October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In this episode of the Cancer Matters podcast, Dr Bill Nelson, Director of the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, speaks with Dr John Fetting and Dr Antonio Wolff about the breast cancer program at Johns Hopkins and the Fetting Fund for Breast Cancer Prevention.

The Fetting Fund was inspired by the breast cancer journey of one of Dr Fetting’s patients, Leslie Ries, and supports research to better understand breast cancer risk factors and develop effective prevention strategies. The goal is to empower women to make informed decisions about their health and reduce their chances of ever facing a breast cancer diagnosis.

This conversation explores some of the causes of breast cancer, like genetic mutations, the challenges physicians face in identifying those at an elevated risk, personalized prevention approaches that balance the benefits of medication with potential side effects, and the role of lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise, in lowering the risk of breast cancer.

Visit the Fetting Fund for Breast Cancer Prevention to learn more about the research projects currently underway and what steps you can take to lower your risk.

In this Cancer Matters podcast, Dr Bill Nelson, Director of the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, talks with Beth Blakey and Samantha Schrager from the Cancer Hope Network about their mission providing mentorship to cancer patients, the families of patients and caregivers, and a new partnership with Johns Hopkins.

Cancer Hope Network is a peer mentorship program that provides one-on-one support for adults impacted by cancer. They connect cancer patients and caregivers with mentors who have been through similar experiences. These mentors offer guidance and understanding to those currently navigating cancer treatment, ensuring that no one goes through the journey alone.

Cancer Hope Network has grown from a local initiative to a national network of around 500 trained mentors. These mentors are volunteers who have completed treatment or have served as caregivers. They represent a wide range of cancer types and life experiences, allowing for personalized matches between mentors and those seeking support.

Earlier this Summer, the Cancer Hope Network and the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center launched a new partnership, called the M.A.P.S. program (Mentorship and Peer Support for Patients and Caregivers). This initiative is designed to recruit mentors from within the Johns Hopkins community to provide support to newly diagnosed patients and their families.

To get matched with a mentor, become a mentor or learn more about the M.A.P.S program ➡️ cancerhopenetwork.org/skcccjh/

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month. In this Cancer Matters podcast, Dr Bill Nelson, the Director of the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, speaks to Dr Rick Jones and Dr Robert Brodsky about treating sickle cell anemia, an inherited disorder where mutations in the globin gene cause the red blood cells to take on a sickle shape, leading to severe pain and organ damage. They discuss and compare the types of bone marrow transplants currently used to treat the disease and highlight the significant improvements in reducing complications, such as graft-versus-host disease and graft rejection.