Collagen benefits: Should I take a supplement?
You may have heard that collagen helps your skin look younger and your hair look healthier.
But what is collagen, what does it do to...
14 common anal cancer questions
Anal cancer can be hard to talk about. And, even when it is talked about, anal cancer is often mistaken for — or lumped together...
Menthol cigarettes: The FDA's proposed ban and why they’re...
Cigarette smoking has been on the decline for years. But menthol cigarettes are one segment of the tobacco market that has remained...
COVID-19 breakthrough infections and the omicron variant: What to...
The number of breakthrough COVID-19 infections continues to climb, both in the United States and around the world. Many are now due to...
What does skin cancer look like?
Maintaining your health requires more than living a healthy lifestyle and keeping up with regular health care like screenings and...
The latest on COVID-19’s omicron variant: What’s changed?
Updated Dec. 23, 2021
The omicron variant has now overtaken the delta variant in the United States as the predominant strain of...
13 extraordinary days
The COVID-19 pandemic. The winter freeze. A national blood shortage. The launch of our new Strategy.
These are just a few of the big...
Donor: Why I wrote MD Anderson into my will – and made a...
Writing MD Anderson into our wills was an easy decision for my late wife, Jackie, and me. Because even after she received a stage IV...
Childhood leukemia survivor recalls signing Houston Dynamo...
The happiest day of my life was the day my doctor told me I could stop chemotherapy because my leukemia was in remission.
Cancer researcher: The day I celebrated my graduation...
When I enrolled at MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in 2017, I never expected to write most of my master’s...
Remembering the day MD Anderson began vaccinating cancer...
I’ve been working at MD Anderson for 16 years, and our patients’ experience here is very important to me. So, when I was asked to help...
The February 2021 winter storm: A week I won’t forget
In my 22 years at MD Anderson, I have seen hurricanes, floods and freezing conditions in Houston, but nothing like the...
Breast ultrasound technologist: The day I became my...
After working so hard to persuade my mom to get a mammogram last fall, it was startling to learn there was actually an area of concern...
The day I was declared cancer-free
I knew I was responding well to my stage IV Hodgkin lymphoma treatment when the grapefruit-sized tumor in my chest began getting...
Nurse: Reflections on MD Anderson’s fifth Magnet designation
Even after five years working on our pediatric unit, I’m still in awe that I’m a nurse at MD Anderson.
We’ve experienced...
The day we launched our Strategy
When I woke on the morning of Jan. 28, 2021 — the day we launched our organizational Strategy — it felt surreal. We had spent so much...
Why I decided to start donating blood at MD Anderson
When my husband, Jeff, was diagnosed with bile duct cancer in June 2019, I’d already been donating blood for almost 20 years. I...
Patient relations manager recalls “a day full of joy”
June 28 is a day I’ll always remember. That was the day we began welcoming visitors back to our campuses after 15 months. It was a day...
What it meant for a drug I tested in clinical trials to...
I vividly recall the moment when a text alert transformed an ordinary Friday into an extraordinary one.
It happened...
Holiday blues? 4 strategies to cope
The holiday season may be the most wonderful time of year for some, but for others, the stress and emotions during this time can be...
Myelofibrosis survivor: A stem cell transplant was the...
During a routine checkup about 20 years ago, my primary care doctor noticed that my blood platelet count was going up. After meeting...
Remembering the day the first COVID-19 vaccines arrived
The box containing the first 4,875 COVID-19 vaccine doses to arrive at MD Anderson was much larger than I’d expected. It only had five...
5 meningioma questions, answered
Meningiomas are a primary central nervous system tumor that make up 38% of all primary intracranial tumors. They are typically...
Brain tumor survivor learns to walk again
Meet Patrick “Miracle” Mead Jr. His wife gave him the nickname “Miracle” after he made a full recovery from a brain tumor that once...
COVID-19’s omicron variant: What we know now
The omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 was first identified in South Africa in late November and has since...
7 ways to make your coffee habit healthier
For many of us, coffee is part of our daily routine. But depending on what you add to your morning brew, you could be consuming a lot...
'Just keep going': Pain management specialist tells...
I knew from an early age that I wanted to be a physician. I was diagnosed with asthma when I was 6, and my doctor back then just had...
What does breast cancer look like?
In many cases, women spot signs of breast cancer outside of regular breast cancer screenings. In fact, paying attention to changes in...
Second-generation inhibitors may change prognosis for...
The FLT3 gene helps stem cells mature to red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in a process known as differentiation. The...
Leiomyosarcoma survivor hikes the Appalachian Trail
When leiomyosarcoma survivor Gail Walsh told her orthopedic oncologist Patrick Lin, M.D., that she planned to hike the Appalachian...
Radioactive iodine therapy: 9 things to know
Radioactive iodine therapy has been used in the treatment of thyroid cancer since the early 1940s. But how does it work? Which...
Stomach cancer survivor to complete cross-country bike trip
When Daniel ‘Joe’ Einspahr, M.D., and his son bike into Virginia Beach next summer, they will have more than one reason to celebrate....
Unable to donate blood due to iron-deficiency anemia? 13...
Iron-deficiency anemia is one of the most common reasons people are rejected as potential blood donors.
But what causes this...
Breast and ovarian cancer diagnoses help clinical dietitian...
Senior clinical dietitian Christie Siebel can empathize with her patients. With their pain following surgery. With their nausea after...
3 reasons to sit less
Depending on your lifestyle and how you spend your downtime, you may find yourself sitting or lying down more than you’re moving...
Retired navy pilot faces oropharynx cancer like a storm
As a retired Navy hurricane research pilot, I don’t leave anything up to chance. When I was with the National Oceanic Atmospheric...
Caring for scar tissue after cancer surgery
More than half of cancer patients undergo surgery as a part of their cancer treatment. Just about every patient who has surgery will...
Who can get a COVID-19 booster shot?
Last updated Jan. 12, 2022
COVID-19 boosters have now been approved for all adults. This is welcome news for many who are eager to...
