In this episode of Global Health Dialogues, Princess Dina sits down with Dr. Urvi Shah, hematologist, oncologist, physician scientist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and cancer survivor.
Drawing on both her personal experience with cancer and her pioneering clinical research, Dr. Shah explores how nutrition, metabolism, the gut microbiome, inflammation, and the immune system may influence cancer development and progression. She discusses emerging research into high-fiber, plant-based nutrition and its potential role in multiple myeloma precursor conditions, while reflecting on what it means to empower patients with evidence-based lifestyle interventions alongside conventional cancer treatment.
Dr. Shah also shares how becoming a cancer patient while training as an oncologist transformed her approach to medicine, communication, and empathy, and discusses the stigma and challenges that can continue to affect young cancer patients and survivors.
This episode explores
- Can nutrition influence cancer progression?
- What role does the gut microbiome play in inflammation and immune health?
- Can dietary changes improve outcomes for people living with precancerous conditions?
- How does becoming a cancer patient change the way a doctor practices medicine?
- Why do communication, empathy, and stigma matter in cancer care?
This is a conversation about one of the most promising frontiers in cancer research – and about why the future of cancer care must consider not only how we treat disease, but how we empower and communicate with the people living through it.