Colon cancer in young adults: What you need to know
Colorectal cancer cases are on the decline overall. Research shows this is because more people are getting regular colorectal cancer screenings, which can prevent precancerous polyps from becoming cancer.
But the disease is rising sharply in people under age 50, most of whom are years away from getting their first screening colonoscopy. Colorectal cancer screening isn’t recommended until age 45 for most people. And...
How do steroids work?
Steroids are a natural part of your body produced by your adrenal glands. They’re hormones that help regulate your body’s reaction to infection...
Recovered from COVID-19? 5 things to know
If you’ve caught and recovered from COVID-19, you might be wondering what that means. Are you immune to the virus now? Can you go out...
What constitutes a ‘safe’ gathering during the pandemic?
Your sister’s tiny outdoor wedding is less than two months away. Your nephew’s family-only backyard birthday party — complete with bounce house and an ice cream truck — is next week. Your neighbors are having a potluck block party. And your oldest friend is hosting a socially distanced, indoor girls’ night at her home on Saturday.
After months of social distancing due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, you really want to go...
Anal cancer survivor: Go directly to MD Anderson
When Bibi Philippou complained to her family doctor two years ago about hemorrhoids and rectal bleeding, the doctor scheduled a colonoscopy...
How to prepare for a fall/winter COVID-19 surge: Advice for cancer patients and caregivers
With infection rates on the rise around the world and cooler temperatures driving people back indoors, we’re seeing the start of a fall and...
3 things to know about breast cancer survivorship
When found early, breast cancer can often be treated successfully. “90-97% of patients with early stage breast cancer are alive and well even...
Metastatic prostate cancer survivor: Why I participate in the Boot Walk to End Cancer
Prostate cancer runs in my family. My father, older brother and twin brother are all prostate cancer survivors. I received my own diagnosis...
4 detox myths: Get the facts
A detox for your body can sound like a great idea. Who wouldn’t want to do all they can to remove toxins from their system?
Marketers...
Mammograms vs. thermography: What you need to know
Regular screening mammograms detect breast cancer early when they are easiest to treat successfully. But can a screening test called...
Multiple myeloma survivor grateful CAR T cell therapy clinical trial gives her another option
When Trena Robertson’s left hip began aching, she visited an orthopedic specialist in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, her hometown.
Does proton therapy have side effects for head and neck cancer patients?
For patients with complex head and neck tumors, proton therapy allows us to treat the tumors effectively while minimizing the radiation dose...
Epigenetic protein plays key role in lung cancer and melanoma development
Layered on top of our genes is an additional set of information -- the epigenome, which is important for many cellular activities. Disruption...
How 3D printing is helping breast cancer patients
When Cherie Sanders’ doctor in Amarillo diagnosed her with breast cancer, he described her tumor as “5 centimeters by 2.5 centimeters” and...
How diversity within a cancer can influence a patient’s response to treatment
Although a tumor may start from a single cancer cell, it can eventually become millions of cells with unique characteristics. This diversity...
Stage IV melanoma survivor: An immunotherapy drug gave me my life back
In early 2019, I was almost seven years out from my original melanoma diagnosis. I’d been living cancer-free since having surgery and radiation...
Throat cancer survivor: Personalized treatment at MD Anderson left me cancer-free
When I moved to central Louisiana for my job as a high school football coach in 2016, I starting hearing great things about MD Anderson almost...
5 small cell lung cancer questions, answered
Though you may not suspect it from the name, small cell lung cancer is among the most aggressive types of lung cancer.
Most small cell...
Five-year metastatic breast cancer survivor: My response to 'What can I do for you?'
"People are going to want to do something for you. It may be hard to accept their 'help,' and sometimes their 'help'...
6 things to know about palliative care and cancer treatment
Ever since Robin Birthisel was diagnosed with a slow-growing type of multiple myeloma 10 years ago, she’s experienced unpleasant side effects...
How to celebrate Thanksgiving safely during the COVID-19 pandemic
Got plans for a big Thanksgiving Day celebration? Not so fast.
Before you send out those feast invitations or make those travel arrangements...
My body changes during pregnancy were rectal cancer symptoms
I was pregnant with my second child when I began having constipation. It turned out to be my first symptom of rectal cancer, but I didn’t...
What does a nursing Magnet designation mean?
Chief Nursing Officer and Senior Vice President Carol Porter, D.N.P., formed her first impressions of MD Anderson as a Magnet appraiser in...
Clinical trials: 5 things you should know
Clinical trials are how progress is made in medicine. “They’re really essential to drive our ability to deliver better cancer care,” says...
Esophageal cancer caregiver: I’m grateful we came to MD Anderson
My husband, Gary, had been healthy and active before he began complaining of a backache at age 67. Then he started having trouble swallowing...
Holiday travel during the COVID-19 pandemic: Is it safe?
Whether you’re itching to take a vacation, wanting to visit extended family and friends for the holidays, or needing to travel for cancer...
Metastatic melanoma survivor: Why not me?
In 2012, my dermatologist in South Carolina noticed a bump on my cheek. A biopsy showed that I had stage IV melanoma.
We...
How to keep kids active during the COVID-19 pandemic
We’re all spending more time at home these days due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For many parents, that means kids are spending more time with...
Multiple myeloma survivor: Having additional treatment options gives me hope
I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma at age 48, after some blood work from an annual checkup came back a little wacky.
My doctor said...
Do you need a vitamin D supplement during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Your body depends on vitamin D. And one of the ways to get it is by being outside. That’s because the sun’s UV rays activate vitamin D production...
How throat cancer treatment is changing
Today, treatment for throat cancer isn’t just focused on removing the cancer. Now that most patients successfully overcome the cancer, doctors...
Does cancer treatment cause unwanted weight gain?
Weight loss is a common side effect of some cancer treatments. But sometimes, the opposite happens — and patients end up packing on the pounds...
Thyroid cancer survivor: Why I joined an immunotherapy clinical trial
Before I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, I considered clinical trials a last-ditch effort.
In my mind, they were only for people...
How do virtual runs work?
If you were planning to run that 5K for your favorite charity or tackle a marathon this year, don’t despair. The COVID-19 pandemic has sidelined...
How telomere defects can cause inflammatory diseases
All of the DNA in our cells is organized into complex structures called chromosomes, which consist of our genetic material coiled around many...
Prostate cancer survivor: How I found reassurance and expertise during proton therapy treatment
At my annual physical in 2019, a blood test showed my PSA levels had increased. I was also experiencing symptoms such as frequent need to...