The Cancer Project

About The Cancer Project

Stay informed and empowered as we explore the intersection of technology and medicine. Tune in for thought-provoking discussions, expert interviews, and practical advice to help you or your loved ones on the journey through cancer treatment and recovery.

Publisher

Oklahoma Proton Center

Category

science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Jul 2025

Latest episode

2 Nov 2026

Latest episodes

67 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   2 Nov 2026

   Young Lung Cancer Program: Breaking the Stigma & Bridging the Gap in Care

   A lung cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming at any age, but for younger adults, it can bring a unique set of challenges that extend far beyond treatment. From navigating fertility and family planning to managing financial stress, finding emotional support, and understanding the latest research, young patients often have needs that traditional cancer care may not fully address. In this episode of The Cancer Project, host David Raubach sits down with Dr. Narjust Florez and Taryn Lipiner of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Young Lung Cancer Program to discuss how they are working to change that experience. Dr. Florez and Dr. Jaclyn LoPiccolo co-founded the program and serve as its co-directors, bringing together clinical care, research, and individualized support to better serve younger people diagnosed with lung cancer. Together with their team including Taryn Lipiner, they are helping patients navigate the many challenges that can come with a diagnosis at a young age. Their work goes beyond medical treatment. The program helps connect patients with fertility services, social work, psychological support, financial assistance, food resources, and other services based on their individual needs. Through tools like a patient resource binder, ongoing communications, and connections to other support organizations, the team helps patients find practical answers and a trusted point of contact throughout their cancer journey. They also recognize that younger patients may be balancing careers, relationships, parenting, and major life decisions while trying to process a diagnosis that can feel isolating and unexpected. The conversation also explores the importance of research in improving our understanding of lung cancer in younger adults, including the role of inherited genetic mutations and the potential for more personalized approaches to care. The team is working to connect the experiences and needs of patients with research that can help shape better support and treatment in the future. And while the Young Lung Cancer Program is based at Dana-Farber in Boston, its mission reaches beyond the walls of the hospital, helping patients navigate resources and connections that may benefit them wherever they live. This episode highlights why cancer care must address the whole person, not just the disease. The Young Lung Cancer Program is helping young patients feel less alone, better informed, and more supported as they navigate life with cancer. It is a conversation about the importance of accessible resources, meaningful research, and compassionate care that meets patients where they are. Episode Resources: Young Lung Cancer Program: https://www.dana-farber.org/cancer-care/treatment/thoracic-lung-cancer/programs/young-lung (https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.dana-farber.org/cancer-care/treatment/thoracic-lung-cancer/programs/young-lung&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw1ZARKtCM0t8qANc8TNYTGs) YLCP Research & Clinical Trials: https://www.dana-farber.org/cancer-care/treatment/thoracic-lung-cancer/programs/young-lung/support-and-resources (https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.dana-farber.org/cancer-care/treatment/thoracic-lung-cancer/programs/young-lung/support-and-resources&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw01p5aN-XGuj9ZpeSkiqjA1) Contact Information: younglungcancerprogram@dfci.harvard.edu (mailto:younglungcancerprogram@dfci.harvard.edu) 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)

2. 

   26 Oct 2026

   You Are Not A Statistic: Keriann Engle's Cancer Journey

   In 2019, at just 35 years old, Keriann Engle was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. An avid runner who had spent years challenging herself through marathons and ultramarathons, Keriann suddenly faced a journey that would change her life. After undergoing a mastectomy, reconstruction, chemotherapy, and radiation, she began rebuilding her strength, only to learn two years later that her cancer had spread to her liver. Now living with stage four metastatic breast cancer, Keriann shares how she has navigated the uncertainty of recurrence while continuing to pursue a life filled with purpose, adventure, and hope. In this empowering episode of The Cancer Project Podcast, Keriann opens up about the often overlooked mental health challenges of cancer, including anxiety, trauma, and the pressure to return to life as it was before diagnosis. Through therapy, medication, and learning to embrace a new normal, she discovered the importance of giving herself grace and seeking support. Her story highlights why cancer care must extend beyond physical treatment and why patients should never feel they have to navigate the emotional toll of cancer alone. Keriann also discusses the fear of recurrence, the anxiety surrounding surveillance scans, and the importance of looking beyond statistics when facing a diagnosis. After being frightened by online survival statistics, her oncologist reminded her that she was an individual, not a number. Today, after more than four years without detectable disease while continuing treatment, Keriann hopes to show others that a stage four diagnosis is not the end of the road. Even when cancer becomes a long term part of life, there is still room for joy, connection, and meaningful experiences. Through her continued love of running and growing involvement in the cancer community, Keriann offers a powerful reminder that life after a cancer diagnosis may look different, but it can still be a life well lived. Join us for an honest and inspiring conversation about resilience, mental health, and learning to move forward through uncertainty. Episode Resources: Support Metastatic Research: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/metresansupin/ (https://www.google.com/url?q=https://secure.qgiv.com/for/metresansupin/&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw0hTicDGJkzQmyzkEt16tdf) 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)

3. 

   19 Oct 2026

   Embracing Humor, Community, & Healing with Julia Johns

   When life handed Julia Johns a breast cancer diagnosis, she did what any comedian might do: she turned it into a standup show. Diagnosed in 2022, Julia underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation, finding unexpected ways to process her experience through humor while she was still actively fighting cancer. Her jokes were not a way of minimizing the fear, pain, or uncertainty of cancer; they became a way to face those realities head-on, reclaim a sense of control, and keep moving through each difficult stage of treatment. Her journey eventually inspired her one-woman show, A Tale of Two Titties, where she shares the realities of cancer treatment with honesty, vulnerability, and plenty of laughs. In this episode of The Cancer Project Podcast, Julia joins host David Raubach to discuss how she navigated cancer with humor during some of the most difficult moments of her life. From writing jokes shortly after her diagnosis to performing while undergoing chemotherapy and appearing onstage with a bald head, Julia found ways to make room for laughter even when the outcome was uncertain. She reflects on the emotional and physical challenges of surgery, treatment, and survivorship, as well as the complicated experience of trying to stay hopeful while confronting the possibility of death. Behind the punchlines, Julia shares how comedy helped her communicate what she was going through, connect with others, and hold on to her identity beyond her diagnosis. Julia also discusses the importance of community, self-compassion, and recognizing that healing looks different for everyone. Her humor does not erase the difficult parts of her cancer journey; instead, it allows her to acknowledge them without letting them define her. Today, Julia continues to bring people together through comedy and her newest creation, The Littlest Late Show, a talk show experience starring kids. Thank you Julia for joining us on The Cancer Project and reminding us that laughter, community, and joy can coexist with fear and grief. Episode Resources: The Littlest Late Show: https://www.instagram.com/thelittlestlateshow/ (https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/thelittlestlateshow/&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw3J1PT8aRXZBTaRl4yBRrUu) We Got This “Cancer Is A Joke” Stand Up Comedy Fundraiser: https://wegotthis.org/pages/cancer-is-a-joke (https://www.google.com/url?q=https://wegotthis.org/pages/cancer-is-a-joke&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw1bIlpMQBim8ebQx0gkBLDO) 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)

Reach and audience

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

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 31 / 100

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

Quality

62

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

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Guest appearances

Books guests

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