In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks about strategies to address these disparities and optimize care and treatment options for patients with acute myeloid leukemia who do not receive a transplant.
Find the CANCER BUZZ podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!
Significant declines in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with small cell lung cancer have increased challenges that impact patient care. Many patients with small cell lung cancer have a high symptom burden, poor prognosis, adherence challenges due to treatment-related adverse events, stigmatization, and emotional distress. The team at Atrium Health’s Levine Cancer Institute is testing supportive care options with the goal of meeting the needs of all their patients.
CANCER BUZZ spoke to Michele Szafranski, MS, RD, CSO, LDN, Registered Dietitian, Susan Yaguda, RN, Manager, Integrative Oncology, and Kathryn F. Mileham, MD, FACP, Chief, Thoracic Medical Oncology at Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health in Charlotte, NC. Listen as we discuss supportive care initiatives such as music therapy through a multidisciplinary care team lens when caring for patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
“Started an initiative to identify what some of those missing components may be, what do people most want. We tried to ensure we were aligning our goals with their (patient) goals. And we learned there were many needs, through patients and care providers that may not have been addressed previously.” - Kathryn F. Mileham, MD, FACP
“In this initiative we really looked for community partners that were well-vetted. Patients had already had strong relationships with some of the lung cancer programs here in town, and so we tried to really partner with them. We got their input about what they think patients needed, (and) what was missing from our offerings that patients could benefit from.” - Michele Szafranski, MS, RD, CSO, LDN
Kathryn F. Mileham, MD, FACP
Chief, Thoracic Medical Oncology
Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health
Charlotte, NC
Michele Szafranski, MS, RD, CSO, LDN
Registered Dietitian
Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health
Charlotte, NC
Susan Yaguda, RN
Manager, Integrative Oncology
Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health
Charlotte, NC
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Cancer Care Centers.
July 8, 2026
June 30, 2026
At the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting, the Louisiana Oncology Society received the ASCO Jeffrey C Ward Affiliate Advocacy Award for advancing critical advocacy priorities that have translated into meaningful legislative victories. The Iowa Oncology Society and Washington State Medical Oncology Society were also recognized for their advocacy efforts in 2025 at the meeting, receiving second place awards.
