Episodes

  • The Activated Patient Advantage: How Speaking Up Can Improve Cancer Outcomes | Samira Daswani

    The Activated Patient Advantage: How Speaking Up Can Improve Cancer Outcomes | Samira Daswani
    Jul 1 2026

    When Samira Daswani was diagnosed with stage 2 triple-positive breast cancer at age 30, she quickly realized that the hardest part was not only the treatment. It was the system around the treatment — the fragmented information, the short appointments, the emotional overwhelm, and the enormous burden placed on patients and families.

    That experience led her to create Manta Cares, an award-winning platform built to help patients and caregivers navigate cancer with more clarity, confidence, and support.

    In this episode, we talk about one of the most important and underused strategies in cancer care: patient activation. Research suggests that even small acts of engagement — such as sending a message to your care team — may be associated with better outcomes. But patients cannot be activated if they do not understand their options, know what questions to ask, or feel confident enough to speak up.

    Samira explains how Manta Cares helps patients:

    - Understand diagnostic and treatment options
    - Prepare for oncology appointments
    - Track symptoms and understand severity
    - Know when to escalate side effects to their care team
    - Ask more effective questions about biomarker testing
    - Think about clinical trials at important treatment decision points
    - Access non-clinical support, including mental health, sexual health, financial toxicity, and peer support

    We also discuss Hope AI, the Manta Cares AI companion designed to help patients find relevant information, prepare better questions, and move from overwhelm toward action.

    For any cancer patient who has ever left an appointment thinking, “I wish I had known what to ask,” this conversation offers a practical and hopeful message: speaking up matters — and the right tools can help patients do it more effectively.

    Episode Chapters

    00:00 Episode Intro
    03:18 Meet Samira Daswani
    07:28 What Is Manta Cares?
    25:50 Why Patient Activation Matters
    33:14 Symptom Severity: When to Call Your Doctor
    42:27 Biomarker Testing and Asking Better Questions
    59:47 Clinical Trials and Treatment Decisions
    01:06:53 Looking Ahead: The Future of Patient Activation

    Visit Manta Cares: https://mantacares.com/

    If you found this valuable, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to help others access anti-cancer strategies.

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OutperformCancer

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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Mammograms Save Lives—So Why Are Women Still Diagnosed With Late-Stage Breast Cancer?

    Mammograms Save Lives—So Why Are Women Still Diagnosed With Late-Stage Breast Cancer?
    Jun 18 2026
    In this episode of Outperform Cancer, Marybeth Gilliam speaks with Dr. Ryan Polselli, a fellowship-trained breast imaging radiologist and founder and CEO of MammoLink, about why breast cancer screening still fails too many women — and what can be done to change that.For decades, women have been told that early detection saves lives. But too many breast cancers are still being diagnosed at later stages, when treatment is more difficult and outcomes are worse. Dr. Polselli explains that the issue is not simply whether mammograms work. The deeper problem is that the screening system is often too inconvenient, too fragmented, and not personalized enough for the women who need it.This conversation explores why annual mammograms matter, how dense breast tissue can make cancer harder to detect, why genetic risk should be identified before a cancer diagnosis whenever possible, and how mobile mammography may help close critical screening gaps. Dr. Polselli also explains how MammoLink is working to remove barriers by bringing breast imaging directly to workplaces and communities, offering a more accessible and patient-centered approach to early detection.Marybeth also shares her own experience of being diagnosed after insisting on additional testing despite a clear mammogram, reinforcing one of the most important takeaways from the episode: women should trust their bodies, understand their personal risk, and advocate for additional imaging or biopsy when something does not feel right.This episode is a call to rethink breast cancer screening as a strategy — one that combines annual screening, breast density awareness, genetic testing, risk assessment, better imaging, and easier access to help catch more cancers earlier.Episode Chapters00:00 — Episode IntroMarybeth introduces the central question of the episode: if mammograms save lives, why are women still being diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer? She explains why early detection remains one of the most powerful tools in breast cancer care, and why screening needs to become more strategic and personalized.03:50 — Meet Ryan PolselliDr. Ryan Polselli shares his background as a fellowship-trained breast imaging radiologist, former medical director of breast imaging, Navy veteran, and founder and CEO of MammoLink. He explains how his experience inside the healthcare system led him to focus on access, convenience, and better screening compliance.07:52 — About MammoLinkDr. Polselli explains the mission behind MammoLink: to remove the barriers that prevent women from getting screened. By bringing mobile mammography directly to workplaces and communities, MammoLink is designed to make breast cancer screening easier, faster, and more patient-centered.22:07 — Importance of Annual ScreeningsMarybeth and Dr. Polselli discuss why annual mammograms matter and why reported screening compliance statistics can be misleading. They explore how delayed or skipped screenings can contribute to later-stage diagnoses, and why women should not assume that a “normal” mammogram means they can ignore new symptoms.37:00 — How Patients Can Judge QualityDr. Polselli explains what patients should look for when evaluating the quality of a breast imaging center, including whether mammograms are read by breast imaging specialists, whether 3D mammography is available, how callback rates are handled, and why same-day follow-up imaging can reduce anxiety and improve the patient experience.38:39 — Mammograms and Healthcare CostsThe conversation turns to healthcare costs, reimbursement incentives, and contrast-enhanced mammography. Dr. Polselli discusses how financial structures can influence patient pathways and why some useful tools may be underused even when they could make screening easier or more effective for patients.43:22 — Breast Cancer in MenMarybeth and Dr. Polselli discuss the often-overlooked issue of breast cancer in men. While routine screening is not generally recommended for most men, Dr. Polselli emphasizes that men can develop breast cancer and should never ignore a breast lump or symptom — especially if they have a genetic risk such as a BRCA mutation.47:55 — Postpartum and Final TakeawaysMarybeth and Dr. Polselli discuss postpartum and pregnancy-associated breast cancer, including why lumps during or after pregnancy should be taken seriously. The episode closes with a clear message: know your risk, get screened, understand breast density, consider genetic testing when appropriate, and advocate for yourself if something feels wrong.Key TakeawaysAnnual mammograms matter, but the system needs to make screening easier for women to complete every year.Breast density can make cancer harder to detect on mammography, which is why some women may benefit from supplemental imaging such as ultrasound or MRI.Genetic testing is often done after a breast cancer diagnosis, but for many patients, that information could be far more powerful before cancer develops.A “...
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • A New Operating System for Cancer: How Sid Sijbrandij is Outpacing an Evolving Disease