Meningioma patient hits home run with care team
Elizabeth Somers wants everyone to know about meningiomas. This tumor of the central nervous system begins in the coverings that...
4 questions about breast calcifications, answered
Breast calcifications are calcium deposits found through screening mammograms. When calcium builds up in soft tissue, it can appear...
Health disparities researcher: We must build trust
As Jamaican immigrants, my parents stressed the importance of education. They felt that was the best way to succeed in America – and...
Adenocarcinomas: 6 things to know about the ‘cancer of the...
Adenocarcinomas can develop in many different parts of the body, including the lungs, prostate, colon, rectum, small bowel, pancreas,...
Adrenal gland tumor survivor: Why I wish I’d gone to MD...
I had just given birth to my third child when I started showing symptoms of an adrenal gland tumor. I wasn’t actively ill. But I felt...
Natural versus refined sugar: What’s the difference?
If you’re trying to eat healthy, you probably don’t go a day without thinking about sugar. Avoiding sugar is hard because it’s in most...
4 lung cancer myths, busted
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women, and the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Yet, there are...
T cells, B cells and the immune system
Our bodies naturally heal after our skin gets cut, and they can defend against the common cold. So, why not cancer?
The relationship...
Peritoneal mesothelioma survivor: Clinical trials are...
I have been on five different clinical trials at MD Anderson since I was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, a rare cancer that...
COVID-19 revaccination needed after stem cell transplants...
If you’re a cancer patient who was fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before having a stem cell transplant or receiving a CAR T cell...
Nutrition during radiation therapy treatment: What patients...
Many cancer patients lose weight unexpectedly during radiation therapy because they struggle with side effects caused from treatment....
Lymphoma, breast cancer survivor: 5 things I’ve learned as...
Cancer has disrupted my life three times over the past 16 years.
The first time was in 2005, when my late husband, Eli, was...
Why I traveled across the world for prostate cancer...
When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, I was determined to find the best care and treatment. As an orthopedic surgeon, I have...
Why I donate blood regularly for cancer patients
Last week, I had the opportunity to donate blood at MD Anderson’s Blood Bank. Blood donation continues to be so important for MD...
Mixing and matching COVID-19 booster shots: Should you do...
Last updated Jan. 12, 2022
Booster shots have now been approved for all three of the COVID-19 vaccines available in the U.S. And the...
Breast cancer survivor: Why I’m grateful for mammograms and...
I’ve never been happier to live in Houston than I was during the spring of 2018. That’s when a routine mammogram revealed I had ductal...
Radiation therapy: What to expect
Many cancer patients will need radiation therapy as part of their treatment. Radiation can be used alone or as part of a treatment...
Renal cell carcinoma treatment: What’s new and what's next
Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer. Most treatments are focused on clear cell carcinoma, which is the most...
Facing five cancer diagnoses in four years
Five-time cancer survivor Robert Clark has been through a lot in the past few years. But he believes firmly in two things: maintaining...
10 tricks to manage your Halloween candy consumption
For some people, especially parents, the scariest thing about Halloween is the enormous piles of candy that start popping up...
Oncology hospitalist: Listening is my favorite part of the...
I used to think I was going to be a lawyer like my father. But in Ghana, the West African country where I grew up, education is...
What is adjuvant therapy for breast cancer?
Many patients who are diagnosed with breast cancer will hear their doctors use the word “adjuvant” to describe certain treatment...
A ‘game-changer’ for von Hippel-Lindau disease treatment
People with a rare, inherited disorder called von Hippel-Lindau disease develop cancerous and noncancerous tumors in up to 10...
Adenoid cystic carcinoma caregiver: Finding the right...
When my daughter, Preslie, was eight years old, I noticed that her left eyelid seemed to be a little droopy. But I never expected it...
Nurse finds fulfillment in transition to oncology nursing
Meghan Williams can now dispel many of the myths and misconceptions she once believed about oncology nursing.
Before joining MD...
Dual bladder cancer survivor finds hope and an accurate...
Until January 2020, I had always felt like I had an unspoken agreement with cancer: I’d make good lifestyle choices — protecting my...
Swollen lymph nodes and other symptoms of lymphoma
Almost everyone will experience a swollen lymph node at some point. That’s because these structures are designed to filter germs and...
Breast cancer survivor: How a corrected diagnosis gave me...
I had just finished breastfeeding my one-year-old in October 2017, when I felt a lump in my left breast during a shower. I knew there...
What’s new with CAR T cell therapy?
Last updated July 1, 2022.
For patients with lymphoma, multiple myeloma and leukemia, CAR T cell therapy offers an effective...
Chemotherapy at home: 9 things to know
Many patients will be prescribed chemotherapy as a part of their cancer treatment plan. That could involve taking pills at home or...
7 reasons you might skip your mammogram, but shouldn’t
Mammograms are one of the most effective ways to detect breast cancer early, when it’s most treatable. MD Anderson recommends that...
Facing esophageal cancer at age 26
Throughout his esophageal cancer treatment, Ross Bernkrant never once looked up the survival rates.
“I knew it wasn’t good,” he says...
Caring for your mental health after a new cancer diagnosis
A new cancer diagnosis can change your priorities and day-to-day routines. Many patients and their caregivers feel a range of...
Nurse makes each day count as cancer affects her family
Ashley Martinez will never forget the day her in-laws celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Not only was it a major milestone for...
Join a bone marrow registry and save a life — like my son’s
The hardest part of my son Desmond’s aplastic anemia diagnosis was knowing that my child was seriously ill and there was nothing I...
Husband and wife face dual breast cancer diagnoses
Teresa and Billy Mayo have shared almost everything during their 46-year marriage. But the couple recently shared something they never...
Merkel cell carcinoma survivor: I’ve been blessed by MD...
Arthur Sulkin believes a series of personal experiences put him in a unique position to deal with what he calls “the trauma of cancer.”
Genetic testing found a variant of uncertain significance....
When you agree to genetic testing, you expect a yes or no answer: yes, you have an abnormal change in a gene that increases your...
Diabetes and pancreatic cancer: What is the link?
