In this special episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes sits down with renowned journalist and cancer screening advocate Katie Couric at The Paley Center for Media in New York City. After losing her first husband to colon cancer in 1997, Katie made history when she received her first colonoscopy on-air as host of the Today show, inspiring millions of Americans to do the same in a phenomenon known as the Couric Effect. Her role as the “screen queen” has continued ever since, taking on new meaning last year when she revealed her own breast cancer diagnosis.

Learn more about breast cancer screening

Learn more about colon cancer screening

Watch the extended conversation with Katie on MSK's YouTube channel

In this special episode, <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctors/diane-reidy-lagunes">Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes</a> sits down with renowned journalist and cancer screening advocate Katie Couric at The Paley Center for Media in New York City. After losing her first husband to <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/colon">colon cancer</a> in 1997, Katie made history when she received her first <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/colon/diagnosis/colonoscopy-other-screening-tests">colonoscopy</a> on-air as host of the Today show, inspiring millions of Americans to do the same in a phenomenon known as the Couric Effect. Her role as the “screen queen” has continued ever since, taking on new meaning last year when she revealed her own <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/breast">breast cancer</a> diagnosis.
<a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/screening-mammograms-msk">Learn more about breast cancer screening</a>
<a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/colon/guidelines">Learn more about colon cancer screening</a>
<a href="https://youtu.be/bkGjrOZN5aM">Watch the extended conversation with Katie on MSK's YouTube channel</a>

Cancer Straight Talk from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center brings together national experts and cancer patients to have straightforward, evidence-based conversations. Our mission is to educate and empower patients and their families to make the right decisions and live happier, healthier lives.

Cancer Straight Talk from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center brings together national experts and cancer patients to have straightforward, evidence-based conversations. Our mission is to educate and empower patients and their families to make the right decisions and live happier, healthier lives.

Cancer Straight Talk

Katie Couric’s Cancer Journey: From Grief to Advocacy to Her Own Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Why use some treatments over others?

Types of breast cancers & their treatments

Patient testimonial on self-advocacy

Length of treatment & why it can change

Quality of life advice during treatment

Mitigating chemotherapy side effects

Maintaining sexual health during treatment

When is taking estrogen a bad idea?

Quality of life concerns & when to switch meds

Mitigating hormone therapy side effects

Patient testimonial on finishing treatment

Managing fear & life after treatment

Mitigating long-term side effects of treatment

Patient testimonial on fear of recurrence

Why scanning for recurrence isn't recommended

The reason for all of this: live your life!

In this episode (part 2 of 2), Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with a team of MSK experts to explore the complexities of breast cancer treatment and life afterwards. Breast medical oncologist Dr. Julia Brockway-Marchello and nurse Jenna Galinsky explain chemotherapy and hormone therapy, their potential side effects, and ways they can be alleviated. Nurse Adriana Olivo discusses how survivors can cope with emotional challenges, like the fear cancer will come back. Breast cancer patients and survivors offer advice on asking for support while navigating life during and after cancer treatment.

Listen to episode 52 "Breast Cancer Treatment Part 1: Surgery, Radiation and Reconstruction"

Listen to episode 39 "How to Manage Side Effects During Cancer Treatment: Fatigue, Hair Loss, Skin Care and More"

Listen to episode 12 "A Woman's Guide to Sex and Cancer"

Episode Chapters:
1:44 - Why use some treatments over others?
2:55 - Types of breast cancers & their treatments
4:50 - Patient testimonial on self-advocacy
6:02 - Length of treatment & why it can change
7:38 - Quality of life advice during treatment
9:10 - Mitigating chemotherapy side effects
9:57 - Maintaining sexual health during treatment
10:46 - When is taking estrogen a bad idea?
13:07 - Quality of life concerns & when to switch meds
16:16 - Mitigating hormone therapy side effects
17:32 - Patient testimonial on finishing treatment
18:22 - Managing fear & life after treatment
19:34 - Mitigating long-term side effects of treatment
21:24 - Patient testimonial on fear of recurrence
22:49 - Why scanning for recurrence isn't recommended
26:25 - The reason for all this: live your life!

