Dana-farber Cancer Institute

Cancer research is often geared toward finding new and effective treatments, but researchers are also constantly trying to pinpoint ways to find cancer in its early stages, when it is often more treatable and even curable. Incredible advancements have been made in early detection in recent years, but it can still be hard to sift through all of the facts and false information to figure out what you need to know. Today, we’ll address some common myths, misconceptions, and questions about early detection of cancer with two Dana-Farber experts: Dr. Brittany Bychkovsky and cancer genetic counselor Jill Stopfer.

Prostate cancer is a disease in which cancer forms in the prostate, a gland located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum in males. In the United States, a man has a one in five chance of being diagnosed with this disease in his lifetime. But there are still a lot of myths and misconceptions surrounding prostate cancer, including how it’s detected and how it’s managed and treated. Today with Dr. Mark Pomerantz, a medical oncologist in the Genitourinary Cancer Treatment Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we’ll go over some of those common myths and talk about the latest treatment options for prostate cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women, and as a result, there is an almost endless stream of information about the disease on the Internet and beyond. One fact we know is that early detection of breast cancer can often make the disease easier to treat, and in some cases, easier to cure. So what are some fast facts that everyone should know about breast cancer risk, and what are some common myths and misconceptions that just aren’t true? Today, we’ll tell you what you need to know with the help of two Dana-Farber experts: Dr. Brittany Bychkovsky and cancer genetic counselor Jill Stopfer.

Leukemia, a type of blood cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, is one of the most well-known types of cancer. In the case of leukemia, the bone marrow produces abnormal blood cells, suppressing the production of normal blood cells that help the body fight off infections. There are many different myths and misconceptions floating around about this cancer, which we address with the help of Daniel DeAngelo, MD, PhD, director of Clinical and Translational Research for the Adult Leukemia Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

For thousands of years, marijuana—also known by names such as pot or weed—has been used for medicinal purposes. A psychoactive drug, marijuana is an illegal drug under U.S. federal law; however, some have legalized medical and recreational marijuana on their own, including Massachusetts, the home state of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. So where does marijuana come into play when it comes to treating cancer? And can it help patients manage cancer? We dive into these questions, and other common questions, myths, and misconceptions about marijuana and cancer, with Ilana Braun, MD, chief of Adult Psychosocial Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Brain tumors are some of the most complex types of cancers that exist, requiring a multidisciplinary team of many specialists. There are two main types of brain tumors: primary brain tumors, which originate in the brain, and secondary brain tumors, also known as brain metastasis, which refers to a tumor that has spread to the brain from its area of origin. Today with Ugonma Chukwueke, MD, an oncologist in the Center for Neuro-Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we break down some of the most common myths and misconceptions about brain tumors — whether you’re looking for information on how they start, what their signs and symptoms are, or how they’re treated.

Listen to recordings of nutritionists and other experts discussing the relationship between diet and cancer. Each episode covers different nutritional topics such as foods to avoid and foods to explore, advice to help you lose weight, and tips on how to maintain weight during treatment. Nutritionists also discuss some of the latest myths and rumors about different foods and their relationship to cancer.

Listen to recordings of nutritionists and other experts discussing the relationship between diet and cancer. Each episode covers different nutritional topics such as foods to avoid and foods to explore, advice to help you lose weight, and tips on how to maintain weight during treatment. Nutritionists also discuss some of the latest myths and rumors about different foods and their relationship to cancer.

Listen to recordings of nutritionists and other experts discussing the relationship between diet and cancer. Each episode covers different nutritional topics such as foods to avoid and foods to explore, advice to help you lose weight, and tips on how to maintain weight during treatment. Nutritionists also discuss some of the latest myths and rumors about different foods and their relationship to cancer.

Listen to recordings of nutritionists and other experts discussing the relationship between diet and cancer. Each episode covers different nutritional topics such as foods to avoid and foods to explore, advice to help you lose weight, and tips on how to maintain weight during treatment. Nutritionists also discuss some of the latest myths and rumors about different foods and their relationship to cancer.