Insulin is a hormone produced by clusters of cells in the pancreas called islets. It helps our bodies use sugars from food for energy....
What is the best time of day to exercise?
When it comes to exercise, the most important thing is that you do it. But if you like high-intensity exercise, research suggests that...
Pheochromocytoma survivor achieves remission through...
By the time Susan Waldrop was diagnosed with a rare neuroendocrine tumor called sporadic metastatic pheochromocytoma in May 2015,...
Pancreatic cancer survivor: Whipple procedure made me...
When I was diagnosed with stage III pancreatic cancer in January 2017, I was pretty shocked. Both of my parents died of heart disease...
Physical activity program helps breast cancer survivor get...
Breast cancer treatment took a toll on Debbie Mendoza, but she regained her strength and energy with the help of Active Living After...
Why I went to MD Anderson for my oral squamous cell...
A few of my relatives have had cancer over the years, but not many. And the one who developed lung cancer was a grandparent who smoked...
Why muscle toning is a myth
When it comes to strength training, the idea of becoming bulky is off-putting for some people.
If you don’t want big muscles, a...
Leukemia survivor still grateful for childhood cancer...
In some ways, 2005 was a challenging year for Carrington Marzett. The 15-year-old sophomore was still settling in after a recent move...
Have tattoos? Read this before your next mammogram
Tattoos have been around for centuries, but how do they impact our modern approaches to screening for cancer? As more women reach the...
Nasopharyngeal cancer survivor: Why I got a cancer...
I was about halfway through my cancer treatment for soft tissue sarcoma of the nasal cavity — a type of nasopharyngeal cancer —when I...
What I learned about phytophotodermatitis
If life hands you lemons, do NOT squeeze them outside. When I tried that, it soured my summer in a single afternoon.
Citrus fruits,...
Diabetes as a side effect of cancer treatment: 8 things to...
Diabetes affects roughly 10% of people in the United States. Another 1 in 3 has pre-diabetes, or elevated blood sugar levels that...
6 things to know about peritoneal mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the abdomen, known as the peritoneum. Although...
Myelodysplastic syndrome survivor: A targeted therapy...
In my almost 73 years on this planet, I’ve been in a war, been held as a political prisoner, and been diagnosed with myelodysplastic...
COVID-19’s new mu variant: 8 things to know
The highly contagious delta variant continues to be the most dominant strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, causing thousands of new...
Melanoma 101: Answers to five common questions
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that occurs in melanocytes, the cells that carry pigment.
But are there different types? How is it...
Head and neck cancer survivor: 5 ways I made treatment...
In August 2019, I noticed a small lump on the right side of my neck while shaving. I immediately thought to myself that this was not...
7 questions about double-hit lymphoma, answered
If you’ve never heard of double-hit lymphoma or you’re unfamiliar with the specifics of the disease, you’re not alone. This rare and...
What should I do if my child is exposed to COVID-19?
In-person classes are back in session for millions of school children across the country. But masking requirements vary by state, the...
Electrical lineman gets more time with his family after...
On a warm day in May 2018, Ashton and Charmayne Thomas swiftly booked a flight from Arizona to Houston. They dropped off their two...
Breast reconstruction options: What to know about DIEP...
Navigating breast reconstruction options can be overwhelming. There are so many decisions to make. Will you have immediate or delayed...
Cancer surgeon and researcher: My pre-cancer diagnosis gave...
As a cancer surgeon and researcher, I’ve poured my heart and soul into making a difference for patients over the past 20 years....
When should I get vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19?
Last updated Nov. 19, 2021
Flu season is upon us once again, and for a second time in as many years it’s occurring during the COVID...
Graft vs. host disease: 6 things to know about this stem...
Between 20% and 70% of patients who receive an allogeneic stem cell transplant as a part of their cancer treatment will develop at...
Does ivermectin prevent or cure COVID-19?
There’s been a lot of talk recently about a drug called ivermectin, in connection with COVID-19.
But what is ivermectin, exactly?...
Childhood cancer programs help young Wilms’ tumor survivor...
Kinsley Curley was only 3 years old when she was diagnosed with a stage IV Wilms’ tumor, one of the most common types of kidney cancer...
Young adult aplastic anemia survivor: The importance of...
When I was diagnosed with a bone marrow disorder called aplastic anemia in the fall of 2013, I was already in something of an...
How to use acupressure points to relieve headache, nausea...
Acupressure is an ancient practice from traditional Chinese medicine. It can seem mysterious because the theory is based on pressure...
Pre-Cancer Atlas: Plotting a course to intercept cancer
The route a cancer takes from its earliest stages to advanced disease is a long and winding road. Often, the first mutations or...
Thymoma survivor grateful for a second opinion
After she’d been sick with flu-like symptoms for several weeks, Kirsti Hoopingarner decided to see her doctor. She’d been having...
Orthopedic oncology surgeon: Being at MD Anderson allows me...
When I was growing up, I played a lot of sports. In high school, one of my favorites was wrestling. And with a lot of practice, I...
4 appendix cancer questions, answered
When John Paul Shen, M.D., tells people he studies appendix cancer, many are surprised to learn that you can get appendix cancer in...
Aspiring radiation oncologist faces astrocytoma
Ever since high school, Ethan Damron has wanted to be a radiation oncologist. In July 2019, he and his wife, Kendra, moved to Houston...
Breakthrough infections and the COVID-19 delta variant:...
Reports of breakthrough COVID-19 infections are on the rise, as the delta variant rapidly spreads in communities across the...
Liquid biopsies: Understanding ctDNA and circulating tumor...
What if we could know more about a tumor just from a patient’s blood sample? While this concept is well-established with blood cancers...
Patient with vaginal cancer with DDR mutation benefits from...
In March 2019, Shelly Busby began experiencing unusual vaginal bleeding. Frightened and concerned, she went to her OB/GYN for an...
Leukemia survivor: How I knew MD Anderson was the right...
Before I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in December 2018, I’d never heard of MD Anderson. And cancer doesn’t run in my...
