The Many Faces of Cancer

Cancer, Data and Hope: How AI is Changing the Future with Russ Read-Barrow

AI is everywhere right now—but could it actually help people living with cancer? In this fascinating conversation, Melissa sits down with stage IV colorectal cancer survivor Russ Read Barrow, who decided not to wait for technology to change healthcare. Instead, he began building AI tools to help manage his own cancer journey. After multiple surgeries, chemotherapy treatments, and metastatic disease spreading to his liver and lungs, Russ realized he possessed something incredibly valuable: his own medical data. Using AI, he created tools to organize his records, track symptoms, manage medications, summarize his health history, and even make his medical information searchable. His project, F*ck Cancer with AI, has grown into a resource that encourages patients to take ownership of their health data and discover how artificial intelligence can reduce the overwhelming administrative burden of living with cancer. Melissa and Russ discuss: *  Russ's unexpected colorectal cancer diagnosis at age 39  *  Living with stage IV cancer while maintaining hope  *  Why optimism isn't the same as toxic positivity  *  How AI can help patients organize complex medical information  *  The importance of owning and understanding your health data  *  The future of personalized cancer treatments and AI-driven medicine  *  Why staying alive today may open doors to tomorrow's breakthroughs  This conversation isn't about replacing doctors with AI—it's about empowering patients with better information, greater organization, and renewed hope. Whether you're living with cancer, caring for someone who is, or simply curious about how AI may transform medicine, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into what the future may hold. Resources:  Russ' Websites: http://knownandcited.com/ [http://knownandcited.com/] and http://fcancerwith.ai/ [http://fcancerwith.ai/] Russ' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russellrb/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/russellrb/] Follow: Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/melissagrosboll/ [https://www.instagram.com/melissagrosboll/] My website: https://melissagrosboll.com [https://melissagrosboll.com/] Email me: drmelissagrosboll@gmail.com

Heaven Is the Top of My Bucket List: The Faith and Legacy of Pam Erwin

Before this episode was released, our guest, Pam Erwin, passed away after living with advanced melanoma. We are honored to share this conversation as part of her legacy. Pam spent her life saying "yes" to wherever God called her. From serving as a Disaster Relief chaplain alongside her husband, Dave, to helping build churches, schools, and vocational programs in Benin, West Africa, her faith wasn't something she simply believed—it was something she lived every day. Then came cancer. Diagnosed with a rare form of mucosal melanoma, Pam faced a terminal illness with the same quiet confidence that had guided her throughout her ministry. Even while receiving hospice care, she continued encouraging others, serving her community, and made one final mission trip to Benin—a place and people she dearly loved. In this deeply moving conversation, Pam shares why she isn't afraid of hospice, how faith transformed the way she approached cancer, and why she believes every day is another opportunity to love, serve, and point others toward hope. Whether or not you share Pam's faith, her perspective on purpose, legacy, and living fully in the face of uncertainty is both inspiring and unforgettable. In This Episode * How one prayer led to a life-changing ministry in Benin * Building churches, schools, and hope in West Africa * Living with a rare form of terminal melanoma * Why Pam chose hospice earlier than most people expect * Making one final mission trip despite advanced cancer * Finding peace in the face of death * What it means to live with purpose until the very end * Why "Heaven is the top of my bucket list" Pam's life reminds us that while we can't choose every circumstance, we can choose how we respond. Her unwavering faith, compassionate heart, and servant's spirit continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her. We dedicate this episode to Pam's memory and hope her words encourage you to live each day with purpose, hope, and love. Resources: Pam's Ministry Website: https://truthunleashedministries.org/ [https://truthunleashedministries.org/] Pam's Ministry Facebook Page: Truth Unleashed Benin [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569293042746] Follow: Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/melissagrosboll/ [https://www.instagram.com/melissagrosboll/] My website: https://melissagrosboll.com [https://melissagrosboll.com/] Email me: drmelissagrosboll@gmail.com

