Ep 68:Why is healthcare innovation slow? With Brad Power - The Patient From Hell Podcast
Brad Power is the co-founder and CEO of Cancer Patient Lab, a patient-driven learning community that supports cancer patients and caregivers in navigating testing and treatment options beyond standard protocols. He also founded CancerHacker Lab, which aids startups challenging conventional cancer care.
Before his diagnosis, Brad was a process innovation researcher and consultant with over 35 years of experience, having authored more than 75 articles for Harvard Business Review. In 2018, he was diagnosed with lymphoma and underwent chemotherapy, achieving four years of no evidence of disease (NED) before recurrence.
In late 2020, Brad and his friend Bryce Olson explored innovative treatment strategies through a hackathon—a collaborative event that brings together experts to solve complex problems. This approach inspired him to organize similar hackathons for cancer patients, including Linnea Olson and Kasey Altman. By 2022, he launched Cancer Patient Lab with two advanced prostate cancer patients, aiming to expand access to hackathons and other innovative resources for those facing complex cancer decisions.
Brad is also a founding member of ennov1 and serves as an advisor to several organizations, including 4DPath, Alva10, Cancer Commons, Consuli, Rabble Health, and Travera. He actively contributes to the Personalized Medicine Coalition, advocating for patient-led advancements in cancer care.
Key Moments
2 minutes:
“Software is easy to change, but people are hard to change.”
25 minutes:
“In community hospitals, where 80% of cancer treatment happens, doctors may rely on past cases rather than the latest advancements. Patients coming in with fresh eyes often find new treatments their doctors haven't yet explored.”
42 minutes:
“Cancer Patient Lab is a patient-led learning community designed for those seeking alternatives beyond the standard of care. If you have a rare or aggressive cancer, this kind of community can be invaluable in exploring what’s possible.”
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