Third COVID-19 vaccine doses for cancer patients: What to...
Last updated Oct. 25 2021
Research studies show that immunocompromised people who have low or no protection following two doses of...
Should you get a home HPV test?
Home HPV tests are marketed as a convenient, accurate and discreet way to find out if you have human papillomavirus, a common...
What is a hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy is a common procedure used to treat gynecologic cancers, like ovarian cancer, cervical cancer and endometrial cancer,...
Diagnosed with a rare cancer: Now what?
Receiving any type of cancer diagnosis can be stressful, even if it’s a common or well-known disease, such as breast cancer, lung...
5 things to know about the FDA approval process
Whether it’s a cancer drug, vaccine or other medication, medical treatments in the U.S. have to go through a specific process to make...
Maintenance therapy for chronic leukemia: What patients...
Until recently, treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia and chronic lymphoblastic leukemia meant a hospital stay, intravenous...
Reducing secondhand smoke exposure and tobacco disparities...
As a child, researcher Surendranath Shastri, M.D., D.Ph., worshiped his dad. “He was a lifetime smoker, so I thought it was cool to...
How to cut empty calories
If our weight loss expert had to give you one tip to help you achieve your healthy eating goals, it would be this: Avoid empty...
Reconstruction options for breast cancer survivors
Whether you have a lumpectomy or a type of mastectomy, your chest may be flattened, misshapen or asymmetrical after surgery. Breast...
Why I got my 13-year-old daughter vaccinated against...
As a doctor, I’m used to looking at data sets to determine when medical studies are working really well, sort of well or not very well...
SBRT helps stage IV kidney cancer patient keep her...
Becky Van Curen’s family had no history of cancer. So, when she was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2015, she was shocked and...
Back to school and the delta variant : 7 questions, answered
As many children prepare to return to school in person, the highly contagious delta variant continues to spur a rapid increase in...
5 things parents should know about childhood leukemia
Leukemia is the most common childhood cancer, but it’s still considered rare with fewer than 5,000 cases diagnosed in the U.S. each...
3 reasons to donate blood
You probably already know that donating blood can save lives.
But did you know that donating blood and platelets is risk-free to the...
4 skull base tumor myths
Under your skull, between your brain and the top of the neck, is an area called the skull base. The space is home to a platform where...
Are moles cancerous?
Almost everyone has at least one mole, and you may already regularly check your moles for signs of change.
That’s a good idea since...
How fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) fits into...
Many cancers grow when there’s a glitch in the DNA of our cells. Sometimes that error is passed down from a parent to their child, and...
Physician assistant helps oral cancer survivor cope with...
Whenever Jessica King returns to Houston for an appointment at MD Anderson, she has to make one stop before she leaves: a visit with...
Clinical trial puts rare BPDCN leukemia in remission with...
When a small, painless lump began developing on Melissa Evans’ left arm near her elbow in late 2014, she didn’t give it much thought....
Houston symphony brings music to hospitalized children,...
Pam Blaine was on top of the world. She’d just graduated with a master’s degree in arts administration and landed a new job with the...
Stage IV melanoma survivor: Immunotherapy clinical trial...
My melanoma diagnosis started out like many others: a suspicious mole followed by a dermatology appointment — and then, bad news. That...
How I used art to guide me through prostate cancer treatment
In February 2020, I went for my annual checkup in New Orleans, Louisiana, where I live. I received an excellent bill of health....
Leukemia rash: What you need to know
Skin is the biggest organ we have. As such, it often acts as a type of window into the rest of the body. So, rashes and other skin...
Interventional radiologist: Expanding my comfort zone made...
I came to the field of medicine in a roundabout way. I always had an affinity for science. But while I made good grades in both high...
Phytonutrients: How to eat all the colors of the rainbow
When it comes to vegetables, whole grains, legumes and fruit, many dietitians will tell you to make sure you eat the full rainbow of...
Triple-negative breast cancer and leukemia survivor...
As a physician, I never expected to be diagnosed with cancer myself — much less four times before age 50. But by the time I got to MD...
Basketball coach cancer-free after nasopharyngeal cancer...
I’ve prepared for a lot of big moments and competitions in my 30 years of coaching college and high school basketball. But nothing...
Daughter’s persistence shows importance of not delaying...
Judy Garcia is still too young to need a regular mammogram herself. But as a breast ultrasound technologist, the 30-year-old knows how...
Staying safe in the summer heat: 5 tips for cancer patients
Keeping cool during the summer can be a challenge for even the healthiest individuals. So, how do you manage it when you’re a cancer...
Common leukemia symptoms: What to look for
Some cancer symptoms are fairly straightforward. With breast cancer, it’s often a lump. With skin cancer, it may be a mole that...
Tobacco cessation study helps LGBTQ+ community members quit...
As a former competitive CrossFit athlete, Katherine Norman sees herself as a healthy person. Over the last year, she also saw herself...
Urologic oncologist: What motivates me as a doctor
For anything you want to do, there’s got to be some inspiration. For me, it was the pain I felt when my mother died that prompted my...
Does ulcerative colitis affect your cancer risk?
Having ulcerative colitis doesn’t mean you will get colorectal cancer, but it does increase your risk.
Ulcerative colitis is a...
Motorcycle racing champion in remission after leukemia...
As one of off-road motorcycle racing’s greatest legends, Destry Abbott is used to pushing his body to the limit. That’s why he knew...
Chemobrain versus memory loss: What’s the difference?
As you age, you may have trouble remembering important dates like a loved one’s birthday or forget where you left your car keys....
4 things to ask your doctor after a new lung cancer...
If you’ve just been diagnosed with lung cancer, you might have a lot of questions: Where should I go for treatment? Which type of...
Triple-negative inflammatory breast cancer survivor: Why I...
I was 14 weeks pregnant with my first child last fall when my right breast suddenly became very inflamed. At first, it was only the...
How to get the best from bug spray
For many of us, summer brings bug bites. And that may mean itchy, red bumps that can lead to skin discoloration that lasts for...
