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 cancer treatment. It may even be a little intimidating at first. But patients can lead healthier lives by taking the necessary steps to prepare for a tracheostomy procedure and care for a tracheostomy, also called a trach.
We spoke with Kate Schwarzlose, an advanced practice registered nurse...
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 rhabdomyosarcoma diagnosis
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 like...
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 senses are both a common side effect of some types of cancer treatment and a tell-tale sign of a COVID-19 infection.
Our senses of taste and smell are so intricately linked that when you lose your sense of smell, it can often feel like you’ve also lost your ability to taste.
So, what...
Baseball coach shows no signs of rectal cancer five years after treatment
When Tony Beasley was diagnosed with stage III rectal cancer in 2016, he could have easily asked “Why me?” Instead, he posed the unlikely...
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 treatment
Since the discovery of KRAS gene mutations in 1983, researchers have worked to develop new therapies that target this protein when treating...
Tonsil cancer survivor: 'MD Anderson will always be a part of me'
When Tim Hardesty walks the MD Anderson skybridge in short sleeves, he’s frequently stopped by employees and patients alike who notice the...
Nanomedicine: Small particles with huge possibilities for cancer care
Nanomedicine is a quickly emerging area of study that uses nanoparticles for drug delivery, diagnoses and in vivo imaging. While nanomedicine...
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 changes...
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. I’d been...
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 United...
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 distancing...
myCancerConnection gave me hope before my total pelvic exenteration
The first time I heard the term “total pelvic exenteration” in January 2016, I thought my local doctors were crazy. I’d been in treatment...
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 hyperpolarized MRI to see treatment impact faster
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a type of imaging test that’s used to diagnose cancer and monitor tumor growth.
“MRI is an excellent...
Ewing’s sarcoma caregiver: Finding a targeted radiation plan for my son
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. A CT...
Singing surgeon puts liver cancer patient at ease during COVID-19 pandemic
Jon Humphrey was apprehensive about having his chemotherapy port installed. In June 2020, he was preparing to start chemotherapy for bile...