Dr. Thomas Keane, chair of urology at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, is one of the few surgeons who offers a radical perineal approach for a prostatectomy. Learn more about this technique. #ProstateCancerAwarenessMonth
MUSCHEALTH.ORG
MUSC Health Urologist Offers Radical Perineal Prostatectomy
In a recently published study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology – Oncology Practice, investigators from MUSC Hollings Cancer Center classify numerous barriers to a recommended therapy for head and neck cancer that may mean the difference between life and death for these patients.
Cancer of the head and neck is one of the deadliest cancers. Only half of those with head and neck cancer are alive five years following initial diagnosis. African Americans, in particular, experience worse survival outcomes. These patients are 50% more likely to die from the disease than white people, a concerning trend that has prompted deeper research into factors that might drive these significant disparities in head and neck cancer mortality.
https://web.musc.edu/about/news-center/2020/09/21/hollings-researchers-aim-to-decrease-treatment-delays-for-head-and-neck-cancer-patients
WEB.MUSC.EDU
Hollings researchers aim to decrease treatment delays for head and neck cancer patients in South Carolina
Our sympathies go out to the family and friends of David Lee Nelson, a former Charleston actor, comedian and playwright, who passed away yesterday. Nelson was a fierce advocate for cancer awareness, particularly colon cancer, and knew how to touch audiences with his humor, acting and writing. We at Hollings are grateful for his generous heart and all the ways he helped other cancer patients with his words of inspiration.
https://web.musc.edu/about/news-center/2018/05/01/actor-comedian-puts-cancer-center-stage-at-piccolo-spoleto-festival
WEB.MUSC.EDU
Actor comedian puts cancer center stage at Piccolo Spoleto Festival
Read how this Hollings Cancer Center researcher was instrumental in Innova Therapeutics receiving a rare pediatric disease designation from the FDA for a new osteosarcoma treatment.
https://web.musc.edu/about/news-center/2020/09/23/innova-therapeutics-receives-rare-pediatric-disease-designation-from-fda-for-osteosarcoma-treatment
WEB.MUSC.EDU
Innova Therapeutics receives rare pediatric disease designation from the FDA for new osteosarcoma treatment
September is #ProstateCancer Awareness Month, and we sat down with MUSC Hollings Cancer Center's David Marshall, M.D., chair of radiation oncology, to get the skinny on prostate cancer screenings and what men need to know.
MUSCHEALTH.ORG
Prostate Cancer Screening FAQs
The fifth annual and first virtual One-in-Three Afternoon Tea: Linda Floyd Forum on Women’s Cancers starts in ten minutes! Join us at 4 p.m. by clicking the link below and hear MUSC Hollings Cancer Center experts share the latest in prevention, screening, treatment and research for women’s cancers. Put on your best hat and join us for this fun and informative forum!
https://musc.webex.com/webappng/sites/musc/meeting/download/ef3599aefb3e42478a5979039343aa16?siteurl=musc&MTID=med8630ad87236089c39d3d5c7267d860
When entrepreneur and accessories designer Suzette Bussey chose her theme "Be Bold" for the year, she meant it as a reminder to live in an authentic way. Instead, being bold has meant facing a diagnosis of stage 2 breast cancer head-on and advocating for her health.
Now, she’s on a mission to encourage screenings so more women can catch their cancer early. https://web.musc.edu/about/news-center/2020/10/20/breast-cancer-survivor-takes-bold-stand-for-new-sensation-sparing-surgery
#BreastCancerAwarenessMonth
There has never been a better time to schedule your mammogram! Hollings mammography technologist Jennifer H. has been doing mammograms for more than 18 years. "While you're thinking about it, make that appointment," she says. "Mammograms really do save lives. We want to see you in here!"
#BreastCancerAwarenessMonth
Listen as @MUSCHollings patient Cynthia Hall shares her experience with #BreastCancer.
October is #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth, & if you haven't had a mammogram recently, schedule a consultation at MUSC Health today. Help improve your chances of early detection and prevention of breast cancer.
