Cancer Interviews

About Cancer Interviews

It is our sincere hope that however cancer may be impacting you or your loved ones, that you will find the Cancer Interviews podcast and our interviews with amazing cancer survivors, caregivers, oncology professionals and others, helpful, informative and encouraging! Our guests share their stories with things like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, stem cell transplants, bone marrow transplants, the emotional ups and downs of being a cancer patient, being a caregiver for a loved one fighting cancer, as well as cancer nutrition and allow them an opportunity to tell us about their life before, during and after their cancer journey. We do not provide medical advice on this podcast. Please remember, you are not alone and we invite you to be a part of our team, where together, everyone achieves more! We are sharing the journey together and we wish you the very best possible outcome, with your cancer journey!

Publisher

Jim Foster

Category

health & fitness · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

20 May 2020

Latest episode

5 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

190 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 Oct 2026

   192: Susie Sanchez survived anal cancer | Mitomycin-C | Xarelto | fissure | anal pap smear | anascope

   For anyone battling cancer, having to deal with radiation therapy or chemotherapy is tough enough.  However, upon learning in 2021 that she had anal cancer, Susie Sanchez was simultaneously prescribed both over a grueling six-week period.  Amazingly, she completed the regimen of Mitomycin-C and Xarelto and was told there was no evidence of disease.  Because of the radiation's burning in the pelvic region, she had to relearn how to walk, and reduced control of her bladder and intestine forces her to closely monitor what she eats and drinks and when, combined with always needing to know the location of the closest bathroom. Susie Sanchez had been in great physical shape throughout her adult life, which included her being an NFL cheerleader at age 38.  However, all that changed in August 2020.  She started experiencing extreme, annoying itching in her anus.  Seeking medical attention, she thought her problem could be sufficiently addressed with a topical crème. Her doctor prescribed such a remedy, but it was not effective.  She eventually went to a proctologist who identified a fissure in her anus as the probable source of her problem.  After subjecting Susie to an anascope exam, he wanted to perform a biopsy on her anus. Only days later, she received a phone call from the doctor's office at 9:30pm.  At the time, she was home alone as her husband was out of town on a golfing trip.  She looped into the conversation, and that's how she got the news: She had Stage II anal cancer. Susie did not want to undergo a regimen of radiation treatment or chemotherapy.  Some research she had done on Google indicated that following major surgery she would have to wear a bag for the rest of her life.  She was content with that option. However, when she returned to her oncologist, she was told her chances of survival if she opted for surgery and the bag was about 74 percent; but if she simultaneously underwent radiation treatment and chemotherapy, those survival chances rose to 90 percent.  So, in April 2021, Susie decided to go with the radiation and chemo.  It would be a grueling, painful six-week regimen.  She later learned many people undergoing the same regimen didn't last the six weeks, but amazingly, Susie stuck with it and finished the six weeks. The radiation resulted in burning in the pelvic region, which among other things made what used to be a routine trip to the bathroom extremely painful.  She got through such visits to the toilet by closing her eyes and screaming the alphabet from A to Z in an attempt to block out the pain. Once the two-pronged treatment concluded, Susie was thrilled to learn there was no evidence of disease.  However, that began a new chapter for her, one tied to post-treatment. Susie Sanchez had to get on a treadmill to re-learn how to walk.  Thanks to the radiation, she had reduced control of her bowels and intestines.  This required her to closely monitor her consumption of coffee and fiber and always be aware of where the nearest bathroom was.  She travels extensively for her job, so when she flies, she always gets an aisle seat. Susie can no longer perform the dance of a cheerleader, but she is happy with her life as she now knows it. Additional Resources: Susie's website: https://www.susiesanchez.com Susie's book: The Dream Lived, an inspirational memoir of being an NFL cheerleader at age 38.

2. 

