The Cancer Project

The History of Advancement of Radiation Oncology with Marc Mlyn

On this informative episode of The Cancer Project, host David Raubach sits down with longtime industry colleague and friend Marc Mlyn, President of U.S. Operations at RaySearch Laboratories.Drawing on decades of experience in radiation oncology, Marc has a unique ability to translate complex technologies and clinical concepts into understandable, real-world insights.In their conversation, David and Marc explore the evolution of radiation oncology, from the early days of treatment planning to today’s advanced photon and proton therapy techniques. As cancer detection and treatment technologies have progressed, Marc explains the critical role that medical software companies like RaySearch have played in improving precision, efficiency, and patient outcomes.Marc reflects on how treatment planning was performed at the start of his career compared to the sophisticated technologies available today. While the fundamental goal remains the same—the tools and capabilities used to achieve that goal have transformed dramatically.The discussion also looks ahead to the future of cancer care. Marc shares his perspective on the growing role of artificial intelligence in radiation oncology, particularly its potential to improve contouring, better protect organs at risk, and further enhance treatment accuracy and outcomes for patients.Episode Resources:Oklahoma Proton Centerhttps://www.okcproton.com/ [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.okcproton.com/&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw12WzOIHUpeixzIg5mCg8ie] https://www.instagram.com/ [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/okprotoncenter/&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw1PPC4txjhrTY7qvefyVA2A] okprotoncenter/ [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/okprotoncenter/&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw1PPC4txjhrTY7qvefyVA2A]https://www.facebook.com/ [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/OKProtonCenter&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw0X3ySxgzjAggm6r4-gIkm7]OKProtonCenter [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/OKProtonCenter&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw0X3ySxgzjAggm6r4-gIkm7]The Cancer Project Podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/the_cancerproject [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/the_cancerproject&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw34lWswG0I8kzVeeqpd6LBp] https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581844363126 [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id%3D61581844363126&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw1X6X9zvCLf6wtWVIAJuqTa] https://www.tiktok.com/@protonguy [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.tiktok.com/@protonguy&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw3Ac1ECCmIMQnG7gNrXGWPg]

Two Time Cancer Survivor: Morgan Aquino's Journey of Perseverance and Faith

This week, The Cancer Project Podcast is joined by two-time cancer survivor Morgan Aquino.In the fall of 2024, Morgan’s husband insisted she go to the hospital after she began experiencing severe abdominal pain.Doctors quickly discovered a ruptured ovarian cyst and, during the evaluation, found a mass on her kidney. As a wife and mother of two, Morgan shares her mindset as she navigated an unexpected cancer diagnosis. Because the mass was caught early, she underwent surgery two months later to remove it and was declared cancer-free.Just ten months later, after returning home from a girls’ trip, Morgan discovered an unusual lump in her breast. With the encouragement and support of her husband and friends, she immediately sought medical attention. Within 36 hours, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and preparing for a second battle with cancer only 13 months after her kidney cancer diagnosis.In this powerful episode about perseverance, faith, and community, Morgan reflects on the village that carried her through both diagnoses. Joined in the studio by one of her closest friends, she shares how family, friendship, and faith became a source of strength during some of the most difficult moments of her journey. Episode Resources:Oklahoma Proton Centerhttps://www.okcproton.com/ [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.okcproton.com/&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw12WzOIHUpeixzIg5mCg8ie]https://www.instagram.com/okprotoncenter/ [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/okprotoncenter/&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw1PPC4txjhrTY7qvefyVA2A]https://www.facebook.com/OKProtonCenter [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/OKProtonCenter&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw0X3ySxgzjAggm6r4-gIkm7] The Cancer Project Podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/the_cancerproject [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/the_cancerproject&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw34lWswG0I8kzVeeqpd6LBp]https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581844363126 [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id%3D61581844363126&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw1X6X9zvCLf6wtWVIAJuqTa]https://www.tiktok.com/@protonguy [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.tiktok.com/@protonguy&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw3Ac1ECCmIMQnG7gNrXGWPg]

