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Life On Pause is a podcast for and by young adults living with cancer. Each month, young adult cancer patients from Penn State Health share honestly about their cancer diagnosis, treatment and life afterwards. As cancer causes the group to reflect on issues both large and small, surprisingly relatable stories and themes emerge. From relationships to body functions, nothing is off the table.
The cancer journey can introduce many changes into a patient's life, creating new obstacles and challenges for them to endure. But taking on a new life philosophy may be able to support patients in managing these difficulties and gaining a healthy perspective on the life that they have. Life on Pause is a podcast created by and for young adults liv…
Experiencing an unforeseen circumstance like cancer can cause your life to deviate from the path you had initially set out upon. This episode of Life on Pause discusses cancer's impact as a "fork in the road" and how it can significantly alter the lives of those who experience it. Life on Pause is a podcast created by and for young adults living wi…
By Penn State Health
Chemotherapy involves so much more than just treating cancer. Chemotherapy treatments involve various side effects that can challenge patients mentally, physically, and emotionally. On this episode of Life on Pause, our host Kasara talks with guest speakers to discuss their experiences receiving chemotherapy treatments for their cancer diagnoses. T…
Life with cancer looks different for everyone, and for young people especially, it can be challenging to manage a diagnosis while still moving forward with life's other experiences. On this episode of Life on Pause, our host Brady Lucus chats with guest speaker Colton Cook, a college student who has been in treatment for his cancer diagnosis. Toget…
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First Descents: The Therapeutic Effects of Adventure
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Even after recovery, cancer can still leave challenging effects on those who have experienced it. However, taking part in a new adventure can be beneficial and healing for cancer survivors. First Descents is a program for young adults impacted by cancer that provides them with outdoor adventures and helps them heal through psychosocial support and …
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Hershey’s First Bone Marrow Transplant: A Caregiver’s Journey
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The cancer journey can have a profound impact on the patient and those close by providing support. Finding oneself in the role of caregiver for a cancer patient can be an emotionally exhausting experience for a young adult, as they try to maintain support and composure in times of worry and hurt. Life on Pause is a podcast created by and for young …
So many aspects of our lives rely on our brains’ health and proper functioning. For individuals who have been diagnosed with brain tumors at a young age, their cancer experiences have had lasting effects on them physically, as well as their views on life. On this episode of Life on Pause, our host and guest speakers speak on their experiences with …
There are many complex emotions involved with the experience of having cancer. While people often want to view cancer as a victorious journey with positivity and hope, the reality of the fact is it can involve many emotionally taxing and negative feelings. On this episode of Life on Pause, our host Casey speaks with guest Kayla about the cancer exp…
As young adults, handling relationships can be challenging, as we are often in transformative periods within our lives. But on top of managing schoolwork, careers, and life, experiencing a cancer diagnosis can lead to a whole new set of love life complications. On this episode of Life on Pause, our host Megan speaks with several guests who have exp…
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The holiday season: sharing joy with loved ones
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The holiday season holds a very special place in the hearts of many and is often symbolized by unique themes and activities that make a home feel more like home. For individuals who have experienced cancer, these unique traditions and practices can help them embrace the season's positivity and enjoyment. However, gathering with loved ones and navig…
The topic of cancer is sensitive, and because of this, people often face difficulty addressing it with cancer patients or people experiencing cancer symptoms. This episode provides listeners with a variety of responses to the question, "What are five things to say to a cancer patient?" Life on Pause is a podcast created by and for young adults livi…
When a young person has cancer, in reality, the whole family ‘has’ cancer. We invited siblings to share their experience when their sister or brother was diagnosed and underwent treatment. The siblings explore: Who does the extra work at home? Is it okay to be jealous of the time your parents are spending with your sibling (and the extra gifts they…
Avascular necrosis (AVN) causes pain in the joints (mainly the weigh-bearing joints of the legs) and is associated with chemotherapy and steroid use during cancer treatment. The chronic pain connected with AVN can greatly impact a young adult’s life. Listen to the stories of these four young women who live with AVN to get a glimpse into what it’s l…
For each young adult diagnosed with cancer, a doctor speaks a few words and a new chapter in life begins. This collection of stories captures the similarities and differences in young adults’ experiences leading up to diagnosis and afterwards.By Penn State Health
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What’s Cancer Got To Do With Fertility and Fertility Preservation?
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When faced with a cancer diagnosis as a young adult, the last thing you expect is to make a quick decision about sperm-banking or egg preservation. After treatment ends and the dust begins to settle, you’re faced with questions that your peers are likely not considering, ‘Am I still able to have kids naturally?’, ‘Will I pass on genes to my childre…
What is hair loss due to cancer treatment like for guys? Three guys weigh in about hair in response to the Women Talking Hair podcast episode. For two of these young men, their hair didn’t come back the same as before treatment. Listen in as they describe the impact on their identities and lives.By Penn State Health
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The Psychology of Survival with psychologist, Dr. George Blackall and survivorship social worker, Sara Merrill
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The Life on Pause crew chats with Dr. Blackall and Sara about the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis. How does a young adult navigate the emotional territory of mortality, fear, anxiety and survivor’s guilt? How do I do the ‘normal’ tasks of young adulthood with a cancer diagnosis?By Penn State Health
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Scar Stories: Markers of Cancer Survivors
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Whether small or large, physical scars often mark the bodies of cancer survivors. In this episode, the Life on Pause crew shares stories of moving through the world with a body and spirit transformed by the experience of cancer.By Penn State Health
A group of young women discuss how hair loss as part of their cancer treatment affected their life and identity. The group ranges in age and experience from the early teenage years to the late twenties, middle and high school students through college graduates, and including a newlywed. These young women share their decision making about wig or no …
What happens to the usual milestones like graduation when you throw cancer into the mix? Seven 2021 graduates reflect on cancer’s impact on this milestone—some of the graduates were treated as young children and others more recently. No matter when their diagnosis, cancer played a role in shaping who they are today.…
What is Ewings Sarcoma? In this episode, three young adults describe it from the inside out while Dr. Joe Drabick provides the medical description. Special thanks to University of Florida for partnering with Penn State Health to make this episode possible.By Penn State Health
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You’re Stronger Than You Believe: Reflections on Limb Loss
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Four young adults with amputations due to their cancer treatment reflect on their experience. They share what it was like to come to terms with the limb loss, adapting to the new reality, interacting with the public and much more. You won’t want to miss this episode of Life on Pause.By Penn State Health
You finish cancer treatment and then what? Suleika Jaouad's memoir, Between Two Kingdoms, beautifully captures the young adult cancer experience. Traveling through diagnosis to discovering and creating a life after treatment, her words provide the springboard for a rich discussion amongst the Life on Pause crew.…
What is life like twenty years after a cancer diagnosis? Does life ever return to ‘normal’? The Life on Pause crew talks with three different cancer survivors, who are twenty years post-diagnosis. Does scanxiety ever go away? How did treatment impact fertility? These questions and more are covered.By Penn State Health
A bone marrow transplant can be life-saving and changing for some oncological and non-oncological conditions. Terry Shapiro, CRNP, with 30 plus years of experience, talks with four young adults about their experience with the ‘boot camp’ of bone marrow transplant. From a review of what the procedure is to its impact on daily life, this episode cove…
What to post? What to share? Social media can be tricky enough without a cancer diagnosis. Listen in as Sarah Daniels, AYA Child Life specialist and social media researcher from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, facilitates a lively discussion with a group of young adults about the choices they made regarding social media and their cancer expe…
How do you continue to connect to friends, keep your mind engaged and yet distracted from dark thoughts and pass the time in the infusion room? Through video gaming, of course. Three teens share their cancer experience and how their video-gaming provided needed support through treatment.By Penn State Health
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Overcoming the impact of cancer treatment with exercise
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Cancer treatment impacts greatly impacts the physical treatment. This podcast begins with young adults sharing their experiences of physical deconditioning, regaining strength and exercises role in helping cope with cancer. (13:30) Natalie Burse, cancer exercise researcher and breast cancer survivor. (18:40) Dr. Pooja Rao and Jared Heitzenrater dis…
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Body image and how it is impacted during cancer treatment
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Joined by Julie Larson, clinical social worker with a focus on cancer patients, the Life on Pause crew discusses cancer’s impact on body image. From the moon face from steroids, hair and limb loss to changes in body capabilities, the young adults review how they navigated their relationship to body image in the midst of the physical changes that ca…
Furry friends offer a lot in the way of medicine and therapy during cancer treatment. In this episode, young adults talk with Karen Casto of Canine Assistants about the role of animals as supports during cancer. From pure entertainment to incentive to exercise to quiet, non-judgmental companionship, the young adults speak of their own pets and the …
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Emily's story from diagnosis to life afterwards
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Listen in to Emily’s story as she walks us through her cancer diagnosis which isn’t a straightforward one and done diagnosis. She also describes her experience with anti-mnda receptor encephalitis, life in a rehab hospital as a young adult and shares what it’s like to re-enter life afterwards.By Penn State Health
This episode, the young adults talk about some of the ‘unmentionable’ parts of the cancer experience. Join them as they discuss using a humor (including a dark sense of humor), pulling the cancer card, ‘cancer perks’, body functions, fears, ugly thoughts, survivor’s guilt and more.By Penn State Health
In this episode, Life on Pause talks with Marcus about his experience with cancer and college. How do you attend college with a compromised immune system? What is studying like with the effects of chemo? Should I use accommodations from the college for support? Marcus weighs in on these questions and more.…
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The Teen vs Young Adult Cancer Experience
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This week the group discusses what parts of their lives were put on pause when they received their cancer diagnoses. From friendships, to college and careers, to the stepping stones of life, the group reflects on how they faced these rising obstacles and found a positive spin to life on pause. The group breaks down how they navigated having cancer …
Life On Pause is a podcast for and by young adults living with cancer. Each month, young adult cancer patients from Penn State Health share honestly about their cancer diagnosis, treatment and life afterwards. As cancer causes the group to reflect on issues both large and small, surprisingly relatable stories and themes emerge. From relationships t…
