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Bench to Bedside Podcast

The University of Kansas Cancer Center’s podcast Bench to Bedside provides a glimpse into the latest research discoveries that are transforming cancer care. Join Roy Jensen, MD, vice chancellor and director of the cancer center, weekly to hear from the top experts in the field as well as patients and caregivers. 

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Recent Episodes of Bench to Bedside

  • On this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, speaks with Dr. Melissa Javellana, a gynecological oncologist, about cervical cancer and her journey to becoming a cancer physician and researcher. Also joining the conversation, Ashley, a mom of two, shares why she made the decision to get her children the HPV vaccine – a shot that prevents cervical cancer.

    If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. For the latest updates, make you are following us on social media by searching for KU Cancer Center on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

    Do you have questions about cancer? Would you like to participate in this podcast? We want to hear from you! Send us an email with your questions at benchtobedside@kumc.edu or leave us a voice message at (913) 588-3880. Your question may be featured on a future episode.

    Links from this episode:

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    Everyone has a personal experience with cancer, but what exactly IS this disease that affects so many? On this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, we are joined by Dr. Danny Welch, associate director for Education at The University of Kansas Cancer Center, to answer that complex question. Dr. Welch’s career has centered on the spread – or metastasis – of cancer. And a personal connection has been a driving force behind his career — his mother died of metastatic cancer. He is passionate about cancer education and excels at explaining complex scientific research in a way that anyone can understand.

    If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. For the latest updates, make you are following us on social media by searching for KU Cancer Center on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

    Do you have questions about cancer? Would you like to participate in this podcast? We want to hear from you! Send us an email with your questions at benchtobedside@kumc.edu or leave us a voice message at (913) 588-3880. Your question may be featured on a future episode.

    Links from this episode: 

     

     

  • Currently, only 4 percent of people who participate in a clinical trial are Black and 5 percent are Hispanic. On this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, speaks with Dr. Tara Lin, medical director of the cancer center’s Clinical Trial Office, and Dr. Ronald Chen, Chair and professor of Radiation Oncology at the University of Kansas School of Medicine and associate director for Health Equity at the cancer center, about why diversity in clinical trials is important to the health of our region, and what The University of Kansas Cancer Center is doing to give all communities access. Ullyses Wright, a member of the cancer center’s patient research advocacy group (PIVOT) and cancer prevention clinical trial participant, also joins the conversation to share his perspective as a leader in the Kansas City African American community. 

    If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. For the latest updates, make you are following us on social media by searching for KU Cancer Center on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

    Do you have questions about cancer? Would you like to participate in this podcast? We want to hear from you! Send us an email with your questions at benchtobedside@kumc.edu or leave us a voice message at (913) 588-3880. Your question may be featured on a future episode.

    Links from this episode:

  • On this special episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, hear a conversation between Dr. Christy Hagan, a breast cancer researcher at The University of Kansas Cancer Center, and Lauryn Werner, an MD/PhD student working in Dr. Hagan’s lab. Listen as they share how they ended up in the cancer research field, what their mentorship relationship looks like, how they balance their work and personal lives, and what it felt like when Lauryn herself was diagnosed with the very cancer they are studying. 

    If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. For the latest updates, make you are following us on social media by searching for KU Cancer Center on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

    Do you have questions about cancer? Would you like to participate in this podcast? We want to hear from you! Send us an email with your questions at benchtobedside@kumc.edu or leave us a voice message at (913) 588-3880. Your question may be featured on a future episode.

    Links from this episode:

  • Dr. Roy Jensen sits down for a conversation with Dr. Joseph McGuirk, division director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center’s Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics program. They discuss exciting advances in the research of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, as well as Dr. McGuirk’s journey to becoming a national leader in cellular therapy research and treatment. Dr. McGuirk also details a traumatic childhood experience, which inspired him to become a cancer researcher and doctor. In addition, Anne Holzbeierlein, an acute myeloid leukemia survivor who was treated at by Dr. McGuirk at KU Cancer Center, shares her story, as well as advice for others who may be facing a similar diagnosis.

    If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. For the latest updates, make you are following us on social media by searching for KU Cancer Center on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

    Do you have questions about cancer? Would you like to participate in this podcast? We want to hear from you! Send us an email with your questions at benchtobedside@kumc.edu or leave us a voice message at (913) 588-3880. Your question may be featured on a future episode.

