When Nicole Love found out she had breast cancer, her first concern was her cardiomyopathy, a weakening of the heart muscle that can make general anesthesia riskier.
"That meant at least a lumpectomy. And that meant general anesthesia," Nicole says. "I had some concerns about how my doctors would handle it. As it turns out, I didn’t need to."
Here's how our team of breast cancer experts managed Nicole's care and put her mind at ease. #EndCancer
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Comprehensive breast cancer treatment made me an MD Anderson fan for life
Lymph node. Cyst. Lesion. Mass. Adenoma. These are only a few of the unfamiliar words you may hear when you need a cancer screening exam or follow-up testing.
Use our glossary to find out what these medical terms and 13 more actually mean. #EndCancer
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Cancer screening terms you should know
The expertise of subspecialists. Compassionate care from every member of our staff. Putting patients’ safety first. Hope delivered through groundbreaking research, clinical trials and treatments.
In our pursuit of Making Cancer History®, we’ll do whatever it takes. #EndCancer
When Bob Wilkes was first diagnosed with melanoma eight years ago, he wasn't eligible for immunotherapy because he had an autoimmune disease. But thanks to research advances, he was able to receive a combination of proton therapy and immunotherapy when he had a recurrence this past summer.
Now, he's paying it forward to help other patients with autoimmune diseases. #EndCancer
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Metastatic melanoma survivor: Why not me?
“While it’s normal to have frequent thoughts of COVID-19, be mindful if these thoughts become more frequent, or start to impact your daily life,” says our clinical psychologist Dr. Catherine Powers-James.
Here's what she says you should watch for -- and when to seek help.
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COVID-19 blues vs. depression: How to tell the difference
There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding steroids, even though they're used in many medical situations, including cancer care.
So, how do steroids work? Can you have too much? Are there side effects? And how do our doctors decide when to use them? Get answers from our Dr. Ishwaria Subbiah. #EndCancer
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How do steroids work in cancer care?
When a caregiver gave Alyson Spiller a cowbell on his wife’s last day of radiation therapy, a new tradition was born at MD Anderson.
Watch to learn about the joyful send-off our Pavilion staff are giving patients when they complete radiation therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. #EndCancer
“Blood donors are critical to helping our patients, like Lindsay, reach remission,” says our Dr. Hagop Kantarjian. #EndCancer
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Cancer patients need blood donations for treatment during COVID-19 pandemic
Can detoxes restore health? Are they safe?
Liver cancer specialist Dr. Thomas Aloia and dietitian Lindsey Wohlford discuss common detox myths. #EndCancer
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4 detox myths: Get the facts
“There is so much progress being made to advance new small cell lung cancer therapies,” says small cell lung cancer specialist Dr. Lauren Averett Byers. “That should give patients a lot of hope.”
Here’s what she advises you to look out for and what newly diagnosed patients should know. #EndCancer
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5 small cell lung cancer questions, answered
Feeling “over it” or done with the pandemic? For many of us, these feelings seem to intensify with each passing day or week.
The good news, says psychologist Dr. Catherine Powers-James, is there are ways to cope with the stress and uncertainty. Here’s her advice.
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How to cope with COVID-19 quarantine fatigue
"I hope to take what I learned during my treatment at MD Anderson and apply it towards becoming an oncologist who treats other head and neck cancer patients with the same empathy and expertise that my team at MD Anderson did for me," says Robert Middlemist. #EndCancer
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Nasopharyngeal carcinoma survivor: My journey to becoming an oncologist
For cancer patients like Kirsten Arendas, wearing a mask and social distancing are personal – and, for Kirsten, they’ve become even more vital since her daughter returned to school in person.
Here’s why it’s so important to Kirsten that all of us wear masks and practice social distancing . #EndCancer
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Uterine cancer survivor: Please wear a mask
When Annette Rios was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma, doctors told her they’d need to amputate her leg just below the knee. This surgery caused Annette some concern about phantom limb pain, which occurs when pain seems to be coming from the part of the limb that’s no longer there.
But an innovative surgical technique, known as targeted muscle reinnervation, is reducing and sometimes even eliminating pain for patients like Annette. Our Dr. Margaret Roubaud explains how this technique can improve quality of life for cancer patients who undergo an amputation. #EndCancer
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Surgical technique drastically reduces pain for amputee cancer patients
Why does timing matter when treating multiple myeloma? What happens when the myeloma returns?
Our Dr. Krina Patel explains how multiple myeloma affects the body and when it’s best to treat it. #EndCancer
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Multiple myeloma: When to treat and when to wait
"Know the symptoms, and watch for them. It might just save your life," Catherine Wright tells other young adults. "I was lucky enough to find a team of doctors who saved mine.” #EndCancer
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My body changes during pregnancy were rectal cancer symptoms
Whether you're feeling over it, sad or simply worn out by the pandemic, you're not alone.
Here's what our Dr. Catherine Powers-James recommends to help you get through the days and weeks ahead.
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How to cope with COVID-19 pandemic fatigue
Cancer isn’t the only disease treated with monoclonal antibodies. They’re also used to treat Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Currently, they’re being explored as a treatment option for COVID-19.
“It’s a very good time for antibody drug discovery and for patients,” says our Dr. Dongxing Zha. #EndCancer
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Monoclonal antibodies and cancer treatment: What to know
“After careful review of all available evidence, our clinical experts have determined both COVID-19 vaccines authorized for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration are safe and recommended for former and current cancer patients,” says our Dr. Welela Tereffe, chief medical executive.
MD Anderson will soon receive a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines for our cancer patients. Here’s what our patients should know about getting vaccinated at MD Anderson. #EndCancer
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What cancer patients should know about getting the COVID-19 vaccine at MD Anderson
The stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic may be keeping you from quitting smoking.
But there’s no better time to quit, says our Dr. Maher Karam-Hage. Here, he discusses the relationship between stress, nicotine addiction, and quitting smoking during the pandemic. #EndCancer
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Don’t let COVID-19 stress stop you from quitting smoking
Shortly after Ginger Head started treatment at MD Anderson, our pathologists analyzed tissue from her tumor and found that she had a rare mutation in the RET gene.
This made her eligible to participate in a clinical trial for a new drug that targets her specific mutation.
Here's her story. #EndCancer
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Thanks to targeted therapy, lung cancer survivor is enjoying life again
“Alternative waters can be a great option, especially if you have trouble drinking enough plain water during the course of the day,” says wellness dietician Lindsey Wohlford.
But not all water drinks are equally good for you. Here’s what to know. #EndCancer http://bit.ly/3lCFx1W
Even with more people getting vaccinated, it’s still important that we continue to keep each other safe from COVID-19.
If you have plans to watch the big game this Sunday, make sure to celebrate safely. Wear a mask, keep your distance and avoid large gatherings. #EndCancer
Even though Dr. Kenneth Rolston worked at MD Anderson for more than 35 years, he put off getting a colonoscopy for 16 years.
Now, after going through colorectal cancer treatment, he encourages others to get their cancer screenings.
“Because if it can happen to me, it can happen to you,” he says. #EndCancer
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Retired physician: I wish I’d gotten a colonoscopy sooner