The Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center leads the field in scientific inquiry and sets the pace in the race to cure cancer. Our doctors and researchers are at the vanguard of discovery, implementation and treatment. Our podcast provides a glimpse at the work they do to combat cancer and the leading care that our state-of-the-art facilities provide.
Dr Bill Nelson and Dr Elizabeth Jaffee discuss two significant breakthroughs in pancreatic cancer. The first is daraxonrasib, a drug that has significantly prolonged survival in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer and a new vaccine targeting mutations that cause the disease and that could potentially go as far as preventing it altogether.
6/25/26 • 15:40
Dr Bill Nelson talks to thoracic surgeon, Dr Stephen Yang, about the developments in lung cancer surgery that have resulted in more minimally invasive procedures and improved patient outcomes.
6/11/26 • 15:23
Dr Bill Nelson talks with YouTuber and science communicator Hank Green about his diagnosis and treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma, the quickening of advances in cancer therapies and the most likely areas for future care breakthroughs.
5/21/26 • 47:54
May is Melanoma Awareness Month. In this episode, Dr Bill Nelson and Dr Ashani Weeraratna explain the causes of melanoma and what you can do to reduce your risk for skin cancers.
5/14/26 • 14:35
In this episode, we tackle a critical and often unsettling subject of the history of racial ethics in healthcare. This discussion is not just about looking back at the past, but about understanding how historical injustices continue to influence present-day healthcare practices and perceptions. The history of racial ethics in healthcare is complex and fraught with ethical breaches that have left deep scars in communities, particularly among African Americans. Perhaps one of the most infamous examples is the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Conducted between 1932 and 1972, this study involved hundreds of African American men who were misled and denied proper treatment for syphilis. This egregious violation of ethical standards was justified at the time by prevailing racist ideologies that dehumanized Black individuals and viewed them as suitable subjects for experimentation.
4/22/26 • 27:44
Today we delve into a pressing issue that challenges conventional perceptions about cancer – its increasing prevalence among younger populations. Traditionally, cancer has predominantly affected individuals over the age of 50. However, recent years have seen a troubling rise in cases among those under 40, a demographic historically viewed as less susceptible. In this episode, we explore the evolving landscape of cancer in young people, discussing emerging trends, risk factors, and the unique challenges faced by this age group. With expert insights from Dr Otis Brawley, we'll uncover how lifestyle, genetic predispositions, and advancements in early detection play a role in these shifting trends. We'll also discuss how healthcare systems can adapt to better serve young cancer patients, ensuring equitable access to prevention, treatment, and care.
4/15/26 • 23:09
Dr Otis Brawley sheds light on the often-confusing world of cancer statistics by explaining the crucial differences between survival rates and death rates. He delves into how increased survival rates can paradoxically correlate with higher mortality rates and the factors that contribute to this complex relationship. Dr Brawley addresses common misconceptions about cancer statistics and offers practical advice for healthcare professionals on effectively communicating these nuances to patients. The episode also highlights the potential pitfalls of using survival rates as the sole metric for treatment success, the role of early detection in shaping public perception, and the importance of responsible media reporting.
4/8/26 • 18:28
Discover effective strategies for reducing racial, economic, and social inequalities in cancer prevention and treatment as Dr Otis Brawley shares insights on integrating research into culturally sensitive programs. Explore the vital role of community organizations in cancer control and learn from impactful initiatives that have transformed underserved communities. Looking towards the future, Dr Brawley highlights his priorities for advancing cancer control with technology and innovation, offering valuable advice to those embarking on a career in this critical field.
4/1/26 • 19:52
Dr Bill Nelson talks to Dr Christian Pavlovich, a urologic oncologist, about the ever-expanding treatment options available for patients with prostate cancer in Washington DC.
2/26/26 • 15:21
Dr Bill Nelson talks with Dr Richard Dotson about his book, Unbroken, detailing the story of his diagnosis, treatment, and recovery from pancreatic cancer. Dr Dotson's oncologist at Johns Hopkins, Dr Daniel Laheru, also joins the podcast to discuss his diagnosis and care plan. Learn more about Dr Dotson's book ➡️ https://amzn.to/4qJfVCp
2/12/26 • 15:15
Dr Bill Nelson speaks with Dr Gabriel Ivey, a gastrointestinal surgeon based in the National Capital Region, about his practice, the progress being made in patient outcomes, and the range of care options available at Johns Hopkins in the greater Washington DC area.
