This episode explores the science and practice of exercise oncology — how targeted physical activity can support cancer treatment, recovery, and long-term health. We discuss the role of aerobic endurance, strength training, and personalized exercise prescriptions in improving treatment tolerance, enhancing quality of life, and supporting long-term survivorship.

Dr. Rudolfs Cešeiko is an exercise oncology expert and the founder of the Exercise Oncology Clinic in Riga, Latvia. Dr Cešeiko has developed both clinical and community-based protocols in the field of exercise oncology, integrating scientific evidence with real-world clinical practice. His work spans clinical trials, personalized exercise planning, and translating research into accessible programs for people living with and beyond cancer.

In addition to his clinic leadership, Dr. Cešeiko collaborates on European-level initiatives — including partnerships with organizations such as Outdoor Against Cancer — while maintaining his primary focus on advancing clinical exercise oncology in Latvia and internationally.

Through his research, clinical expertise, and commitment to patient-centered practice, Dr Cešeiko is helping shape the future of exercise oncology from both medical and community perspectives.

Link to Dr.Cešeiko's clinic in Latvia: https://www.aktivitasuklinika.lv/

Dr. Cešeiko's social media accounts, where you can find more of his educational content related to physical activity in clinical populations:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rudolfs_ceseiko/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/r%C5%ABdolfs-ce%C5%A1eiko-ph-d-3bb07a178/

Joe Faratzis joins us today not as a headline or as a statistic. He’s here as a man living through stage IV colon cancer — navigating scans, side effects, decisions, fears, clinical trials and the quiet moments in between. This is no polished narrative. It’s just honesty about what it means to have your body change the rules on you. It’s a conversation about vulnerability, resilience and the parts of cancer people don’t always see. This is Joe’s voice — unfiltered, unscripted, and happening in real time. You can find Joe @RADIANT14 on TikTok for more!

Joe is one of our F-U Cancer Patient Champions. At F-U Cancer, our Patient and Caregiver Champion Program puts the voices of those living with cancer at the center of everything we build. By partnering with people who know the journey firsthand, we ensure our resources are credible, relevant and grounded in what truly matters most.

Dr. Jennifer Vencill is a board certified clinical health psychologist, AASECT-certified sex therapist, co-author of the newly published book named Desire: An Inclusive Guide to Navigating Libido Differences in Relationships, and she is an educator at Mayo Clinic.

Please note that she is speaking on the podcast as an individual and not on behalf of Mayo Clinic.

Dr. Vencill teaches medical professionals how to approach sexual health with skill, sensitivity, and inclusivity. She works with all patient populations and more specifically, with cancer patients, caregivers and survivors, bringing deep expertise to a field of medicine that remains underserved and in need of more trained specialists.

In this episode, we will be focusing on whole-person care, specifically speaking to those medical professionals who weren’t provided training on sexual health in the setting of a cancer diagnosis.

Our goal is to close important gaps, build comfort around challenging conversations and better meet patients where they need us most.

IG: @drjennifervencill

Dr. Jennifer Vencill's Trusted Sexual Health Resources for Clinicians:

• The Scientific Network on Female Sexual Health and Cancer
• The International Society for Sexual Medicine
• ISSWSH
• AAESCT

Dr. Jennifer Vencill's Tool for Clinicians to Address Sexual Health in Cancer Care:

“Many people going through cancer treatment have sexual health concerns. What concerns do you have?”