In real time, the Cancer History Project is documenting a growing collection of podcasts in the oncology sphere, focused on oral histories, the history of cancer advocacy, the evolution of treatment, and more.
Daniel Hayes was among the first to recognize the urgency of conducting interviews with the pioneers of oncology when he began his podcast series, published in Journal of Clinical Oncology’s Cancer Stories, in 2018 (The Cancer Letter, June 4, 2021). In the series, a program of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Hayes races to conduct oral histories and document the beginnings of the field.
“I try to make it—if you could be in a cab for 20 minutes with one of your heroes, like we do if you like sports, or medicine, or literature, or music, and just say—’How did you do this? What made you think you could even do this sort of thing?’” Hayes, the Stuart B. Padnos Professor of Breast Cancer Research and professor of internal medicine at University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, said to The Cancer Letter.
Another podcast, “The Cancer Mavericks: A History of Survivorship,” shines a light on the survivorship movement through and explores cancer activism from 1930 onward.
“This is all being done in the lens of a pseudo semi-autobiographical way, where I’m kind of reacting to history, and observing history, and forecasting the future,” said Matthew Zachary, founder of Stupid Cancer and narrator of the docu-series, said to The Cancer Letter.
The Cancer History Project is looking to expand its collection of podcasts. Contributors to the Cancer History Project are encouraged to submit podcast episodes directly to the site by embedding a Spotify link at the top of any article in the “embed a video or podcast” box.
Here are some recently submitted podcasts:
The Uromigos Podcast
The Uromigos Podcast, hosted by Tom Powles, professor of genitourinary oncology at Barts Cancer Centre, and Brian Rini, Ingram Professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, aims to broadcast the latest developments in GU cancer. In their series, “Legends of GU Oncology,” the podcasting duo focus on the founders of the field.
- Larry Einhorn: The Uromigos Legends of GU Oncology Podcast
By The Uromigos Podcast | Sept. 29, 2021
Larry Einhorn describes the spectacular advances in testis cancer
- Phil Kantoff: The Uromigos Legends of GU Oncology Podcast
By The Uromigos Podcast | Sept. 29, 2021
Phil Kantoff discusses his career progression and prostate cancer.
- Dean Bajorin: The Uromigos Legends of GU Oncology Podcast
By The Uromigos Podcast | Sept. 30, 2021
Dean Bajorin discusses developments in bladder and collaboration in testis cancer.
- Maha Hussain: The Uromigos Legends of GU Oncology Podcast
By The Uromigos Podcast | Sept. 30, 2021
Maha Hussain discusses her career in GU cancer with a focus on prostate cancer.
- Nick Vogelzang: The Uromigos Legends of GU Oncology Podcast
By The Uromigos Podcast | Sept. 30, 2021
Nick Vogelzang discusses his career and describes treatment advances in RCC.
ASCO: Conquering Cancer Podcast
The ASCO: Conquering Cancer Podcast, hosted by Don Dizon, director of the Pelvic Malignancies Program at Lifespan Cancer Institute, head of community outreach and engagement at The Cancer Center at Brown University, and director of medical oncology at Rhode Island Hospital, is a mini-podcast series featuring the unscripted conversations between patients, doctors, and the family and friends who conquer cancer with them.
- Learning What We Don’t Know: Podcast Interview with Dr. Don Dizon and NFN Scout
By ASCO | Sept. 29, 2021 - Connected to Conquer: Podcast Interview with Brenda Brody and Sherri Malone
By ASCO | Sept. 29, 2021 - Finding Answers, Forming Alliances: Podcast Interview with Dr. Mrinal Gounder and Marlene Portnoy
By ASCO | Sept. 29, 2021
Recent contributions
- History of Gamma Knife radiosurgery at Roswell Park
By Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center | Sept. 27, 2021
This column features the latest posts to the Cancer History Project by our growing list of contributors.
The Cancer History Project is a free, web-based, collaborative resource intended to mark the 50th anniversary of the National Cancer Act and designed to continue in perpetuity. The objective is to assemble a robust collection of historical documents and make them freely available.
Access to the Cancer History Project is open to the public at CancerHistoryProject.com. You can also follow us on Twitter at @CancerHistProj.
Is your institution a contributor to the Cancer History Project? Eligible institutions include cancer centers, advocacy groups, professional societies, pharmaceutical companies, and key organizations in oncology.
To apply to become a contributor, please contact admin@cancerhistoryproject.com.
