Cancer Conversations

Kick Kentucky Cancer: Caring for those You Love

Host: Mindy McCulley, MS Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky 
Guest: Amy Kostelic, PhD Assistant Extension Professor for Adult Development and Aging
Season 6, Episode 39
"Kick Kentucky Cancer: Caring for those You Love" is an illuminating podcast episode presented by the University of Kentucky Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Program. Dr. Amy Kostelic, Extension Specialist for adult development and aging, ventures into the labyrinth of complexities around cancer and the crucial role caregivers play in assisting patients throughout the health crisis. The episode also calls attention to the unnerving cancer rates in the United States and highlights the "Kick Kentucky Cancer" program aiming to enlighten individuals about the cancer and its effective management.
Explore the insights regarding a caregiver's responsibilities, tips on dealing with a cancer diagnosis, and advice on how to communicate with the healthcare team. The conversation presents pivotal guidance and resource references for those seeking additional support and knowledge. Learn where effective communication, cooperation, and education stand in the context of cancer care.
This episode is deemed an essential guide for patients, caregivers, and individuals indirectly impacted by cancer, equipping them with the tools needed for navigating the challenges ahead. The unique role of a cancer caregiver, the challenges encountered, and the rewarding experiences are all explored in detail.
Emphasizing caregiving's emotional tone, the speakers highlight that caregivers are often spouses, partners, and loved ones. They share coping strategies for this colossal responsibility and stress the need for self-compassion during this journey. Additionally, they talk about the 'sunny days' or the times where the bond between the patient and the caregiver is being acknowledged and nurtured.
This podcast draws from personal stories shared by the speakers, illustrating the emotional investment and the inherent beauty of caregiving. They underline the importance of support, sharing tasks, and merely being present for your loved ones. Tune into this informative episode of Talking FACS to gain a deeper understanding of the world of cancer caregiving. Acknowledging the unsung heroes, we extend our gratitude to caregivers for their invaluable role in building resilient families and a stronger Kentucky.
For more information
Caring for someone with Cancer
American Cancer Society Resource Guide
Connect with FCS Extension through any of the links below for more information about any of the topics discussed on Talking FACS.
Kentucky Extension Offices
UK FCS Extension
          Website
          Facebook
          Instagram
          FCS Learning Channel

Cancer in Appalachia - A Collection of Youth Told Stories

Host: Jennifer Hunter, PhD Assistant Director for Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky 
Guests: Nathan Vanderford, PhD Director, Appalachian Career Training in Oncology Program, Markey Cancer Center, Holly Burke, ACTION Program Coordinator, Abby Knoy and Caylee Caudill, ACTION Program student participants
Cancer Conversations Episode 52
Kentucky has the greatest cancer burden in the country with the highest rates of new cases and deaths occurring in Appalachian Kentucky. The high rates of cancer are caused by health behaviors, such as tobacco use, and economic and social conditions, including poverty and insufficient healthcare infrastructure and access. Behind every cancer case lies individual stories of devastation.
Cancer in Appalachia: A Collection of Youth-Told Stories is an anthology of fictional stories -- short stories and a few poems -- about cancer in Appalachian Kentucky. The stories were written by a group of high school and undergraduate students from Appalachian Kentucky.
Achin' by Abby Knoy
Back to Reality by Caylee Caudill
 
For more information about :
Appalachian Career Training in Oncology Program
 
Connect with the UK Markey Center
Online Markey Cancer Center
On Facebook @UKMarkey
On Twitter @UKMarkey
 

Cancer related Feeding and Swallowing Issues

Host:  Jennifer Hunter, PhD Assistant Director for Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky
Guest: Tammy Wigginton, MS Speech Language Pathologist, UK Markey Cancer Center
Cancer Conversations Episode 51
Dysphagia or difficulty swallowing is a common complication in cancer patients and can be associated with the direct effects of the presence of a tumor, surgical resection of the cancer and/or the combined effects of chemo and/or radiation treatment. Tammy Wigginton, a board certified specialist in swallowing and swallowing disorders, shares guidance for recognizing the onset of symptoms and implementation strategies to prevent or mitigate dysphagia effects.
Connect with the UK Markey Cancer Center
Online Markey Cancer Center
On Facebook @UKMarkey
On Twitter @UKMarkey
 

