Join us for an enlightening episode of Bladder Cancer Matters with Dr. Donald Lamm, a trailblazer in bladder cancer treatment and the driving force behind the groundbreaking Lamm Protocol. Discover the journey of BCG immunotherapy from its inception in the 1970s to becoming a the gold standard in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer care. Delve into Dr. Lamm's insights on the nuances of BCG therapy, including dosing, strain differences, and the critical challenges of supply shortages. With a career dedicated to advancing urologic oncology, Dr. Lamm shares his optimistic vision for the future of ..read more

 Join Dr. Aditya Bagrodia, a urologic oncologist, on Episode 67 of the Bladder Cancer Matters podcast as he unveils the power of shared decision making in bladder cancer care. Learn why involving patients and caregivers in treatment choices, rooted in their values and informed by expert insight, is crucial across all stages of bladder cancer. Discover the goals of care from non-muscle invasive bladder cancer to advanced stages, and empower yourself to advocate for your health. Dive deep into a world where patient education and collaboration pave the way to personalized care. Don't forget ..read more

Dive into Dean Karrel's powerful journey as a bladder cancer survivor, from his initial diagnosis to life after a radical cystectomy, in Episode 66 of Bladder Cancer Matters. Dean shares the symptoms that led to his life-changing diagnosis, the resilience he maintained through treatments that failed him like BCG and Gemcitabine, and his decision for life-saving surgery. His story is a unfiltered look at the challenges post-surgery, the crucial role of support from nurses and care teams, and his gratitude towards them. Dean highlights the importance of organizations like BCAN in supporting blad ..read more

In this episode of Bladder Cancer Matters, host Rick Bangs chats with Dr. Elizabeth Guancial, a medical oncologist at Florida Cancer Specialists in Sarasota, Florida. They discuss the differences between receiving bladder cancer care in academic medical centers and community hospitals. Dr. Guancial is an expert because she has practiced in both types of institutions. Dr. Guancial shares that in academic medical centers, the focus is on teaching, research, and patient care, while community settings prioritize patient care. Community settings can often provide quicker care and more personalized ..read more

In this riveting episode of the Bladder Cancer Matters podcast, Mark Story sits down with Rick Bangs, the podcast's host and a muscle-invasive bladder cancer survivor. Dive deep into Rick's personal battle with bladder cancer and uncover the critical role of patient advocacy in shaping research.  You'll also discover the behind-the-scenes magic of podcast production and get a glimpse into the future of bladder cancer diagnosis and treatments. Rick passionately advocates for the advancement of precision medicine, the development of less invasive diagnostic and treatment methods, expanded a ..read more

In Part 3 of this Bladder Cancer Matters podcast, host Rick Bangs continues his conversation with Bill Robertson, a bladder cancer survivor, and Dr. Vikram Narayan, an assistant professor in the Department of Urology at Emory University School of Medicine. They discuss the challenges and adjustments that come with having an ileal conduit, a common diversion procedure for bladder cancer patients. Dr. Narayan emphasizes the importance of understanding the recovery process and finding the right stoma appliance. Bill shares his personal experience with daily life after the surgery, including the n ..read more

In Part 2 of 3 in this Bladder Cancer Matters podcast, host Rick Bangs continues his conversation with Bill Robertson, a bladder cancer survivor, and Dr. Vikram Narayan, an assistant professor in the Department of Urology at Emory University School of Medicine. They discuss the difficult decision of undergoing a radical cystectomy, the potential benefits of bladder removal, and the importance of understanding a patient's values and preferences when discussing treatment options. They also touch on the different types of urinary diversions and the challenges that come with them, such as learning ..read more

In Part 1 of a three part "Bladder Cancer Matters" podcast, join host Rick Bangs as he engages in an enlightening conversation with bladder cancer survivor, Bill Robertson, and Dr. Vikram Narayan of Emory University School of Medicine.  Dr. Narayan is Bill’s urologist and helped him navigate the challenges of a bladder cancer diagnosis and resulting bladder removal. Dr. Narayan sheds light on the critical role of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary team in delivering exceptional care to bladder cancer patients. Bill Robertson shares his heartfelt appreciation for the outstanding support an ..read more

In this episode of Bladder Cancer Matters, host Rick Bangs talks with Dr. Philippe Spiess, a Genitourinary Oncologist and Assistant Chief of Surgical Services at the Moffitt Cancer Center as they discuss rare cancers. Dr. Spiess explains that rare cancers are defined as those with an incidence of 40,000 cases or less per year in the United States. However, he notes that the definition of rare cancers should also take into account factors such as expertise, patient advocacy, resources, support services, and clinical trials. Dr. Spiess emphasizes the importance of personalized medicine and preci ..read more

In Episode 61 of Bladder Cancer Matters, Dr. Brendan Guercio, a medical oncologist and assistant professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center, discusses the use of immunotherapy in the treatment of bladder cancer.  He explains that immunotherapy works by training the immune system to identify and fight cancer cells, unlike chemotherapy which directly kills cancer cells. Dr. Guercio focuses on immune checkpoint inhibitors, a type of immunotherapy that blocks proteins used by cancer cells to turn off the immune system. He discusses the effectiveness of checkpoint inhibitors, with ..read more