Interview with Sam Dick, March 10, 2020

Partial Transcript: Hello. My name is Nathan Vanderford.

Segment Synopsis: Sam Dick summarizes his childhood, his parents' histories, his educational history, and his job history through today.

Keywords: Alexandria (Va.); Atlanta (Ga.); Broadcast journalism; Catholic schools; Early evening news; Elementary schools; Fathers.; First-generation immigrants; High schools; Internships; Job offers; Journalism and broadcast news; Junior high schools; Lexington (Ky.); Louisville (Ky.); Miami (Fla.); Mothers.; New York; Newspapers; Orlando (Fla.); Radio; University of Georgia; University of Kentucky

Subjects: Biography.; Careers; Careers & opportunities; Education.; Families.; Family histories.; Parents; Television news anchors

Partial Transcript: So, um, so, uh, couple of follow up questions to that.

Segment Synopsis: Dick talks about how his father's career as a renowned television news anchor influenced his own career now, also as a television news anchor. Dick talks about what it was like to have a public figure as a father. He talked about historic news his father covered.

Keywords: Career influences; Evening news; Family dynamics; Family influences; George Wallace; Historic news; Internships; Jonestown; Local news; Network news; Public figures; Travel.; Work schedules

Subjects: CBS News; Careers; Dick, David, 1930-; Fathers.; Journalists; Role models; Television news anchors

Partial Transcript: So, uh, tell me a little bit more about your job today.

Segment Synopsis: Dick talks about how he became a television news anchor and why he loves broadcast journalism. He talks about what a typical day at his current job looks like, his time slot, the greatest challenges of the job, and the greatest rewards.

Keywords: Evening news; Hours of labor.; Information; Interviews; News; News time slots; People stories; Platforms; Public careers; Public figures; Public work; Time slots; Typical days; Work challenges; Work rewards; Work schedules

Subjects: Broadcast journalism; Careers; Storytelling.; Television broadcasting of news.; Television news anchors; Work.

Partial Transcript: So as, as you said, you, you attended UGA, which we'll, we'll try not to hold against you too much.

Segment Synopsis: Dick talks about why he is a big University of Kentucky fan. He talks about being a triathlete and his passion for being active.

Keywords: Athletic participation; Athletics; Basketball games; Boy Scouts; Boy Scouts of America; Fathers; Fitness; Football games; Life experiences; Outdoor activities; Outdoors; Physical activities; Sports fans; Sports radio; Sports radio news programs; Youth athletics

Subjects: Exercise.; Sports spectators; Triathletes; University of Kentucky; University of Kentucky--Basketball; University of Kentucky--Football

Partial Transcript: So, uh, let's get into the topic of cancer.

Segment Synopsis: Dick describes his family's attitudes and conversations surrounding cancer. He talks about growing up in a smoke-free household and knowing about the negative effects of smoking. He talks about attitudes towards tobacco growing up.

Keywords: Athletics; Cancer education; Conversations; Family conversations; Family dynamics; Family farms; Family relations; Physical consequences; Physical fitness; Smoking attitudes; Smoking education; Social norms; Social smoking; Tobacco farms

Subjects: Cancer--Study and teaching; Cancer.; Families.; Health education; Smoking--Health aspects; Smoking.; Tobacco use.; Tobacco.

Partial Transcript: So, uh, if we can, let's talk a little bit about your personal experiences.

Segment Synopsis: Dick talks about his father's cancer diagnosis and experience. He talks about how his family reacted to the diagnosis and how it affected the family's dynamics and cancer awareness. He talks about the importance of cancer awareness and education and describes his father's experience at the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Keywords: Cancer education; Cancer treatment and research; Cancer--Prevention.; Cancer--Study and teaching; Families.; Family conversations; Family dynamics; Family histories; PSA levels; PSA numbers; Prostate-specific antigen (PSA); Reactions; Siblings; Social norms; Societal attitudes; Surgeries; Surgical procedures; Urologists; Urology

