle, The Blue Carbuncle

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Presented by Upstage Lung Cancer