In this episode (part 2 of 2), <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctors/diane-reidy-lagunes">Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes</a> speaks with a team of MSK experts to explore the complexities of <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-conditions/breast-cancer/treatment">breast cancer treatment</a> and <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-conditions/breast-cancer/continued-care">life afterwards</a>. Breast medical oncologist <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctors/julia-brockway-marchello">Dr. Julia Brockway-Marchello</a> and nurse Jenna Galinsky explain chemotherapy and hormone therapy, their potential side effects, and ways they can be alleviated. Nurse Adriana Olivo discusses how survivors can cope with emotional challenges, like the fear cancer will come back. Breast cancer patients and survivors offer advice on asking for support while navigating life during and after cancer treatment.
Listen to episode 52 <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/videos/breast-cancer-treatment-part-1-understanding-surgery-radiation-and-reconstruction">"Breast Cancer Treatment Part 1: Surgery, Radiation and Reconstruction"</a>
Listen to episode 39 "<a href="https://www.mskcc.org/videos/how-to-manage-side-effects-during-cancer-treatment-fatigue-hair-loss-skin-care-and-more">How to Manage Side Effects During Cancer Treatment: Fatigue, Hair Loss, Skin Care and More"</a>
Listen to episode 12 <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/videos/woman-guide-sex-and-cancer">"A Woman's Guide to Sex and Cancer"</a>
Episode Chapters: 1:44 - Why use some treatments over others? 2:55 - Types of breast cancers &amp; their treatments 4:50 - Patient testimonial on self-advocacy 6:02 - Length of treatment &amp; why it can change 7:38 - Quality of life advice during treatment 9:10 - Mitigating chemotherapy side effects 9:57 - Maintaining sexual health during treatment 10:46 - When is taking estrogen a bad idea? 13:07 - Quality of life concerns &amp; when to switch meds 16:16 - Mitigating hormone therapy side effects 17:32 - Patient testimonial on finishing treatment 18:22 - Managing fear &amp; life after treatment 19:34 - Mitigating long-term side effects of treatment 21:24 - Patient testimonial on fear of recurrence 22:49 - Why scanning for recurrence isn't recommended 26:25 - The reason for all this: live your life!

Breast Cancer Treatment Part 2: Chemo, Hormone Therapy and Life After Treatment

Should I tell my child I have cancer?

Should it be one conversation or more?

Advice from a mother with cancer

Should I put on a brave face? What if I cry?

How do I explain side effects like hair loss?

Advice from a mother who lost her hair

How do I tell my child I may die from cancer?

Advice from a mother with months to live

Age-appropriate guidelines for talking to kids

Advice from a father on age-appropriate talks

Advice from a daughter on having a sick mother

What if my teenager doesn't respond well?

Advice for the surviving parent

Resources to help parents with cancer

A note on trusting your child

In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with two MSK clinical social workers, Hadley Maya and Natalie Santos, about how parents who've been diagnosed with cancer can talk to their children. They offer compassionate guidance on being honest with kids to prepare them for changes in family routines or treatment side effects, helping them feel more secure during a difficult time. With practical tips and real-life examples, this conversation offers advice for parents navigating one of the hardest discussions imaginable, while making sure their children feel supported and can continue being kids.

Learn more about MSK’s Talking with Children about Cancer program

Additional resources mentioned in this episode:
Red Door Community
CancerCare
Bright Spot Network

Episode Chapters:
1:14 - Should I tell my child I have cancer?
3:01 - Should it be one conversation or more?
4:16 - Advice from a mother with cancer
5:27 - Should I put on a brave face? What if I cry?
8:30 - How do I explain side effects like hair loss?
10:36 - Advice from a mother who lost her hair
11:43 - How do I tell my child I may die from cancer?
14:24 - Advice from a mother with months to live
16:02 - Age-appropriate guidelines for talking to kids
21:30 - Advice from a father on age-appropriate talks
22:39 - Advice from a daughter on having a sick mother
24:32 - What if my teenager doesn't respond well?
25:32 - Advice for the surviving parent
26:17 - Resources to help parents with cancer
28:09 - A note on trusting your child

