Podcast Episodes

Everyone has heard a myth or two about cancer (hello, sugar!) The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) published eight "Myths and Facts About Cancer." Some of the myths they brought up were ones we've heard from patients, others...kind of cringey. We thought we should tackle them one by one. Not surprisingly, there is often a vein of truth that keeps these so-called myths alive. Tina and Leah have decades of experience as naturopathic physicians and have sifted through the data, so you ...

Herbal medicine is part of our daily lives. Coffee, tea, soup, salads... we are already consuming plants, and many are medicinal. Walking in nature and gardening, these are also aspects of plant medicine. Listen to the latest episode of The Cancer Pod, where Tina and Leah chat with Chanchal Cabrera, MSc, FNMIH, RHT, (RH) AHG , whose career as a medical herbalist with a specialty in holistic oncology stretches over 35 years. You’re in for a treat when you tune in to hear the inspiring conversati...

We talked with Dr. Lise Alschuler about the three most important things to reduce cancer risk and its recurrence. With almost 30 years as a clinician, as well as a cancer survivor herself, Dr. Alschuler is an authority on the topic. Join Tina & Leah in this not-to-be-missed episode. Where else will you find three naturopathic physicians giving out reliable advice on cancer risk reduction? More about Dr. Lise Alschuler Tell us your thoughts on this episode! Support the show Become a member of Th...

Does a higher BMI sometimes lead to better outcomes? Is BMI what we should be using to measure obesity? Whether you are considered obese, overweight, normal weight, or underweight... your BMI can be misleading. Tina & Leah delve into the details and give you some advice to achieve the ultimate goal: living your best life as long as you possibly can! Tell us your thoughts on this episode! Support the show Become a member of The Cancer Pod Community! Gain access to live Q&As, exclusive content, a...

Some things supporting wellness are a great idea — if you're not in the middle of cancer treatment! Tina and Leah talk about some good-for-you, healthy, and usually risk-free things you should avoid while getting active treatment. Avoiding anything that may undermine your treatment success is a top priority, so don't miss this one! Tell us your thoughts on this episode! Support the show Become a member of The Cancer Pod Community! Gain access to live Q&As, exclusive content, and s...

Time flies! Before you know it, another year's gone by! We've hit some hot topics this past year, and the info just keeps coming! So, Tina & Leah plucked from the headlines and updated some prior episodes with the newest info. They also look to the future of cancer diagnosis (will ants someday be involved?) and tackle a listener question about mushrooms. Join us as we learn (and laugh!) together. Tell us your thoughts on this episode! Support the show Become a member of The Cancer P...

Green tea is a hugely popular drink and supplement. But are its health claims warranted? In this episode, Tina & Leah bring you the facts about green tea's benefits. As usual, there are some unique considerations regarding cancer. So tune in to find out if this anti-oxidant-rich tea should be a high priority on your to-do list! Memorial Sloan-Kettering summary on green tea ASCO position paper on green tea Bottled versus Brewed green tea Effects on Cancer stem cells Topical green tea preventing ...

Adaptogens are all the rage, making their way into popular pick-me-up products (looking at you, Monster energy drinks). Many different plants are adaptogens (Ashwaganda, Ginseng, Rhodiola, etc), but should these plants really be taken willy-nilly? Tina & Leah give you the low down on adaptogens, including their uses, side effects, and some contraindications. What's an adaptogen? "a natural substance considered to help the body adapt to stress and to exert a normalizing effect upon bodily proces...

This isn't a sexy topic but darn it, someone has to talk about it! We naturopathic doctors don't shy away from sh*t talk. In fact, we encourage it! We're rereleasing this episode because there's a slew of newer oral agents that cause loose stool and/or diarrhea. Listen in as Tina and Leah help you understand how it happens and what you can do about it. Diarrhea management handout from equalhope.org Managing chemotherapy-induced diarrhea Recipes from Cancer Support Community websi...

Drug repurposing is using a drug previously approved for one condition to treat an entirely different condition (like cancer). In cancer care, repurposed drugs are usually gentler than FDA-approved cancer treatments. They include common drugs for diabetes, high blood pressure, infections, and more. Tina & Leah talk about who should consider this strategy and some of the most commonly used repurposed drugs. Repurposing Drugs in Oncology- ReDo Project link The Anticancer Fund Care Oncology Clinic...

Detox programs are popping up everywhere, but what’s the best approach? Do you really need to chug charcoal?! Tina & Leah talk about what detox means from their perspectives. And while they agree on most of it, they each bring a different perspective on how detoxification, elimination, and cleansing should be defined. Tune in to learn more! Harvard University takes on Detox Objective Assessment of an Ionic Footbath (IonCleanse) Tim Horton’s versus Tony Horton Info on the Master Cleanse (a clean...

Did you know you can lower pain levels with natural agents as well as medications? Food matters too. What you eat can worsen pain, while some foods help you resolve it. Tina & Leah are naturopathic doctors who know what works (and what doesn’t!). They’ll spare you the arms-length list of supplements that “may” help. So tune in and find out how to lessen pain and inflammation. Links we mentioned on this episode: 55% of people going through cancer experience pain Boswellia information from Memor...

