Real Cancer Talk

<p>In this episode of <em>Real Cancer Talk</em>, Dr. Robert Winn sits down with Dr. Julian Adams—President and CEO of Stand Up To Cancer and one of the world’s leading oncology researchers—for a wide-ranging conversation about the past, present, and future of cancer science.</p><p>Dr. Adams reflects on his journey from a childhood fascination with invention to decades of drug development in HIV and cancer, and how that path ultimately led him to Stand Up To Cancer. Together, he and Dr. Winn explore why curiosity is the DNA of science, why collaboration—not competition—drives real breakthroughs, and how Stand Up To Cancer’s “Dream Team” model is reshaping research by breaking down silos between institutions.</p><p>The conversation also dives into a bold shift in strategy: focusing on early detection and cancer interception rather than late-stage disease. Dr. Adams shares how high-risk, high-reward research funded by Stand Up To Cancer has helped transform treatments—highlighting groundbreaking work in rectal cancer that has achieved 100% tumor regression in select patients.</p><p>Grounded in transparency, trust, and real-world impact, this episode reminds listeners that science is not at odds with communities—it’s working on their behalf. From rural America to global cancer care, this is a conversation about hope, teamwork, and why investing in science means more people living long enough to show up for graduations, weddings, and everyday life.</p>

<p>Lisa Manganello has been a librarian at South Brunswick High School for the past seventeen years, where she was recognized as Educator of the Year in 2015. An active member of the New Jersey Association of School Librarians, Lisa presents regularly on information literacy. Recent presentations include Now What?: Information Literacy Lessons for the High School Library, Diverse Readers, Diverse Books: New Titles to Build a Culture of Reading, and Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Information Literacy with your Librarian. In January 2024, she published an article titled “Information Literacy begins in your school library” in NJEA Review Magazine. Partnering with Dr. Joyce Valenza, Professor of Information Science at Rutgers University, Lisa helped to develop the New Jersey Open Library Tour (NJOLT) to give pre-service and practicing librarians opportunities to visit and learn from their colleagues throughout the state. She is passionate about sharing her information literacy lessons with other educators and spotlighting the value of school librarians. She has also served as a part-time lecturer at Rutgers University, where she helped to develop a course on school library climate and culture. Lisa’s work with media literacy has been featured in reports on NBC and CNN. She lives in Monmouth Junction, NJ with her husband, Matt and their two children, Andrew and Nicholas. </p><p>FFF Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.masseycancercenter.org/facts-and-faith-fridays/">https://www.masseycancercenter.org/facts-and-faith-fridays/</a></p><p>Massey Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://masseycancercenter.org">masseycancercenter.org</a> </p><p>Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbG9lVVNoOFdpYlBqcnFoLUI4ajczNXp2czVnd3xBQ3Jtc0tucTJNclJid2ZFdUdOZjhFYWdrbTZObmd2SzZLejZvci1TUEZZTEN4eEpENUowbWJwUVVJN29QZWRfTEpCenhhcm1CU3V5U2gyQ2xGSnVzSXA5cGZscVMwWHVxNlNxemYzSy1yQzcyTVMtQUh2VXpvaw&amp;q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FVCUMasseyCancerCenter&amp;v=eQ4RqKQ4eag"> / vcumasseycancercenter </a> </p><p>Twitter: <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1RwNV9pcVN3MDJNdmFKNTRHMnJtQXBRU2Jyd3xBQ3Jtc0tsck1KRjhqRU45WjB1NURVbVBwZWh6bmJLcDFILWJBS3RkWldXWkVuTHZfTDNSODNaWFJ5bUhqVE1CcjA2ZUlwRjRsUmRoVk9CeXpsQ1NzVl9BTzFFcWxDYVBDRDA5VVA3S3o0T2owcFlLc19EU3lHRQ&amp;q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.twitter.com%2Fvcumassey&amp;v=eQ4RqKQ4eag"> / vcumassey </a> </p><p>VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of only 73 National Cancer Institute-designated institutions in the country that leads and shapes America's cancer research efforts. Working with all kinds of cancers, Massey conducts basic, translational and clinical cancer research, provides state-of-the-art treatments and clinical trials, and promotes cancer prevention and education. Since 1974, Massey has served as an internationally recognized center of excellence. It offers the most cancer clinical trials in Virginia and serves patients at multiple locations. Its 1,000-plus researchers, clinicians and staff members are dedicated to improving the quality of human life by developing and delivering effective means to prevent, control and ultimately cure cancer. Visit Massey online at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://masseycancercenter.org">masseycancercenter.org</a> or call 877-4-MASSEY for more information.</p>

