In this episode, Dr. JYP and guest Susan Crutchfield discuss the complexities of tobacco addiction and strategies for quitting smoking. They highlight the importance of nonjudgmental support, individual motivations ("your why"), and the availability of various medications and therapies. The dangers of vaping, especially among youth, are also covered, emphasizing nicotine's addictive nature and health risks. The Great American Smokeout is promoted as an event that encourages smoking cessation through peer-to-peer engagement. The significance of early lung cancer detection, particularly through low-dose CT scans, is discussed, alongside lifestyle changes to reduce cancer risk. The episode underscores the need for continued research, prevention, and early detection in the fight against lung cancer.

3 Key Episode Takeaways

1. Compassionate approach: Encourage tobacco users to quit with a nonjudgmental approach, perhaps with personalized medications and therapies.

2. Youth and vaping concerns: Vaping is not only harmful, but it is also a gateway to traditional smoking, with significant health risks. Early interventions and targeted messaging can help curb this trend.

3. Great American Smokeout: Engage in the Great American Smokeout event to support smoking cessation. Sign a pledge to quit smoking or motivate someone else to take the first step.

Show Overview

01:23 Everyone knows someone who has had lung cancer.

09:00 Quitting smoking is hard, but resources can help.

11:02 One woman’s “why” was to live to enjoy her grandchildren.

14:47 Many people don’t realize that nicotine itself is a carcinogen.

17:19 The Great American Smokeout is coming to the University of South Alabama.

21:30 Who should get screened for lung cancer, and how?

25:24 Screenings and small behavior changes can make all the difference.

26:55 New drugs bring hope for many lung cancer patients.

Dr. JYP concludes a three-part series focused on understanding the most common medical reports received by Cancering patients. This episode delves into pathology reports and how patients can use them to better understand their condition. Dr. JYP describes the key elements of pathology reports and defines terms such as "benign," "malignant," “carcinoma,” and “sarcoma.” She discusses how detailed reports from biopsies aid in staging cancer and the implications for treatment options. She reminds listeners that pathology reports should always be discussed with a doctor, and that reviewing a report ahead of time can help a patient decide what questions to ask.

Key Episode Takeaways

- How to identify the location and type of tissue biopsied

- Key vocabulary terms: benign, malignant, carcinoma, and sarcoma

- Understanding the difference between grades of cancer cells

- The critical role of lymph or vascular space invasion

- Factors considered in TNM staging

Show Overview

02:20 Pathology reports can be distressing, but don’t starting Googling just yet.

05:17 Metastatic cancer is cancer that has spread from somewhere else.

06:22 Grade refers to how the cells look under a microscope.

07:45 Comments section may provide insight into the cancer’s origin.

10:28 The pathologist details cancer staging factors and criteria.

12:30 Regardless of stage, there’s always a treatment option.

14:08 Use your report to craft questions for your physician.

Dr. JYP continues a three-part series focused on understanding the most common medical reports received by Cancering patients. In this second episode, she discusses blood chemistry panels. She explains common abbreviations suck as BNP (basic metabolic panel) and CNP (comprehensive metabolic panel), guiding listeners through key components including sodium (NA), potassium (K), magnesium (MAG), kidney function tests (BUN and creatinine), and glucose levels. She discusses the importance of understanding normal ranges, the potential causes for abnormalities and the most common questions patients ask their doctors.

3 Key Episode Takeaways

1. The basics of metabolic panels: Learn the abbreviations and symbols for NA (sodium), K (potassium), and MAG (magnesium), and how they relate to your overall health.

2. Kidney function explained: Understand the importance of BUN and creatinine levels, and what they can indicate about your hydration status and kidney health.

3. Liver function and more: Get insights into ALT, AST, and bilirubin levels, and learn about the significance of albumin and glucose in your metabolic panel.

Show Overview:

02:15 What to know about results within the normal range and outside the range.

4:40 How could I be dehydrated from drinking too much “free water?”

06:15 How your kidneys manage sodium, potassium and magnesium.

09:18 Numbers that indicate pre-diabetes or result in an immediate diagnosis of diabetes.

12:01 Liver function tests and what they mean.

15:59 Hemoglobin A1C measures blood glucose levels over the past three months.

19:00 Check out the previous episode of reviewing CBC results. Next up, pathology reports.