Subjects: Cancer--Patients--Family relationships; Cancer--Patients--Hospital care; Cancer--Patients.; Cancer--Research; Cancer--Treatment.; Cancer.; Colon (Anatomy)--Cancer; Fathers.; Prostate--Cancer--Diagnosis; Prostate--Cancer.; University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Partial Transcript: Uh, so you've mentioned several times your experience, um, and your dad really kind of, um, I'll almost say preaching to you--

Segment Synopsis: Dick talks about his own cancer diagnosis and experience. He describes his reaction to the diagnosis, sharing the news with family and the public, and why he feels a responsibility to use his media platform to spread cancer awareness.

Keywords: Biopsy; Cancer awareness; Cancer education; Cancer spread; DaVinci technology; Fathers.; Grief.; Health proactiveness; Metastatic cancer; PSA levels; PSA numbers; PSA tests; Prostate surgeries; Prostate-specific antigen (PSA); Public figures; Public platforms; Reactions; Shock; Spousal support; Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (Nashville, Tenn.)

Subjects: Cancer--Diagnosis; Cancer--Patients.; Cancer--Treatment.; Cancer.; Career moves; Family histories.; Television news anchors; Wives

Partial Transcript: I would venture to say that most men that get prostate cancer do not do what I did.

Segment Synopsis: Dick talks about why he believes it is difficult for men to talk openly about prostate cancer.

Keywords: Cancer attitudes; Cancer awareness; Cancer education; Cancer stigmas; Conversations; Discussions; Embarrassment; Health stigmas; Impotence; Intimacy issues; Sexual activity; Shame; Social norms; Societal attitudes; Urinary incontinence

Subjects: Cancer--Patients.; Cancer.; Prostate--Cancer--Patients; Prostate--Cancer--Social aspects; Prostate--Cancer--Social aspects--United States; Prostate--Cancer.; Stigma (Social psychology)

Partial Transcript: Uh, so you, you talked a little bit about, uh, your care, um, but, but thinking back about, um, it in terms of access to care and being a patient, can you reflect on how that went?

Segment Synopsis: Dick describes his privilege in terms of accessing cancer care and treatments. He talks about personal diligence in treating his cancer and continued proactivity to prevent cancer recurrence. He talks about development of cancer care, treatments, and technology.

Keywords: Cancer care; Cancer spread; Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center (Cleveland, Ohio); DaVinci Robot; DaVinci technology; Financial security; Health insurance; Healthcare access; Impotence; Incontinence; Intrusive treatments; Invasive treatments; Medical access; Regular check-ups; Surgeries; Treatment access; Treatment recovery; Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (Nashville, Tenn.)

Subjects: Cancer treatment and research; Cancer--Patients.; Cancer--Treatment.; Cancer.; Oncologists; Prostate--Cancer--Treatment; Prostate--Cancer.

Partial Transcript: Let's talk a little bit more about the recurrence.

Segment Synopsis: Dick talks about his cancer returning, his reaction, and treatment to readdress the recurrence. He talks about the greatest challenges and takeaways from his experience having cancer. He compares his experience with his father's.

Keywords: Cancer radiation; Cancer recurrence; Challenges; Cronin Cancer Center (Lexington, Ky.); Fathers.; Impotence; Incontinence; John D. Cronin Cancer Center (Lexington, Ky.); Life lessons; Oncologists; Positive takeaways; Radiation treatments; Reactions; Shock; Side effects; Takeaways; Treatment side effects; Veteran oncologists

Subjects: Cancer--Diagnosis; Cancer--Patients.; Cancer--Radiotherapy.; Cancer--Treatments.; Cancer.; Prostate--Cancer--Alternative treatment; Prostate--Cancer--Alternative treatment--Research--United States; Prostate--Cancer--Radiotherapy; Prostate--Cancer.

Partial Transcript: So other than yourself--I, I think I probably know the answer to this but, um, who do you think has been most impact, impacted by your cancer?

Segment Synopsis: Dick discusses how having cancer impacted his relationship with his wife.