Listen to recordings of nutritionists and other experts discussing the relationship between diet and cancer. Each episode covers different nutritional topics such as foods to avoid and foods to explore, advice to help you lose weight, and tips on how to maintain weight during treatment. Nutritionists also discuss some of the latest myths and rumors about different foods and their relationship to cancer.

Listen to recordings of nutritionists and other experts discussing the relationship between diet and cancer. Each episode covers different nutritional topics such as foods to avoid and foods to explore, advice to help you lose weight, and tips on how to maintain weight during treatment. Nutritionists also discuss some of the latest myths and rumors about different foods and their relationship to cancer.

Listen to recordings of nutritionists and other experts discussing the relationship between diet and cancer. Each episode covers different nutritional topics such as foods to avoid and foods to explore, advice to help you lose weight, and tips on how to maintain weight during treatment. Nutritionists also discuss some of the latest myths and rumors about different foods and their relationship to cancer.

Listen to recordings of nutritionists and other experts discussing the relationship between diet and cancer. Each episode covers different nutritional topics such as foods to avoid and foods to explore, advice to help you lose weight, and tips on how to maintain weight during treatment. Nutritionists also discuss some of the latest myths and rumors about different foods and their relationship to cancer.

What should we eat, and what shouldn’t we eat? What keeps cancer patients healthy, and what can help fend off cancer in the first place? These are big questions, and it can be hard to tell the difference between a nutritional myth and a nutritional fact. “Superfood,” a relatively new term, refers to foods that have certain supposed very good health benefits. In this episode, Stacy Kennedy, MPH, RD, a senior clinical nutritionist in Nutrition Services at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center, helps us uncover what the real deal is with these foods — and whether they can help cancer patients.

Meditation is a practice that can help us learn to be present in the moment and navigate life's challenges. Produced by Patty Arcari, PhD, RN, program manager of mindfulness and meditation at Dana-Farber's Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies, this audio meditation guide may be able to help you discover your inner peace.

Meditation is a practice that can help us learn to be present in the moment and navigate life's challenges. Produced by Patty Arcari, PhD, RN, program manager of mindfulness and meditation at Dana-Farber's Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies, this audio meditation guide may be able to help you discover your inner peace.

Meditation is a practice that can help us learn to be present in the moment and navigate life's challenges. Produced by Patty Arcari, PhD, RN, program manager of mindfulness and meditation at Dana-Farber's Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies, this audio meditation guide may be able to help you discover your inner peace.

Immunotherapy is a kind of treatment that has had stunning results in some patients with cancers like melanoma, lymphoma, and kidney cancer. Immunotherapy drugs empower the body’s immune system by enabling the body to fight cancer — an approach that can slow or halt cancer in certain patients. In our latest podcast series, The Science Behind Cancer, we dive into the basics of immunotherapy with the help of Osama Rahma, MD, a medical oncologist at Dana-Farber’s Center for Immuno-Oncology. With Rahma’s help, we explore the different types of immunotherapy, who should be treated with it, how researchers are looking to further develop this treatment, and more.

No one wants to give their kids bad news, and it’s hard to imagine something worse than telling your kids you have cancer. For lymphoma survivors Gina Johnson and Connie Grayson, the challenge was greater — because they not only had their own kids to tell, but as teachers, they also had a school full of children to navigate. Every kid reacts differently to the news, as Johnson recounts her discussion with her children. “We sat down at the kitchen table and my daughter screamed hysterically,” recalls Gina. “But my son just sat there. ‘Is that it?’ he said.” For Connie, the discussion was complicated by the fact that she had recently lost her own father to melanoma.“ My daughter had lost her grandfather to cancer, and then her mother was diagnosed with cancer, too.” Grayson says. “She was very, very angry.” Using both humor and honesty, Gina and Connie were able to help their own kids manage their anger and fear, and to also help the many kids whose lives they touch at their schools.