A cancer diagnosis can be frightening and overwhelming. Medical oncologist Diane Reidy-Lagunes talks with patients and experts to help better understand this disease. Our mission is to educate and empower people to make the right decisions and live happier, healthier lives.

A cancer diagnosis can be frightening and overwhelming. Medical oncologist <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctors/diane-reidy-lagunes">Diane Reidy-Lagunes</a> talks with patients and experts to help better understand this disease. Our mission is to educate and empower people 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 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

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Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes shares some personal news.

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Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes shares some personal news.
Subscribe to Cancer Straight Talk to get notified when new episodes air.

A Message to Our Listeners

Integrative vs. Alternative medicine

Which integrative therapies are right for me?

Do these therapies actually treat/kill cancer?

The very real benefits of human connection

Ivermectin

Cannabis oil and Castor oil

Vitamin C

Turmeric

Medicinal mushrooms

Ashwagandha

Traditional Chinese medicine

The dangers of "Why not try?"

Resources: herbs, meditation, yoga, music, etc

In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with Dr. Jun Mao, Chief of MSK’s Integrative Medicine Service, and Jason Hou, herbalist and acupuncturist at MSK, to break down the facts about alternative medicine—an approach that combines conventional cancer treatments like surgery, radiation, chemo, immunotherapy and targeted treatments, with holistic therapies like acupuncture, mindfulness, natural herbs and supplements. They tackle common misconceptions about alternative medicine, explaining what the science says, what’s safe, and what to avoid. Offering guidance on how these natural therapies can complement other cancer treatments – and how to recognize misleading claims – this episode empowers patients and caregivers with the knowledge they need to make informed choices about their cancer care and the use of alternative therapies. 

Resources:
MSK's "About Herbs" Database
MSK's Meditation Library
MSK's Integrative Medicine at Home Program

Episode Chapters:
2:05 - Integrative vs. Alternative medicine
3:14 - Which integrative therapies are right for me?
6:29 - Do these therapies actually treat/kill cancer?
7:59 - The very real benefits of human connection
9:36 - Ivermectin
10:18 - Cannabis oil and Castor oil
11:55 - Vitamin C
13:53 - Turmeric
14:30 - Medicinal mushrooms
14:59 - Ashwagandha
15:42 - Traditional Chinese medicine
18:25 - The dangers of "Why not try?"
21:49 - Resources: herbs, meditation, yoga, music, etc.

In this episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks with <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctors/jun-mao?utm_source=Various&amp;utm_medium=Various&amp;utm_term=&amp;utm_content=Podcast+Ep.+60+description&amp;utm_campaign=Podcast+2025">Dr. Jun Mao</a>, Chief of MSK&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/diagnosis-treatment/symptom-management/integrative-medicine?utm_source=Various&amp;utm_medium=Various&amp;utm_term=&amp;utm_content=Podcast+Ep.+60+description&amp;utm_campaign=Podcast+2025">Integrative Medicine Service</a>, and Jason Hou, herbalist and acupuncturist at MSK, to break down the facts about alternative medicine&mdash;an approach that combines <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/diagnosis-treatment/cancer-treatments?utm_source=Various&amp;utm_medium=Various&amp;utm_term=&amp;utm_content=Podcast+Ep.+60+description&amp;utm_campaign=Podcast+2025">conventional cancer treatments</a> like surgery, radiation, chemo, immunotherapy and targeted treatments, with <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/diagnosis-treatment/symptom-management/integrative-medicine/mind-body?utm_source=Various&amp;utm_medium=Various&amp;utm_term=&amp;utm_content=Podcast+Ep.+60+description&amp;utm_campaign=Podcast+2025">holistic therapies</a> like <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/therapies/acupuncture?utm_source=Various&amp;utm_medium=Various&amp;utm_term=&amp;utm_content=Podcast+Ep.+60+description&amp;utm_campaign=Podcast+2025">acupuncture</a>, <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/therapies/meditation?utm_source=Various&amp;utm_medium=Various&amp;utm_term=&amp;utm_content=Podcast+Ep.+60+description&amp;utm_campaign=Podcast+2025">mindfulness</a>, natural <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/diagnosis-treatment/symptom-management/integrative-medicine/herbs?utm_source=Various&amp;utm_medium=Various&amp;utm_term=&amp;utm_content=Podcast+Ep.+60+description&amp;utm_campaign=Podcast+2025">herbs and supplements</a>. They tackle common misconceptions about alternative medicine, explaining what the science says, what&rsquo;s safe, and what to avoid. Offering guidance on how these natural therapies can complement other cancer treatments &ndash; and how to recognize misleading claims &ndash; this episode empowers patients and caregivers with the knowledge they need to make informed choices about their cancer care and the use of alternative therapies.&nbsp;
Resources: <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/diagnosis-treatment/symptom-management/integrative-medicine/herbs/search?utm_source=Various&amp;utm_medium=Various&amp;utm_term=&amp;utm_content=Podcast+Ep.+60+description&amp;utm_campaign=Podcast+2025">MSK's "About Herbs" Database</a> <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/diagnosis-treatment/symptom-management/integrative-medicine/multimedia/meditations?utm_source=Various&amp;utm_medium=Various&amp;utm_term=&amp;utm_content=Podcast+Ep.+60+description&amp;utm_campaign=Podcast+2025">MSK's Meditation Library</a> <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/diagnosis-treatment/symptom-management/integrative-medicine/membership?utm_source=Various&amp;utm_medium=Various&amp;utm_term=&amp;utm_content=Podcast+Ep.+60+description&amp;utm_campaign=Podcast+2025">MSK's Integrative Medicine at Home Program</a>
Episode Chapters: 2:05 - Integrative vs. Alternative medicine 3:14 - Which integrative therapies are right for me? 6:29 - Do these therapies actually treat/kill cancer? 7:59 - The very real benefits of human connection 9:36 - Ivermectin 10:18 - Cannabis oil and Castor oil 11:55 - Vitamin C 13:53 - Turmeric 14:30 - Medicinal mushrooms 14:59 - Ashwagandha 15:42 - Traditional Chinese medicine 18:25 - The dangers of "Why not try?" 21:49 - Resources: herbs, meditation, yoga, music, etc.