Make an appointment or learn more at http://ow.ly/lu6S50BWiVP
Researchers at Hollings hope to extend periods of remission for patients with mantle cell lymphoma through a clinical trial testing a new combination of drugs.
The idea of this drug combination providing extra time to enjoy life is what drove Samuel Jackson, the first patient enrolled in the trial, to participate.
“The reason I decided to go with Hollings Cancer Center's trial for mantle B-cell lymphoma was due to gaining six years extra versus three, a total of nine possible,” said Jackson. “Dr. Greenwell discussed the trial completely with my wife and me... He made a point that my health is first priority. I can only hope and pray others would take advantage of this trial.”
Learn more about the trial: https://web.musc.edu/about/news-center/2020/10/16/trial-aims-to-extend-remission-for-patients-with-mantle-cell-lymphoma
It's important for women to know whether they have a type of tissue called dense breasts and how having the condition can affect their screening results.
Radiologist Dr. Rebecca Leddy answers your questions about the factors that play a role in breast density and how additional screening methods may be required to catch cancer early. https://web.musc.edu/about/news-center/2020/09/24/important-for-women-to-know-if-they-have-dense-breasts
#BreastCancerAwarenessMonth
Firefighters face a 9% increase in cancer diagnoses and a 14% increase in cancer-related deaths compared to the general U.S. population. So, when Pete Gray with the Isle of Palms Fire Department wanted to get more involved in the community, raising money for lifesaving cancer research through LOWVELO made sense.
“That's one of the reasons why I’m staying involved with LOWVELO, because cancer is something that hits home for all of us, and especially for us firefighters," he says.
Learn how the department hopes to double both its participation and the amount of funds it raised last year during this year's virtual event: https://lowvelo.org/blog/iop_firefighters
Hollings patient Janet Smith spent decades caring for others in various nursing roles before finding herself on the receiving end of care after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Now, she has one simple message to share in light of November being Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month:
“If you have a good primary care provider, it can save your life,” she says.
Find out how a routine doctor's appointment led to catching her cancer early and how a timely diagnosis helped her become cancer free. https://web.musc.edu/about/news-center/2020/11/05/pancreatic-cancer-survivor-illustrates-importance-of-routine-health-care
Graft-versus-host disease, a life-threatening condition that can arise after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for the treatment of leukemia, is big clinical challenge because the donor's T-cells can attack a patient’s organs. Hollings researchers have discovered a way to reduce this disease while still maintaining T-cells' ability to fight leukemia.
WEB.MUSC.EDU
Blocking energy pathway reduces graft-versus-host disease while retaining anti-cancer effects of T-cells
Buy a Steeplechase of Charleston raffle ticket for a chance to win a two-night stay at the Historical Haig Point Lighthouse and your choice of either tennis, horseback riding or two rounds of golf on the award-winning Rees Jones signature golf course! Also includes ferry service and one transportation cart. The second place raffle winner will receive a custom bottle of Blanton’s Bourbon with unique equestrian styling. Tickets are only $20 and you do not have to be present at the event to win. The best part? 100% of the proceeds benefit MUSC Hollings Cancer Center!
Get your tickets today: https://tickets.postandcourier.com/e/steeplechase-of-charleston-raffle/tickets
TICKETS.POSTANDCOURIER.COM
Steeplechase of Charleston Raffle | Post & Courier Events
Hollings Director and MUSC College of Medicine Dean Dr. Raymond DuBois is ready to bring his college to victory in this year’s LOWVELO College Cup! The College of Medicine is currently in 2nd place with plenty of time to overtake the lead.
Here are the latest standings based on each college's percentage of students registered for LOWVELO:
College of Pharmacy – 8.8%
College of Medicine – 2.3%
College of Health Professions – 2.1%
College of Nursing – 1.9%
College of Dental Medicine – 0.9%
College of Graduate Studies – 0.8%
Learn more about how MUSC's colleges are competing to fund lifesaving cancer research: https://lowvelo.org/blog/college_cup
MON, NOV 16 - NOV 20
HCC Shine a Light
A draft recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force aims to lower the recommended screening age for colorectal cancer from 50 to 45 for both men and women -- a recommendation that Hollings director Dr. Raymond DuBois believes could save lives.