    A New Operating System for Cancer: How Sid Sijbrandij is Outpacing an Evolving Disease
    Jun 2 2026
    A New Operating System for Cancer: How Sid Sijbrandij Is Outpacing an Evolving DiseaseGoing “Founder Mode” — And What Patients Can Do to Take Control of Their Own CareWhat do you do when you’re told:“There’s nothing more we can do”?That’s the moment Sid Sijbrandij faced after completing standard of care for osteosarcoma—and seeing his cancer return.In this conversation, Sid shares how that moment forced a shift in thinking: from following a treatment plan to actively building a system to stay ahead of the disease.Drawing on his experience as Co-Founder of GitLab, Sid applies principles from software development—continuous feedback, iteration, and systems thinking—to cancer care.🧠 In This EpisodeSid shares how he shifted from following a treatment plan to actively building a strategy to stay ahead of his disease.We discuss: - Why he wishes he had focused earlier on tissue preservation and deeper testing - The limitations of how tumors are typically stored (and why it matters) - How cancer can be approached as a dynamic, evolving system - The role of continuous diagnostics, including ctDNA and immune monitoring - Why most patients don’t have a clear therapeutic plan beyond the next step - The real-world challenges of accessing your own tissue and dataSid also walks through how he began exploring combination and off-label therapies, including immunotherapy approaches designed to increase immune system response.⚙️ Key InsightsMore data creates more optionsTissue quality and sequencing can shape future treatment possibilities.Cancer evolves—and treatment needs to keep up. Static, step-by-step approaches may not match the speed of the disease.The system isn’t built for this approach. Patients often face barriers around access, time, and medical liability.Risk looks different in advanced disease. For some patients, the risk of progression may outweigh treatment risks.AI is changing access to informationWhat once took months of research can now be explored in hours.🔬 Looking AheadSid also shares his experience with a personalized mRNA cancer vaccine—a promising but early technology with a favorable safety profile and growing potential as sequencing and AI improve.🚀 What Patients Can DoFor those who want to take a more active role in their care, Sid suggests: - Asking about comprehensive testing and sequencing - Preserving and accessing tumor tissue whenever possible - Using AI tools to explore treatment options and questions - Seeking second opinions and broader expertise - Considering whether additional or combination approaches may be appropriate.He also emphasizes:This approach is not for everyone.It requires time, effort, and a willingness to navigate uncertainty.🧭 Final ThoughtThis episode isn’t about rejecting standard of care. It’s about what happens when patients need—or choose—to go further. Sid’s story highlights a shift: from following a plan→ to building a system. And from treating cancer as fixed→ to engaging with it as something that evolves.Timestamps00:00 Episode Intro02:37 Meet Sid Sijbrandij09:51 What GitLab Teaches Us About Cancer Care13:54 The Tissue Hostage Problem18:39 Building a Therapeutic Ladder24:11 How AI Empowers Patients31:36 Future of Cancer Care Today37:45 Closing ThoughtsPATIENT RESOURCE: Sijbrandij Foundation, Future of Cancer Care Today.A great article about Sid’s Story: https://centuryofbio.com/p/sidSid’s personal website with links to all his healthcare information: https://sytse.com/Even One Ventures (Sid’s Venture Capital company) invests in companies overcoming the barriers of cancer care: https://www.evenone.ventures/If you found this valuable, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to help others access anti-cancer strategies.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/outperformcancer/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/outperform-cancer/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marybethgilliam/
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    39 mins
  • Can Broccoli Sprouts Fight Cancer? What 30 Years of Research Shows

    Can Broccoli Sprouts Fight Cancer? What 30 Years of Research Shows
    May 14 2026

    What You’ll Learn

    - What sulforaphane is and why it’s one of the most studied compounds in cancer research

    - Why broccoli sprouts contain up to 100x more sulforaphane than mature broccoli

    - How sulforaphane activates detoxification pathways like NRF2 and impacts inflammation

    - The evidence behind cancer prevention and epidemiology studies

    - How sulforaphane may enhance chemotherapy (chemosensitization)

    - Its potential role in cancer stem cells, metastasis, and recurrence

    - The difference between glucoraphanin vs. sulforaphane (and why it matters for absorption)

    - Supplements vs. whole foods: what patients need to know

    - Practical ways to grow, store, and use broccoli sprouts daily

    Key Takeaways

    - Sulforaphane is a bioactive compound found in cruciferous vegetables, especially broccoli sprouts

    - It has been studied in hundreds of preclinical and over 100 clinical studies for its anti-cancer potential

    - It works across multiple cancer-related pathways including detoxification, inflammation, and cellular protection

    - Broccoli sprouts are one of the most effective and affordable ways to access sulforaphane

    - While not a cure, it may play a meaningful role in a multi-layered cancer strategy alongside standard care

    Actionable Insights

    - Add broccoli sprouts to your diet regularly (one of the simplest evidence-based strategies)

    - If considering supplements, understand bioavailability and dosing differences

    - Focus on stacking strategies: nutrition, exercise, and standard treatment

    - Prioritize consistency over intensity (small daily actions matter)

    - Discuss any supplement use with your healthcare team

    Visit www.outperformcancer.com for more anti-cancer strategies.

    Visit https://www.jedfahey.com for more information about Dr. Fahey’s research interests and a full list of his publications.

    Timestamps

    00:00 Sulforaphane & Cancer: Why It Matters
    02:28 Anti-Cancer Research on Sulforaphane (Studies Explained)
    07:15 Dr. Jed Fahey: Johns Hopkins Sulforaphane Expert
    08:05 What Is Sulforaphane? Broccoli & Broccoli Sprouts
    11:21 How Sulforaphane Works: Detox, NRF2 & Cancer Pathways
    15:43 Sulforaphane Dosage: Food vs Supplements
    21:05 Sulforaphane Supplements: Are They Effective?
    24:42 Best Dose of Sulforaphane (Research-Based Range)
    26:56 Bioavailability: Myrosinase, Gut Microbiome & Absorption
    29:40 Broccoli Sprouts vs Supplements: Which Is Better?
    33:41 Where to Buy Broccoli Sprout Seeds (High Sulforaphane)
    37:04 Cancer Costs & Why Prevention Matters
    39:36 Diet & Cancer Prevention: What Studies Show
    42:14 Air Pollution, Detoxification & Sulforaphane Benefits
    45:39 50% Cancer Risk Reduction from Cruciferous Vegetables
    51:48 Can Sulforaphane Prevent Metastasis?
    54:46 Cancer Stem Cells, Dormancy & Recurrence Risk
    01:03:00 NRF2 & KEAP1: Is Sulforaphane Safe in Cancer?
    01:09:06 Why Cancer Nutrition Science Is Confusing
    01:13:54 Should You Eat Broccoli Sprouts? (Expert Answer)
    01:15:22 Sulforaphane + Cancer Treatment (Synergy Explained)
    01:17:19 Food Synergy: Broccoli, Quercetin & Genistein
    01:19:45 Bladder Cancer & Sulforaphane Research
    01:22:58 Detoxing Benzene & Environmental Toxins
    01:25:40 GLP-1 Weight Loss & Toxin Release (Why Detox Matters)
    01:29:05 Diet, Doctors & Cancer Nutrition Gaps
    01:31:30 Broccoli Sprouts: Practical Anti-Cancer Strategy
    01:33:53 Medical Disclaimer
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    1 hr and 34 mins
  • The Cancer Test Too Many Patients Still Aren't Getting — And Why It Matters

    The Cancer Test Too Many Patients Still Aren't Getting — And Why It Matters
    Apr 16 2026

    In this episode, Marybeth speaks with Dr. Nathan Fowler, Chief Medical Officer of BostonGene and former Professor of Medicine at MD Anderson Cancer Center, about why biomarker testing is helping turn personalized medicine from an idea into a reality. They discuss what biomarker testing, tumor sequencing, liquid biopsy, and ctDNA actually mean, why this information can be critical to choosing the right treatment, and why too many patients still are not being tested.

    Dr. Fowler explains why he believes biomarker testing should happen as early as possible, how patients can advocate for themselves, how tumor testing differs from inherited genetic testing, and when repeat testing may be needed. He also shares a remarkable story of a patient with advanced lymphoma whose biomarker matched an experimental therapy and led to a complete remission that has lasted more than a decade.

    Topics discussed:

    What biomarker-driven care actually means

    Why tumor sequencing can change treatment decisions

    The difference between tumor testing and genetic testing

    When liquid biopsy and ctDNA may be useful

    How biomarker testing can open clinical trial options

    Why testing should happen earlier in cancer care

    How BostonGene is using AI to improve precision oncology

    If you found this valuable, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to help others access life-saving information!

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/outperformcancer/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/outperform-cancer/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marybethgilliam/

    Threads: https://www.threads.com/@marybethgilliam
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    54 mins
  • 22 Years Metastatic: How Teri Pollastro Combined Standard Treatment, Cancer Vaccines & Self-Advocacy

    22 Years Metastatic: How Teri Pollastro Combined Standard Treatment, Cancer Vaccines & Self-Advocacy
    Feb 17 2026

    Teri Pollastro shares how she combined standard of care treatment with bold, informed self-advocacy — and why that combination may have shaped her extraordinary 22-year survival after a stage 4 metastatic breast cancer diagnosis.

    Her story highlights a critical reality:

    Standard of care is foundational.
    But progress often requires patients willing to responsibly go beyond it.

    If you found this valuable, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to help others access life-saving information!

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/outperformcancer/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/outperform-cancer/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marybethgilliam/

    Threads: https://www.threads.com/@marybethgilliam

    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/outperformcancer.bsky.social
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Dr. Abby Overacre — A Warning for Cancer Patients: Sucralose May Block Immunotherapy

    Dr. Abby Overacre — A Warning for Cancer Patients: Sucralose May Block Immunotherapy
    Nov 7 2025

    What if something as small as the sweetener in your coffee could decide whether your cancer treatment works?

    In this episode, Dr. Abby Overacre, a microbiome and immunology researcher at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, discusses her team’s new findings published in Cancer Discovery: the common artificial sweetener sucralose can undermine immunotherapy effectiveness by disrupting the gut microbiome and depleting immune-fueling amino acids like arginine.

    Even modest use—about three packets of Splenda per day—was associated with faster tumor growth and poorer progression-free survival in both preclinical models and cancer patients. Dr. Overacre explains how the microbiome links diet to immune response, why natural sweeteners such as stevia and monk fruit appear safer, and how fiber-rich and fermented foods can support gut and immune health during treatment.

    She also shares emerging research into arginine and citrulline supplementation, fecal microbiota transplants (FMT), and how restoring microbial balance could improve outcomes across cancer types, including melanoma, lung, and liver metastases.

    Key takeaways:

    —Sucralose consumption can blunt immunotherapy response.

    —Gut microbiome diversity plays a pivotal role in cancer outcomes.

    —Fiber and fermented foods strengthen immune-microbiome synergy.

    —Arginine and citrulline may help restore immune cell metabolism.

    Patients can take concrete steps to protect their microbiome during therapy.

    “Just three packets of sucralose a day were enough to completely blunt immunotherapy response. Patients deserve to know this.” — Dr. Abby Overacre

    🎧 Listen now and learn what every cancer patient on immunotherapy should know about artificial sweeteners.

    If you found this valuable, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to help others access life-saving information!

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/outperformcancer/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/outperform-cancer/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marybethgilliam/

    Threads: https://www.threads.com/@marybethgilliam

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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Kristen Dahlgren on the Cancer Vaccine That’s Changing Lives

    Kristen Dahlgren on the Cancer Vaccine That’s Changing Lives
    Jun 4 2025

    When Kristen Dahlgren was diagnosed with breast cancer, she thought she’d seen it all as an NBC correspondent. But she quickly discovered a story no one was telling: the promise of therapeutic cancer vaccines. These revolutionary treatments are showing 10+ year survival in advanced breast cancer clinical trials, and similar mind blowing results for other cancers, yet most doctors—and patients—still don’t know they exist.

    In this inspiring and informative episode, Kristen shares her journey from diagnosis to advocacy, the science behind cancer vaccines, and how we can all play a role in bringing them to market faster.

    If you found this valuable, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE to help others access life-saving information!
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    50 mins