Cancer Care Connections

Silent Struggles: Mental Health in Cancer Patients and Caregivers

Cancer changes more than your body. It can shake your sense of control, rewrite your identity, and make everyday life feel like it’s happening in a different language than everyone else is speaking.    We sit down with the Virginia Oncology Associates oncology social work team to talk plainly about mental health during the cancer journey for both patients and caregivers. We walk through the emotional reality of diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and end-of-life care, including fear, shock, sadness, anger, anxiety, and the fear of recurrence that can linger long after treatment ends. We also name something we hear all the time: the pressure to “stay strong.” When people feel like they can’t share what they’re really feeling, they may withdraw, miss appointments, or struggle in silence while juggling financial stress, transportation, work, and family roles.    Caregivers are a huge part of cancer care, and their mental health often gets overlooked. We talk about guilt, isolation, and the heavy burden of trying to hold everything together, plus the subtle signs of caregiver burnout like brain fog, mood changes, emotional numbness, and getting sick more often.   We share practical ways to ask for help in small steps, use community resources, and reframe support as strength, not weakness, especially when stigma and access barriers are shaped by culture, age, race, and socioeconomic stress.  Make sure to visit our show notes for mental health resources mentioned in this podcast.  Resources:  988: https://988lifeline.org/ [https://988lifeline.org/] NAMI: https://www.nami.org/ [https://www.nami.org/] VOA: https://www.virginiacancer.com/cancer-resources/#support-groups-at-voa [https://www.virginiacancer.com/cancer-resources/#support-groups-at-voa] Thank you for listening! If you're interested in hearing more from Virginia Oncology Associates, make sure to subscribe to Cancer Care Connections on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere podcasts are available, or listen online at cancercareconnections.buzzsprout.com [https://cancercareconnections.buzzsprout.com/]. Cancer Care Connections is the official podcast of Virginia Oncology Associates. For more information, visit us at VirginiaCancer.com [http://VirginiaCancer.com]. or find us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/virginiaoncologyassociates] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/virginiaoncologyassociates/] at Virginia Oncology Associates.

Outpatient CAR T-Cell Therapy: Advanced Multiple Myeloma Care Close to Home

We sit down with Dr. Gary Simmons and Fred Varewyck to explain CAR T cell therapy for multiple myeloma and what it can mean for deeper remission and real time away from treatment. Dr. Gary Simmons unpacks how CAR T works, why it’s a major advancement in blood cancer care, and what “treatment-free time” can look like when it succeeds.    We also get specific about the lived experience. Fred walks through diagnosis, stem cell transplant, relapse, and the mindset that helped him say yes when CAR T finally became possible. Dr. Simmons explains the practical timeline, including the four-to-six-week manufacturing window, and why some patients need urgent “bridge” treatment first. Then we dive into what makes Virginia Oncology Associates’ outpatient CAR T model so meaningful: infusion at the clinic, daily check-ins, and recovery at home rather than hospitalization.    The other thread running through everything is support and trustworthy information. We talk about why “Google medicine” can push patients away from the right care, why you should speak with clinicians who specialize in cellular therapy, and how caregivers make appointments easier for patients by taking notes or recording guidance. Fred shares community resources that help patients feel less alone (check out the show notes).    If you found this helpful, subscribe, share the episode with someone navigating multiple myeloma, and leave a review so more patients and caregivers can find these conversations.  Dr. Gary L. Simmons [https://www.virginiacancer.com/healthcare-team-locations/healthcare-team/gary-l-simmons-d.o-msha/] is a recognized national leader in the advancement of community-based oncology. Within the US Oncology Network, he has been instrumental in bridging the gap between academic research and community access, with a specific clinical focus on CAR T-Cell Therapy and its evolving role in patient care, the treatment of complex Hematologic malignancies, and expanding the reach of advanced cellular therapies beyond the traditional university hospital setting.  Resources:  https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2026.1712533/full [https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2026.1712533/full]  https://www.polygonhealth.co/map [https://www.polygonhealth.co/map]  https://www.facebook.com/groups/239866928407935 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/239866928407935]  Southeastern Virginia (SEVA) Multiple Myeloma Support Group. Email Brenda Riggs or Stephanie Kailos at seva@imfsupport.org  Thank you for listening! If you're interested in hearing more from Virginia Oncology Associates, make sure to subscribe to Cancer Care Connections on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere podcasts are available, or listen online at cancercareconnections.buzzsprout.com [https://cancercareconnections.buzzsprout.com/]. Cancer Care Connections is the official podcast of Virginia Oncology Associates. For more information, visit us at VirginiaCancer.com [http://VirginiaCancer.com]. or find us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/virginiaoncologyassociates] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/virginiaoncologyassociates/] at Virginia Oncology Associates.