COVID-19’s delta variant: What you need to know
Last updated July 30, 2021
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, several variants of the virus have emerged. But the one named delta is...
LEEP procedure: 8 common questions answered
If your health care provider has said you need a loop electrosurgical excision procedure, or LEEP, you may be wondering exactly what a...
Have you been eating processed meat without realizing it?
When it comes to a healthy diet, you don’t need to quit carbs or fat or even sugar.
But your dietitian will suggest you limit...
Pain management specialist: MD Anderson lets me help cancer...
I got into medical school thinking I’d specialize in either cardiology or orthopedic surgery. But one of the great things about it is...
Ovarian cancer survivor finds support in colleagues,...
Careli Ann Garza’s colleagues consider her the heartbeat of Gladys Porter Early College High School. As the assistant principal,...
MRI-assisted radiosurgery and brachytherapy for prostate...
For many years, brachytherapy has been used to treat low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk prostate cancer. But more recently,...
What role do nerves play in cancer?
Nerves control everything from your heart rate to muscle movement to the fight-or-flight stress response.
“Nerves are critical to...
Leukemia survivor: Why I joined a clinical trial
I am a bit of a hypochondriac, so I’ve diagnosed myself with cancer on more than one occasion. But I never believed it would actually...
Skin color and skin cancer: 3 things to know
If you have dark skin, you may think you have natural protection from sunburns, sun damage and skin cancer. But the relationship...
Can immunotherapy treat cancer in patients with autoimmune...
Historically, cancer patients with autoimmune disease likes lupus, Type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis have been excluded from...
My anal cancer treatment: How I learned to laugh through...
In 2013, I noticed blood in my stool, which I thought was related to hemorrhoids. I also noticed heartburn on occasion. But it took...
Cancer exosomes: mini cells packed with potential for...
First discovered in the 1980s, exosomes are microscopic spherical packages, called vesicles, released by all cells. Their normal role...
How surgery can treat neuroendocrine tumors in the...
From your growth to your digestion, your hormones regulate many basic functions within your body. These chemical messengers are...
Clinical trial puts Philadelphia chromosome-positive...
When Jorge Castillo’s back began to ache, he thought he’d injured himself at work.
“I install and repair electrical power grids, so...
8 cancer treatment-related eye changes and how to manage...
You probably know that cancer treatment can cause side effects like nausea, fatigue and hair loss. But some types of cancer treatment...
One-of-a-kind titanium ribs give chondrosarcoma survivor...
Months after his chondrosarcoma treatment at another hospital, Chuck Lichtman developed a life-altering hernia. It made it hard to...
5 things to know about sunscreen, benzene and other...
If you’ve seen reports about the carcinogen benzene being found in sunscreen, you may be wondering what it means for your sun-safety...
What are the types of radiation therapy used for cancer...
Radiation therapy is one of the most common forms of cancer treatment. It uses high-energy X-rays to pinpoint and destroy cancer...
Chronic versus acute leukemia: Different diagnoses,...
Stem cells come from our bone marrow and grow to become red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. These cells make up our...
3 common brain tumor symptoms
Headaches, seizures and weakness throughout the body can all be potential brain tumor symptoms. Because these symptoms can also be...
Inflammatory breast cancer survivor is grateful for...
Not long after moving into her new house, Dana Evans noticed an itchy red spot on her left breast.
“I’d seen a few spiders in the...
Complex reconstructive surgery helps soft-tissue sarcoma...
Nicola Sirito had a rare diagnosis – a soft tissue sarcoma on his spine – but his MD Anderson care team knew they could successfully...
Orthopedic oncology surgeon to aspiring doctors: Don’t be...
Many of the important things that we really want to accomplish in life, we can’t do alone. So, you have to identify the people who can...
Finding faith, hope and healing during sinonasal...
Before my husband, David, was diagnosed with a rare cancer of the nasal cavity called sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC...
Leukemia survivor: MD Anderson helped me overcome a second...
Before coming to MD Anderson for treatment of hairy cell leukemia in 2015, I was told by two different oncologists that I had only a...
How radiation therapy is used to treat bile duct and...
Ethan Ludmir, M.D., grew up watching Star Wars. But unlike other fans, his favorite character wasn’t Luke Skywalker or Han Solo....
Should you use very high SPF sunscreen?
Before you buy sunscreen, it’s important to understand what sun protection factor, or SPF, means. That’s the number you see on the...
Progress in Ewing’s sarcoma treatment
Ewing’s sarcoma is a rare cancer that can occur in the bones or soft tissues. It’s more common in children and teens than in adults,...
Lung cancer survivor: MD Anderson has given me more time...
In 2017, I began experiencing shortness of breath when exercising on the treadmill. I’d noticed commercials on TV about COPD, and I...
6 common brain tumor questions
Receiving a brain tumor diagnosis can be overwhelming. There are so many different types of brain tumors and treatment options, and...
Metastatic cancer: What happens when cancer spreads?
If you’ve recently received a cancer diagnosis, you may have heard the word “metastasis” or been asked by someone if your cancer has...
Practicing internist: Why I recommend MD Anderson for...
As an internist with my own practice, I’ve been referring my patients to MD Anderson Proton Therapy Center for many years when they...
Triple-negative inflammatory breast cancer survivor:...
When I was diagnosed with triple-negative inflammatory breast cancer in October 2020, it was jarring, to say the least. I was only...
Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs): 7 questions, answered
Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a group of rare chronic blood cancers that are often challenging to treat,with few approved...
Managing social anxiety: How to regain the ground you’ve...
Social anxiety is the reluctance to engage in everyday activities you normally enjoy, because you’re worried about making a mistake,...
Fully vaccinated but immunocompromised: What’s safe for you...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recent announcement that those who’ve been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no...
What is a mastectomy?
Last updated Sept. 5, 2024
A mastectomy is one of the most well-known types of breast cancer treatment. MD Anderson breast surgeons...
Abnormal or inconclusive scan or test? 5 things to know...
Thousands of people will get screening exams for breast cancer, cervical cancer and lung cancer this year. Others will get diagnostic...