    Links from this episode:

  • What is a clinical trial? Why should people diagnosed with cancer consider a clinical trial? Are clinical trials safe? In this follow up episode, we answer those and all your burning questions about this topic with our first repeat guest on the podcast, Dr. Tara Lin, Medical Director of the KU Cancer Center Clinical Trials Office. 

    Links from this episode: 

    If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. For the latest updates, make you are following us on social media by searching for KU Cancer Center on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

    Do you have questions about cancer? Would you like to participate in this podcast? We want to hear from you! Send us an email with your questions at benchtobedside@kumc.edu or leave us a voice message at (913) 588-3880. Your question may be featured on a future episode.

  • The book “In Sickness: A Memoir” shares the unbelievable story of Dr. Barrett Rollins, professor at Harvard Medical School and Chief Scientific Officer Emeritus at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and his wife Dr. Jane Weeks, a prominent researcher at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In 2008, Dr. Rollins discovered a secret his wife had been keeping from him …. she had been suffering from untreated metastatic breast cancer for six years. As the couple went about their public roles as authorities on cancer research and treatment, Dr. Rollins helped his wife continue to hide her breast cancer and delay treatment, until it was too late. Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, speaks with Dr. Rollins about his journey, the cancer research community’s reaction to his wife’s diagnosis and death, complex questions about healthcare, relationships and medical ethics, as well as why he decided to publish a memoir about his experience.

    What do YOU think about this incredible conversation! After listening, we invite you to call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 and leave us a voicemail message with your comments or questions for Dr. Rollins and the podcast team. You can also send us an email at benchtobedside@kumc.edu. Your comments and questions may be shared on an upcoming episode!  

    Links from this episode: 

    • Buy the book "In Sickness: A Memoir" on Amazon
    • Visit Dr. Rollins' website
    • Dr. Rollins’ Spotify Playlist - This collection of songs spans several genres and decades, but each of them plays an important role in the life and relationship of Barrett and Jane. The playlist features everything from an achingly beautiful classical piece by Brahms that was played at Jane’s funeral, to the sweetly romantic pop songs that punctuate the couple’s relationship 
    • "In Sickness” official video trailer 
    • “In Sickness” official book club guide 
       

    If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. For the latest updates, make you are following us on social media by searching for KU Cancer Center on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

  • On this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, we are doing something a little bit different. As our host, Dr. Roy Jensen - vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center - is usually the one asking the questions of our expert guests, but today, Dr. Jensen is the one in the hot seat! Megan Peters - digital communications manager for the cancer center and producer of the Bench to Bedside podcast - is joining the conversation today to ask some of the questions we’ve received for Dr. Jensen, including how he began his journey to a career in cancer research and care, why cancer prevention (especially smoking cessation) is so important to him, how he and his wife, Linda, raised thier three sons follow their own paths in life, and more! You won’t want to miss this insightful conversation! After listening, we invite you to call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 and leave us a voicemail message with your comments or questions for Dr. Jensen and the podcast team. You can also send us an email at benchtobedside@kumc.edu. Your comments and questions may be shared on an upcoming episode! 

    Links from this episode: 

    If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. For the latest updates, make you are following us on social media by searching for KU Cancer Center on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

  • Earlier this season, we shared a conversation on the podcast with Dr. Barrett Rollins, Linde Family Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Chief Scientific Officer Emeritus at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. His recently released book, In Sickness: A Memoir, shares his unbelievable journey as Dr. Rollins discovers that his wife Dr. Jane Weeks, a prominent breast cancer researcher at Dana-Farber, had been suffering from untreated metastatic breast cancer for years and had been hiding it from everyone in her life. Many of our listeners were interested in learning more about this story, and we wanted to give them a chance to be a part of the discussion. Listeners called into our Bench to Bedside hotline, where they can leave voicemails with questions or comments for our guests, and we invited Dr. Rollins back to the podcast to respond to these questions. 

    After listening to this episode, we invite YOU to be a part of the podcast! We want to hear your thoughts on the conversations we have here, topics you’d like to learn more about and any questions you may have for our guests. Call our Bench to Bedside hotline at 913-588-3880 and leave us a voicemail, or you can email your comments and questions to benchtobedside@kumc.edu. Your comments may be shared on a future episode!

