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What's Health Got to Do with It?

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month; Pancreatic Cancer Action Network; Epilepsy Awareness Month

Zinreich digitally paints the pancreas (yellow) and a tumor (red) in a CT scan.
Meredith Rizzo/NPR
Zinreich digitally paints the pancreas (yellow) and a tumor (red) in a CT scan.

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. While pancreatic cancer is rare, making up about 3% of all cancers, its effects are devastating As of 2020, pancreatic cancer is the third most deadly cancer with limited prognosis and treatment options.

In Florida, the American Cancer Society estimates that 4,700 Floridians will be diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer in 2021; however, doctors say there is hope. Up to 30% of pancreatic cancers are preventable with lifestyle changes, including eating well and limiting alcohol intake.

Guests:

  • Diane Simeone, professor of surgery and pathology and director of the Pancreatic Cancer Center at the Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone.
  • Dr. Niraj Gusani, chief of surgical oncology at the Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

Raymond Penn is a Florida native who lost his wife of 44 years to pancreatic cancer in 2018. He has made it his mission to raise awareness and find a cure for the disease by volunteering for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network— or PANCAN — a national organization whose mission is to improve the lives of everyone affected by pancreatic cancer by advancing research, building community, sharing knowledge and advocating for patients.

Guest: Raymond Penn, PANCAN volunteer.

National Epilepsy Awareness Month

Greg Grunberg appeared in an incredible number of hit TV shows and movies including the newest Star Wars trilogy, "A Star is Born," "Heroes," "Star Trek" and more. He says that despite his growing list of acting credits, his most important role is that of dad, specifically to his son who has epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by unprovoked seizures, and it affects 1 in 26 individuals in the U.S. Grunberg is spreading awareness of National Epilepsy Awareness Month through his charity Talk About It.

Guest: Greg Grunberg, actor and founder of Talk About It.

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Katherine Hobbs was Associate Producer of talk shows at WJCT until 2022.