Lumpectomy: 7 things to know
Last updated June 4, 2021
A lumpectomy is the most common type of surgery used in breast cancer treatment. At MD Anderson, our...
How my father-in-law’s response to his leukemia diagnosis...
If you were faced with something bigger and scarier than you initially knew how to deal with, how would you handle it? Would you sit...
Surviving papillary thyroid cancer taught me to embrace...
I was a junior at Texas A&M University when I first got diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer after a quick visit to the campus...
Receiving breast cancer treatment close to home gave me...
In early 2020, I woke up in the middle of the night to use the restroom. By chance, my hand brushed my right breast, and I felt a lump...
Remission, cancer-free, no evidence of disease: What’s the...
To a cancer patient, one of the most magical words in the English language may be “remission.” For those fortunate enough to hear it,...
Leukemia survivor: Why I drove 700 miles for treatment at...
Not long after my acute myeloid leukemia diagnosis in May 2019, my local oncologist said I’d probably need a stem cell transplant. At...
Coping with burnout: 3 steps to get started
Burnout is the combination of exhaustion, detachment and cynicism that can sometimes develop when we’re faced with unrelieved stress...
Nurse donates blood to honor father’s memory and help...
Clinical Nurse Christine Durana donates blood so often, she takes a photo of her arm each time to help her remember when it’s been 56...
MD Anderson personalized my prostate cancer treatment
I’m an average guy that has never been that concerned about my health care. But once I got into my 60s, I started doing annual exams...
Managing voice and speech side effects after oropharyngeal...
Oropharyngeal cancer includes cancers of the tonsils, base of the tongue and other parts of the throat. It’s usually caused by the...
Skin care during COVID-19
Masking, social distancing and hand washing remain important routines that prevent COVID-19 infection even if you’ve been vaccinated....
Using my experience with colorectal cancer, Lynch syndrome...
In 2016, my daughter was six months old, and I was still working on recovering from a difficult pregnancy. I had gone back to work as...
How breast cancer pathology experts helped change the...
Lynn Hill practices what she preaches. As a coach for one of the country’s top weight loss and wellness programs, Lynn, 66, cooks...
What constitutes your medical history?
Any time you see a new doctor, one of the first things they’ll ask about is your medical history. That’s because everything from the...
Lung cancer survivor: 3 things to love about MD Anderson
When I was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer at age 50, I received treatment from a local oncologist, close to my home in...
Molecular profiling gives pancreatic cancer survivor more...
Drew Huggins still gets emotional when he recalls the day clinical trial coordinator Jing Yang phoned him with some good news that...
Prostatectomy: What to expect
Many prostate cancer patients don’t need surgery. But for young patients with prostate cancer that hasn’t spread, a surgery called a...
Air travel for the fully vaccinated against COVID-19: Is it...
You’re fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and life is inching back toward normal. Now, with temperatures creeping back up, you find...
Breast cancer treatment at MD Anderson: 6 things that make...
If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may already know you have many options when it comes to where to seek...
H. pylori and your stomach cancer risk
Most stomach cancers are caused by bacteria called helicobacter pylori or H. pylori. Having H. pylori doesn’t mean you’ll get...
What to expect when you meet with an oncofertility...
For people who hope to have children of their own, a cancer diagnosis can derail those plans. However, thanks to oncofertility...
6 things to know about chlorophyll
We all know that eating your greens is good for you, but what if you could extract the green and take it as a supplement?
A recent...
Proton therapy spared me from side effects after a head and...
When I first noticed what I thought was a swollen lymph node on the right side of my neck, I thought it was just an infection coming...
Reclaiming my life after a rare stage IV neuroendocrine...
I’ve known six people who have died of pancreatic cancer, including my own dad in 2015. So, when I was diagnosed with that disease in...
Young adult caregiver: What my wife’s cancer experience...
When you’re a young adult dealing with a cancer diagnosis, you realize that planning for the future is a luxury. However, as my wife...
TIL therapy: 6 things to know
Adoptive cellular therapy is a form of immunotherapy that uses cells from our immune systems, such as T cells, as a treatment for...
Active surveillance versus treatment for prostate cancer:...
Prostate cancer treatment options can include surgery, radiation therapy and hormone therapy. But some men are candidates for active...
Can mushrooms help during cancer treatment?
In some parts of the world, mushroom extracts are often used by patients for their medicinal benefits. They’re packed with vitamin D,...
Metastatic testicular cancer survivor: A positive attitude...
In 2001, I was 31 years old, working full time and engaged to be married. I had no symptoms or abnormalities. But one day, I noticed a...
Mantle cell lymphoma survivor creates COVID-19-killing...
Musician Jeff Blankenship was playing guitar in the orchestra pit during a local theatre’s live production of “American Idiot” when he...
Plant-based burgers: Are they healthy?
Research shows it’s best to limit red meat because it can increase your risk for colorectal cancer.
With that in mind, plant-based...
How to cope with cold sensitivity during chemotherapy
Some types of chemotherapy can damage nerves, leading to a side effect called peripheral neuropathy. Patients may feel tingling,...
Does Crohn’s disease affect your cancer risk?
Having Crohn’s disease doesn’t mean you will get colorectal cancer, but it does increase your risk.
Crohn’s disease is a chronic...
6 questions about cancer of the unknown primary (CUP)
Cancer is defined by where it starts and not by where it spreads. Where it starts helps determine how it’s treated and even the way...
3 things to know about the tumor microenvironment
The tumor microenvironment is the ecosystem that surrounds a tumor inside the body. It includes immune cells, the extracellular...
Lung cancer in nonsmokers: The latest research
Smoking is the No. 1 cause of lung cancer. Yet, about 20% of lung cancers deaths occur in people who have never smoked, according to...
How to view your notes and test results in MyChart
Knowledge is power, and now patients across the country are starting to have more timely access to their health information.
U.S....
How are biomarkers used to treat cancer?
In the past, patients with a particular cancer type all received the same treatment, but research has shown that tumors have unique...
