In this episode of All Talk Oncology, Kenny Perkins, AKA Your Cancer Guy, speaks with hematologist oncologist Tiffany Pompa about her journey from patient to physician, her compassionate approach to cancer care, and the future of circulating tumor DNA testing.

Dr. Pompa explains how surviving a severe asthma attack and experiencing the vulnerability of being critically ill influenced the way she cares for people with cancer. She also shares the story of a stage four melanoma patient whose final wish helped guide her toward oncology and taught her the importance of protecting quality of life.

The conversation explores ctDNA, a blood-based technology that may help physicians identify cancer-related DNA, personalize treatment decisions, and monitor for signs of recurrence in certain patients. Dr. Pompa discusses its potential role in stage II colon cancer and explains why patients should feel empowered to ask their physicians about emerging technologies and treatment options.

Highlights:

• Dr. Pompa’s journey from patient to hematologist oncologist.
• How a life-threatening asthma attack shaped her bedside manner.
• The patient experience that inspired her to enter oncology.
• What ctDNA, or circulating tumor DNA, means.
• How ctDNA may support personalized cancer treatment.
• The potential use of ctDNA in stage II colon cancer.
• Monitoring cancer recurrence through blood-based testing.
• The importance of early detection and informed patients.
• Building a collaborative relationship with your care team.
• Exercise, movement, balance, and patient-centered cancer care.

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Hashtags:

#ctDNA #CirculatingTumorDNA #CancerCare #HematologyOncology #CancerEducation #CancerAwareness #EarlyDetection #PersonalizedCancerCare #ColonCancer #PatientEmpowerment #AllTalkOncology #YourCancerGuy