   30 Sept 2026

   191: Jameel Haiat survived throat cancer | gastric tube | cisplatin | tracheotomy | radiation therapy

   In 2023, Jameel Haiat began to experience pain in his throat so severe he couldn't swallow.  This led to a diagnosis of throat cancer.  The tumor was extremely close to his vocal cords.  Jameel was given the option of a tracheotomy or a combined regimen of cisplatin chemotherapy and 33 rounds of radiation therapy.  The former raised the possibility that Jameel could lose his ability to speak, which is why he went with the chemo and radiation.  The treatment was needed as Jameel said he felt as he had "razor blades" in his mouth and throat.  He now consumes food and beverages through a gastric tube that lands food and beverage in his stomach.  Although he gains necessary nutrition, he has had to adjust just what he can and cannot eat.  He cannot do heavy lifting but has a gym in his home so that he can get a manageable level of exercise and maintain muscle mass. An artist and a poet, Jameel moved from Los Angeles to Thailand in April 2023.  About a month later, he thought he had come down with a severe sore throat.  His doctor thought what was ailing Jameel was nothing serious and prescribed some antibiotics.  The pain went away, but returned six months later.  Not only that, but suddenly he couldn't swallow.  He returned to his doctor, tests were performed and he was diagnosed with Stage IV throat cancer. Jameel was 58 at the time.  He was pumping iron, hiking, had a healthy diet, rarely drank and felt he was in the best shape of his life.  So, when he learned of his diagnosis, he laughed because he thought his doctor is joking, but it was no joke.  Regarding treatment, he was given two choices.  One could be a combination of chemotherapy and 33 rounds of radiation treatment.  The other was a tracheotomy, but the doctor told Jameel such a procedure would be high-risk because of the tumor's location, close to the vocal cords.  Jameel already couldn't swallow.  He didn't want to risk being able to no longer speak, so he chose the chemo and radiation. While he was able to deal with the cisplatin, the radiation was another story.  Jameel said he had burning and blistering on his neck, and when he tried to swallow, it felt like he had razor blades in his mouth and throat.  In addition to the acute physical pain, there was the emotional pain of knowing he would never swallow again.  In his hospital room, he was often in tears. Jameel felt he was moving closer to survivorship when he was discharged from the hospital.  He was hooked up to a gastric tube, through which he consumed food and beverage.  Jameel has modified his diet, so that it is compatible with the tube. These days, Jameel Haiat cannot do the heavy lifting he could do prior to his diagnosis.  He can no longer travel by air.  Although he can travel by car, he must take with him the right foods and fluids.  What remains the same is his ability to engage in art and poetry. Additional Resources: Jameel's website, with his bio, poetry books, art and other writings https://www.jameelhaiat.com Jameel on Instagram, which chronicles his daily life through video and poetry https://www.instagram.com/jameelh1

3. 

   17 Sept 2026

   190: John Morrissey survived Stage One colon cancer | colorectal cancer | cancerous polyp

   Not long after going in for a colonoscopy in 2015, John Morrissey was told he had Stage One colon cancer.  A Denver-based radio traffic reporter, John learned of his diagnosis with a telephone call from his oncologist two minutes before he was scheduled to deliver a live report!  He composed himself, delivered a flawless update, then immediately decided he had to take action.  In three weeks, he underwent a surgical procedure that successfully removed a cancerous polyp.  After three weeks of rest, John returned to work.  He goes in for colonoscopies every five years, and cancer-free, has resumed a normal life in Mazatlan, Mexico. John waited until he was 60 years old before getting his first colonoscopy.  It revealed some polyps, but on a Wednesday, the doctor wouldn't know if any were cancerous until running some tests.  The following Friday, John was just about to conclude his traffic reporting shift.  He had one more update to do at 5:58pm.  His cellphone rang at 5:56. It was his oncologist.  He didn't want to answer this call because he was about to go on the air, but he also didn't want to wait until Monday to learn the test results.  He took the call, and that's when he learned he had colon cancer, that he had one cancerous polyp. John Morrissey didn't hesitate and scheduled surgery in three weeks.  The procedure was a success, but it caused tremendous pain to his stomach muscles.  He rested another three weeks, but during that time, lying down, sitting down, standing up, anything involving his stomach muscles was very painful.  However, the pain subsided and he was soon back at work, updating listeners on traffic conditions in and around Denver. John still needs to go in for colonoscopies every five years.  Just about the only change in his routine is that he tries to keep his consumption of red meat and processed meats to a minimum.  He has moved to Mazatlan, Mexico and enjoys a normal life hanging out at the beach. Additional Resources: Support Group: Colon Cancer Prevention Project: https://www.coloncancerpreventionproject.org

Who has been a guest on Cancer Interviews

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Noelle Gatlin
• Laurie Adami
• Nicole Scott
• Helinka Carr
• Guy Nakoa

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

146,390

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 77 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

93

Social presence

0

YouTube

86

Engagement

68

Contact Cancer Interviews

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.