Brother and sister face colorectal cancer together
Siblings Christopher and Lindsay Welch have always been close.
“We were born only 18 months apart,” Lindsay says, “so we shared a...
Tea and cancer prevention 101
Tea is thought to have many health benefits, from keeping you hydrated to supporting weight-loss and reducing dental cavities.
Tea...
Do thyroid cancer patients need a low-iodine diet?
You’ve probably heard of the low-fat diet. Maybe even the low-carb diet. But what about the low-iodine diet?
If you or someone you...
Sarcoma survivor: Reclaiming hope led to my first pregnancy
It wasn’t until I attended a relative’s socially distanced birthday party last spring that I really let myself consider the...
Can antibody tests tell you if a COVID-19 vaccine worked?
Last updated June 7, 2022
If you’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19, you may be thinking about getting an antibody test to see if...
How to get genetic testing for cancer
Between 5% and 10% of cancers are hereditary. This means that the cancer is caused by a change in your genes called a genetic mutation.
Women in science: 3 cancer researchers' perspectives
From Marie Curie’s discovery of radium that eventually led to radiation therapy, to the pioneering work in chemotherapy by Jane Cooke...
A decade later, survivor remains grateful for proton therapy
During a routine physical exam in June 2010, my doctor expressed concern about a possible heart abnormality. A CT scan showed my heart...
8 foods that impact stress
There’s no doubt about it, food and stress are linked. And it’s not just that when you’re stressed you might eat too much, or too...
Navigating Burkitt lymphoma treatment while pregnant
Betsy Lucas was five months pregnant when a curious dime-sized lump arose on her neck.
Her family doctor thought it was likely an...
Can a pregnancy test predict testicular cancer?
A social media post about a man’s positive pregnancy test reportedly led to his testicular cancer diagnosis.
The man jokingly took...
Childhood leukemia survivor supports MD Anderson’s mission...
A picture is worth a thousand words, and Jordan Pietz is helping tell MD Anderson’s stories with his artistic talents and scientific...
Multiple myeloma survivor: Why I chose MD Anderson for my...
I’m an orthopedic surgeon at one of the largest general hospitals in the Houston area. It serves as a major trauma center for the...
4 advances in radiation therapy for lung cancer treatment
One of the most difficult aspects of treating lung cancer with radiation therapy is determining the best way to deliver it. Ideally,...
Breast cancer survivor: Do what’s best for you
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 50 in February 2017, there was no doubt in my mind as to where I’d go for treatment.
Whipple procedure: 9 things to know
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, you may have heard of the Whipple procedure. This complex...
Genetic testing for cancer risk: Insight for health care...
Between 5% and 10% of all cancers are hereditary, which means that changes in specific genes are passed from one generation to...
Chemotherapy side effect: hand-foot syndrome...
Hand-foot syndrome (also called palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia) is a side effect of some chemotherapy drugs that can cause redness,...
Which COVID-19 vaccine is best for cancer patients?
With three COVID-19 vaccines now authorized for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), you might be wondering which...
What’s safe for vaccinated cancer patients?
When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidelines earlier this month for those who’ve gotten vaccinated...
Immunotherapy and colorectal cancer: Where we are and...
The immune system defends the body from viruses and bacteria. But it’s not as successful in killing cancer on its own. Immune...
Updated guidelines expand lung cancer screening eligibility
Today, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released new guidelines for annual lung cancer screening through low-dose CT...
Metastatic medullary thyroid cancer survivor: MD Anderson’s...
When Becky Post began having digestive issues in 2012, she chalked them up to stress from work and recent international travel. It...
Cancer of the unknown primary survivor: MD Anderson came up...
In early 2020, I started experiencing front-facing falls. I didn’t have any other symptoms, though, so I didn’t think much of it. That...
How to manage nausea from cancer treatment
One of the most common side effects of cancer treatment is nausea. It can be caused by chemotherapy, radiation therapy and even...
Losing a cousin to colorectal cancer saved his life
As a health care quality professional, Al Thomas always made his annual physical a priority. When he went to see his primary care...
COVID-19 vaccines and mammograms: 7 things to know
Could getting a COVID-19 vaccine affect the results of your mammogram or other diagnostic imaging exams?
Physicians at MD Anderson...
Daughter donates stem cells to dad, with support from child...
Last year, Caroline Hysmith became a stem cell donor for her dad, Timothy. She was only 15 at the time.
As part of his leukemia...
Migraine headaches in cancer patients: How to prevent and...
Cancer patients can experience a wide range of side effects. For some, migraine headaches can have a big impact on their quality of...
Tracheostomy care for cancer patients and caregivers
Living with a tracheostomy and learning proper tracheostomy care can take some adjustment for cancer patients who rely on them during...
For lung cancer survivor, third time’s the charm
When Fran Sargent’s doctor in Michigan said he’d need to remove her entire left lung to confirm she had cancer, her response was swift.
MD Anderson helped my son through a pediatric...
When my son, Sawyer, was just two years old, we started to notice that he had swelling on the left side of his face. I saw what looked...
Lost your sense of taste or smell? 8 tips for eating well
It’s rare for people to completely lose their sense of taste or smell. But noticeable – and usually temporary – changes to these...
Baseball coach shows no signs of rectal cancer five years...
When Tony Beasley was diagnosed with stage III rectal cancer in 2016, he could have easily asked “Why me?” Instead, he posed the...
Are your symptoms IBS or colorectal cancer?
Last updated Oct. 4, 2021
Colorectal cancer shares some symptoms with a less serious, but much more common disease: irritable bowel...
Targeting the KRAS mutation for more effective cancer...
Since the discovery of KRAS gene mutations in 1983, researchers have worked to develop new therapies that target this protein when...
Tonsil cancer survivor: 'MD Anderson will always be a part...
When Tim Hardesty walks the MD Anderson skybridge in short sleeves, he’s frequently stopped by employees and patients alike who notice...
Nanomedicine: Small particles with huge possibilities for...
Nanomedicine is a quickly emerging area of study that uses nanoparticles for drug delivery, diagnoses and in vivo imaging. While...