A Lung Cancer Survivor's Story

Host:  Mindy McCulley, Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky
Guest: Lindi Campbell, Breath of Hope KY, Inc.
Season 6, Episode 28
January is Radon Action Month. Experts say that lung cancer affects Kentuckians at rates 50% higher than the national average.  The second leading cause of lung cancer is radon.  On this episode of Talking FACS, Lindi Huffman shares her story as a lung cancer survivor who was not considered at risk for developing lung cancer because she was not a smoker.  She advocates for policy change to change the landscape of lung cancer causes in our state.
For more radon information:
Breath of Hope KY, Inc.
Radon in Kentucky (video)
Radon QuickFacts  Bridging Research Efforts and Advocacy Toward Healthy Environments
Kentucky's Radon Program
Radon Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
 
Connect with FCS Extension for assistance with this topic and others you hear about on Talking FACS.
Kentucky Extension Offices
UK FCS Extension
          Website
          Facebook
          Instagram
          FCS Learning Channel

Benefits of Genetic Counseling for Specific Cancers

Host:  Mindy McCulley, Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky
Guest: Terra Armstrong, Licensed Genetic Counselor, UK Markey Cancer Center
Cancer Conversations Episode 50
Genetic counseling can be an important component of cancer care for people who have been diagnosed with certain cancers.  On this episode of Cancer Conversations, Terra Armstrong shares about the benefits of genetic counseling for cancer patients and their families, especially when they have been diagnosed with specific types of cancer.
Genetic Counseling Resources:
The National Society of Genetic Counselers
     website
Genetic Counseling at Markey Cancer Center
    website
Connect with the UK Markey Cancer Center
Online Markey Cancer Center
On Facebook @UKMarkey
On Twitter @UKMarkey

Genetic Counseling

Host:  Dr. Jennifer Hunter, Assistant Director for Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky
Guest: Michael Goskey, Licensed Genetic Counselor, UK Markey Cancer Center
Cancer Conversations Episode 49
Genetic counseling might be a new term to some or might sound scary to others.  On this episode of Cancer Conversations on Talking FACS, Michael Goskey brings genetic counseling to light and shares some very common uses for this field. He also discusses some of the perceived barriers and helps to alleviate concerns that listeners might have about seeking genetic counseling.
Genetic Counseling resources:
The National Society of Genetic Counselors
Finding a genetic counselor
Billing and Insurance/protection
 
Markey Genetic Counseling
Pediatrics and Metabolism
Prenatal Genetics
 
Connect with the UK Markey Cancer Center
Online Markey Cancer Center
On Facebook @UKMarkey
On Twitter @UKMarkey

Markey Cancer Center - A Comprehensive Cancer Center

Host:  Dr. Jennifer Hunter, Assistant Director for Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky
Guest: Dr. Mark Evers, MD, FACS, Director, UK Markey Cancer Center
Cancer Conversations Episode 48
What does it mean when a cancer center, such as Markey, receives the comprehensive cancer center designation?  How does being a comprehensive cancer center impact the work being done at Markey?  Does having a comprehensive cancer center have significant implications for Kentucky? Listen to this episode of Cancer Conversations, as Dr. Mark Evers answers these questions and more.
Connect with the UK Markey Cancer Center
Online Markey Cancer Center
On Facebook @UKMarkey
On Twitter @UKMarkey

