Decoding Cancer podcast

The Decoding Cancer podcast is back!

Decoding Cancer - the podcast that aims to answer the public’s big cancer questions – is back for a new series, with new episodes available every Tuesday to the end of September.

Each week Irish Cancer Society Director of Research Dr Robert O’Connor is joined by guests with experience of and expertise in cancer to discuss a diverse range of topics: from how immunotherapy works, and the outsized contribution of Irish people in global cancer research, to the intriguing role that our canine companions play in vital skin cancer research.

Keep an eye on this page for new weekly episodes, or you can download them on your podcast platform of choice, and you can join the conversation on social media using #DecodingCancer

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Decoding Cancer Special Episode – World Ovarian Cancer Day

The story of one woman’s important contribution to vital ovarian cancer research

Ovarian cancer specialist and Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist Prof Donal Brennan, and PhD student Romina Silva, are joined in conversation by Declan Feeney, husband of the late Orla Kenny, to discuss her important involvement as a patient in research into ovarian cancer.

An artist and creative director by background, Orla was described as a ‘phenomenally courageous and resilient’ person whose contribution to vital research in the area of ovarian cancer from her diagnosis in 2016 to her passing in July 2018 will contribute towards better, more personalised treatments being made available for others in future.

You can read the full research paper by Romina Silva et al here.

Episode 6: How does immunotherapy work?

A look at emerging new forms of treatment and the hope they hold for patients

Dr Robert O'Connor is joined by cancer doctor & researcher Dr Jarushka Naidoo & lung cancer patient advocate Seamus Cotter for our first ever live season finale episode of the podcast to discuss the ins-and-outs of immunotherapy as a cancer treatment, what types of patients it is being proven to benefit, and the latest developments in promising new immunotherapy treatments, including studies being supported by the Irish Cancer Society.

Discussed on this show:

Information on immunotherapy: www.cancer.ie/cancer-information-and-support/cancer-information/cancer-treatments-and-side-effects/immunotherapy
Cancer Trials Ireland website: www.CancerTrials.ie

Episode 5: What cancer advice is trustworthy?

Top tips for accessing reliable information on cancer from those in the know

Cancer misinformation expert Prof Declan Devane and Jennifer Feighan of the Irish Nutrition & Dietetic Institute offer helpful advice on how to sift through the complex and often conflicting information available on cancer care and treatment.

Discussed on this show:

Irish Nutrition & Dietetic Institute website: www.INDI.ie
Our guide to common cancer myths: www.cancer.ie/cancer-research/about-our-cancer-research/cancer-myths

Episode 4: What have the Irish ever done for cancer research?

The surprising contribution of Irish people to global cancer research breakthroughs

Dr Lisa Dwane tells of the personal experience that set her on the road to eventually joining a globally-renowned cancer research institute, and breast cancer survivor Rhona Nally talks to Dr Robert O’Connor about the incredible difference research made to her life.

Discussed on this show

Support for HER2-positive breast cancer: www.cancer.ie/cancer-information-and-support/cancer-types/breast-cancer/types-of-breast-cancer/her2-positive-breast-cancer
Irish Cancer Society Survivor Support: www.cancer.ie/cancer-information-and-support/cancer-support/coping-with-cancer/information-for-patients/survivor-support
More information on BREAST-PREDICT : www.cancer.ie/cancer-research/about-our-cancer-research/our-cancer-research-networks/breast-predict

Episode 3: Why is cancer so tough to treat?

How does cancer affect the human body and what strides are being made in treatment?

Prostate cancer researcher Dr Antoinette Perry gives a no-nonsense explanation of how cancer works and the reasons why treating the disease is not so simple, and Martin Sweeney gives some tips to patients on coping with cancer.

Discussed on this show:

Information on prostate cancer: www.cancer.ie/cancer-information-and-support/cancer-types/prostate-cancer
ARC Cancer Support: www.ArcCancerSupport.ie
Public & Patient Involvement with the Irish Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.ie/cancer-research/about-our-cancer-research/public-and-patient-involvement

Episode 2: How are dogs helping to unlock the secrets of skin cancer?

The hope being offered by comparative oncology in melanoma research.

Melanoma patient advocate Kay Curtain and consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr Shirley Potter chat with Dr Robert O’Connor about a research project that may just help us to better understand how skin cancer works in both canines and humans.

Discussed on this show:

More information on the UCD One Health programme: www.ucd.ie/onehealth/research/comparativemedicineresearchprojects/comparativeoncologybecausepetsgetcancertoo/
Information on skin cancer and how to spot it: www.cancer.ie/skin

Episode 1: Nutrition, Exercise and Cancer

What difference can people make to their own treatment and recovery journey?

For the first episode of season 2 Dr Robert O’Connor is joined by patient advocate and cancer survivor Niamh Fortune, and consultant colorectal and general surgeon Dr Susan Moug to chat through the importance of nutrition and exercise in relation to cancer, and the simple steps that people can take to increase their own activity.

Discussed on this show: