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In the recent episode of Oncology-on-the-Go, in collaboration with the American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS), Daniel C. McFarland, DO, welcomes William S. Breitbart, MD, to discuss how clinicians can address patients’ existential concerns. While oncologists often focus on treatment and the drive for life, the core concern for many patients remains mortality. Breitbart’s work in meaning-centered therapy provides a framework for these difficult conversations.

Breitbart emphasizes that patients grappling with fear, uncertainty, and depression may not always express it directly. The goal of meaning-centered therapy is to help patients find a sense of purpose and peace, even as they face a terminal illness. This approach is not about eliminating suffering, but about helping patients find meaning in their experiences. The conversation covers the practical application of these principles, including how to bring up topics of death and dying, and the importance of validating a patient's fears without resorting to platitudes.

The discussion also touches on the concept of “existential guilt,” which Breitbart links to the human awareness of one’s own existence and mortality. He notes that many clinicians are drawn to oncology or psycho-oncology because of their own personal experiences with death and illness. Overall, the episode is a reminder for oncologists and their multidisciplinary team members to look beyond the treatment and its clinical outcomes, and engage in human conversations that can significantly improve a patient’s quality of life, emotional support, and overall well-being.

McFarland is the director of the Psycho-Oncology Program at Wilmot Cancer Center and a medical oncologist who specializes in head, neck, and lung cancer, in addition to being the psycho-oncology editorial advisory board member for the journal 

; Breitbart is an attending physician and the Jimmie C. Holland Chair in Psycho-Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Daniel C. McFarland, DO, and guest William S. Breitbart, MD, discuss the critical role of meaning-centered therapy in addressing the psychosocial needs of patients with cancer.

How To Discuss Death? A Conversation of Mortality in Cancer Care

In a recent episode of the Oncology-on-the-Go podcast in collaboration with the American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS), host Daniel C. McFarland, DO, was joined by Christian J. Nelson, PhD, to discuss the often-overlooked subject of sexual health issues for men after cancer treatment. The discussion emphasized the importance of a nuanced approach to men's health, particularly in the context of genitourinary cancers like prostate and testicular cancer.

McFarland is the director of the Psycho-Oncology Program at Wilmot Cancer Center and a medical oncologist who specializes in head, neck, and lung cancer in addition to being the psycho-oncology editorial advisory board member for the journal 

. He opened the conversation by highlighting that while cancer’s physical effects are well-documented, the mental and emotional toll is equally significant and often underappreciated in male patients. He highlighted that the field of psycho-oncology, which began with breast cancer, is now expanding to address men’s specific needs. Men, he noted, are less likely to seek mental health support, yet have a higher risk of suicide, particularly at key moments in their cancer journey like diagnosis and recurrence.

Nelson, chief of Psychiatry Service, attending psychologist, and codirector of the Psycho-Oncology of Care and Aging Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, underscored that cancer treatments, especially for prostate cancer, often have profound adverse effects (AEs) that impact a man’s sense of self and masculinity.

He detailed the effects of radical pelvic treatments and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), which can lead to urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and changes in sexual function and body image. These AEs can lead to feelings of being "broken," "inadequate," or "deflated."

The pair discussed the "double-edged sword" of normalizing cancer, where patients are told their prognosis is good but are left unprepared for the life-altering AEs. This can lead to a sense of cognitive dissonance and isolation. The conversation stressed the need for clinicians to proactively normalize discussions about sexual health, making it clear that these are standard and expected aspects of the cancer experience.

Both clinicians suggested that establishing a trusting relationship with patients is paramount and that referrals to psycho-oncology should be framed as an essential, not optional, component of treatment. They also recommend that clinicians consistently check in with their male patients about emotional and sexual well-being, even long after treatment has ended, to ensure they’re coping with the lasting impacts of their experience.

Christian J. Nelson, PhD, dives into the complexities of sexual health concerns with men following cancer treatment, specifically with genitourinary cancers. 

Man Up? The Truth About Men's Health After Cancer

, Geraldine O’Sullivan Coyne, MD, PhD, MRCPI, spoke about her new appointment as the principal investigator and director of clinical research at the Northwell Health Unit of the Southern Texas Accelerated Research Therapeutics (START) Center for Cancer Research. With a strategic partnership formed between Northwell Health and START in May 2024, she will oversee early-phase clinical trial development at New York’s first START research site at the R.J. Zuckerberg Cancer Center in New Hyde Park.

Coyne began by sharing her excitement to put all her efforts into making the unit a “good opportunity” to consider patients who reside in community settings for enrollment in new clinical trials. Although large academic centers may offer possibilities for enrolling in trials, Coyne highlighted how many patients may need to travel or leave their social networks behind as they undergo treatment, thus illustrating a need for expanded options in the community setting.

“Having the privilege to be able to bring trial opportunities into the community—into the heart of the community—is what we are aiming to do,” Coyne stated about her new role. “We do believe that this will [allow] patients to access novel and powerful therapies that are now increasingly part of a personalized treatment paradigm for patients with advanced malignancies.”

Emphasizing the pursuit of early-phase clinical investigations, Coyne described how the new unit may leverage START’s expertise to advance novel molecules across all stages of the drug development pipeline up to regulatory approval. She noted that being able to safely create and refine new therapeutic approaches in the community setting lies at the heart of a successful collaboration between Northwell Health and START.

“A lot of the excitement surrounding the START unit and Northwell Health collaboration with them is exploring these novel molecules that will hopefully continue to build on the pursuit in oncology drug development, which has been finding better and more targeted therapies for patients in their treatment journey,” Coyne said.

Olt B. Northwell names Geraldine O’Sullivan Coyne, MD, PhD, to lead clinical trials at new START center. News release. Northwell Health. July 22, 2025. Accessed August 12, 2025. https://tinyurl.com/bdcua8ck

Geraldine O’Sullivan Coyne, MD, PhD, MRCPI, discusses how the START center may expand access to novel therapies for patients who reside in a community setting.

START Center Aims to Bring New Cancer Treatments, Trials to the Community

The medical oncology board examinations are a pivotal time in a clinician's career. However, preparing for and taking this examination comes as a crucial moment when residents/fellows begin their transition to attending.

Although in theory the process of taking an examination and then beginning a new job sounds simple, it is quite complex. The hematology/oncology boards require rigorous preparation. The examination is followed by the new attending position, where clinicians, for the first time, are on their own, making treatment decisions and leading a team.

 as well as those who are just beginning their careers about this time and how they handled studying while experiencing personal and professional changes.

Eric K. Singhi, MD, assistant professor in the Department of General Oncology in the Division of Cancer Medicine and assistant professor in the Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, focused on:

His transition from fellow to attending (0:58)

Where students should focus their efforts on studying (2:11)

Advice he would give to those currently studying (2:47)

Nicholas James Hornstein, MD, PhD, assistant professor at Northwell Health Cancer Institute, discussed:

Studying for the boards while balancing a new career (3:18)

Specific study areas the examination focuses on (5:43)

Marc J. Braunstein, MD, associate professor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, fellowship program director in hematology/oncology at NYU Langone Health—Long Island, and codirector of the Hematology-Oncology System at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, highlighted:

How to prepare fellows for the career transition (7:11)

Advice he gives about this transition (8:17)

Nerea M. Lopetegui-Lia, MD, assistant professor in the College of Medicine at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center–The James, spoke about:

Best review practices for the examination (9:01)

Advice she would give to those studying (10:15)

MinhTri Nguyen, MD, a medical oncologist with Stanford Medicine, focused on:

As a leadership coach, helping prepare residents/fellows for the career transition (11:36)

Advice he would give to those studying (14:34)

A group of clinicians gives study advice on how to best prepare for the medical oncology board examinations. 

Best Practices for the Medical Oncology Boards

In this episode, CancerNetwork® spoke with Eric Winer, MD, director of the Yale Cancer Center; president and physician-in-chief at Smilow Cancer Hospital; deputy dean for cancer research, Alfred Gilman Professor of Pharmacology, and Professor of Medicine at Yale School of Medicine; and chair of the association board for the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), about the current state of oncologist burnout, steps that can be taken to ameliorate it, and how it currently impacts professionals in the field.

Causes of workplace burnout that authors identified in a paper published in the 

 in January 2025 included the use of electronic health records, staffing levels, payer authorizations, hours worked, and age. Additionally, published results from the survey revealed a 14% increase in the rate of oncologists who experienced workplace burnout from 2013 to 2023 (

<.01). Moreover, a significant correlation between being a caregiver for someone at home and workplace burnout was observed.

Winer began by defining workplace burnout, emphasizing that it is not exclusive to oncology, and that many oncologists resist burnout by focusing on the mission-driven nature of the work. Then, he speculated how oncologist burnout may have increased from 2013 to 2023, suggesting that it may have been related to a larger societal trend due to increased awareness of it. Furthermore, he suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic may have exacerbated fatigue, as well as the growing utilization of telehealth and documentation, which take oncologists away from personal engagement with patients.

He then explored how the workforce might be impacted by burnout, highlighting a sizable percentage of oncologists who claim to be nearing retirement age. Based on this trend, there may be a need for workforce expansion, as well as the need to embrace a more multidisciplinary approach to help oncologists deliver patient care. Winer concluded by outlining how he mitigates burnout personally, as well as his thoughts regarding how oncology has progressed since his career began.

Schenkel C, Levit LA, Kirkwood K, et al. State of professional well-being, satisfaction, and career plans among US oncologists in 2023. 

 Published online January 29, 2025. doi:10.1200/OA.24.00010

Professor of pharmacology Eric Winer, MD, spoke about a publication he authored exploring the state of oncologist burnout and how it impacts practice.

Exploring Burnout Causes and Management in Oncologic Practice

2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting,

 spoke with a variety of oncology experts about the late-breaking abstracts, plenary sessions, and other key presentations that may shift the paradigm across different cancer care fields. They highlighted anticipated clinical trial results that may transform the standard of care for gynecologic malignancies, lung cancer, and other disease types.

Rachel N. Grisham, MD, section head of Ovarian Cancer and director of gynecologic medical oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Westchester in New York, shared her anticipation of findings from the phase 3 ROSELLA trial (NCT05257408) assessing relacorilant plus nab-paclitaxel in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. She stated she was excited to see whether the data may represent a new opportunity for this patient population.

Next, MinhTri Nguyen, MD, a medical oncologist and hematologist at Stanford Health Care in San Jose, California, highlighted a few breast cancer presentations to look out for. These topics included a plenary session on data from the phase 3 SERENA-6 study (NCT04964934) evaluating camizestrant in combination with CDK4/6 inhibitors for patients with hormone receptor–positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer harboring emergent 

Additionally, Eric K. Singhi, MD, an assistant professor in the Department of General Oncology in the Division of Cancer Medicine, and assistant professor in the Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, spoke about a range of potentially practice-changing results in the lung cancer field. For example, he described a session focused on primary results of the phase 3 IMforte trial (NCT05091567) assessing lurbinectedin (Zepzelca) plus atezolizumab (Tecentriq) for patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. According to Singhi, data from IMforte may shift the paradigm of maintenance therapy for this population.

In the world of head and neck cancer, Douglas R. Adkins, MD, associate professor of Internal Medicine, Division of Oncology, Section of Medical Oncology at Washington University Medicine in St Louis, Missouri, highlighted the session on the phase 3 NIVOPOSTOP GORTEC 2018-01 trial (NCT03576417). Investigators evaluated nivolumab (Opdivo) in combination with chemoradiotherapy for those with resected head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Adkins is eager to see how these data may impact the standard of care, particularly for patients in Europe, where investigators conducted the study.

discussion, Benjamin Garmezy, MD,  associate director of genitourinary research and executive cochair of the Genitourinary Cancer Research Executive Committee at Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) and a medical oncologist at SCRI Oncology Partners in Nashville, Tennessee, discussed key abstracts in bladder cancer. One specific presentation included additional findings from the phase 3 NIAGARA trial (NCT03732677), which may show how circulating tumor DNA can influence treatment decision-making regarding perioperative durvalumab (Imfinzi) for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Experts in gynecologic cancer, genitourinary malignancies, and other disciplines highlight noteworthy clinical data slated for presentation at ASCO 2025.

Spotlighting Key Upcoming Presentations Across Oncology at ASCO 2025

, Viviana Cortiana, MS4, and Yan Leyfman, MD, spoke about their manuscript titled “Artificial Intelligence in Cancer Care: Addressing Challenges and Health Equity,” which they published in the 

Cortiana is a medical student in the Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences at the University of Bologna. Leyfman is a resident physician from the Icahn School of Medicine of the Mount Sinai Health System.

Cortiana highlighted how artificial intelligence (AI)–based tools may mitigate the overdiagnosis of cancers, although she noted a need to validate these devices with diverse and high-quality data sets to avoid the risk of biased models. Additionally, she described how developing population-specific AI models may improve predictive accuracy in diagnosis as well as treatment planning, which can especially benefit patients in low- and middle-income countries.

As part of ethically applying the use of AI to oncology and delivering equitable cancer care, Leyfman emphasized core pillars such as data security, transparency, clinical validation, and combatting algorithmic bias. Furthermore, he stated that potential applications of these tools include mobile diagnostics, cloud-based platforms, and remote consultation, which can help increase access to care. Regarding the potential next steps in the field, he highlighted that global partnerships with parties such as technology companies, governments, and nongovernmental organizations may assist with the funding and deployment of AI tools, especially for underserved regions.

“The future of AI in oncology is increasingly promising, not just in pushing the boundaries of what's possible in cancer care but also making sure that more precise and more accessible worldwide therapies are available,” Leyfman stated. “AI has the potential to fundamentally change how we detect, treat, and monitor [cancer], but realizing that promise, especially in a way that's equitable, will require collaboration, validation, thoughtful implementation, and a commitment to leaving no patient behind.”

Authors of a manuscript published in ONCOLOGY® discuss how artificial intelligence may help with cancer detection and improving various patient outcomes.

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Bolster Equitable Cancer Care

The International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS) deemed April 9, 2025, the first-ever World Psycho-Oncology Day (WPOD). This day was meant to spread awareness of the importance of prioritizing psychosocial care for patients with all types of cancer and honor Jimmie C. Holland, MD.

Prior to WPOD, CancerNetwork® spoke with Cristiane Decat Bergerot, PhD, MS, a psychologist and the head of supportive care at Grupo Oncoclínicas in Brazil and a member of IPOS about the importance of psychosocial care and the impact it has on patients with cancer.

As stated by Bergerot and listed on the official IPOS website, the primary goals of WPOD are as follows: raise awareness, honor Jimmie Holland, engage stakeholders, promote action, and support fundraising efforts.

 These goals are geared toward paying homage to the history of psycho-oncology and pushing for a more advanced future.

“We aim to empower patients, caregivers, and health care professionals, fostering a future where psychosocial support is an integral part of oncology worldwide,” Bergerot said.

Psycho-oncology has become more prevalent as a cancer care field since Jimmie C. Holland, MD, worked to help found it in the 1970s. Holland, a “pioneer” of psycho-oncology, was the first ever chief of psychiatry services—a department that was the first of its kind anywhere in the world—at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and a founding member of IPOS.

Bergerot stated that in her work, she sees that patients who receive psychological support exhibit improved pain management and quality of life. Trials now focus more on end points such as quality of life and patient-reported outcomes, and guidelines have emerged to create standards of care. The NCCN and the American Society of Clinical Oncology each offer guidelines that detail how to manage patient distress as they progress through cancer therapy.

 Distress screenings and earlier recommendations for palliative care have also become more standard in treatment.

As for the future, Bergerot highlighted that psychosocial care needs to be more integrated into care as a necessary, rather than optional, component. New developments around the world, however, have created a landscape where telehealth and new research demonstrate the potential to help psycho-oncology grow rapidly.

World Psycho-Oncology Day (WPOD). IPOS. Accessed April 2, 2025. https://tinyurl.com/43c9rr2c

Distress during cancer care. NCCN. 2024. Accessed April 2, 2025. https://tinyurl.com/ycxxvnmt

Andersen BL, Lacchetti C, Ashing K, et al. Management of anxiety and depression in adult survivors of cancer: ASCO guideline update. 

 2023;41(18):3426-3453. doi:10.1200/JCO.23.00293

Integrating psychosocial care into cancer care allows patients to receive emotional support, counseling, and coping strategies to help navigate treatment.

Fostering the Future of Psychosocial Care With World Psycho-Oncology Day

 visited Sibley Memorial Hospital of Johns Hopkins Medicine to speak with a variety of experts about therapeutic advancements and ongoing research initiatives across several different cancer fields. As part of each discussion, clinicians highlighted how collaboration across different departments has positively affected treatment planning, decision-making, and outcomes at their institution.

Rachit Kumar, MD, an assistant professor of radiation oncology and molecular radiation sciences at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and a radiation oncologist specializing in genitourinary and gastrointestinal cancers at Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center for Sibley Memorial Hospital and Suburban Hospital;

Michael J. Pishvaian, MD, PhD, director of gastrointestinal, developmental therapeutics, and clinical research programs and associate professor of oncology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine;

Nina Wagner-Johnston, MD, a professor of oncology and the director of lymphoma drug development at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University, director of Hematologic Malignancies National Capital Region, and codirector of clinical research for hematologic malignancies;

Valerie Lee, MD, an assistant professor of oncology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a medical oncologist at Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Sibley Memorial Hospital;

Armine Smith, MD, the director of urologic oncology at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Sibley Memorial Hospital and an assistant clinical professor of urology at the Brady Urological Institute of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine;

Pouneh Razavi, MD, the director for breast imaging in the National Capital Region and an instructor in radiology and radiological science; and

Curtiland Deville Jr, MD, medical director of the Johns Hopkins Proton Therapy Center and clinical director of radiation oncology at Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Sibley Memorial Hospital.

Altogether, their insights demonstrated how multidisciplinary teamwork has improved outcomes ranging from patient survival to health care resource utilization across a wide range of diseases, including breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, genitourinary cancer, and hematologic malignancies.

Experts from Sibley Memorial Hospital discuss how multidisciplinary work has enhanced outcomes such as survival and resource use at their institution.

Elevating the Quality of Cancer Care via Cross-Department Collaboration

In a recent episode of Oncology on the Go, several oncologists discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on oncology care, 5 years later. Each doctor discussed a different aspect of multidisciplinary care, including medical oncology, radiation oncology, and epidemiology.

CancerNetwork® spoke with leading clinicians including:

Aditya Bardia, MD, MPH, FSCO, professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, and director of Translational Research Integration at the University of California Los Angeles Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center;

Ritu Salani, MD, director of Gynecologic Oncology at the University of California Los Angeles, and 

Scarlett Lin Gomez, PhD, MPH, a professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), and co-leader of the Cancer Control Program at UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center

Hear from leading cancer experts about the lasting impact the COVID-19 pandemic has left on clinical practice. 

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