    Links from this episode: 
     
    • Listen to Dr. Rollins and Dr. Jensen on Episode 7 of this season of the Bench to Bedside podcast, “Secrets and Sickness with Dr. Barrett Rollins” on Apple, Spotify and Google.  
    • Buy the book "In Sickness: A Memoir" on Amazon
    • Visit Dr. Rollins' website
    • Dr. Rollins’ Spotify Playlist - This collection of songs spans several genres and decades, but each of them plays an important role in the life and relationship of Barrett and Jane. The playlist features everything from an achingly beautiful classical piece by Brahms that was played at Jane’s funeral, to the sweetly romantic pop songs that punctuate the couple’s relationship.
    • “In Sickness” official video trailer
    • “In Sickness” official book club guide
    If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. For the latest updates, make you are following us on social media by searching for KU Cancer Center on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

  • With summer fast approaching, it's time to talk sun safety! In Kansas, cases of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, increased significantly from 2008 to 2017. Protection from the sun's rays could prevent about 90% of all skin cancer cases. Since youth are especially at risk for overexposure to the sun with extended times outdoors, KU Cancer Center’s outreach network, the Masonic Cancer Alliance, implemented Pool Cool, a program to educate young people on sun safety behaviors. On this episode of the podcast Ashley Adorante from Pool Cool is taking a break while visiting pools across the state to share her top tips for staying safe in the sun and preventing skin cancer!

    After listening to this episode, we invite YOU to be a part of the podcast! We want to hear your thoughts on the conversations we have here, topics you’d like to learn more about and any questions you may have for our guests. Call our Bench to Bedside hotline at 913-588-3880 and leave us a voicemail, or you can email your comments and questions to benchtobedside@kumc.edu. Your comments may be shared on a future episode!

    Links from this episode: 
    If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. For the latest updates, make you are following us on social media by searching for KU Cancer Center on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

  • You’ve probably heard the phrase, “food is medicine,” but what does that mean when it comes to cancer prevention and treatment? Today Dr. Jill Hamilton-Reeves is joining Dr. Roy Jensen in the podcast studio to discuss nutrition and how the food we eat could aid in cancer prevention, as well as some of her current research into nutrition and cancer treatment. Dr. Hamilton-Reeves is a member of KU Cancer Center’s Cancer Prevention and Control research program and co-leader of the cancer center’s Nutrition Shared Resource, which is a team of nutrition experts who help researchers evaluate the effects of nutrition and diet on cancer therapies and prevention.

    After listening to this episode, we invite YOU to be a part of the podcast! We want to hear your thoughts on the conversations we have here, topics you’d like to learn more about and any questions you may have for our guests. Call our Bench to Bedside hotline at 913-588-3880 and leave us a voicemail, or you can email your comments and questions to benchtobedside@kumc.edu. Your comments may be shared on a future episode! 

    If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. For the latest updates, make you are following us on social media by searching for KU Cancer Center on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

  • Jeffrey Holzbeierlein, MD - physician-in-chief of The University of Kansas Cancer Center - joins Dr. Roy Jensen in the podcast studio this week to discuss the future of cancer care and research in our region. Dr. Holzbeierlein is the William L. Valk endowed professor and chair of the Department of Urology at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He specializes in urologic cancer surgery, especially bladder, kidney, penile and testicular cancer. His research interests include Hsp90 inhibitors in bladder cancer and improving cystectomy (bladder removal) outcomes. Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! 

    If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. For the latest updates, make you are following us on social media by searching for KU Cancer Center on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

  • This week on the Bench to Bedside podcast, host Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, sits down for a conversation with Dr. Bret Freudenthal, an associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Kansas Medical Center, to talk about DNA and its crucial role in the development and progression of cancer. While there are many factors involved in cancer development, changes to the cellular DNA arising from DNA damage is a basic driver of multiple human diseases. For example, skin cancer can arise if DNA is damaged after excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Dr. Freudenthal has dedicated his career to better understanding how DNA damage is repaired to protect the genome. To understand how proteins interact with DNA and repair damage, Dr. Freudenthal’s research relies on the latest leading-edge technology, including x-ray crystallography (a sophisticated technique that visualizes the arrangement of atoms within a crystal) and his team was also among the first to try out the University of Kansas Medical Center’s new cryogenic electron microscope. You won't want to miss this episode! Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! 

