#93 When an Oncologist’s Wife Gets Cancer: “Off Our Chests” Authors Share Their Story

What happens when an oncologist suddenly finds himself on the other side of cancer care, not as a physician, but as a husband and caregiver?

In this episode of It Happened To Me, hosts Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman welcome Liza Marshall, a retired attorney and breast cancer advocate, and her husband, Dr. John Marshall, a renowned oncologist and director of the Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers at Georgetown University.

In 2006, at age 43, Liza was diagnosed with high-risk triple-negative breast cancer. Her diagnosis turned their busy family life upside down and placed John in an unfamiliar position: supporting his wife through treatment at the very cancer center where he practiced medicine.

Drawing from their award-winning memoir, Off Our Chests, Liza and John share their experiences navigating a cancer diagnosis, difficult treatment decisions, chemotherapy, mastectomies, and the emotional challenges of balancing their roles as patient, physician, husband, and wife.

Liza reflects on maintaining a sense of normalcy while raising two children, coping with hair loss, and making medical decisions about her own body. John shares how becoming a caregiver transformed his approach to oncology, deepened his understanding of the emotional burdens families face, and ultimately contributed to his own experience with professional burnout.

The couple also discusses the importance of clinical trials, patient autonomy, cancer advocacy, and the unexpected challenges of writing their memoir together.

Their conversation offers a deeply personal perspective on the complexities of cancer care and reminds us that behind every diagnosis are patients, caregivers, families, and relationships forever changed by the experience.

Episode Discussion Topics

• An unexpected diagnosis: How Liza's breast swelling, rather than a typical lump, led to her triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis at age 43.
• When the oncologist becomes the caregiver: John's transition from treating patients to supporting his wife through treatment at his own cancer center.
• The challenges of navigating cancer care: The advantages and emotional complexities of receiving treatment where John worked, including privacy, appointment coordination, and access to care.
• Finding normalcy during treatment: How Liza continued raising her children, preparing meals, and participating in community activities throughout chemotherapy.
• Hair loss and body image: Liza's experiences with chemotherapy-related hair loss, wearing a wig, and adjusting to the physical changes caused by cancer treatment.
• Making difficult surgical decisions: Why Liza chose a second, preventive mastectomy and how she and John approached the emotional and physical implications of that decision.
• Patient autonomy and shared decision-making: How John supported Liza's treatment decisions while respecting her independence and helping her understand complex medical information.
• The often-overlooked role of caregivers: How their experiences changed John's approach to communicating with patients, spouses, and family members.
• Writing Off Our Chests: How writing their memoir during a sabbatical brought unspoken emotions to the surface and helped the couple process their experiences.
• Clinical trials and treatment choices: Why Liza withdrew from a clinical trial to pursue a platinum-based chemotherapy and what patients should understand when considering research participation.
• The emotional relationships between doctors and patients: John's perspective on receiving gifts from grateful patients, attending funerals, and coping with the loss of people in his care.
• The importance of cancer advocacy: How Liza's diagnosis reshaped John's appreciation for breast cancer advocacy and reinforced his commitment to research funding.
• Caregiver burnout and emotional recovery: How the experience affected John's medical practice and why taking time away became an important part of his own healing.

About Our Guests

Liza Marshall is a retired attorney, breast cancer survivor, and patient advocate. Diagnosed with high-risk triple-negative breast cancer in 2006, she underwent extensive treatment while raising two children and remaining active in her community. Her experience inspired her advocacy work and her commitment to helping others navigate the challenges of cancer care.

Dr. John Marshall is an oncologist and director of the Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers at Georgetown University. His experience supporting Liza through breast cancer transformed his understanding of the patient and caregiver experience and reinforced the importance of compassionate, patient-centered care.

Together, Liza and John authored the award-winning memoir Off Our Chests, sharing their perspectives on cancer, marriage, medicine, and the emotional realities of navigating a life-changing diagnosis.

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It Happened To Me is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. Kira Dineen of Gene Pool Media serves as Executive Producer.

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