Kidney Cancer Unfiltered Season 3: Stories of Strength, Support, and Advocacy
Kidney Cancer Unfiltered season 3 was filled with raw emotions, compelling stories, and powerful insights by both experts and those impacted by kidney cancer. Hosted by Annamaria Scaccia, this season featured remarkable guests who shared their personal experiences, shedding light on topics often overlooked in cancer conversations.
I have listened to quite a few of these podcasts and find them to be helpful and reassuring! Highly recommend especially for people newly diagnosed.
— Lauren B., listener
Now that the season has concluded, we’re reflecting on each episode and the key takeaways that resonated with listeners.
Kidney Cancer Unfiltered is available to listen through Acast and any major podcast platform. You can also watch episodes on YouTube.
When Cancer Shakes Up Friendships
Kicking off the season, Claudia Tatum, a kidney cancer patient, advocate, and retired oncology nurse, shared how her friendships, particularly those within the medical community, became a pillar of strength during her cancer journey. She expressed deep gratitude for the compassion and guidance her friends provided, proving how essential a strong support system is when facing a kidney cancer diagnosis.
Making it Through the Holidays with Cancer
In this episode, guest Sean Healy discussed strategies to navigate the holiday season with resilience, including shifting focus, embracing emotions, and giving back to others. His message was a powerful reminder that even during difficult times, moments of joy and connection can be found.
Environmental Risk Factors and Kidney Cancer
Dr. Laura Bukavina and Dr. Christopher Weight at the Cleveland Clinic took us on an eye-opening exploration of the link between environmental factors — such as plastic pollution — and kidney cancer risk. Their discussion underscored the importance of researching environmental exposures and advocating for policies that prioritize public health.
Advocating for Palliative Care
Palliative care is often misunderstood, and in this episode, Joel Stern shared his personal journey of discovering its true purpose. Initially fearing that palliative care equated to hospice, Joel learned that it is actually about improving quality of life, managing symptoms, and ensuring patients receive holistic, compassionate care throughout their cancer journey.
Why Bedside Manner Matters
Dr. Matthew Campbell joined Kidney Cancer Unfiltered to discuss why bedside manners are critical in oncology care. From building trust to fostering open communication, he emphasized that a compassionate approach can significantly impact a patient’s experience and overall health outcome.
Supporting Children Through a Parent’s Cancer
For the season 3 finale, Jay Stilwell, CEO of Kesem, addressed the emotional toll of parental cancer on children. With over 5 million children affected by a parent’s cancer diagnosis, Jay shared ways to support them, highlighting the importance of early intervention and providing safe spaces for kids to express their feelings.
Season 3 of Kidney Cancer Unfiltered brought forward diverse perspectives and vital discussions that reinforced the importance of community, awareness, and advocacy in the kidney cancer space. Whether it was through personal stories, expert insights, or practical advice, each episode continued conversations around kidney cancer, patient advocacy, and the human experience of living with this disease.
If you haven’t had a chance to tune in, all episodes are available to stream on major podcast platforms! We’d love to hear from you — what episode resonated with you the most?