    If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. For the latest updates, make you are following us on social media by searching for KU Cancer Center on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

  • When a patient learns they have a potentially life-threatening medical diagnosis, such as cancer, it can often feel like there are more questions than answers. Getting a second opinion after a cancer diagnosis is a common and valuable practice, but it can also seem overwhelming to patients and their families. On this episode of the Bench to Bedside, host Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, welcomes Dr. Elizabeth Muenks, associate professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center and the director of KU Cancer Center’s Onco-Psychology Program, to the podcast studio to chat more about this common issue and share her tips for how to get comfortable asking for a second opinion. Learn how Dr. Muenks and the Onco-Psychology team provide support to cancer patients, caregivers and survivors at KU Cancer Center, and her simple, memorable method to tackle any challenging discussion.

    Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. For the latest updates, make you are following us on social media by searching for KU Cancer Center on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

  • Weaving the perspective of our patients into our research is an important focus for the team at The University of Kansas Cancer Center, because it ensures our work centers on the needs of those we serve. Patient and Investigator Voices Organizing Together (PIVOT for short) is KU Cancer Center’s program, which unites scientists and advocates to advance patient-centered research. On this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, we are sharing a conversation between two special guests, Dr. Joan Lewis-Wambi, associate professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center and member of KU Cancer Center’s Cancer Biology research program, and Dr. Alison Banikowski, an educator, community organizer, cancer survivor and PIVOT member, who has found a multitude of ways to give back to the cancer community in the Kansas City area. She formed the group Alison’s Allies in 2010, which raises funding to support breast cancer screening, health equity, care and research, including research that Dr. Lewis-Wambi conducts in her lab. We invited them to discuss their work together and share how having the patient perspective has moved cancer research forward. 

    Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. For the latest updates, make you are following us on social media by searching for KU Cancer Center on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

     

    Links from this episode: 

  • In the United States, cancer is among the most expensive medical conditions to treat. National costs for cancer care were estimated to be $190.2 billion in 2015. Several studies show that cancer patients and survivors are more likely to experience financial toxicity than people without cancer. For Dinesh Pal I. Mudaranthakam, PhD - assistant professor in the Department of Biostatistics & Data Science at the University of Kansas Medical Center, director of Research IT at The University of Kansas Cancer Center, and member of the cancer center’s Cancer Prevention and Control research program - this issue is personal. Growing up in India, he witnessed family members and friends grapple with the high costs of cancer treatment and the adverse effects it may have later. Dr. Mudaranthakam recently led two studies to better understand the toll a cancer diagnosis has on an individual’s finances, career and overall health. On this episode of Bench to Bedside, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of KU Cancer Center, welcomes Dr. Mudaranthakam to the podcast to discuss financial toxicity and his research into what this means for cancer patients and their families. 

    Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. For the latest updates, make you are following us on social media by searching for KU Cancer Center on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

    Links from this episode: 

  • On this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, host Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, speaks with Dr. Steve Scott, the recently named chair of KU Cancer Center’s Community Advisory Board (CAB). The KU Cancer Center CAB includes community members and organization leaders from across the areas we serve, including the state of Kansas and western Missouri, and is comprised of individuals representing a diversity of cancer experiences, skills, community connections, geographic locations and demographics. Dr. Scott, a cancer survivor himself, is the immediate past president of Pittsburg State University and has been involved advocacy for cancer patients, caregivers and survivors for many years. With a family history of cancer, Dr. Scott says his focus now is on keeping cancer at bay through fitness, nutrition and preventative screening, as well as sharing his experience and lessons learned with others in his community.

    Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

    Links from this Episode:

  • Going through a cancer diagnosis and treatment can be challenging physically, mentally and emotionally. But there are actions that patients and caregivers can take at home to help ease some of those burdens. On this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, we hear from Kylie Stewart, a cancer survivor who joins us to share how her own diagnosis, along with her family’s history of cancer, inspired her to learn more about nutrition and exercise, as well as what steps she took to keep her body as strong and healthy as possible through treatment and beyond.

    Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

    Links from this Episode:

  • On this special episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, join us behind-the-scenes at The University of Kansas Cancer Center’s annual research week, a multi-day event bringing together members of our research programs and the cancer center community. More than 270 people participated in this year’s Cancer Research Week activities, which included scientific presentations by our research faculty and students, as well as members of our patient research advocacy group, PIVOT. The week concluded with KU Cancer Center’s annual research symposium, a day-long event that brings together our members and highlights the latest in cancer research and treatment. We asked attendees to share why research week is important to them and how events like the research symposium expand their views and support research collaborations, as well as some of their favorite highlights from the week. We hope you enjoy this look “behind the curtain” as you listen to some of the voices behind the research at KU Cancer Center. 

    Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

    Links from this Episode:

  • The holiday season is quickly approaching in the United States, and while it often is a joyful time of traditions and loved ones, it can also present additional demands and challenges, especially if you or someone close to you is dealing with a cancer diagnosis. On this special episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, we invited Dr. Elizabeth Muenks, associate professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center and the director of KU Cancer Center’s Onco-Psychology Program, back to the podcast studio to share some tips and ideas to help you cope and lift your spirits if you or a loved one is experiencing cancer this holiday season. 

    Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

    Links from this Episode:

  • Diet, nutrition and lifestyle are imperative components of a cancer journey, from diagnosis to treatment and survivorship care. Breast cancer survivor and author Barb Unell learned this firsthand after her own cancer diagnosis and treatment, and inspired by her experience, she founded Back in the Swing - a grassroots, non-profit organization with a mission to increase access to personalized, comprehensive clinical breast cancer survivorship health care, education, and medical research. Along with co-author Judith Fertig, they published the Back in the Swing Cookbook in 2013, filled with delicious healthy recipes, as well as evidence-based research in nutrition, exercise and holistic care from cancer experts across the nation. On today’s episode, we invited Barb and Judith to join several of the cookbook’s expert contributors from KU Cancer Center including Dr. Jennifer Klemp, Dr. Lauren Nye and Lori Ranallo, APRN, to discuss the 10th anniversary edition of the Back in the Swing Cookbook, the evolution of survivorship care and education, and how nutrition and lifestyle changes can affect your lifelong health.

    Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

    Links from this Episode:

  • Ed Elder is a staple in the Kansas City business community, as President of the Kansas City office of Colliers, a leading diversified professional services and investment management company, as well as an active member of the Kansas City community, which includes his service on the Board of Directors for KU Cancer Center’s Cancer Funding Partners. He also formerly served as a board member for Coaches vs. Cancer with the American Cancer Society. While Ed has been a long-time advocate for cancer research and treatment advances through these roles, the cause became even more personal when both Ed and his wife were separately diagnosed with different cancers, leading to them going through treatment at the same time. Ed joins podcast host Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of KU Cancer center, to talk more about his family’s story, how they came together to persevere through countless obstacles, and to share what he’s learned along the way.

    Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

    Links from this Episode:

  • The University of Kansas Cancer Center’s Accelerate Cancer Education (ACE) program is a summer research program specifically designed for high school students living in Wyandotte County, Kansas and Jackson County, Missouri. The cancer center launched ACE in 2018 in collaboration with the University of Kansas Medical Center’s Health Careers Pathways Programs and the NIH-funded Kansas Idea Network of Biomedical Research Excellence program. On this episode, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of KU Cancer Center, speaks with Dr. Lisa Harlan-Williams, director of the ACE Program, about this innovative program. Also joining the conversation is one of our very first ACE graduates, Jesus Gonzalez Morales, who shares how the experience shaped his career aspirations and how ACE impacted his life. 

    Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

    Links from this Episode:

    • Learn more about KU Cancer Center's ACE Program
    • Learn more about Dr. Lisa Harlan-Williams
    • Watch this video where the 2022 ACE cohort and their mentors share some of their favorite memories from the program
    • Read about another ACE graduate, Julie Gonzalez-Morales, in KU Cancer Center’s annual report, Beyond the Bench 

  • On this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, sits down for a conversation with Camy Crank, author of the book “Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow: What I Lost and Gained Through Breast Cancer.” Camy’s own breast cancer journey began in 2015, when a second opinion from KU Cancer Center showed stage 3B disease. In 2020, she learned her cancer had metastasized. Camy is also a member of KU Cancer Center’s patient research advocacy group, PIVOT, where she has been able to contribute to cancer research through providing the patient perspective. Listen as Camy shares her cancer journey, why writing about the experience was important to her and her family, and what she has learned along the way.

    Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

    Links from this Episode:

  • With summer fast approaching, it's time to talk sun safety! In Kansas, cases of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, increased significantly from 2008 to 2017. Protection from the sun's rays could prevent about 90% of all skin cancer cases. Since youth are especially at risk for overexposure to the sun with extended times outdoors, KU Cancer Center’s outreach network, the Masonic Cancer Alliance, implemented Pool Cool, a program to educate young people on sun safety behaviors. On this episode of the podcast Ashley Adorante from Pool Cool is taking a break while visiting pools across the state to share her top tips for staying safe in the sun and preventing skin cancer!

    Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

    Links from this Episode:

  • On this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, sits down for a conversation with Drs. Byron Gajewski and Devin Koestler, co-leaders of the Biostatistics and Informatics Shared Resource at KU Cancer Center. Just as a coach uses a playbook to strategize and make informed decisions during a game, researchers use biostatistics to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions in their studies. On today’s episode, Drs. Gajewski and Koestler share more about how the Biostatistics and Informatics Shared Resource supports KU Cancer Center’s researchers by using examples from different sports teams.  In addition, they discuss their career journeys and give their advice and tips for anyone who may want to pursue a career in mathematics. 

    Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

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  • Colorectal cancer, also called colon cancer or rectal cancer, is one of the most treatable cancers when found early. However, it is also the most common type of gastrointestinal cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. For decades, colorectal cancer was most often diagnosed in people aged 50 and over. More recently, the incidence of colorectal cancer has declined in people 50 and over, while dramatically increasing in younger people. Because of this shift, the American Cancer Society recently revised its colorectal cancer screening guidelines for people at average risk. According to the updated guidelines, individuals at average risk of colorectal cancer should have regular screening for colon cancer beginning at age 45. On this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, discusses this topic with Dr. John Ashcraft, Associate Professor of Surgery and Division Chief of the Colorectal & Oncologic Surgery Division at the University of Kansas Medical Center, and Dr. Raed Al-Rajabi, Associate Professor of medicine in the division of medical oncology and leader of the gastrointestinal medical oncology group at the University of Kansas Medical Center. 

    Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

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  • Immunotherapy and cellular therapeutics represent the future of cancer care. These biological therapies involve manipulating the body’s cells to reactivate and strengthen their abilities to attack cancer cells. Immunotherapy is a precision cancer treatment and is considered the future of cancer treatment by the National Cancer Institute. Other, more traditional, types of cancer treatment include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Immunotherapy is a type of treatment for a variety of cancers that harnesses one’s own immune system to fight his or her specific cancer cells. Tumor infiltrating lymphocyte, or TIL therapy, is a type of immunotherapy and part of the body’s natural response to cancer. TIL cells are naturally occurring immune cells that are on constant surveillance to recognize, attack and kill cancer cells. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration approved lifileucel (Amtagvi), the first treatment for cancer that uses TILs. On this episode, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of KU Cancer Center speaks with Dr. Muhammad Mushtaq, associate professor of hematologic malignancies and cellular therapeutics at the University of Kansas Medical Center, about this exciting topic.

    Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

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  • Approaching cancer from unique angles and perspectives is crucial for gaining an understanding of this disease and optimizing treatment strategies for patients. In the Department of Radiation Oncology at The University of Kansas Cancer Center, our specialists work to accelerate progress toward more personalized and effective ways to treat cancer through research and clinical trials. In this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, speaks with Dr. Xinglei Shen, associate professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the cancer center. Dr. Shen directs clinical research efforts in the Department of Radiation Oncology and in this episode, he highlights the significant technological advancements in radiation therapy over the past decade, including innovations like proton beam therapy and precision medicine. Dr. Shen also explains the diverse types of cancer research conducted at KU, the importance of patient advocacy in clinical trials, and his vision for the future of radiation oncology.

    Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

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  • In this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer center, speaks with Dr. Diane Mahoney, assistant professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Kansas Medical Center and member of KU Cancer Center’s Cancer Prevention and Control research program, about ovarian cancer, a disease often diagnosed at an advanced stage due to nonspecific symptoms. Dr. Mahoney discusses the importance of early detection, current treatment options and her promising research into the human microbiome's role in ovarian cancer. She also highlights the health disparities affecting African American women and her dedication to addressing these inequities. Dr. Mahoney's unique background as a bilingual nurse clinician and researcher further enriches her approach to patient care and research.

    Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

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  • In this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer center, speaks with Dr. Jamie Myers, an advanced practice oncology nurse with more than 40 years of experience and Research Associate Professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center’s School of Nursing. Dr. Myers’ research is focused on cognitive changes related to cancer and cancer treatment therapy. In this conversation, she shares more about this topic - often referred to as “chemo brain” – and how these cognitive changes affect memory, concentration and daily activities. Dr. Myers’ shares insights into her research on interventions to manage these cognitive changes and emphasizes the importance of physical activity and diet in aiding brain health, as well as offering resources for listeners wanting to learn more.  

    Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

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  • In this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast Joseph Hines, II, MPH, senior director of research operations at The University of Kansas Cancer Center, joins Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director, to discuss the launch and success of the CAREERS in CLINICAL RESEARCH PROGRAM (C-CLEAR Program). This groundbreaking initiative is designed to introduce college students in the region to the dynamic and impactful field of clinical research. Hines, along with students Mariah Slaughter, Hilary Tallman, and Angel Tchamnou, share their experiences and the program's impact on their understanding of clinical research and oncology. The conversation covers the program's objectives, the challenges of its inception, as well as the achievements of its first cohort. The students also offer advice for future participants and express gratitude towards their mentors. Future developments and application details for the program are also highlighted.

    Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

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  • Being overweight or having obesity is linked with a higher risk of getting 13 types of cancer. These cancers comprise 40% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States each year. In this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, speaks with Dr. John Thyfault, professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology and in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Genetics, as well as director of the University of Kansas Diabetes Institute and co-leader of the Kansas Center for Metabolism and Obesity Research (KC-MORE), a new research hub based at the University of Kansas Medical Center to study human obesity and obesity-related disease. They discuss the significant impact of obesity on cancer incidence and mortality, as well as Dr. Thyfault’s work developing translational research to improve patient outcomes. The discussion also explores how hormonal disruptions caused by obesity affect tumor growth, the potential of pharmacologic interventions like Ozempic, and the importance of maintaining physical activity and a healthy diet in cancer prevention and management.

    Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

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  • In this poignant episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, speaks with Cheryl Jernigan, Lead Patient Research Advocate with Patient and Investigator Voices Organizing Together (PIVOT). Cheryl shares her powerful story of being both a cancer survivor herself and a co-survivor and caregiver to her husband, who battled both prostate cancer and tonsil cancer caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Their discussion explores the emotional and physical challenges of caregiving, the importance of research and patient advocacy, and the vital support systems needed for caregivers. Cheryl's experience offers invaluable insight into balancing personal health while providing care, highlighting resources such as Turning Point and Gilda's Club to aid caregivers on their journey.

    Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

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  • IIn this episode of the Bench to Bedside Podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, discusses exciting advancements in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with Dr. Tara Lin, director of the adult leukemia program at KU Cancer Center and site principal investigator for myeloMATCH (Myeloid Malignancies Molecular Analysis for Therapy Choice), a precision-medicine initiative sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). MyeloMATCH is an “umbrella trial,” a group of clinical substudies for people with acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome. In this conversation Dr. Lin explains the challenges of AML, as well as the innovative aspects of the myeloMATCH trial, such as rapid diagnostic testing and specialized clinical trial options based on genetic and molecular features.

    Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

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  • In this special mini episode of the Bench to Bedside Podcast, Dr. Elizabeth Muenks, director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center's Onco-Psychology Program, addresses listener-submitted questions on managing the holiday season while navigating a loved one's cancer journey. The episode provides thoughtful advice on keeping loved ones involved without overwhelming them, adjusting holiday traditions to accommodate dietary restrictions and energy levels, and balancing caregiving responsibilities with holiday preparations. In this conversation, Dr. Muenks emphasizes the value of open conversations, giving oneself grace and seeking support during this emotionally challenging time. The episode concludes with practical tips for creating special, low-energy holiday activities suitable for cancer patients and their families.

    Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

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  • In this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, engages in an insightful conversation with Dr. Robert Winn, Director and Lippman Chair in Oncology at Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center at Virginia Commonwealth University. They discuss Dr. Winn’s pioneering work in cancer research and health equity, especially focusing on underserved communities. The episode highlights the significance of the Inclusive Excellence initiative Dr. Winn is leading as president of the American Association of Cancer Institutes (AACI), as well as disparities in cancer care in rural areas, the exciting advancements in immunotherapy and molecular therapies, and the essential role of trust and communication in healthcare. The dialogue underscores the critical need for appropriate investment in cancer research to continue making significant strides in reducing cancer mortality and improving patient outcomes.

    Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

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  • In this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, is joined by Dr. Andrew Godwin, director of KU Cancer Center's Biospecimen Shared Resource. They discuss the critical role that volunteers who donate biospecimens play in advancing cancer research. The podcast delves into the types of biospecimens collected, their use in medical studies, and how the KU Cancer Center's repository has grown to include over one million samples. Dr. Godwin shares insights on successful projects, including the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Registry and emerging technologies in biomarker analysis. He also emphasizes the importance of community participation in the biobank and offers advice for young investigators in the field of biomedical research.

    Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

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  • In this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, hosts Dr. Marc Hoffmann, associate professor specializing in Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics at the University of Kansas Medical Center and medical director of the lymphoma program at KU Cancer Center, where he also serves as medical director for quality improvement initiatives. Beyond his clinical expertise, Dr. Hoffmann has contributed significantly to research in lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and he actively participates in national cooperative group clinical trials. Dr. Hoffmann shares his career path into the field of oncology, innovations in lymphoma and CLL treatments, as well as the unique aspects of KU Cancer Center's lymphoma program. The conversation also covers Dr. Hoffmann's Peace Corps experience in West Africa, his involvement in clinical trials, and advice for medical students interested in hematology and oncology.

    Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

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  • In this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, is joined by Dr. Lisa Harlan-Williams, associate director for education at the cancer center, to discuss the variety of careers involved in the field of cancer care and research, beyond doctors and nurses. Dr. Harlan-Williams shares her own career path and talks about various initiatives at KU Cancer Center to attract and train for the oncology workforce. They highlight the importance of early exposure to different career opportunities and the educational programs available, including shadowing professionals and summer research internships. The discussion also touches on the growing demand for cancer care professionals due to increasing cancer cases and workforce shortages.

     Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

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  • In this episode of the Bench to Bedside podcast Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, discusses the critical topic of alcohol consumption and its link to cancer risk with Dr. Lauren Nye, medical oncologist at the cancer center and associate professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center. They delve into the recent advisory from the US Surgeon General highlighting the increased cancer risk associated with alcohol consumption, explore how alcohol can promote cancer development through various mechanisms, and offer practical advice for reducing alcohol intake. Dr. Nye underscores the importance of public awareness and the role of healthcare professionals in disseminating this information, while also emphasizing the need for sustainable lifestyle changes.

    Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

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  • In this episode of Bench to Bedside, Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, sits down with Dr. Rebecca Whelan, an associate professor of chemistry at the University of Kansas and member of KU Cancer Center’s Cancer Biology research program. The discussion focuses on the limitations of the CA125 blood test for ovarian cancer detection and Dr. Whelan’s groundbreaking research, which reveals new insights into the structure of the CA125 protein. Dr. Whelan explains how new DNA sequencing technologies and artificial intelligence, specifically the Alpha Fold program, have helped her team improve the understanding and detection of ovarian cancer. Additionally, Dr. Whelan talks about collaborative efforts to identify new biomarkers for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer and shares advice for young scientists interested in making a difference in medicine through chemistry.

     Do you have questions about cancer? Call our Bench to Bedside Hotline at (913) 588-3880 or email us at benchtobedside@kumc.edu, and your comment or question may be shared on an upcoming episode! If you appreciated this episode, please share, rate, subscribe and leave a review. To ensure you get our latest updates, For the latest updates, follow us on the social media channel of your choice by searching for KU Cancer Center.

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