Doc Discussions with Dr. Jason Edwards

Why Lung Cancer Screening Matters More Than You Think

The quiet truth about lung cancer is that it often hides until it’s late. We break that pattern by showing exactly who qualifies for low‑dose CT screening, why it’s usually free under preventive benefits, and how a clear plan can turn fear into action. With pulmonologist Dr. Kristen Fisher and lung screening lead Lola Brand, we trace the path from a “spot on the scan” to a confident diagnosis, and we demystify the choices along the way. We start with eligibility—ages 50 to 80 for most commercial plans (50 to 77 for Medicare), at least a 20 pack‑year history, and either current smoking or quitting within 15 years—then explain why symptoms like cough, breathlessness, or chest pain are often late arrivals. We dig into regional realities: histoplasma in the Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys and valley fever out West create benign nodules that mimic cancer. You’ll learn why careful follow‑up matters, how growth patterns guide decisions, and what risk factors beyond smoking—radon, asbestos, certain chemicals, age, and family history—should prompt extra vigilance. When a nodule demands answers, we compare the three biopsy paths. Bronchoscopy uses navigation and endobronchial ultrasound to sample from the inside with a low pneumothorax risk. CT‑guided needle biopsy offers high diagnostic yield through the chest wall, while surgery becomes the right move when suspicion and resectability align. We also get real about AI: great as a copilot to guide tools and documentation, not ready to replace human judgment in the procedure suite. Most importantly, we share practical ways to manage the hardest stretch—the waiting—by setting information boundaries, asking focused questions, staying active, and focusing on what you can control today. Early detection changes outcomes, options, and peace of mind. If you or someone you love qualifies, take the first step now. Subscribe for future episodes, share this with a friend who should be screened, and leave a review to help others find life‑saving information.

Menopause: Rethinking Hormones, Risk, And Aging On Your Own Terms

Menopause doesn’t arrive overnight or follow a tidy script. The changes often begin years earlier, as energy dips, brain fog creeps in, sleep gets choppy, joints ache, and weight redistributes from hips to the belly. We invited OB-GYN Dr. Kael Murphy Pettis to break down what’s actually happening in perimenopause and share a practical roadmap that helps women feel better, stronger, and clearer without getting lost in internet noise. We unpack the under-recognized signs that signal shifting hormones and the simple labs that often get skipped—iron, B12, vitamin D, and thyroid—that can mimic menopause symptoms. Dr. Murphy-Pettis explains why perimenopause is uniquely tricky: estrogen spikes and crashes make one-size-fits-all hormone replacement a poor fit. She contrasts older, oral hormone regimens with today’s transdermal estrogen plus micronized progesterone, clarifying who tends to benefit and why the risk profile looks different now. For those who prefer to avoid hormones—or can’t use them—we highlight evidence-backed supports like L-theanine for sleep and anxiety, creatine’s emerging role in brain health, and the importance of hitting around 30 grams of fiber a day. We also go beyond cardio to the unsung hero of midlife health: strength training. From bone density and muscle preservation to metabolic resilience and the surprising power of grip strength, heavy lifting is a cornerstone for thriving through menopause. We discuss vaginal estrogen for dryness with minimal systemic absorption, caution against untested DIY uses, and spotlight a new nonhormonal option—a neurokinin-3 receptor antagonist—that cools hot flashes at the source and opens doors for breast cancer survivors and others avoiding estrogen. If you’ve felt dismissed or unsure where to start, this conversation offers a clear plan: get the right tests, set realistic lifestyle goals, and collaborate with a clinician who listens. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave a review telling us the one question about menopause you still want answered.

From Mastectomy to Tailored Care: How Tumor Boards, Genetics, and New Therapies Shape Modern Breast Cancer Treatment