Keywords: Appointments; Bonding; Cooperation; Emotional support; Hospital stays; Intimacy; Relationship dynamics; Relationships; Romantic relationships; Shared experiences; Spousal support; Support; Surgeries; Teamwork

Subjects: Cancer--Patients.; Cancer.; Prostate--Cancer.; Spouses; Spouses of cancer patients; Wives.

Partial Transcript: So, um, big picture, uh, how do you think your views on cancer have changed over time?

Segment Synopsis: Dick describes how his own cancer diagnosis has affected the way he now views cancer and people who have cancer.

Keywords: Cancer awareness; Cancer education; Cancer stigma; Education; Family histories.; Healthcare education; Healthcare stigma; Knowledge; Relatability; Stigma; Unifying experiences

Subjects: Cancer--Diagnosis.; Cancer--Patients.; Cancer--Study and teaching; Cancer.; Empathy.; Prostate--Cancer.

Partial Transcript: So a, as a way of transition into talking more broadly about cancer in Kentucky for a bit before we wrap up, can you tell me a little bit about your passion for Kentucky? Uh, your passion for the state, the people, the culture.

Segment Synopsis: Dick talks about why he loves Kentucky. He describes his impressions of Appalachians and Eastern Kentuckians.

Keywords: Appalachian Mountains; Appalachian culture; Birthplaces; Broadband access; Community dynamics; Eastern Kentuckians; Eastern Kentucky; Family histories.; Geographical diversity; Homes; Impressions; Kentuckians; Kentucky attitudes; Kentucky weather; News access; Regional diversity; State diversity; Technology access

Subjects: Appalachian Region; Appalachians (People); Broadcast journalism; Community relations; Internet access; Kentucky

Partial Transcript: So, uh, you, you know I think as you know now--I'll ask you if you knew this before--but, um, I think now, after, uh, us interacting, you know that Kentucky ranks first in the nation in overall cancer incidence and mortality rates, um, and those rates are highest in Eastern Kentucky.

Segment Synopsis: Dick discusses reasons why cancer incidence rates in Kentucky are the highest in the nation. He talks about the grave consequences these high incidence rates have on Kentucky.

Keywords: Cancer attitudes; Cancer awareness; Cancer education; Cancer incidence; Cancer rates; Economic impacts; Financial impacts; Generational differences; Generational views; Health habits; Health issues; Health statistics; Kentucky cancer incidence; Kentucky cancer rates; Physical fitness.; Transportation barriers; Treatment barriers

Subjects: Cancer treatment and research; Cancer--Study and teaching; Cancer--Treatment.; Cancer--United States; Cancer.; Coal mines and mining--Kentucky; Education.; Kentucky; Medical statistics; Tobacco use.; Tobacco.

Partial Transcript: So let's try to talk about some solutions.

Segment Synopsis: Dick discusses potential individual-level and systems-level solutions to high cancer incidence in Kentucky.

Keywords: Cancer care resources; Cancer incidence; Cancer incidence rates; Cancer rates; Cancer resources; Community dynamics; Community trust; Eastern Kentucky; Family histories.; Healthcare; Healthcare shortage; Individual responsibility; Medical resources; Personal initiative; Proactivity; Social responsibility

Subjects: Cancer--Study and teaching; Cancer.; Community relations; Health care reform; Kentucky; Medical care.; Oncologists; Physicians.

Partial Transcript: So what does success look like in Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky?

Segment Synopsis: Dick talks about what a successful intervention for high cancer incidence rates in Kentucky would look like and result in. He talks about the issues that need to be addressed to curb incidence rates and consequences if the problem is not addressed.

Keywords: Cancer awareness; Cancer care; Cancer education; Financial barriers; Geographical barriers; Healthcare access; Healthcare barriers; Healthcare quality; Medical specialists; Prioritization; Specialists; Transportation barriers; Treatment access; Treatment barriers

Subjects: Budget--United States--States; Cancer--Study and teaching; Cancer.; Community relations; Education.; Kentucky; Medical care.