Episodes
April 12, 2022
First Descents: The Therapeutic Effects of Adventure
Even after recovery, cancer can still leave challenging effects on those who have experienced it. However, taking part in a new adventure can be beneficial and healing for cancer survivors. First Descents is a program for yo…
March 22, 2022
Hershey’s First Bone Marrow Transplant: A Caregiver’s Journey
The cancer journey can have a profound impact on the patient and those close by providing support. Finding oneself in the role of caregiver for a cancer patient can be an emotionally exhausting experience for a young adult, …
March 8, 2022
Brain Tumors
So many aspects of our lives rely on our brains’ health and proper functioning. For individuals who have been diagnosed with brain tumors at a young age, their cancer experiences have had lasting effects on them physically, …
Feb. 22, 2022
Survivor’s Guilt
There are many complex emotions involved with the experience of having cancer. While people often want to view cancer as a victorious journey with positivity and hope, the reality of the fact is it can involve many emotional…
Feb. 8, 2022
Love Amidst Cancer
As young adults, handling relationships can be challenging, as we are often in transformative periods within our lives. But on top of managing schoolwork, careers, and life, experiencing a cancer diagnosis can lead to a whol…
Jan. 4, 2022
The holiday season: sharing joy with loved ones
The holiday season holds a very special place in the hearts of many and is often symbolized by unique themes and activities that make a home feel more like home. For individuals who have experienced cancer, these unique trad…
Dec. 21, 2021
Five Things to Say
The topic of cancer is sensitive, and because of this, people often face difficulty addressing it with cancer patients or people experiencing cancer symptoms. This episode provides listeners with a variety of responses to th…
Dec. 7, 2021
Sisters and Brothers Chime In On Cancer
When a young person has cancer, in reality, the whole family ‘has’ cancer. We invited siblings to share their experience when their sister or brother was diagnosed and underwent treatment. The siblings explore: Who does the …
Nov. 16, 2021
First Cancer, Now Avascular Necrosis?!?
Avascular necrosis (AVN) causes pain in the joints (mainly the weigh-bearing joints of the legs) and is associated with chemotherapy and steroid use during cancer treatment. The chronic pain connected with AVN can greatly i…
Nov. 2, 2021
Diagnosis Stories
For each young adult diagnosed with cancer, a doctor speaks a few words and a new chapter in life begins. This collection of stories captures the similarities and differences in young adults’ experiences leading up to diagno…
Oct. 19, 2021
What’s Cancer Got To Do With Fertility and Fertility Preservation?
When faced with a cancer diagnosis as a young adult, the last thing you expect is to make a quick decision about sperm-banking or egg preservation. After treatment ends and the dust begins to settle, you’re faced with questi…
Oct. 5, 2021
Guys Respond: Hair
What is hair loss due to cancer treatment like for guys? Three guys weigh in about hair in response to the Women Talking Hair podcast episode. For two of these young men, their hair didn’t come back the same as before trea…
Sept. 21, 2021
The Psychology of Survival with psychologist, Dr. George Blackall and survivorship social worker, Sara Merrill
The Life on Pause crew chats with Dr. Blackall and Sara about the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis. How does a young adult navigate the emotional territory of mortality, fear, anxiety and survivor’s guilt? How do I do …
Sept. 7, 2021
Scar Stories: Markers of Cancer Survivors
Whether small or large, physical scars often mark the bodies of cancer survivors. In this episode, the Life on Pause crew shares stories of moving through the world with a body and spirit transformed by the experience of can…
Aug. 24, 2021
Young Women Talking Hair
A group of young women discuss how hair loss as part of their cancer treatment affected their life and identity. The group ranges in age and experience from the early teenage years to the late twenties, middle and high schoo…
Aug. 10, 2021
Milestones: Graduation
What happens to the usual milestones like graduation when you throw cancer into the mix? Seven 2021 graduates reflect on cancer’s impact on this milestone—some of the graduates were treated as young children and others more…
July 20, 2021
Ewings Sarcoma
What is Ewings Sarcoma? In this episode, three young adults describe it from the inside out while Dr. Joe Drabick provides the medical description. Special thanks to University of Florida for partnering with Penn State Hea…
July 6, 2021
You’re Stronger Than You Believe: Reflections on Limb Loss
Four young adults with amputations due to their cancer treatment reflect on their experience. They share what it was like to come to terms with the limb loss, adapting to the new reality, interacting with the public and much…
June 15, 2021
Between Two Kingdoms Discussion
You finish cancer treatment and then what? Suleika Jaouad's memoir, Between Two Kingdoms, beautifully captures the young adult cancer experience. Traveling through diagnosis to discovering and creating a life after treatment…
June 1, 2021
Twenty Years Later
What is life like twenty years after a cancer diagnosis? Does life ever return to ‘normal’? The Life on Pause crew talks with three different cancer survivors, who are twenty years post-diagnosis. Does scanxiety ever go a…
May 18, 2021
The Boot Camp of Bone Marrow Transplant
A bone marrow transplant can be life-saving and changing for some oncological and non-oncological conditions. Terry Shapiro, CRNP, with 30 plus years of experience, talks with four young adults about their experience with t…
May 4, 2021
Social Media: The Public Side of Cancer
What to post? What to share? Social media can be tricky enough without a cancer diagnosis. Listen in as Sarah Daniels, AYA Child Life specialist and social media researcher from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, facili…
April 20, 2021
Through Cancer with Video Games
How do you continue to connect to friends, keep your mind engaged and yet distracted from dark thoughts and pass the time in the infusion room? Through video gaming, of course. Three teens share their cancer experience and…
April 6, 2021
Overcoming the impact of cancer treatment with exercise
Cancer treatment impacts greatly impacts the physical treatment. This podcast begins with young adults sharing their experiences of physical deconditioning, regaining strength and exercises role in helping cope with cancer.…