In its latest series, the UToledo Health podcast, Prescribed Listening, explores cancer and what people can expect from different aspects of what can be an overwhelming journey.
Episodes of the podcast will cover topics like what to do after receiving a cancer diagnosis, what you can expect from radiation therapy and what to do after you receive a cancer free diagnosis.
In the series’ first episode, What Happens After You’ve Been Diagnosed with Cancer, UToledo Health oncologist Dr. Danae Hamouda and radiation oncologist Dr. Mersiha Hadziahmetovic discuss how the team at the Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center is with you every step of the way. They also discuss what to expect from chemotherapy and radiation therapy treatment if those treatments are right for you, clinical trials, how to cope with this news and how to tell your loved ones.
When it comes to discussing a cancer diagnosis with friends and family, Hamouda says that it’s a good idea to have a quiet, protected space when breaking this news, and to share how others can be of help to someone with a cancer diagnosis.
“One thing that I think we may struggle with is asking for help. Our friends, our family — they want to help, sometimes they don’t know how. And so, if there are ways that you would like them to be active or be your support person in a specific way, sharing what they could be helpful with can be important. If it’s transportation or it’s running errands or it’s just being someone that will listen to you vent or just being together, all of those things are really important. And sometimes it takes some specific discussions on that so you both can do what you’d like to do.”
Hadziahmetovic also says it’s important to know the person who has been diagnosed.
“I think if somebody really wants to do something for a newly diagnosed patient or patient who is maybe not newly diagnosed but is in a different stage of their journey with cancer, there’s always ways. I wouldn’t recommend, “Hey, let me know if I can help you in any way.” Just if you know that person, figure out a way to do something for them and just do it.”
Also on the podcast season is Jodi McClain, a certified nurse practitioner, discussing what happens after you are given a cancer-free diagnosis and the mixed feelings that can come with this diagnosis and the end of cancer treatment and what resources are available to them.
You can hear the first episode in the series now on the UToledo Health Prescribed Listening website.
Subscribe to UTMC’s Prescribed Listening podcast for the latest episodes on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