In this episode, <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctors/diane-reidy-lagunes">Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes</a> speaks with two MSK clinical social workers, <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/profile/hadley-maya">Hadley Maya</a> and <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/profile/natalie-ishak">Natalie Santos</a>, about how parents who've been diagnosed with cancer can talk to their children. They offer <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/experience/patient-support/counseling/talking-with-children">compassionate guidance</a> on being honest with kids to prepare them for changes in family routines or treatment side effects, helping them feel more secure during a difficult time. With practical tips and real-life examples, this conversation offers advice for parents navigating one of the hardest discussions imaginable, while making sure their children feel supported and can continue being kids.
Learn more about <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/experience/patient-support/counseling/talking-with-children">MSK’s Talking with Children about Cancer program</a>
Additional resources mentioned in this episode: <a href="https://reddoorcommunity.org/">Red Door Community</a> <a href="https://www.cancercare.org/">CancerCare</a> <a href="https://www.brightspotnetwork.org/">Bright Spot Network</a>
Episode Chapters: 1:14 - Should I tell my child I have cancer? 3:01 - Should it be one conversation or more? 4:16 - Advice from a mother with cancer 5:27 - Should I put on a brave face? What if I cry? 8:30 - How do I explain side effects like hair loss? 10:36 - Advice from a mother who lost her hair 11:43 - How do I tell my child I may die from cancer? 14:24 - Advice from a mother with months to live 16:02 - Age-appropriate guidelines for talking to kids 21:30 - Advice from a father on age-appropriate talks 22:39 - Advice from a daughter on having a sick mother 24:32 - What if my teenager doesn't respond well? 25:32 - Advice for the surviving parent 26:17 - Resources to help parents with cancer 28:09 - A note on trusting your child

How to Talk to Children about Cancer

In utero and early life exposures

Microbiome risk factors

Environmental chemicals

Cross-generational research methods

Are young adult cancers unique on a cell level

Moving past the "smoking gun" mindset

What is the exposome and why is it promising?

Who's responsible for monitoring risk factors?

Updating screening guidelines

In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with MSK physician-scientist Dr. Karuna Ganesh and epidemiologist Dr. Caitlin Murphy about the troubling rise in cancer rates among younger generations, specifically people born in the 1980s (Gen X) and 1990s (Millennials). The latest research suggests prenatal exposures, environmental toxins, and various lifestyle factors may be contributing to the alarming trend of young people getting cancer earlier in their lives than previous generations. These insights could reshape our understanding of cancer risk and impact our approach to screening and treatment in the future.

Learn more about how MSK is finding solutions through the Lisa and Scott Stuart Center for Adolescent and Young Adult Cancers and MSK’s Center for Young Onset Colorectal and Gastrointestinal Cancer

Episode Chapters:
2:01 - In utero and early life exposures
5:38 - Microbiome risk factors
8:15 - Environmental chemicals
9:56 - Cross-generational research methods
11:40 - Are young adult cancers unique on a cellular level?
14:02 - Moving past the "smoking gun" mindset
15:37 - What is the exposome and why is it promising?
17:01 - Who's responsible for monitoring risk factors?
20:19 - Updating screening guidelines

In this episode, <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctors/diane-reidy-lagunes">Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes</a> speaks with MSK physician-scientist <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/research/ski/labs/karuna-ganesh">Dr. Karuna Ganesh</a> and epidemiologist Dr. Caitlin Murphy about the troubling rise in cancer rates among younger generations, specifically people born in the 1980s (Gen X) and 1990s (Millennials). The latest research suggests prenatal exposures, environmental toxins, and various lifestyle factors may be contributing to the alarming trend of young people getting cancer earlier in their lives than previous generations. These insights could reshape our understanding of cancer risk and impact our approach to screening and treatment in the future.
Learn more about how MSK is finding solutions through the <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/experience/patient-support/lisa-and-scott-stuart-center-adolescent-and-young-adult-cancers-msk">Lisa and Scott Stuart Center for Adolescent and Young Adult Cancers </a>and <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/colorectal/center-for-young-onset-colorectal-gastrointestinal-cancer">MSK’s Center for Young Onset Colorectal and Gastrointestinal Cancer</a>
Episode Chapters: 2:01 - In utero and early life exposures 5:38 - Microbiome risk factors 8:15 - Environmental chemicals 9:56 - Cross-generational research methods 11:40 - Are young adult cancers unique on a cellular level? 14:02 - Moving past the "smoking gun" mindset 15:37 - What is the exposome and why is it promising? 17:01 - Who's responsible for monitoring risk factors? 20:19 - Updating screening guidelines

What's Causing Cancer Rates to Rise in Gen X and Millennials?

Katie Couric’s Cancer Journey: From Grief to Advocacy to Her Own Breast Cancer Diagnosis

In 1 playlist(s)

Cancer Straight Talk

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips