In this episode of The Cancering Show, host Dr. Jennifer Young Pierce talks with Dr. Rebecca Perkins, a nationally recognized expert in cervical cancer prevention, about the latest updates in HPV testing and cervical cancer screening. They emphasize that HPV (human papillomavirus) is linked to virtually all cervical cancers (and several other cancers in men and women), and that testing for high-risk HPV is better at catching problems early compared with the traditional Pap test. The episode highlights new self-collection kits, in which patients can collect their own sample, usually at a doctor’s office, to make screening easier without a pelvic exam. However, if the test result is positive, the patient will need to follow up with a doctor for further tests. Home testing kits are also being introduced, but they’re not widely available yet. The main takeaway is that knowing your HPV status is crucial for preventing cervical cancer, and self-collection options will make screening more accessible for many people in the future. Listeners are encouraged to talk to their doctor about the best screening option for them and to always follow up after a positive test. Resources such as the American Cancer Society’s “Screening Tests for Cervical Cancer” and cervicalrisk.com are recommended for more information.

3 Key Takeaways


1. HPV testing is more effective than the Pap test alone.
The conversation emphasizes that HPV causes the vast majority of cervical cancers (99.7%), making HPV testing a critical component of early detection. Dr. Perkins explains that HPV testing can detect about 90% of pre-cancers and cancers, compared to roughly 70% with Pap tests. Because of its higher sensitivity, HPV testing can be done less frequently while still providing strong protection.


2. Self-collection for HPV testing expands access to screening.
Self-collection kits for HPV testing, which allow patients to collect their own samples in a clinic setting without a pelvic exam, are becoming more available.This approach encourages cervical cancer screening for individuals who may avoid or delay pelvic exams and helps integrate screening into primary care, family medicine, and even mobile clinics. While at-home kits are still not widely available, in-clinic self-collection is currently a promising step toward improving screening rates.


3. Follow-up after a positive HPV test is essential.
If a patient tests positive for high-risk HPV, especially types 16 or 18, it is important to follow up with additional testing or procedures, such as colposcopy, to check for pre-cancerous changes.The episode stresses that no one who tests positive for high-risk HPV should wait longer than one year for further evaluation, underlining the importance of timely follow-up to prevent cervical cancer.


Show Overview


02:17 Meet Rebecca Perkins, MD, MSc

03:11 HPV test vs. Pap test

04:55 Know your status

05:19 What to know if your HPV test is positive

08:39 HPV self-collection

10:48 Who should see a doctor for an exam?

14:00 Types of self-collection

18:50 HPV vaccine has reduced cervical cancer rates

20:28 Importance of follow-up after positive test results

21:15 When will home self-collection be available?

24:12 Where to find out more

In this episode of The Cancering Show, Dr. JYP welcomes certified oncology yoga instructor Michelle Ryan-Day to discuss the transformative impact of yoga for cancer patients and survivors. Michelle shares her journey into oncology yoga, emphasizing its evidence-based benefits, including reducing recurrence risk, managing treatment side effects such as fatigue and neuropathy, and supporting emotional health. The conversation highlights the accessibility of chair-based yoga tailored for all fitness levels, the power of the breath, and the importance of self-compassion in healing. Listeners also get a bonus: a 60-second guided breath exercise to try out yoga’s self-care benefits.

Check out yoga4cancer.com for more yoga info!

3 Key Listener Takeaways



1. Yoga is accessible and beneficial for cancer patients and survivors

Michelle Ryan-Day emphasizes that yoga — especially oncology-specific, chair-based yoga — is accessible for everyone, regardless of physical limitations or where they are in their cancer journey. Oncology yoga classes are designed to be safe and effective, taking into account common cancer treatment side effects such as fatigue, lymphedema, neuropathy, and low bone density. The focus is not on advanced poses, but on gentle movement, community, and adapting practices to individual needs so that anyone can participate and experience the benefits.

2. Evidence supports yoga's role in recovery and survivorship

Dr. JYP notes that yoga is a well-studied intervention, supported by hundreds of studies and recommended by reputable organizations such as the American Cancer Society. Practicing yoga regularly can help treat symptoms including fatigue, emotional distress, and physical limitations. It may also reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and enhance long-term health and survivorship, making it a valuable, low-cost addition to cancer care.

3. Mindfulness and breathwork play a vital role in healing

They discuss the transformative power of awareness, especially through breathwork and mindfulness. Learning to control and be mindful of one's breath can regulate the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and promote feelings of well-being and self-compassion. Michelle walks listeners through a simple breathing exercise, demonstrating how breath can be an immediate tool for physical and emotional balance. This focus on mindfulness promotes not only physical recovery but also the emotional healing and self-acceptance crucial to cancer survivorship.

Show Overview


02:05 Meet Michelle Ryan-Day

03:28 “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.”

05:30 A different kind of yoga

09:30 Who can benefit from oncology yoga?

13:30 Special considerations for cancer patients and survivors

15:08 Learn to love yourself and your body

19:50 60-second breath exercise for listeners

23:00 What cancer patients say about oncology yoga

In this episode, Dr. JYP talks with Dr. Natalie Bath, M.D., a USA Health surgical oncologist, about a new groundbreaking cancer treatment for liver tumors called histotripsy. Histotripsy is a non-invasive technology that uses high-intensity sound waves to break up liver tumors without surgery, incisions or long recovery times. Patients go under general anesthesia, and the machine delivers sound waves to the cancer cells while the physician uses imaging to monitor the treatment. Most people go home the same day and recover quickly, needing only over-the-counter pain medication. This treatment works for different types of liver tumors, including those that have spread from other cancers, and it doesn’t require people to stop blood thinners. Histotripsy is FDA-approved for liver tumors and offers hope for patients who might not have other options. This episode encourages patients to ask their doctors about all possible treatments and to keep learning more about their choices.

3 Key Listener Takeaways

Groundbreaking, Non-Invasive Liver Cancer Treatment

The episode introduces histotripsy, an exciting new technology that uses focused ultrasound waves from outside the body to destroy liver tumors in a non-invasive manner. This innovative approach preserves surrounding liver tissue and offers an option for patients who might not be candidates for surgery.

Eligibility and Patient Benefits

Histotripsy can be used to treat both primary liver cancer and metastatic cancers from other sites. It's especially promising for patients who are not surgical candidates or who are on medications like blood thinners that would otherwise complicate surgery. With minimal recovery — often just a same-day or next-day discharge — patients experience less downtime and can continue other therapies, such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy, without interruption.

Expansion of Treatment Options and Ongoing Research

The episode highlights how histotripsy adds to the arsenal of cancer care, offering hope and additional options, especially for those who previously had few. It is FDA-approved for liver tumors, with ongoing research exploring its use for kidney, prostate, and pancreatic cancers. Patients are encouraged to advocate for themselves, ask about new technologies, and seek out multimodal therapies that combine traditional and emerging treatments for the best possible outcomes.

Show Overview

00:45 Introduction to histotripsy, a groundbreaking, non-invasive treatment for liver tumors

01:26 Meet Dr. Natalie Bath

02:20 First adopter in Alabama

03:15 What patients can expect

04:55 Who is a candidate?

07:49 Benefits of non-invasive treatment

10:45 FDA approved for liver tumors

15:05 Potential uses for histotripsy

16:45 Where to learn more