Alternative Cancer Treatments: The Science vs. The Hype

Timeline from diagnosis to preservation

Why fertility preservation is recommended

Preservation options for women

Egg retrieval success rates

Testing embryos for cancer-causing genes

Breast cancer patient testimonial

Embryos or eggs: Which is better to freeze

Testicular cancer patient testimonial

Preservation options and timeline for men

Will the preservation process delay treatment

Will the preservation process worsen my cancer

Preservation options during/after treatment

Pregnancy success rates for various methods

Cost of sperm banking

Cost of egg and embryo freezing

Insurance and financial grants

It takes a village

In this empowering episode, Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes speaks to a panel of onco-fertility experts about preserving fertility during cancer treatment. MSK oncologists Dr. Julia Brockway-Marchello and Dr. José Flores discuss the timing and options for patients who want to have biological children without delaying life-saving cancer treatments, like radiation and chemotherapy. Dr. Lucky Sekhon, reproductive endocrinologist and fertility specialist at RMA of New York, explains the safety, success rates, and evolving technologies used to freeze eggs and bank sperm. A nurse from MSK's fertility preservation program, Lauren Martino, explains what patients should know about the cost and the importance of early referrals. Emotional stories from cancer survivors, new parents, and patient advocates offer hope to anyone, man or woman, who faces cancer and wants to have a baby someday.

Episode Chapters:
2:26 - Timeline from diagnosis to preservation
3:17 - Why fertility preservation is recommended
4:27 - Preservation options for women
5:58 - Egg retrieval success rates
7:31 - Testing embryos for cancer-causing genes
9:12 - Breast cancer patient testimonial
10:23 - Embryos or eggs: Which is better to freeze?
12:39 - Testicular cancer patient testimonial
13:26 - Preservation options and timeline for men
14:43 - Will the preservation process delay my treatment?
16:14 - Will the preservation process worsen my cancer?
17:25 - Preservation options during/after treatment
19:25 - Pregnancy success rates for various methods
22:40 - Cost of sperm banking
23:16 - Cost of egg and embryo freezing
24:41 - Insurance and financial grants
28:23 - It takes a village

In this empowering episode, <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctors/diane-reidy-lagunes">Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes</a> speaks to a panel of onco-fertility experts about <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/diagnosis-treatment/symptom-management/sexual-health-fertility/fertility">preserving fertility</a> during cancer treatment. MSK oncologists <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctors/julia-brockway-marchello">Dr. Julia Brockway-Marchello</a> and <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctors/jose-flores">Dr. Jos&eacute; Flores</a> discuss the timing and options for patients who want to have biological children without delaying life-saving cancer treatments, like <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/diagnosis-treatment/cancer-treatments/radiation-therapy">radiation</a> and <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/diagnosis-treatment/cancer-treatments/chemotherapy">chemotherapy</a>. Dr. Lucky Sekhon, reproductive endocrinologist and fertility specialist at RMA of New York, explains the safety, success rates, and evolving technologies used to <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/fertility-preservation-females-starting-treatment">freeze eggs</a> and <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/sperm-banking">bank sperm</a>. A nurse from MSK's fertility preservation program,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mskcc.org/profile/lauren-martino">Lauren Martino</a>, explains what patients should know about the cost and the importance of early referrals. Emotional stories from cancer survivors, new parents, and patient advocates offer hope to anyone, man or woman, who faces cancer and wants to have a baby someday.
Episode Chapters: 2:26 - Timeline from diagnosis to preservation 3:17 - Why fertility preservation is recommended 4:27 - Preservation options for women 5:58 - Egg retrieval success rates 7:31 - Testing embryos for cancer-causing genes 9:12 - Breast cancer patient testimonial 10:23 - Embryos or eggs: Which is better to freeze? 12:39 - Testicular cancer patient testimonial 13:26 - Preservation options and timeline for men 14:43 - Will the preservation process delay my treatment? 16:14 - Will the preservation process worsen my cancer? 17:25 - Preservation options during/after treatment 19:25 - Pregnancy success rates for various methods 22:40 - Cost of sperm banking 23:16 - Cost of egg and embryo freezing 24:41 - Insurance and financial grants 28:23 - It takes a village

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