A breast cancer diagnosis can flip your world in a single sentence—so we set out to restore clarity, calm, and control. Dr. Jason Edwards sits down with breast surgeon Dr. Nanette Wendel and medical oncologist Dr. Meera Rana to map a modern pathway through complex choices, from the first tumor board conversation to long-term survivorship. Together we show how to match treatment to tumor biology while protecting quality of life. We start inside a multidisciplinary tumor board where surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists collaborate on one coherent plan. You’ll hear why lumpectomy plus radiation can achieve survival equal to mastectomy in early-stage disease, how sentinel lymph node biopsy slashes lymphedema risk, and when MRI tips the balance between conservation and mastectomy. We unpack Oncotype and other genomic tests that separate patients who need chemotherapy from those who don’t, and we dig into the reasoning behind giving chemotherapy before surgery for HER2-positive and triple negative cancers. Dr. Rana explains the evolving toolkit: endocrine therapy for hormone receptor–positive disease, PARP inhibitors for BRCA mutation carriers, CDK4/6 inhibitors for high-risk and metastatic settings, and immunotherapy’s growing role in triple negative breast cancer. Dr. Wendel brings the human side forward—how cosmetic outcomes and immediate reconstruction buffer the emotional hit of surgery, and why education often shifts patients away from default “double mastectomy” thinking toward evidence-based, confidence-preserving choices. We close with practical advice for the toughest first two weeks after diagnosis: record visits, bring another set of ears, ask for repetition, and lean on a plan that balances cure with the life you want to return to. If this conversation helped you or someone you love, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a quick review to help others find these insights.

From Mammograms to Mindset: Navigating High-Risk Breast Care with a Nurse Practitioner’s Guide

A routine mammogram can change everything—especially when a letter arrives labeling you “high risk.” We sit down with nurse practitioner Jill Flores, whose career spans labor and delivery to advanced breast care, to unpack what that label actually means, how risk models work, and how a high-risk breast clinic turns numbers into a practical plan you can follow without losing your sanity. Jill explains the intake process that starts with a cancer risk assessment, walks through why 20% lifetime risk is the threshold for enhanced screening, and shows how mammograms, whole-breast ultrasound, and MRI can be sequenced to shrink the window where cancer hides. We dive into genetics beyond BRCA—think CHEK2, ATM, and comprehensive multigene panels that also inform risks for colon, kidney, endocrine, and skin cancers. You’ll hear how decisions about prophylactic surgery are made, why “genetic risk” isn’t destiny, and how shared decision-making respects both data and personal values. Jill also addresses a frustrating reality: insurance coverage for high-risk MRIs is inconsistent, even when patients meet criteria. She shares how our team advocates through appeals, aligns schedules to reduce barriers, and keeps the focus on early detection and longer survival. Lifestyle isn’t an afterthought here—it’s a lever. We cover how Mediterranean- and DASH-style eating, steady exercise, weight management, and low alcohol intake can reduce risk through better hormone balance and lower inflammation. We talk candidly about anxiety, how to spot meaningful changes, and why having a reachable nurse navigator matters. Men are part of the conversation too, with tailored imaging and genetic counseling when indicated. If you’ve ever wondered whether you or a loved one should pursue a high-risk assessment—or how to make the system work for you—this conversation delivers a clear, compassionate playbook. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with someone who needs clarity, and leave a review to help others find it. Ready to check your risk or set up a plan? Call our high risk nurse navigator at 636 530 5512.

Beyond Profit Margins: How Donor Dollars Transform Patient Care

Ever wondered how hospitals afford those multi-million dollar machines that save lives? The answer might surprise you. Dan McCormack, Vice President and Executive Director of Development for St. Luke's Hospital, pulls back the curtain on healthcare philanthropy in this eye-opening conversation. What emerges is a fascinating look at how donor dollars become the lifeblood of modern healthcare innovation when insurance reimbursements fall woefully short. While universities like Harvard sit atop $50 billion endowments, your local hospital likely operates on razor-thin margins—sometimes just 1-2% above breaking even, if not in the negative. Medicare and Medicaid typically reimburse only 60-90 cents on the dollar for services rendered. This financial reality creates an impossible situation: how does a hospital acquire a $4 million linear accelerator for cancer treatment when barely staying afloat? The answer lies in the profound connection between grateful patients and the institutions that heal them. Unlike university donations driven by alumni pride or cultural giving motivated by community enrichment, healthcare philanthropy taps into something more personal—the deep gratitude that comes from having your life saved or improved. As McCormack eloquently puts it, "What I'm actually doing is giving them an opportunity to feel good" by allowing donors to transform their hard-earned money into healing for others. What makes this conversation particularly valuable is its honest exploration of both sides of the philanthropy equation. We hear about the delicate art of fundraising without making relationships feel transactional, while also understanding why even small donations make meaningful differences in healthcare delivery. From the psychology of giving to the uncertain future of nonprofit tax status for hospitals, this discussion offers rare insights into how philanthropy shapes the healthcare we all depend on. Ready to make an impact? Visit the St. Luke's website and click "I Want To" in the upper right corner to discover how your contribution—whether $25 or $25,000—can transform patient care in your community.