Early Detection Through Cancer Screening [transcript] [audio]

Guests: Dr. Robert A. Smith & Debra Stansberry

Presenter: Neal Howard

Guest Bio: Dr. Robert A. Smith is a cancer epidemiologist and Vice President of Cancer Screening at the National Office of the American Cancer Society (ACS) in Atlanta, Georgia. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology at the Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University School of Medicine, and an Honorary Professor, Centre for Cancer Prevention, Wolfson Institute of Preventative Medicine at Queen Mary University of London. His primary research interests are cancer epidemiology, evaluation of cancer prevention and early detection programs, quality assurance in the delivery of health services, and cancer rehabilitation and survivorship. He received his PhD from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1983.

Debra Stansberry – With no family history of breast cancer, Debra thought her doctor-recommended mammogram would be routine. After receiving a diagnosis of Stage 1 breast cancer, Debra remembers being upset and surprised, then angry. Like most busy mothers, Debra had a lot going on in her life and even more plans for the future, and cancer was not a part of her vision. After several months of treatment, she came out on the other side as a survivor. Now, nine years later, Debra credits her screening, which led to an early diagnosis, as a key part of her survivorship.

Segment Overview: Dr. Robert Smith from the American Cancer Society and Breast Cancer survivor, Debra Stansberry, talk about some common screenings that everyone should know about.