The Cancer Project

The Cancer Project The Cancer Project Podcast tells the stories of the people and events shaping the world of cancer.

We feature guests including patients, doctors, researchers, business leaders, politicians, and more who are impacting cancer diagnosis and treatment.

05/29/2026

In this clip, Dr. Shannon MacDonald discusses the ongoing Radiotherapy Comparative Effectiveness (RADCOMP) trial, a randomized study directly comparing proton therapy and traditional photon radiation for patients with locally advanced breast cancer who are at higher risk for heart disease.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis in the U.S., with an estimated 320,000 individuals expected to be diagnosed in 2025. Locally advanced breast cancer occurs when the cancer has spread beyond the breast tissue but remains confined to nearby lymph nodes or the chest wall. Standard treatment for these patients often includes surgery followed by external-beam radiation therapy, which plays a critical role in preventing cancer recurrence and extending survival.

She explains the trial’s focus on long-term patient outcomes and quality of life — an effort that requires significant time, research, and funding to fully evaluate.

RADCOMP is the largest study to date comparing proton and photon therapy, with additional long-term health and quality-of-life data expected in 2028 and 2032.

To learn more about the trial, visit the link in our bio to watch the full episode: “Photon vs. Proton Therapy for Breast Cancer: The RADCOMP Trial with Dr. Shannon MacDonald.”

In the second episode of our special two part installment, Dr. Shannon MacDonald, Senior Medical Director of the Southwe...
05/28/2026

In the second episode of our special two part installment, Dr. Shannon MacDonald, Senior Medical Director of the Southwest Florida Proton Center, rejoins host David Raubach to discuss the RADCOMP trial — the largest clinical study comparing proton therapy and traditional photon radiation for patients with locally advanced breast cancer who are at higher risk for heart disease.

One of the defining advantages of proton therapy is the Bragg Peak, which allows radiation to stop directly within the tumor, helping spare surrounding healthy tissue and organs. As proton therapy centers continue to expand across the United States, so does the need for research evaluating how the treatment compares to conventional radiation therapy.

Since proton therapy was first used to treat breast cancer in 2010, physicians and researchers have been especially interested in data examining long-term patient outcomes and side effects.

In September, Dr. MacDonald presented the phase III results of the Radiotherapy Comparative Effectiveness (RADCOMP) trial at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting. In this episode, she explains the purpose of the trial and why its emphasis on long-term quality-of-life outcomes makes the research especially significant.

To watch both episodes featuring Dr. Shannon MacDonald, visit the link in our bio.
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05/26/2026

Professional traveling sports team physicians receive an exception for practicing medicine in other states. They are constantly on the road, and frequently find their athletes in need of specialized care.

In New Jersey, a patient receiving specialized treatment for a rare disease that may not be available locally to them must commute within state lines to consult with their doctor.

In this clip, Dr. Shannon MacDonald explains the current exception available to professional athletes receiving care, and the direct correlation it shares with her ongoing legal case challenging telehealth medicine.

The question being asked in federal court remains: should a rare disease patient be required to place further burden on themselves to receive the speciality care they require?

In the newest episode of The Cancer Project Podcast, Dr. Shannon MacDonald shares the story of the patient that began this legal case and how changing the restrictions could benefit rare disease patients. To watch the full episode or learn more about the case, please visit our bio.

After COVID-19 changed protocols for all day-to-day life, medicine was no exception. In every effort to stop and slow th...
05/25/2026

After COVID-19 changed protocols for all day-to-day life, medicine was no exception. In every effort to stop and slow the spread of COVID-19, many medical appointments previously in person, turned into virtual visits. This was seen in medicine, school, and life in general. During this period, doctors such as Shannon found one silver lining: patients did not have to travel while undergoing great physical stress due to a disease such as cancer.

As protocols slowly began to shift back to life before the pandemic, many patients suddenly found themselves having to commute to another state just to have a brief phone consultation with their doctor.

Dr. Shannon MacDonald joins The Cancer Project this week for a special two episode installment. In this episode, Dr. MacDonald dives into the ongoing legal case of Shannon MacDonald, M.D., et al. v. Otto Sabando. This case challenges the restrictions of telehealth medicine in New Jersey for rare disease patients who need specialized care that may not be available locally. The lawsuit seeks to eliminate the need for patients to have to commute to another state for what could easily be a video call while they battle rare and potentially fatal diseases.

Host David Raubach and Dr. MacDonald explain the different angles of the legal case and the adjacent lawsuit in California, also seeking mitigation of certain telehealth restrictions.

For more information about this ongoing legal case please visit https://pacificlegal.org/case/new-jersey-telehealth-pediatric-cancer/.

05/23/2026

In this clip, The Cancer Project Podcast Host David Raubach sits down to discuss the five reasons cancer is such a complex and difficult disease to treat.

Even as research and treatment continue to advance, there are numerous barriers to making a treatment that works with most cancer patients. Each cancer can be so unique, especially in the how and why.

For more information about what cancer is and the common features, please visit cancer.org.

05/22/2026

Described as one of his most challenging songs to perform emotionally, Johnny Woods joins The Cancer Project Podcast for a performance of “The Gift”.

After a leukemia diagnosis in fall of 2024, Johnny wanted to write a song that centered around his two children and remembering what is important in life. Johnny shared with host David Raubach that once completed, this song took months for him to perform.

In his full episode of faith and perseverance, Johnny shares his music career, ongoing battle with chronic myeloid leukemia, how it has changed his perspective on life, and performed two songs including “The Gift”. Please visit our bio to watch Johnny’s episode!

05/22/2026

Country music singer songwriter Johnny Woods shares one of his favorite songs to perform, “The Gift”.

The Gift reflects his thoughts and emotions after a leukemia diagnosis and what he would always want his two children to know and remember. We were honored to have Johnny on the podcast this week and share both his story and music with us.

To watch the full episode, “Life Is Still Happening”: A Country Music Artist’s Leukemia Battle with Johnny Woods please visit our bio.

05/21/2026

Did you know that MD Anderson was only the fourth proton therapy center to open in the United States?

MD Anderson was also the first facility to offer pencil beam scanning, something now widely used by all new proton therapy centers, such as the Oklahoma Proton Center!

The Cancer Project Podcast Host David Raubach had the opportunity to tour MD Anderson this week, as the center prepares for upgrades. Exciting to see in real time as proton therapy and cancer treatment continue to advance!

05/21/2026

Is there a link between marathons and colon cancer? A recent article in the Washington Post discusses just this. The article includes information from a research study that had some very interesting findings as it relates to extreme endurance, exercise, and pre-cancerous growths in the colon. More research is needed, but the preliminary findings are certainly thought provoking.

05/21/2026

In this clip, singer songwriter Johnny Woods speaks about the emotions he went through being diagnosed with leukemia as a man in his 30’s.

He speaks about the initial wave of denial and the overwhelming perspective that followed.

“I began to realize what I had missed out on … what was important in life, and it began to shift my focus.”

Johnny’s vulnerable and honest episode touches on his music career as a singer/songwriter, his full perspective shift after the diagnosis, and how he continues to embrace life as it happens today. Visit our bio to watch the full episode.

05/20/2026

The Cancer Project Podcast guest Johnny Woods joined us in the studio to perform his newest song “Swamp Water Gospel”.

A combination of many genre’s Johnny has always admired, Swamp Water Gospel captures the feeling of finding your faith and doing what you love to do, where you love to do it.

Swamp Water Gospel will be available for streaming Friday, May 29th!

To hear more of Johnny’s music, visit his page https://www.johnnywoodsofficial.com/. To watch Johnny’s full episode, visit the link in our bio.

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