Inside Oncology Social Work: Support, Advocacy, and Real-Life Resources

Cancer doesn’t just change lab results; it reshapes daily life. Our Virginia Oncology Associates Social Work team opens the door to whole-person care, starting at diagnosis. They show how early outreach, clear planning, and steady advocacy can turn fear into manageable steps. They share how they coordinate transportation, housing, grants, insurance, and disability applications while offering the kind of emotional support that helps patients and caregivers breathe, decide, and move forward.    Throughout this episode, you’ll hear powerful, practical moments from the field: a rapid housing save that kept a parent connected to her kids, a coordinated relocation that preserved treatment access and family support, and a path from sudden job loss to financial stability through grants, Medicaid, and disability appeals. We also look straight at the quiet worries many carry: being a burden, losing control, or not being heard, and walk through tools that bring relief: caregiver naming and respite, values-based care planning, and family meetings that honor the patient’s voice.    We explain why timing matters. Many resources run on clocks: public housing waitlists, SNAP approvals, Medicaid enrollment, FMLA paperwork, and Social Security reviews. Reaching out early helps you line up the right resources before a crisis hits, protecting treatment schedules and reducing financial strain.     If today’s stories resonate, ask your clinical team to connect you with your social worker, or check whether oncology social work is available where you receive care. Subscribe, share this episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help others find support sooner. Thank you for listening! If you're interested in hearing more from Virginia Oncology Associates, make sure to subscribe to Cancer Care Connections on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere podcasts are available, or listen online at cancercareconnections.buzzsprout.com [https://cancercareconnections.buzzsprout.com/]. Cancer Care Connections is the official podcast of Virginia Oncology Associates. For more information, visit us at VirginiaCancer.com [http://VirginiaCancer.com]. or find us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/virginiaoncologyassociates] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/virginiaoncologyassociates/] at Virginia Oncology Associates.

Quiet Threat: Lung Cancer in “Non-Smoking” Women

Forget the old narrative that lung cancer belongs only to smokers. We open the door to a different reality: a rising number of women, many in their 30s to 50s, who never smoked, face late-stage diagnoses and limited options. With Dr. John Xie from Virginia Oncology Associates, we break down the biology that sets non-smoker lung cancers apart and the practical steps that can save lives through earlier detection and smarter treatment.    Dr. Xie explains how genetics, hormones, and environment intersect, with a particular focus on East Asian women who show a higher prevalence of EGFR-driven disease. A vivid case study of a 40-year-old non-smoker misdirected toward melanoma reveals how easily lung cancer hides behind atypical symptoms like vision loss, fatigue, or bone pain, and why biopsy and staging matter before assumptions take over.    From there, we dive into solutions. Precision oncology has changed the map: EGFR inhibitors now extend median survival in stage four disease, and combinations with chemotherapy are pushing gains further. Early-stage detection is where cure lives, and new evidence from a study of 1,000 East Asian non-smoking women shows low-dose CT can find lung cancers at stages one to three with detection rates similar to smokers. We talk through access hurdles, how to push for imaging when symptoms persist, and the promise of pairing low-dose CT with routine mammograms to simplify screening for select women.    If you or someone you love has risk factors like East Asian ancestry, a family history of lung cancer, or unexplained symptoms that won’t resolve: ask for evaluation and consider low-dose CT.  Dr. John Xie [https://www.virginiacancer.com/healthcare-team-locations/healthcare-team/john-xie-m.d] is board-certified in medical oncology, hematology, and internal medicine. He grew up in Connecticut and studied at Columbia University, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering. After that, he obtained his Doctorate in Medicine from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and finished his internal medicine residency at Tulane Medical Center.  Dr. Xie treats patients with all types of cancer and blood disorders. He remains actively engaged in advancing the field of hematology and oncology, particularly through clinical trials. He has published peer-reviewed research in several publications, including Leukemia & Lymphoma. He has also presented at numerous conferences, including the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting.  Resources: * American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org/ [https://www.cancer.org/]  * https://clinicaltrials.gov/ [https://clinicaltrials.gov/]  * Female Asian Nonsmoker Screening Study: https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2023.41.16_suppl.8510 [https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2023.41.16_suppl.8510]  * Stanford Study: https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2025/05/lung-cancer-women-mammogram-screening.html [https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2025/05/lung-cancer-women-mammogram-screening.html]  Thank you for listening! If you're interested in hearing more from Virginia Oncology Associates, make sure to subscribe to Cancer Care Connections on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere podcasts are available, or listen online at cancercareconnections.buzzsprout.com [https://cancercareconnections.buzzsprout.com/]. Cancer Care Connections is the official podcast of Virginia Oncology Associates. For more information, visit us at VirginiaCancer.com [http://VirginiaCancer.com]. or find us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/virginiaoncologyassociates] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/virginiaoncologyassociates/] at Virginia Oncology Associates.

