A Shot in the Arm Podcast

• Episode 3 - Colon, Meet Cancer: Hurry Up and Wait

  A quick trip to the surgeon reveals that all is not as it seems, and Ben’s colon cancer journey takes a sharp turn almost as immediately as it starts. Multiple tumors during a surgery initially meant to remove a single cancerous mass lead to a diagnosis of metastasized colorectal cancer. And the expensive nuclear diagnosis machine shorts – in much the same way Ben’s Father’s brand new (at the time) Vauxhall Victor broke down on a Sunday afternoon drive. A potential podcast subject that Ben dismissed years ago as not being interesting enough (Italian data on a barrage of combination chemotherapy) reappears as the best first-line treatment option for Ben in 2025. The episode concludes with insights from Ben’s oncologist and preparation for the rigorous chemotherapy regimen ahead: Chemotherapy – it’s a full-time job. 00:00 Introduction: The Vauxhall Victor Story 02:11 Unexpected Medical News 04:12 Understanding the Diagnosis 06:45 The PET Scan Incident 11:04 Meeting the Oncologist 15:15 Preparing for Chemotherapy 16:58 Conclusion: The Journey Ahead https://www.mycrohnsandcolitisteam.com/ https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer.html

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• Episode 1 - A Preface to Colon, Meet Cancer

  Healthcare just got personal for A Shot In The Arm Podcast’s Ben Plumley, who brings his offbeat insights & humor to a surprise advanced colon cancer diagnosis. Join him on an odyssey around cancer treatment and the vagaries of the Californian health system. New episodes weekly… hopefully. https://www.mycrohnsandcolitisteam.com/ https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer.html

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• Episode 2 - Colon, Meet Cancer: Should I Be Worried?

  Ben has a routine colonoscopy and comes out with an unexpected diagnosis – an ulcerated mass in his ascending colon. The gastroenterologist gives him his first tattoo ever, which is sadly visible only to the surgeon who will remove it. Ben has been living with Crohn’s Disease since he was a teenager, so the news of an intestinal polyp turning cancerous is not shocking. An easy snip-snip excision by the surgeon, and all will be back to normal…. Or will it? 00:00 Introduction & Diagnosis 01:11 Personal Reflections and Stigma 02:58 Living with Crohn’s Disease 05:07 The Experience of Having a Colonoscopy 09:07 Post-Procedure and Results 11:57 Facing Mortality and Future Plans 16:25 A Personal Incident 19:14 Conclusion & Sign Off https://www.mycrohnsandcolitisteam.com/ https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer.html

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• Viral Hepatitis in Asia Pacific: Innovation & Equity In Action With Social Entrepreneur Thomas Cai

  Join host Ben Plumley from Phnom Penh Cambodia, in conversation with Thomas Cai, a visionary Chinese-born entrepreneur and CEO of Open Source Technologies. Thomas, a pioneering figure in Asia’s rapidly growing biopharmaceutical industry, shares his journey from HIV advocacy to leading high-impact hepatitis public-private partnerships in Southeast Asia. He offers a critical analysis of the effectiveness of traditional providers of global aid including NGOs and the Global Fund, while also envisioning a self-reliant future led by local health authorities, businesses and communities, calling only on the expertise and funding from northern partners as needed. 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:40 Meet Thomas Cai: A Visionary Leader 01:39 Thomas Cai’s Journey and Achievements 03:33 Open Source Technologies: Mission and Focus 04:46 The Hepatitis Crisis in Southeast Asia 08:55 Challenges in Hepatitis Treatment 15:53 Critique of Global Health Funding Models 28:56 Thomas Cai’s Background and Early Work 39:11 The Role of Buyers Clubs in the HIV Epidemic 40:45 Challenges with NGOs and Public Sector in Disease Treatment 43:02 The Risk of Monopolization in Healthcare 43:39 The Importance of Business in Disease Control 51:33 Disruption and Innovation in Healthcare 53:22 Personal Reflections and Influences 01:07:18 The Hepatitis Elimination Alliance in Cambodia 01:09:12 Final Thoughts and Reflections 💬 Join the Conversation How do you see the future of global health unfolding? Share your thoughts in the comments! 🔔Subscribe & Stay Updated Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform Watch on YouTube & subscribe for more in-depth global health discussions – www.youtube.com/@shotarmpodcast

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• 78th World Health Assembly Recap with Yvette Raphael

  Cohosts Yvette Raphael and Ben Plumley unpick the major news coming out of the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva. – from the new pandemic treaty, to WHO budget and staffing cuts, to increases in membership fees and voluntary contributions. They ruminate on how the current seemingly-unstoppable geopolitical chaos is affecting the ability of global health institutions like the World Health Organisation to deliver – and deliver on what exactly? What can the WHO actually do in such a fractured political climate? They reflect on US Secretary of Health and Human Service’s video presentation to the World Health Assembly, which at the very best, can't be called the best example of American power and diplomacy. Which perhaps was the point. They cover a few broader issues Which leads them to a few extra-curricular activities – the diplomatic manner in which South African President Cyril Ramaphosa immediately deflected a bizarre meeting at the US White House, complete with lies, videotape and no offers of jumbo jets. Before hitting Geneva, Yvette was at the European Congress on Obesity and Weight Management in Barcelona delving into the complex interactions between HIV and weight issues. They close out a no holds barred conversation on a recent announcement made by the Global Fund of a new groundbreaking partnership between Mozambique and a Kenyan pharmaceutical company, which they were too coy to name. So Yvette and Ben give the company, United Corporation Ltd of Kenya a big shout out… 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:24 Support and Subscription Reminder 00:56 World Health Assembly Recap Begins 01:23 Yvette's European Trip and Obesity Congress 02:02 HIV and Weight Issues Discussion 04:09 Elon Musk's Controversial Comments 08:19 Pandemic Treaty and Global Health Governance 14:32 WHO Budget Cuts and Leadership Changes 18:15 Global South's Role in Health Funding 28:45 China's Growing Influence in Global Health 33:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 45:14 Closing Remarks and Acknowledgements 💬 Join the Conversation How do you see the future of global health unfolding? Share your thoughts in the comments! 🔔Subscribe & Stay Updated Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform Check out our Youtube channel for more in-depth global health discussions https://www.youtube.com/@shotarmpodcast

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