Pain is unpleasant. (That’s an understatement!) While pain itself is no fun, Tina & Leah keep you entertained and informed as you learn the basics in this episode. Understanding pain and knowing how to report it accurately can speed up the process of getting some relief. So listen in, and as always, please share this podcast if you find it useful! Links we mentioned on this episode and other cool stuff: McGill Pain Questionnaire to help you describe your pain accurately About the McGill Pain Qu...

Probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, Oh My! The “bugs” in our guts have more to do with cancer than you may think. They interact intimately with your immune system and can influence cancer treatment effectiveness. Join Tina & Leah as they discuss the bugs we love, probiotics! Probiotics- What they are, and what they are not The. Federal Trade Commission challenges Dannon’s claims regarding Activia yogurt Bacteria found inside pancreatic cancer are able to metabolize chemo (gemcitabine) Taking an...

99% of calcium is in our bones. The last 1% is a fine balancing act between hormones and nutrients. So how much should you consume? What are the best supplement forms? What foods (besides dairy) have the highest amounts? What if it’s high or low on your lab reports? Tune in and find out as Tina & Leah tell you all about our most abundant mineral, calcium. Links to relevant prior episodes: Supplements 101: Understanding The Basics Dairy: Does it Promote Cancer? Bone Health: Survivorsh!t! Magnesi...

High blood sugar (glucose) isn't desirable for a host of reasons, but is "feeding cancer" one of them? The truth is bittersweet and takes a little more clarification than a simple "yes" or "no." Tina & Leah discuss the origin-story of "sugar feeds cancer," tell you whether it's valid or not and give you some tips & tricks on how to have your cake and eat it too! High blood sugar and cancer progression, a review The original Warburg Effect paper (1927) The “Reverse Warbur...

Does milk really “do a body good?” Great marketing, but what’s the truth? Tina & Leah tackle this tough question as they sift through the data on dairy. As always, they stick to the facts. (No dogma allowed.) Should you indulge or abstain? Listen in to find out! How humans have evolved to digest milk. Harvard’s Healthy eating plate has no dairy on it What is Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (RBGH)? Guide to RBGH-free dairy products Breast cancer risk and calcium Plant-based diet + Exercise for ...

What's the best type of movement during and after cancer treatment? How do you integrate exercise without hurting yourself? Tina & Leah talk with movement expert Sarah Court about what yoga can do (and can't!), aerobic vs. resistive exercise, and how to safely create a movement routine. Oh, and she’s got a resiliency plan you’ve got to check out! We dive right in, so hit “play,” and let’s go! Sarah Court’s Cancer Resiliency Program Stronger By Science Hot flashes and muscle mass The...

Does fasting during treatment make it work better? Does overnight fasting stave off recurrence? How does fasting affect cancer in general? Tina & Leah talk about the benefits (and risks!) of limiting food intake during and after cancer treatment. Links we mentioned on this episode and other cool stuff: Fasting alongside neoadjuvant chemotherapy in those with breast cancer (2013) Clinical trial on fasting during chemo, currently enrolling those with breast cancer (currently recruiting) Review ...

We're talking talk sh!t in this one, survivorsh!t, that is. Along the way, we drop tips for how to lessen the long-term side effects of cancer treatments that put a real wrench in survivorship. This 40,000-foot view hits on many lingering effects and helps you understand how and why some may improve while others may not. Tune in to be entertained and enlightened; at least, that’s the idea! Links we mentioned on this episode and other cool stuff: File under "weirdness:" How toxoplasmosi...

Magnesium deficiency is incredibly common. No need for this, though. There are simple labs to run. You can also fix a deficiency with food and supplements. But what are some symptoms of Mg deficiency? And who should NOT be taking it as a supplement? Join Tina & Leah as they chat about the 4th most abundant mineral in the human body. (What's #1? You'll have to tune in.) Let's face it, nutrition advice is all over the board these days. Whatever your menu looks like, you need to ensure you get foo...

Did you know blood levels of B12 are likely to be high in those with cancer? Is this harmful? What about B12 deficiency? What should you look for? Tina & Leah talk about vitamin B12 and why you shouldn’t just take it willy-nilly. Cobalamin (B12) is a nutrient that can often be deficient, especially in vegans/vegetarians, anyone with chronic GI issues, and even simple aging leads to lower levels. On the flip side, those with solid tumors tend to have higher levels circulating in their blood. Wha...

Tell us your thoughts on this episode! Support the show Become a member of The Cancer Pod Community! Gain access to live Q&As, exclusive content, and so much more! Join us today! Check out our website! Looking for more information? We have blogs, merch, and all of our episodes listed by season and category. Shop our favorite reads! We've joined with Bookshop.org to offer some of our fave books! Have a comment or suggestion? Email us at thecancerpod@gmail.com Follow us wherever you browse. We...

Melatonin is a popular supplement in cancer care. Tina & Leah review the many uses of melatonin and tackle some controversies around this powerful hormone. Join us as they chat, like only two naturopathic docs can. Did you know melatonin was first discovered in 1958? That’s a long time ago! Amazingly, research is still uncovering new ways melatonin affects the body. We know it sets our circadian clocks, influences immune cells and acts as an antioxidant inside cells. But like so many natural a...