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Veteran Cancer Talk
Veteran Cancer Talk is the official podcast of Veteran Cancer Network, sharing real conversations about cancer in the veteran community.
Hosted by veterans and caregivers, the show features veteran survivors, caregivers, doctors, researchers, and advocates discussing early detection, treatment, recovery, and the unique challenges veterans face when navigating cancer.
Through powerful personal stories and expert insight, Veteran Cancer Talk works to raise awareness, encourage screening, and connect veterans and their families with the resources and support they need.
The mission is simple: educate, advocate, and ensure no veteran faces cancer alone.
Episodes
17 episodes
The VA Said Ulcer. It Was Cancer. - Matt Roll's Multiple Myeloma Story
Army veteran Matt Roll spent more than a year searching for answers after persistent pain was repeatedly dismissed as an ulcer. Trusting his instincts ultimately led to a diagnosis of multiple myeloma at just 41 years old.In this episode...
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Grew Up on Military Bases. Then She Got Cancer
In this episode of Veteran Cancer Talk, Ashton speaks with Heather King — military brat, breast cancer survivor, doctoral candidate, and founder of Rooted Resilience — about the overlooked issue of toxic exposure and long-term health risks faci...
Stage 4 Cancer While Still Serving...
What happens when you’re still serving your country… and get diagnosed with stage 4 cancer?In this episode, we sit down with Ron and Kate Belany — a Navy family navigating life after a stage 4 colon cancer diagnosis.From early sym...
Two Veterans Talk Testicular Cancer (Unfiltered)
This wasn’t planned.We just kept the mic rolling.After wrapping our conversation with Kevin Sloan, Casey jumped in and what followed turned into one of the most real conversations we’ve had yet.No script. No structure. Just tw...
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Kevin Sloan | USMC Veteran & 2x Testicular Cancer Survivor on Early Detection, VA Care, and Self-Advocacy
Most men don’t talk about it.That’s exactly why this conversation matters.In this episode of Veteran Cancer Talk, we sit down with Kevin Sloan, a Kevin Sloan a Marine Corps veteran and two-time testicular cancer surv...
Diagnosed at 45 with Prostate Cancer With No Symptoms
In this episode of Veteran Cancer Talk, we sit down with Dave Diaz, a Navy, Army, and Army National Guard veteran who was diagnosed with prostate cancer at just 45 years old—with no symptoms.Dave shares how a routine blood test changed e...
Advocate for Yourself | Army Veteran Liz Blackmon
In this episode of Veteran Cancer Talk, Ashton speaks with Liz Blackmon — Army veteran, breast cancer survivor, retired Department of Justice law enforcement officer, veteran advocate, and realtor.Liz shares her journey fro...
Veteran, Survivor, Advocate — Shawn Morgan’s Leukemia Journey
In this episode of Veteran Cancer Talk, Ashton sits down with Army veteran and leukemia survivor Shawn Morgan.After multiple deployments to Iraq and years of potential toxic exposure, Shawn began experiencing unusual fatigu...
Dr. Elizabeth O’Donnell - Multicancer Early Detection: A Blood Test Revolution for Veterans?
In this episode of Veteran Cancer Talk, Ashton speaks with Dr. Elizabeth O’Donnell, Director of the Multicancer Early Detection Clinic at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, about one of the most promising developments in oncology: multicancer ea...
Cancer Through a Caregiver’s Eyes
When a veteran is diagnosed with cancer, the whole family is changed — but few people see what happens to the caregiver.In this episode of Veteran Cancer Talk, Jennifer Worthy shares her experience supporting her husband, a Gulf...
Mental Health Matters During Cancer Treatment
Joseph Zolper, Army veteran and Manager of Outreach & Networking at the Road Home Program at Rush University Medical Center, joins Ashton on Veteran Cancer Talk to discuss veterans’ mental health, toxic exposure ...
Testicular Cancer, Toxic Exposure, and Life After Survival
In this episode of Veteran Cancer Talk, host Ashton speaks with Gary Schell, a U.S. Marine Corps infantry veteran and testicular cancer survivor, about his journey from military service to cancer diagnosis—and life after treatment...
Healing After Breast Cancer Through Photography
Charise Isis, founder and director of The Grace Project, joins Veteran Cancer Talk to share how photography has become a powerful tool for healing, visibility, and empowerment for breast cancer survivors — including veterans.Through visu...
Navy Veteran Breast Cancer Survivor Brenda M. Lee on Military Exposure, Early Detection, and Healing
Navy veteran, breast cancer survivor, photographer, and author Brenda M. Lee joins Veteran Cancer Talk to share her powerful story of military service, toxic exposure, breast cancer diagnosis at age 30, and long-term survivorship....
Risk Over Age - Rethinking Cancer Screening for Veterans
In Episode 3, Casey — Marine Corps veteran and cancer survivor — breaks down one of the biggest gaps in veteran healthcare: age-based cancer screening.Most cancer screening guidelines are built for the “average” patient. Bu...
A Veteran’s Testicular Cancer Diagnosis and the Power of Self-Advocacy
In Episode 2, Casey — Marine Corps veteran and co-founder of Veteran Cancer Network — shares his personal journey with testicular cancer, from the first warning signs to chemotherapy and recovery.Casey reflects on hi...
The Formation of the Veteran Cancer Network
Veterans are being diagnosed with cancer younger and too often, too late.In Episode 1, we introduce the Veteran Cancer Network and the reason it exists. Marine Corps veterans Casey and Ashton share their personal experience...