On Sunday, December 15, 2024, Dr. Eric Winer interviewed Barbara Burtness, MD, Anthony N. Brady Professor of Medicine (Medical Oncology) and Chief Translational Research Officer for Yale Cancer Center. Dr. Burtness is internationally recognized for her research in head and neck cancer and has made it her life’s mission to help people diagnosed with head and neck cancer, which can be a devastating disease even after it is cured—it can impact a person’s appearance, as well as the ability to speak, swallow, and eat.
On this episode of Yale Cancer Answers, Dr. Burtness discusses new treatment options and the work being done in her lab to actively study new cures for head and neck cancers. “Patients often encounter unpleasant outcomes that can include difficulty swallowing solid foods, impaired nutrition, aspiration, and feeding tube dependence,” said Dr. Burtness. “We want to help improve these patients’ quality of life and improve outcomes."