PROSTATE CANCER: REAL TALK™

Could focal therapy be an option for certain men diagnosed with prostate cancer? In this episode of PROSTATE CANCER: REAL TALK, El and Shay are joined by Dr. Alexander Kenigsberg, Director of Urologic Oncology at VCU Health’s Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, to discuss focal therapy and how advances in imaging are changing the way some prostate cancers can be identified and treated.
Dr. Kenigsberg explains the role of improved imaging in focal therapy, the evidence supporting this approach, and how physicians determine which patients may be appropriate candidates. The conversation also explores how focal therapy differs from more traditional approaches and why careful patient selection and continued monitoring are important parts of the process.
As prostate cancer care continues to evolve, there is growing attention on treating the cancer while also preserving function and quality of life whenever possible. Dr. Kenigsberg shares how this focus is influencing modern prostate cancer care and what men should understand when discussing focal therapy and other treatment options with their medical team.
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How could upcoming hospital closings and Medicaid changes affect access to healthcare? In this episode of PROSTATE CANCER: REAL TALK, El and Shay welcome back Joanna Doran, Esq., a cancer rights attorney, author, and advocate with more than 30 years of experience helping people understand the practical and legal issues surrounding healthcare and cancer.
Joanna discusses changes expected in 2027 and what they could mean for individuals and families who rely on hospitals, Medicaid, and other healthcare resources. The conversation focuses on understanding coverage, access to care, and why changes within the healthcare system can have a significant impact on people already navigating serious health concerns.
As co-founder and CEO of Triage Cancer, a national nonprofit providing free educational resources to people affected by cancer and their caregivers, Joanna helps break down complicated healthcare issues into information people can better understand. This episode offers important perspective on preparing for changes in healthcare access and knowing what questions to ask when evaluating your options.
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What new developments are changing the way prostate cancer is understood and treated? In this episode of PROSTATE CANCER: REAL TALK, El and Shay welcome back Dr. Adam B. Murphy of Northwestern Medicine to discuss current prostate cancer research and some of the advancements bringing new options and new hope to patients and families.
Dr. Murphy explores how researchers are learning more about the different characteristics of prostate cancer, including changes in how certain forms of the disease are classified and understood. He also discusses how treatment strategies continue to evolve, including the use of different therapies and combinations based on an individual's cancer and circumstances.
As prostate cancer research continues to advance, understanding these developments can help men and their families have more informed conversations about their care. Join us as Dr. Murphy breaks down what researchers are learning today and what those discoveries could mean for the future of prostate cancer treatment.
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Can where you live influence your risk of developing cancer? In this episode of PROSTATE CANCER: REAL TALK, El and Shay explore how geography, environment, genetics, and community conditions may all play a role in shaping cancer risk.
The discussion looks at why cancer rates can differ across populations and neighborhoods, and how factors such as pollution, food access, secondhand smoke, chronic stress, and other environmental exposures may interact with genetics and overall health.
This episode takes a broader look at the relationship between where we live and cancer, raising important questions about environmental exposure, health disparities, and why some communities may face greater risks than others.
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Experiencing frequent urination, urgency, weak or intermittent flow, or getting up several times during the night? In this episode of PROSTATE CANCER: REAL TALK, El and Shay welcome back Dr. Adam B. Murphy of Northwestern Medicine to discuss BPH, or benign prostatic hyperplasia, and how urinary symptoms can sometimes leave men wondering whether something more serious may be happening.
Dr. Murphy explains how an enlarged prostate can affect the urethra and bladder, leading to symptoms such as urgency, frequent urination, nighttime trips to the bathroom, dribbling, and different forms of urinary leakage. He also discusses how physicians evaluate how disruptive these symptoms are and why treatment decisions can vary from one man to another.
The conversation also explores common BPH treatment approaches, including medications that relax the urinary tract or shrink the prostate, along with procedures that remove or move obstructing prostate tissue using techniques such as lasers, water, steam, or other minimally invasive methods. This episode helps men better understand BPH, prostate health, and when urinary changes are worth discussing with a medical professional.
www.prostatecancerrealtalk.com