Running Past the Prognosis: One Man's Journey Beyond Stage 4 with Kevin Webber

When Kevin Webber was just 49 years old, he received devastating news: he had stage 4 prostate cancer and might have only two years to live. For many people, such a diagnosis could lead to fear, despair, and hopelessness. But Kevin made a different choice. Rather than allowing his prognosis to define him, he decided to use his diagnosis as a force for good—for his family, his friends, and anyone facing difficult circumstances. In this inspiring episode of The Many Faces of Cancer, Kevin shares how he transformed from an occasional runner into an ultramarathon athlete, completing races across some of the most challenging environments on Earth. From the deserts to the jungles, from temperatures of -40°C to +50°C, Kevin has pushed the limits of what he once thought possible. But this conversation is about far more than running. It is about purpose. It is about perspective. It is about refusing to let statistics determine how you live your life. Kevin reminds us that while we may not always control what happens to us, we can choose how we respond. His journey offers hope, motivation, and a powerful challenge to all of us: to make the most of every day we are given. Resources: Kevin's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/webber2401/ [https://www.instagram.com/webber2401/] Kevin's Book: Dead Man Running [https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Man-Running-Story-Alive/dp/1785319884/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Byd1LIKJb7wjDtuB5QQKFocx2XFO1dwllQKsIgPZu2DGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.swSPqezeoJlL5siJSv8OGfCJervuRCUGJe5l4ExCohQ&qid=1782171784&sr=8-1] - Find it on Amazon Kevin's Fundraising Page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/kevin-webber-mds2026 [https://www.justgiving.com/page/kevin-webber-mds2026] Follow: Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/melissagrosboll/ [https://www.instagram.com/melissagrosboll/] My website: https://melissagrosboll.com [https://melissagrosboll.com/] Email me: drmelissagrosboll@gmail.com

The Care Between the Care: Bringing Humanity Back to Cancer Care with Ann Wax

Today’s guest is Ann Wax, RN, an oncology nurse with more than 50 years of experience caring for people affected by cancer. Today, Ann serves as an Oncology Doula™, speaker, educator, author, and patient advocate, helping patients and families navigate the emotional and human side of the cancer journey. Throughout her career, Ann discovered that some of the most meaningful aspects of care happen outside of treatments, procedures, and test results. She calls this "The Care Between the Care™"—the compassion, dignity, support, and connection that patients and families need during diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and beyond. In this conversation, Ann shares insights gained from decades at the bedside, discusses the role of an Oncology Doula™, and explains why dignity should never be viewed as an extra—it should be an essential part of every patient's care. Whether you are a patient, survivor, caregiver, healthcare professional, or someone supporting a loved one through cancer, this episode offers powerful reminders about the impact of kindness, presence, and truly seeing the person behind the diagnosis. Resources: Ann's email: annwax7@gmail.com Ann's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annwax/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/annwax/] Ann's Book on Amazon: Op-Ed on Cancer [https://www.amazon.com/Op-Ed-Cancer-Ann-Wax-ebook/dp/B0792JZ58N/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1WDPRGY6BTSMN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._kQ5AqBfeOpRRxJ3Tmh4909jvIMr8uSmiCEM2tq7m_t8_0S8qtnCuHsenYyU4MhfUc2cGQstS25Cc-PO4XDIEwuRi_caxk41ESDrJSF4Y8c5t-qCjsoZsuO8bTgz67KHT__CeREVOsnbIMnPL31EOFuQtNlnf-G9u8h6PKZF5Jr1EiuC-o8_inQSJDOPFQ927d7wPc9rSZZJicblhR9xlXioI2oSPS9G34kfB-GxagM._d3F664QQLWrOz97btz1TBAb5s0rLnx0bUBx6E3r5b0&dib_tag=se&keywords=op-ed+on+cancer&qid=1781551305&sprefix=op-ed+on+cancer%2Caps%2C526&sr=8-1] Follow: Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/melissagrosboll/ [https://www.instagram.com/melissagrosboll/] My website: https://melissagrosboll.com [https://melissagrosboll.com/] Email me: drmelissagrosboll@gmail.com

The Need for Easier Access to Resources and Asking Better Questions with Cyndy Peterson

Today's guest is Cyndy Peterson, diagnosed in 2022 with Stage 3B lobular breast cancer. She has a history of cancer in her family, so she always knew there was a chance she would experience it herself someday, and decided to deal with it when and if it happened, and not worry about it otherwise. She has gone through her journey with grace and humor, sharing her experience with others. We talk about lobular breast cancer, diep flap reconstruction, the need for resource guides for the newly diagnosed, mentorship and asking better questions to your care team, and so much more!! Resources: Cyndy's Email: cyndy1537@gmail.com Cyndy's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cyndy.peterson.92 [https://www.facebook.com/cyndy.peterson.92] Follow: Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/melissagrosboll/ [https://www.instagram.com/melissagrosboll/] My website: https://melissagrosboll.com [https://melissagrosboll.com/] Email me: drmelissagrosboll@gmail.com