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

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]

From Mammogram to Treatment: What to Know About Breast Cancer with Breast Surgeon Dr. Stephanie Taylor

The Cancer Project Podcast is joined this week by Breast Surgeon Dr. Stephanie Taylor. In this informative episode, Dr. Taylor answers many frequently asked questions surrounding breast cancer such as: What are the types of breast cancer? How is staging determined? What are standard treatments for breast cancer? What is the difference between a lumpectomy and a mastectomy? My family has a history of breast cancer, what are my screening guidelines? Dr. Taylor is the Breast Surgeon at the Premier Breast Health Institute in Oklahoma City. In addition to the educational conversation, Dr. Taylor compassionately shares what her day-to-day consists of at Premier and as medicine continues to advance, so does the level of care that can be provided to patients. Episode Resources: Premier Breast Health Institute: https://www.pbhiok.com/ [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.pbhiok.com/&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw3qYBEy1N7okt19IbVELW9P] https://www.instagram.com/pbhi_ok/ [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/pbhi_ok/&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw19sioyYxY0BIDU34ahQtBH] https://www.facebook.com/PBHIok [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/PBHIok&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw1qCyPOQTrWZ3Uf8yr5zbGs] 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]

Mental and Physical Toughness Black Belt and Breast Cancer with Melinda Wilson

Sixth degree black belt Melinda Wilson is no stranger to dedication and perseverance. Her extensive training in martial arts goes back decades, and her love of the sport continues today as an instructor and studio owner. In February of 2022, Melinda was diagnosed with breast cancer. In this episode, she shares her journey of being diagnosed, receiving treatment, and the strong community of women she met along her journey in Project31. Melinda also speaks about her strong relationship with her faith and the important role it played while battling cancer. While undergoing treatment, Melinda starred in “Never Give Up - Melinda’s Cancer Journey”, a feature that showcases her daily life while battling cancer and continuing to run the martial arts studio.  To watch the full feature please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EA1IPA9tEdE [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DEA1IPA9tEdE&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw3tYW6SIH10bSS8YQplJJoJ]. Episode Resources: Project31: https://project31.com/ [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://project31.com/&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw1ecrVZtpqZHwyV23fpAnEW] https://www.instagram.com/project31com/ [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/project31com/&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw3nXkF4g3AG4tudJ3ibLalH] https://www.facebook.com/project31com [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/project31com&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw3q7wvUSxYToo0xK60LoxYm] 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]