9 weight loss strategies that work
Weight loss usually requires more than willpower. That’s because adjusting what you eat and how much you exercise are big lifestyle...
Lung cancer survivor: Go to MD Anderson for treatment
I always thought of lung cancer as a smoker’s disease, so I was pretty astonished when I received my own diagnosis in December 2019....
Don’t let COVID-19 stress stop you from quitting smoking
Studies show that 70% of people who smoke want to quit. If you’re in that group, now is the perfect time to quit smoking.
Trying to...
6 questions about coronavirus mutations
New strains of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes COVID-19 have already been identified in four different countries, including the...
You’ve gotten the COVID-19 vaccine. Now what?
Last updated March 11, 2021
You’ve gotten a COVID-19 vaccine. That’s a big, welcome milestone. After months of masking, social...
myCancerConnection gave me hope before my total pelvic...
The first time I heard the term “total pelvic exenteration” in January 2016, I thought my local doctors were crazy. I’d been in...
6 things to do after a cancer diagnosis
The test results are back. You’ve talked to the doctor and learned you have cancer.
Whether it’s your first cancer diagnosis or your...
What’s next for MRI and cancer research? Using...
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a type of imaging test that’s used to diagnose cancer and monitor tumor growth.
“MRI is an...
Ewing’s sarcoma caregiver: Finding a targeted radiation...
In Sept. 2019, I discovered a rock-hard bump on my son Logan’s chest. The next day, an X-ray revealed a soft tissue mass on his chest....
Singing surgeon puts liver cancer patient at ease during...
Jon Humphrey was apprehensive about having his chemotherapy port installed. In June 2020, he was preparing to start chemotherapy for...
COVID-19 vaccine gives ICU nurse hope
The last 10 months have been the most challenging of Patricia Galvin’s 30-plus year nursing career.
On Dec. 15, she became the...
BIA-ALCL patient shares advice for patients with rare...
My road to MD Anderson for breast implant-associated large cell anaplastic lymphoma treatment (BIA-ALCL) had lots of ups and downs....
Study provides roadmap for sinonasal undifferentiated...
When Robin Hollins was diagnosed with an aggressive type of cancer that begins in the lining of the nose and sinuses, she was eager to...
Colorectal cancer patient: Choose MD Anderson first
When other cancer patients ask for advice, rectal cancer survivor Robert Cuppett tells them to go to MD Anderson -- and to go there...
Should you wear two face masks?
Last updated March 9, 2021
World leaders, celebrities and your neighbors are doubling up on their face masks to strengthen their...
Fact-check: 9 myths about the COVID-19 vaccines
Last update March 8, 2021
Myths and misconceptions about the COVID-19 vaccines may be impacting the decisions you make about whether...
New research offers treatment advances for stomach and...
Stomach and esophageal cancers are diagnosed in more than 40,000 people each year in the U.S. Most of these cases aren’t detected...
Can mRNA vaccines be used in cancer care?
The COVID-19 vaccines mark the first widespread use of mRNA technology. They work by using synthetic genetic code to instruct the...
Stage IV melanoma survivor: Protect your skin
I was a real sun-worshipper growing up, so I spent a lot of time at the beach. Galveston Island is only an hour away from my hometown...
5 things I learned as a leukemia caregiver
My dear husband, Craig, fought courageously, but lost his battle with acute myeloid leukemia in December 2016. It’s hard to believe...
Do at-home genetic tests work?
At-home genetic tests can reveal a wide range of information that can impact your life in different ways. You might find out you’re...
How proton therapy spared my baby of paralysis from...
When Charlie was eight weeks old, I noticed his legs had become limp. We took him to the ER and discovered he had a large tumor...
What cancer patients should know about getting the COVID-19...
Last updated April 8, 2021
If you're currently in cancer treatment or have previously had cancer, you might be wondering if you...
How Therapeutics Discovery is developing targeted therapies...
Discovering and developing new treatments for cancer is a difficult process with many obstacles. These challenges can slow the process...
How I found hope at MD Anderson during non-Hodgkin lymphoma...
In May 2019, a few days after my son’s high school graduation, I woke up to a large lump as hard as a tennis ball on my side. My...
Virtual support groups bring comfort, connections for...
Jenn Myers was scrolling through Facebook while waiting for her chemotherapy session to start last April when a post caught her...
4 myths about oral cancer symptoms
As director of MD Anderson’s Oral Cancer Prevention Clinic, I see many patients each year with both oral cancers and pre-cancerous...
Do lung cancer patients need molecular profiling?
For some patients with non-small lung cancer, chemotherapy isn’t the most effective treatment option. But based on a tumor’s molecular...
Colorectal cancer survivor: Don’t put off your colonoscopy
Last updated Oct. 4, 2021
Warren Bright made sure to get his physical every year. But he put off getting a colonoscopy until he was...
Cervical cancer survivor: Why I chose MD Anderson for my...
When I was first diagnosed with cervical cancer in March 2012, I got treated near my home in southern Louisiana. It wasn’t because I...
Teacher’s virtual bedtime stories entertain childhood...
At night before they drift off to sleep, pediatric patients at MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital can snuggle up in bed with a...
Melanoma survivor: Why I joined an immunotherapy clinical...
I’m originally from Maine, but I’ve known for a long time that MD Anderson is the gold standard of cancer care. So, when I was...
Mediterranean diet may slow prostate cancer progression
The Mediterranean diet can help reduce your risk for many diseases. It helps prevent heart disease and strokes, and has been linked to...
Hodgkin vs. non-Hodgkin lymphoma: What’s the difference?
The terms Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma can be easily confused. Although they’re both named after the scientist who discovered...
Robotic surgery, compassion ease patient’s tonsil cancer...
After Tony Loth was diagnosed with tonsil cancer, a local specialist told him the best course of action was a radical neck dissection....
Virtual visits bring big benefits for cancer care
When JuanDiego Mata-Ornelas was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma at age 16, he was too young to travel alone from his home in south...