Photon vs. Proton Therapy For Breast Cancer: The RADCOMP Trial with Dr. Shannon MacDonald

In the second episode of our special two-part series, Dr. Shannon MacDonald rejoins host David Raubach to discuss the RADCOMP trial — the first randomized study comparing proton therapy and traditional photon radiation for breast cancer.With more than 1,200 patients enrolled, the phase III Radiotherapy Comparative Effectiveness (RADCOMP) trial is also the largest study to date directly comparing proton and photon therapy for any type of cancer.One of the defining advantages of proton therapy is the Bragg Peak, which allows radiation to stop directly within the tumor, helping reduce exposure to surrounding healthy tissue and organs. As proton therapy centers continue to expand across the United States, so does the need for research comparing these two forms of radiation treatment.Dr. MacDonald serves as Senior Medical Director of the Southwest Florida Proton Center. In September, she presented the phase III RADCOMP results at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting.In this episode, Dr. MacDonald explains the purpose of the RADCOMP trial and why its focus on long-term quality-of-life outcomes makes the research especially significant. Since proton therapy was first used to treat breast cancer in 2010, physicians have been eager for more data comparing patient outcomes, side effects, and overall quality of life between proton and photon therapy.For more in-depth information about the RADCOMP trial, please visit the resources linked below.Episode Resources:Radiotherapy Comparative Effectiveness Trial:https://www.astro.org/news-and-publications/news-and-media-center/news-releases/2025/first-randomized-study-comparing-proton-and-photon-radiation-therapy-for-breast-cancer-finds-both-pr [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.astro.org/news-and-publications/news-and-media-center/news-releases/2025/first-randomized-study-comparing-proton-and-photon-radiation-therapy-for-breast-cancer-finds-both-pr&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw2nmupKcPB14ol5bpBQEB0h]Oklahoma Proton Centerhttps://www.okcproton.com/ [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.okcproton.com/&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw12WzOIHUpeixzIg5mCg8ie]https://www.instagram.com/okprotoncenter/ [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/okprotoncenter/&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw1PPC4txjhrTY7qvefyVA2A]https://www.facebook.com/OKProtonCenter [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/OKProtonCenter&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw0X3ySxgzjAggm6r4-gIkm7]The Cancer Project Podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/the_cancerproject [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/the_cancerproject&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw34lWswG0I8kzVeeqpd6LBp]https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581844363126 [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id%3D61581844363126&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw1X6X9zvCLf6wtWVIAJuqTa]https://www.tiktok.com/@protonguy [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.tiktok.com/@protonguy&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw3Ac1ECCmIMQnG7gNrXGWPg]

Challenging Telehealth Restrictions: A Free Speech Lawsuit with Dr. Shannon MacDonald

