How This Is Building Me, hosted by world-renowned oncologist D. Ross Camidge, MD, PhD, is a podcast focused on the highs and lows, ups and downs of all those involved with cancer, cancer medicine, and cancer science across the full spectrum of life’s experiences.

In this episode, guest host Erin Schenk, MD, PhD, at the University of Colorado Anschutz in Aurora, an associate professor of medicine in the Division of Medical Oncology, sat down with D. Ross Camidge, MD, PhD, to highlight Dr Camidge's storied career and life. Driven by a relentless curiosity that often manifested in him "interrogating" those around him, Camidge chose a career in medicine because of the immediate effect he saw it could have on people's lives.

His path included a formative gap year working at McDonald's and serving as a caregiver for a man with cerebral palsy. After studying at Oxford, he faced a significant professional and personal low when pursuing his PhD at Cambridge. Struggling with a difficult project, he persevered by pivoting his research and finding resilience through peers, eventually returning to practicing clinical medicine and finding his calling in oncology due to its unique overlap of molecular biology and opportunities for deep patient connection.

Seeking further opportunities, Dr Camidge moved to the United States to lead the lung cancer program at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He became a pivotal figure in the development of targeted therapies, specifically crizotinib for ALK-positive lung cancer. Beyond drug development, he championed the use of molecular profiling and established a global remote second opinion program.

In 2022, Dr Camidge’s perspective shifted profoundly following his own lung cancer diagnosis. This experience forced him to evolve from a "questioning machine" into someone more amenable to accepting love and support. He now integrates this dual perspective into his work, emphasizing that oncology must go beyond science to address the human experience of treating real people.

How This Is Building Me, hosted by world-renowned oncologist D. Ross Camidge, MD, PhD, is a podcast focused on the highs and lows, ups and downs of all those involved with cancer, cancer medicine, and cancer science across the full spectrum of life’s experiences.

In this episode, Dr Camidge sat down with Karen L. Reckamp, MD, director of Medical Oncology, associate director of Clinical Research, and the medical oncology director of the Lung Institute at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles, California.

Drs Camidge and Reckamp discussed Dr Reckamp's journey as an oncology specialist and now a caregiver for her husband, who has cancer. Reckamp’s career was inspired by her family’s history with BRCA-related cancers. She pursued an academic path that eventually led her to Los Angeles, where she became a leader in thoracic oncology during an era of genomic breakthroughs.

In late 2024, her husband, a fellow oncologist, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer shortly after a clear annual scan. Reckamp described the jarring transition of receiving the diagnosis and the ensuing emotions balanced with medical pragmatism. Bob underwent intensive treatments that have affected his physical health and daily life.

Reckamp offered a candid look at the dual role of a physician-caregiver. She continues to work, however, her husband's cancer diagnosis has changed her practice. Now, she is more sensitive to chemotherapy toxicities in her patients that she might have previously minimized. She also highlighted the invisible load of caregivers who must manage their own emotions and remain available for patient needs.

Ultimately, Reckamp emphasized the necessity of a support network, crediting their long-time nanny and overall community with maintaining her family’s stability. By allowing different people to hold different pieces of the emotional burden, Reckamp shared that her family is finding a way to move forward amidst the uncertainty of this cancer diagnosis.

How This Is Building Me, hosted by world-renowned oncologist D. Ross Camidge, MD, PhD, is a podcast focused on the highs and lows, ups and downs of all those involved with cancer, cancer medicine, and cancer science across the full spectrum of life’s experiences.

In this episode, Dr Camidge sat down with Charles D. Blanke, MD, FACP, FASCO, a professor of medicine in the School of Medicine at the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Knight Cancer Institute in Portland.

Drs Camidge and Blanke discuss Dr Blanke's unique career path from pioneering targeted cancer therapies to becoming a leading advocate for medical aid in dying. A Type 1 diabetes diagnosis directed Dr Blanke toward an interest in internal medicine and oncology. During his fellowship and early faculty days, he established a reputation for his hard work pursuing research opportunities, even when initial projects were unsuccessful.

Blanke’s most transformative scientific achievement occurred at OHSU, where he spearheaded the use of Imatinib (Gleevec) for the management of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). By targeting the KIT mutation, this research turned a previously untreatable malignancy into one with a high response rate, marking a landmark moment for personalized oncology.

Equally significant in Dr Blanke’s career is his role in medical aid in dying. Practicing in Oregon, the first state to legalize the option, he has written hundreds of prescriptions for patients with terminal diseases. Blanke views medical aid in dying as a vital extension of patient care.

As the former chair of SWOG, Dr Blanke modernized clinical research by introducing term limits, increasing access to clinical trials among, and championing the development of pragmatic trials with broader patient eligibility criteria. Throughout his tenure, he emphasized the importance of patient advocacy and the altruistic nature of cooperative research. Having recently stepped down from his leadership at SWOG, he intends to focus his future efforts on patient rights and medical aid in dying advocacy.