Cancer Conversations: Acupuncture for Good Health

Host:  Dr. Jennifer Hunter, Assistant Director for Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky
Guests: Norah Charles, L.Ac. and Dennis Kim, L.Ac., Integrative Medicine and Health, UK Healthcare
Cancer Conversations Episode 47
Acupuncture is a centuries old treatment for many ailments.  On this episode of Cancer Conversations on Talking FACS, Norah Charles and Dennis Kim, Licensed Acupuncturists share common uses for acupuncture and what to expect during and after a treatment.
Connect with Integrative Medicine and Health
Online Integrative Medicine and Health
Connect with the UK Markey Cancer Center
Online Markey Cancer Center
On Facebook @UKMarkey
On Twitter @UKMarkey

Yoga For Stress Relief and Relaxation

Host:  Dr. Jennifer Hunter, Assistant Director for Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky
Guest: Carrie Seiter and Dindy Yokel, Mind Body Movement Coordinators, Integrative Medicine and Health, UK Healthcare
Cancer Conversations Episode 46
Yoga has many positive benefits for our health.  On this episode of Cancer Conversations on Talking FACS, Dindy Yokel and Carrie Seiter from Integrative Medicine and Health discuss how stress relief and relaxation can benefit our overall well being.
Connect with Integrative Medicine and Health
Online Integrative Medicine and Health
Email
Connect with the UK Markey Cancer Center
Online Markey Cancer Center
On Facebook @UKMarkey
On Twitter @UKMarkey
 

Pelvic Health Physical Therapy

Host:  Mindy McCulley, Extension Specialist for Instructional Support, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky
Guest: Lauren Carney, Physical Therapist, UK Healthcare
Living with the after effects of many cancer treatments can cause problems with pelvic health.  On this episode of Cancer Conversations, Lauren Carney shares strategies for overcoming pelvic health challenges to resume an improved quality of life. She also discusses other diagnoses that may affect the pelvic area and how therapy can provide comfort.
For more information about Pelvic Health Physical Therapy:
Life after Cancer: The Role of Pelvic Physical Therapy
Radiation Therapy for Endometrial Cancer
Radiation Therapy for Vaginal Cancer
Connect with the UK Markey Cancer Center:
Online Markey Cancer Center
On Facebook @UKMarkey
On Twitter @UKMarkey

Narrative Medicine

Host:  Dr. Jennifer Hunter, Assistant Director for Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky
Guest: Dr. Robert Slocum, Narrative Medicine Program Coordinator, UK Healthcare
Cancer Conversations Episode 45
As Dr. Robert Slocum says, "Everyone has a story." When that story is related to one's health, Dr. Slocum and his team are ready listen.  The Narrative Medicine Program at UK Healthcare helps patients, including those living with a cancer diagnosis, process their stories in ways that can have beneficial health outcomes.  Listen to this episode of Cancer Conversations on Talking FACS for more information about the Narrative Medicine program.
Connect with the UK Markey Cancer Center
Online Markey Cancer Center
On Facebook @UKMarkey
On Twitter @UKMarkey
 

LGBTQIA+ and Cancer

Host:  Dr. Jennifer Hunter, Assistant Director for Family and Consumer Sciences Extension, University of Kentucky
Guest: Tiffany Arps, LCSW, Oncology Social Worker, Markey Cancer Center
Cancer Conversations Episode 44
Living with cancer is challenging.  Living with cancer when you are also dealing with other barriers to care often faced by the LGBTQIA+ community can be daunting.  On this episode of Cancer Conversations on Talking FACS, Tiffany Arps, a licensed clinical social worker with Markey Cancer Center, shares unique challenges faced by this community and provides strategies for overcoming these obstacles while managing a cancer diagnosis.
Cancer Conversations on Talking FACS is a partnership project between Family and Consumer Sciences Extension and the Markey Cancer Center.
For additional information, click any of the links below:
Coping with Cancer as an LGBTQ Person
National LGBT Cancer Network
The LGBT Cancer Project
LBGTQI Cancer Support Resources
Connect with the UK Markey Cancer Center
Online Markey Cancer Center
On Facebook @UKMarkey
On Twitter @UKMarkey