“Colorectal cancer is one of those cancers that has a clear-cut timeline, so if you catch it early enough you can prevent the disease or avoid regional and metastatic spread," he says. "Today, colorectal cancer is very difficult to treat when the patient presents with stage 4 disease. Avoiding advanced disease is the key to improving survival."
Learn more about the recommendation, including how it could reduce the burden of this disease in the Black community, in this Q&A with Dr. DuBois.
AACR.ORG
Draft Recommendations for Colorectal Cancer Screening | The AACR
Many people have delayed getting their cancer screenings due to concerns over the public health risks caused by COVID-19, and the fact that screening rates have not yet bounced back has primary care physicians worried that patients may begin presenting with later-stage cancers that could have been detected sooner.
How can you know if you're due for a cancer screening? Check out this guidance from family physician Dr. Sarah Tucker Price. https://hollingscancercenter.musc.edu/news/archive/2020/12/22/determining-what-cancer-screenings-to-get-and-when
Did you know that stress can negatively affect tumor growth and response to therapy in cancer patients? New evidence also suggests that elevated stress hormone levels could cause dormant tumor cells to reawaken, putting patients at risk for cancer recurrence.
As we approach the weekend, try setting aside one hour to do something that relaxes you, such as reading a book or heading out for a walk in nature.
Learn more about lifestyle choices that can help lower your risk for cancer: https://hollingscancercenter.musc.edu/news/archive/2020/12/18/experts-offer-six-tips-for-lowering-cancer-risk-through-lifestyle-choices-2020
Hollings researchers are hard at work testing a new drug that may help to expand treatment options for men with metastatic prostate cancer whose disease is progressing despite standard treatment.
Oncologist Dr. Michael Lilly, who is leading this Phase II trial, said, "We hope this study will make a difference by giving patients additional treatments that will reduce the growth of their cancer and thus improve how well and how long they live. It’s an exciting field to be able to work in -- to develop something new that will hopefully benefit patients.”
https://web.musc.edu/about/news-center/2021/01/06/drug-developed-in-part-by-musc-holds-promise-for-treating-advanced-prostate-cancer
WEB.MUSC.EDU
Drug developed in part by MUSC holds promise for treating advanced prostate cancer
Check out this story from HealthLinks Charleston Magazine detailing the journey of Johnson City, Tennessee native Randy Lacy, who decided to make the trek to Charleston for a bone marrow transplant at Hollings following a surprise diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia. His procedure was a success thanks to a little help (and a whole lot of love!) from his family. https://www.charlestonphysicians.com/unique-case/all-in-the-family-the-randy-lacy-story/
CHARLESTONPHYSICIANS.COM
All in the Family: The Randy Lacy Story - Charleston Physicians
What if we captured the spirit and urgency of Covid-19 research to cure cancer? That's the interesting question posed in this editorial piece co-authored by Hollings Cancer Center Director Dr. Raymond DuBois on MedCity News.
https://medcitynews.com/2020/12/what-if-we-captured-the-spirit-and-urgency-of-covid-19-research-to-cure-cancer/.
MEDCITYNEWS.COM
What if we captured the spirit and urgency of Covid-19 research to cure cancer?
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, spotlighting what used to be the leading cause of cancer deaths for women in the U.S. But thanks to an uptake in screenings and the HPV vaccine, the number of cervical cancer cases has dropped significantly, as changes in the cervix can either be prevented or detected before a cancer develops.
Here, oncologist Dr. Jerlinda Ross shares what she wishes more women knew about cervical cancer and how research can help to reduce disparities in women’s cancer care. https://hollingscancercenter.musc.edu/news/archive/2021/01/04/womens-health-expert-shares-what-she-wishes-more-women-knew-about-cervical-cancer
HOLLINGSCANCERCENTER.MUSC.EDU
Women’s health expert shares what she wishes more women knew about cervical cancer