1/22/26 • 12:52
This is Healthcare Quality Week. In this podcast, Dr Bill Nelson talks with Yanka Campbell and Dr Allen Chen about improving the quality of care by implementing standards that have positively impacted patient safety and reduced adverse events.
10/23/25 • 16:29
Dr Akila Viswanathan talks with Dr Amol Narang about the latest edition of Seminars in Radiation Oncology focused on the multidisciplinary treatment of pancreatic cancer.
10/21/25 • 17:44
Dr Akila Viswanathan speaks with Johns Hopkins Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences faculty in attendance at the 2025 American Society for Radiation Oncology Annual Meeting in San Francisco to review the conference and provide updates on how the information presented will impact patient care. Dr Sahaja Acharya discusses soft tissue sarcomas. Dr Daniel Song reviews a range of studies on prostate cancer. Dr Ana Kiess describes the current state of radiopharmacueticals. Dr Lawrence Kleinberg updates the progress being made in the treatment of central nervous system malignancies.
10/14/25 • 40:19
Dr Bill Nelson talks to Dr Catherine Handy Marshall about the broader range or treatments available for advanced prostate cancer at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center that are leading to better outcomes, fewer side-effects and longer survival.
9/18/25 • 11:44
Dr Bill Nelson and Dr Sam Denmeade discuss the growing array of treatments for patients with prostate cancer available at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center.
9/4/25 • 08:18
Dr Bill Nelson talks to Dr John Gross, a surgical pathologist, about the diagnosis of sarcomas, tumors most commonly found in bones and soft tissue. Dr Gross recently published a paper in Modern Pathology on his team's discovery of a new type of soft tissue tumor. Read more about that here.
8/28/25 • 13:06
Dr Bill Nelson and Dr Michael Pishvaian discuss the targeting of KRAS mutations in pancreatic cancer to develop new treatment options for a disease that has been historically difficult to care for.
8/21/25 • 13:53
Dr Bill Nelson and Dr Cynthia Sears discuss the role of the microbiome on our overall health, how it impacts cancer risk and the crucial role of federal research funding in understanding these organisms.
8/14/25 • 14:58
Dr Bill Nelson and Dr Nilo Azad discuss the decades-long research effort to develop treatments targeting KRAS mutations and the importance of federal funding in bringing those treatments to patients.
8/7/25 • 13:43
Dr Bill Nelson and Dr Michael Carducci discuss using Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) targeted therapies to detect and treat prostate cancer.
7/31/25 • 11:54
Dr Akila Viswanathan speaks with Dr Sophia Kamran from Harvard Medical School and Dr Constantinos Zamboglou from the German Oncology Center about the latest edition of Seminars in Radiation Oncology focusing on new treatments for advanced prostate cancer.
7/29/25 • 36:51
Dr Bill Nelson talks to Dr Elizabeth Platz about her research studying the causes of cancer over time in large groups and using data to assess future risk.
7/24/25 • 20:37
Dr Bill Nelson and Dr Bert Vogelstein discuss the development of tools for the early detection of cancers, which will lead to better treatments with fewer long-term consequences for patients.
7/17/25 • 13:13
Dr Bill Nelson speaks with Dr Kala Visvanathan about her research assessing breast cancer risk, why many people are developing cancers earlier in life, and the tools she is developing to find cancer sooner, when it can be treated more effectively.
7/10/25 • 20:28
Dr Bill Nelson and Dr Chi Dang discuss the impact of circadian rhythms on our metabolism and how researchers are working to utilize this knowledge to improve cancer treatment.
7/3/25 • 09:58
Dr Bill Nelson talks to Dr Andrew Ewald, a cell biologist, about his research into how cancer cells migrate throughout the body and the importance of federal funding to continue building on decades of successful research efforts.
6/26/25 • 18:22
Dr Bill Nelson speaks with Dr Elizabeth Jaffee about her research in cancer vaccines, immunotherapy, and the importance of federal funding in continuing to achieve breakthroughs in cancer treatment.
6/19/25 • 16:42
Dr Bill Nelson talks with Dr Denis Wirtz about his research using CODA, an artificial intelligence platform, to identify and analyze pre-cancerous lesions previously undetected in the pancreas and along the fallopian tubes.
6/12/25 • 14:30
Dr Bill Nelson talks with Dr Ashani Weeraratna about her work in melanoma research, the progress that has been made in treating patients with melanoma, and the importance of federal research funding in finding advancements in treatment for this disease.
5/29/25 • 14:52