After COVID-19 changed protocols for all day-to-day life, medicine was no exception. In every effort to stop and slow the spread of COVID-19, many medical appointments previously in person turned into virtual visits. This was seen in medicine, school, and life in general. During this period, doctors such as Shannon found one silver lining: patients did not have to travel while undergoing great physical stress due to a disease such as cancer.As protocols slowly began to shift back to life before the pandemic, many patients suddenly found themselves having to commute to another state just to have a brief phone consultation with their doctor. Dr. Shannon MacDonald joins The Cancer Project this week for a special two episode installment. In this episode, Dr. MacDonald dives into the ongoing legal case of Shannon MacDonald, M.D., et al. v. Otto Sabando. This case challenges the restrictions of telehealth medicine in New Jersey for rare disease patients who need specialized care that may not be available locally. The lawsuit seeks to eliminate the need for patients to have to commute to another state for what could easily be a video call while they battle rare and potentially fatal diseases.Host David Raubach and Dr. MacDonald explain the different angles of the legal case and the adjacent lawsuit in California, also seeking mitigation of certain telehealth restrictions. For more information about this ongoing legal case please visit https://pacificlegal.org/case/new-jersey-telehealth-pediatric-cancer/ [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://pacificlegal.org/case/new-jersey-telehealth-pediatric-cancer/&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw0ni84Y9oknRhZpOqzDe70o].Episode Resources:Oklahoma Proton Centerhttps://www.okcproton.com/ [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.okcproton.com/&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw12WzOIHUpeixzIg5mCg8ie]https://www.instagram.com/okprotoncenter/ [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/okprotoncenter/&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw1PPC4txjhrTY7qvefyVA2A]https://www.facebook.com/OKProtonCenter [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/OKProtonCenter&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw0X3ySxgzjAggm6r4-gIkm7]The Cancer Project Podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/the_cancerproject [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/the_cancerproject&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw34lWswG0I8kzVeeqpd6LBp]https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581844363126 [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id%3D61581844363126&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw1X6X9zvCLf6wtWVIAJuqTa]https://www.tiktok.com/@protonguy [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.tiktok.com/@protonguy&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw3Ac1ECCmIMQnG7gNrXGWPg]

"Life Is Still Happening": A Country Music Artist's Leukemia Battle with Johnny Woods

Country music singer songwriter Johnny Woods has a beautiful talent for expressing himself through music. Beginning his career in 2020, Johnny released his first single to radio titled, “Hurricane” and landed at #43 on the Texas country music charts. He quickly began paving his own path in the country music scene, releasing his first EP and began touring. Just as things continued to fall into place, the fall of 2024 would change everything. Following a routine check up with blood work, Johnny was asked to check into an emergency room immediately. His white blood cell count was exponentially increasing at an alarming rate. More tests revealed , chronic myeloid leukemia slow-growing cancer of the blood-forming cells in bone marrow. In this episode, Johnny Woods sits down with host David Raubach to discuss his music career, CML diagnosis, the difficulties of navigating treatment plans, and how the cancer diagnosis has changed every aspect of his life. Through perseverance and faith, Johnny continues his journey as a musician while receiving treatment. He honored The Cancer Project Podcast with his performances of “The Gift” and “Swamp Water Gospel”. Please visit the resources below to check out Johnny’s music and new double EP out soon! Episode Resources: Johnny Woods Music: https://www.johnnywoodsofficial.com/ [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.johnnywoodsofficial.com/&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw1xC30GQQ2lwDxlUzY6PKsl] https://www.instagram.com/johnnywoodsmusic/ [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/johnnywoodsmusic/&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw38r_69tnFa6DpyDnL4vgL9] https://www.facebook.com/johnnywoodsofficial [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/johnnywoodsofficial&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw3M8QkAc4sp2EMdrEhAkt0Z] https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QwFXPDfdd5w5GDaKgtj2h?si=z-wfg3KJReuPsZ-2K2J46Q [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QwFXPDfdd5w5GDaKgtj2h?si%3Dz-wfg3KJReuPsZ-2K2J46Q&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw0_T1XOfatK0BKPG179BloC] Oklahoma Proton Center https://www.okcproton.com/ [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.okcproton.com/&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw12WzOIHUpeixzIg5mCg8ie] https://www.instagram.com/okprotoncenter/ [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/okprotoncenter/&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw1PPC4txjhrTY7qvefyVA2A] https://www.facebook.com/OKProtonCenter [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/OKProtonCenter&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw0X3ySxgzjAggm6r4-gIkm7] The Cancer Project Podcast https://www.instagram.com/the_cancerproject [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/the_cancerproject&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw34lWswG0I8kzVeeqpd6LBp] https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581844363126 [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id%3D61581844363126&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw1X6X9zvCLf6wtWVIAJuqTa] https://www.tiktok.com/@protonguy [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.tiktok.com/@protonguy&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw3Ac1ECCmIMQnG7gNrXGWPg]