From Diagnosis to Finding Purpose: Sherell Kinsler on Healing and Hope | EP 73
What happens when breast cancer collides with purpose—and a woman decides to fight for more than just herself?
In this unflinching episode of All Talk Oncology, Kenny Perkins welcomes the fierce and faith-filled Sherell Kinsler, a Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer survivor, founder of Cherish Moments Inc., and passionate advocate for community health. Diagnosed during the pandemic with one of the deadliest forms of cancer, Sherell takes us deep into her journey—from fighting for a proper diagnosis, to losing her father to prostate cancer, to building a nonprofit that gives women hope in the form of wigs, rides, and prayer.
With raw vulnerability and spiritual clarity, she shares the emotional toll of losing her breasts, choosing not to reconstruct, the harsh realities of chemo, and how she kept showing up for others even in her own storm.
Whether you’re in treatment, caregiving, or simply trying to make sense of your own pain, this episode reminds you: there is purpose in your fight.
Key Topics Discussed
Why Black and Brown communities need better access and awareness around cancer screenings
How Sherell’s request for a mammogram was denied months before her diagnosis
What it’s like to go through chemo during COVID—completely alone
The daily affirmations that gave her strength (“I shall not die. I shall live.”)
Why she chose not to get reconstructive surgery after her double mastectomy
The grief of watching her father pass away from prostate cancer just as she was healing
How Cherish Moments Inc. provides rides, hope boxes, prayer, and support to cancer patients
The emotional impact of feeling “forgotten” by her own community
What it means to turn pain into purpose and be “boots on ground”
Her plea to women: Get your checkup every year around your birthday
Her plea to men: Don’t wait until you’re 50 to get a prostate exam
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What Dr. Ina Patel Wants You to Know About Breast Cancer in Young Women | EP 72
How do you hold space for both science and soul in the world of oncology? In this heartfelt and informative episode, Kenny Perkins welcomes Dr. Ina Patel—breast cancer specialist, assistant professor, and mom—who brings both medical insight and deep compassion to her work.
Dr. Patel opens up about the emotional highs and lows of treating patients, especially young women facing aggressive breast cancer diagnoses. She shares how her own journey from immigrant child to pioneering physician shaped her purpose—and why creating a safe, human space for her patients is just as critical as the treatment plan.
If you or someone you love has been touched by cancer, this episode is filled with wisdom, advocacy, and reminders that medicine, at its best, is deeply human.
Key topics discussed:
Treating young women with breast cancer and the unique emotional layers involved
Why patient vulnerability is a privilege and how she holds space for it
Her personal journey from immigrant to physician
The rise of aggressive breast cancers in younger women
The power of early detection and self-advocacy
Barriers in diagnosis: when doctors dismiss breast lumps in young patients
Genetic testing, mammograms, and how to bridge the gap in access
A day in the life of an oncologist and working mom
Creating a safe and empowering clinical environment
How we can better educate both patients and providers
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From Spotlight to Surgery: Tony Perkins on Resilience, Faith, and Healing | EP 71
What happens when a familiar face from your morning news shares the most personal story of his life?
In this heartfelt episode, Kenny Perkins sits down with media icon Tony Perkins—known for his decades-long career on Good Morning America, Fox 5 DC, and stand-up stages—to share his emotional, unfiltered journey with prostate cancer.
From early signs and diagnosis to surgery and recovery, Tony opens up about how routine checkups saved his life, what it felt like to wear a catheter, and why Black men must take their PSA scores seriously. He also reflects on the power of humor, faith, and a strong support system through one of life’s toughest battles.
Whether you’re facing your own diagnosis or supporting someone who is, this is a must-listen for anyone needing hope, clarity, and a dose of resilience.
Key Topics Discussed
Why men—especially Black men—must stay on top of prostate health
What Tony’s PSA test revealed and how early detection made the difference
The emotional and physical toll of prostate surgery
How humor became a healing tool during recovery
The psychological impact of wearing a catheter and feeling “helpless”
Why knowledge (not fear) is power when facing a cancer diagnosis
How Tony’s wife and son became his emotional anchor
Why men shouldn’t avoid the doctor out of fear of what they might find
The blessing of post-op recovery, community prayer, and a new outlook on life
Tony’s advice for anyone navigating cancer or a major health challenge
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How An Oncologist Is Changing Sarcoma Care for Young Adults | EP 70
What happens when cancer strikes in your 20s or 30s? How do you navigate life-changing diagnoses during the most formative years of your life? In this powerful episode of All Talk Oncology, Kenny Perkins speaks with Dr. Venkataraman, a young adult cancer specialist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, who is deeply committed to caring for patients with rare cancers like sarcoma.
From the emotional trauma of delayed diagnoses to the complexities of survivorship, Dr. V shares how he supports patients not just through treatment—but through rediscovering their lives afterward.
Key topics discussed:
Why young adults are often diagnosed late—and what we can do about it
How sarcoma differs from other cancers and why it's so misunderstood
Treatment challenges: surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and their impact
Why survivorship care is just as important as treatment
The mental health struggles cancer patients rarely talk about
The role of personalized care: meeting patients where they are
Advances in sarcoma research, clinical trials, and treatment protocols
Empowering patients to take charge of their own journey
Creative outlets for physicians: how Dr. V uses reflective writing to process the emotional weight of oncology
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From Melanoma to Marathons: The Mindset That Saved Leah Adams | EP 69
What happens when you’re forced to stop doing what you love—and rebuild your life from the inside out?
In this deeply moving episode of All Talk Oncology, host Kenny Perkins sits down with Leah Adams, a melanoma survivor, passionate runner, and daughter of a stage four cancer fighter. Diagnosed at just 26 years old with Stage 1A melanoma, Leah shares how cancer interrupted her daily running routine—and how she eventually turned pain into power.
From being unable to run post-surgery, to completing multiple marathons, Leah’s story is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of reframing your mindset. Whether it’s her honesty about guilt, body image, or mental recovery—this conversation is full of hard truths, healing lessons, and undeniable hope.
Key points discussed:
Leah’s diagnosis at age 26 and her emotional reaction to stopping running
The surgeries she underwent and how melanoma impacted her body and mindset
Why she believed she gave herself cancer—and how she forgave herself
How running became both her therapy and her triumph
The shift in self-talk and mindset that changed her emotional healing
Her public vulnerability through social media and how it helped others
Her journey through frequent skin checks, biopsies, and long-term follow-ups
Crossing the five-year cancer-free mark and what that milestone meant
Why she now advocates for skin checks and sun protection
Her mission to use her story to spread awareness and hope
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All Talk Oncology is a Cancer Podcast that empowers cancer patients through insightful conversations that reinforces confidence and certainty about their cancer condition. Transforming a terrifying experience into a manageable one, by arming patients with the understanding they need, and the ability to take control of their treatments through knowledge, allowing effective interaction with their medical team.
Ireland