Episode 91 - How to Read Health Headlines Without Panicking
What does it really mean to “eat healthy” in a world full of conflicting advice? In this episode of the YMyHealth Podcast—recorded LIVE at Fight CRC’s 2026 Call-on Congress in Washington, DC—co-host Julie Woon sits down with Bill Thach, a rectal cancer survivor first diagnosed at just 33, who continues treatment for a rare subtype called neuroendocrine carcinoma.
Bill shares how his experience as both a patient, who has had nine different lines of treatment, and a research advocate reshaped the way he thinks about food, health, and the information we consume every day.
From breaking down what 'ultra-processed foods' actually are to questioning how nutrition advice and research findings are often presented, this conversation challenges listeners to look beyond headlines and think more critically about their choices and interpretations.
Together, they explore how to evaluate scientific studies, spot misleading health claims, and better understand the lifestyle patterns that can impact long-term health. It’s an honest, empowering conversation that encourages you to stay curious, ask questions, and take a more informed approach to your well-being.
🎧Tune in now to here Bill's story and tips for how to evaluate health research for your own health!
Highlights:
(00:00) Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
(01:01) Bill's Journey to Research Advocacy
(02:47) Understanding Ultra-Processed Foods
(05:48) Skepticism Towards Studies and Headlines
(08:31) The Complexity of Nutrition Studies
(11:27) The Role of Lifestyle in Health
(14:19) Rational Responses to Health News
(16:52) The Importance of Community and Mental Health(19:38) Navigating Health Information and Accountability
(22:36) The Rising Rates of Colorectal Cancer
(25:35) Finding Balance in Diet and Lifestyle
(28:24) Hope and Medical Advancements
(31:20) Final Thoughts and Takeaways
Links:
Are you a millennial interested in learning more about healthcare issues specifically related to your generation? Start here: https://www.ymyhealth.com/ and follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/ymyhealth_/
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Connect with this episode's guest, Bill Thach on Instagram @necbillt by joining, the organization, Man Up to Cancer if you are a man who is living with or a survivor of cancer.
*Read Bill's blog with Man Up to Cancer for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month here.
Learn about YMyHealth's Podcast Co-Host and Content Marketing Strategist, Julie Woon, here:
https://www.ymyhealth.com/team/julie-woon
Thanks again to our sponsor, Dr. Sarah Diekman, Director of Diekman Dysautonomia! If you’d like to learn more about our sponsor and her practice that provides care to patients with POTS and Long COVID, go to https://dysautonomiaexpert.com