Thyroid Truths: Inside the 2025 American Thyroid Association Guidelines

Most thyroid cancers are not just treatable; they’re highly curable, and the newest guidelines make the path to cure gentler than ever. We welcome Dr. Michael Miller, radiation oncologist at Virginia Oncology Associates, to break down who thyroid cancer affects, how it’s found, and why the 2025 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines lean into less invasive care without sacrificing outcomes.     We start with the basics: the demographics of thyroid cancer, why young women face a higher risk, and the simple steps that lead from a neck lump to diagnosis. From there, we compare the old “one-size-fits-all” approach to today’s options, including active surveillance for select low-risk patients and hemithyroidectomy that preserves half the gland and often avoids lifelong hormone replacement. Dr. Miller demystifies radioactive iodine therapy by explaining how thyroid cells’ appetite for iodine turns a small capsule into targeted internal radiation, and why modern doses are a fraction of what was used two decades ago, cutting side effects and shortening isolation.      Not all cancers listen to the rules, so we also cover advanced and metastatic scenarios, where radioactive iodine may lose its punch. Here, targeted therapies like lenvatinib and sorafenib bring new options and new hope, guided by molecular insights. Finally, we map the aftercare that keeps people safe: thyroglobulin as a reliable tumor marker, neck ultrasound as a simple, precise surveillance tool, and the indispensable role of a skilled endocrinologist in long-term follow-up. If you or someone you love has questions about a thyroid nodule, family history, or the path from diagnosis to recovery, this conversation offers clarity, practical steps, and trusted resources.   If this helped you feel more informed and less anxious, subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to help others find the show.    Resources:  American Thyroid Association (ATA): https://www.thyroid.org/ [https://www.thyroid.org/]  ATA Low Iodine Diet: https://www.thyroid.org/low-iodine-diet/ [https://www.thyroid.org/low-iodine-diet/]  Previous episode with Dr. Michael Miller: https://cancercareconnections.buzzsprout.com/2167428/episodes/15842196-revolutionizing-cancer-care-advances-in-radiation-oncology [https://cancercareconnections.buzzsprout.com/2167428/episodes/15842196-revolutionizing-cancer-care-advances-in-radiation-oncology]  Thank you for listening! If you're interested in hearing more from Virginia Oncology Associates, make sure to subscribe to Cancer Care Connections on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere podcasts are available, or listen online at cancercareconnections.buzzsprout.com [https://cancercareconnections.buzzsprout.com/]. Cancer Care Connections is the official podcast of Virginia Oncology Associates. For more information, visit us at VirginiaCancer.com [http://VirginiaCancer.com]. or find us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/virginiaoncologyassociates] or Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/virginiaoncologyassociates/] at Virginia Oncology Associates.