<p>In this powerful episode of <em>Community Conversations / Black Health Wins</em>, host Miss Community Clovia sits down with Dr. Robert Winn, Director of VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center; Dr. Katherine Tossas, Associate Co-Director of Global Oncology; and Suzanne Brown of the Chickahominy Tribe—the catalyst behind the TRUTH Project (Trust, Research, Understand, Tell, Heal).</p><p>The conversation traces how a hand-drawn map created by local residents of Charles City County—marking cancer diagnoses and deaths in a small neighborhood—sparked a major community–academic partnership. Suzanne’s personal story of losing her mother to nonsmoking lung cancer inspired her to seek answers. Dr. Tossas and the Massey team responded, launching the TRUTH Project to investigate community concerns, conduct water testing, understand cancer perceptions, and build trust where medical mistrust has long existed.</p><p>Dr. Winn provides context on cancer disparities affecting Native communities nationwide, underscoring the urgency of prevention, early detection, and culturally informed outreach. The episode highlights how the TRUTH Project has grown beyond its initial research phase: training community health workers, hosting smoking-cessation workshops, expanding to all 11 Virginia tribal nations, and establishing the first Virginia Native Nations Against Cancer Coalition. The team also discusses their national publication on gaps in genetic nondiscrimination protections for Native Americans and what it means for access to cancer care and genomic medicine.</p><p>Grounded in grief, activism, and collaboration, this episode showcases how community wisdom, scientific partnership, and long-term commitment are reshaping cancer prevention and care in rural Virginia—and creating a model for tribal communities across the country.</p><p>Massey Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://masseycancercenter.org">https://masseycancercenter.org</a></p><p>Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/VCUMasseyCancerCenter">/vcumasseycancercenter</a></p><p>Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/vcumassey/">@vcumassey</a></p><p>VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of only 71 National Cancer Institute-designated institutions in the country that leads and shapes America's cancer research efforts. Working with all kinds of cancers, Massey conducts basic, translational and clinical cancer research, provides state-of-the-art treatments and clinical trials, and promotes cancer prevention and education. Since 1974, Massey has served as an internationally recognized center of excellence. It offers the most cancer clinical trials in Virginia and serves patients at multiple locations. Its 1,000-plus researchers, clinicians and staff members are dedicated to improving the quality of human life by developing and delivering effective means to prevent, control and ultimately cure cancer. Visit Massey online at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://masseycancercenter.org">masseycancercenter.org</a> or call 877-4-MASSEY for more information.</p>

<p>In this episode of <strong>Real Cancer Talk </strong>recorded at the annual convening of the <strong>Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials program, Dr. Robert Winn</strong> spoke with Winn CDA Cohort 3 scholars <strong>Maliha Nusrat, M.D., M.S.</strong>, from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and <strong>Blessie E. Nelson, M.M.B.B.S., D.M.R.T.</strong>, from MD Anderson Cancer Center, about what they see as the most pressing issue in the realm of clinical trials and cancer research today. Dr. Nusrat and Dr. Nelson also go in-depth on their research into pearheading new decentralized trial designs at their institutions.</p><p>Massey Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://masseycancercenter.org">https://masseycancercenter.org</a></p><p>Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/VCUMasseyCancerCenter">/vcumasseycancercenter</a></p><p>Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/vcumassey/">@vcumassey</a></p><p><strong>VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center</strong> is one of only 71 National Cancer Institute-designated institutions in the country that leads and shapes America's cancer research efforts. Working with all kinds of cancers, Massey conducts basic, translational and clinical cancer research, provides state-of-the-art treatments and clinical trials, and promotes cancer prevention and education. Since 1974, Massey has served as an internationally recognized center of excellence. It offers the most cancer clinical trials in Virginia and serves patients at multiple locations. Its 1,000-plus researchers, clinicians and staff members are dedicated to improving the quality of human life by developing and delivering effective means to prevent, control and ultimately cure cancer. Visit Massey online at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://masseycancercenter.org">masseycancercenter.org</a> or call <strong>877-4-MASSEY</strong> for more information.</p>

<p>In this episode of <strong>Real Cancer Talk, Dr. Robert Winn</strong> spoke with <strong>Dr. Oluwadamilola "Lola" T. Oladeru</strong>, Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at Mayo Clinic and <strong>2024 Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials: Clinical Investigator Leadership Award winner, </strong>about the impact she is making in breast cancer and health equity as part of the first class on Winn Career Development Award scholars. Dr. Oladeru discusses her work in engaging historically marginalized communities like incarcerated patients, who she believes mirror what is happening in the local community. Later Later Dr. Winn and Dr. Oladeru talk about the rapidly changing landscape in cancer research and care and the inspirations in Lola's journey as a cancer researcher.</p><p>Massey Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://masseycancercenter.org">https://masseycancercenter.org</a></p><p>Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/VCUMasseyCancerCenter">/vcumasseycancercenter</a></p><p>Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/vcumassey/">@vcumassey</a></p><p><strong>VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center</strong> is one of only 71 National Cancer Institute-designated institutions in the country that leads and shapes America's cancer research efforts. Working with all kinds of cancers, Massey conducts basic, translational and clinical cancer research, provides state-of-the-art treatments and clinical trials, and promotes cancer prevention and education. Since 1974, Massey has served as an internationally recognized center of excellence. It offers the most cancer clinical trials in Virginia and serves patients at multiple locations. Its 1,000-plus researchers, clinicians and staff members are dedicated to improving the quality of human life by developing and delivering effective means to prevent, control and ultimately cure cancer. Visit Massey online at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://masseycancercenter.org">masseycancercenter.org</a> or call <strong>877-4-MASSEY</strong> for more information.</p>