Physician assistant helps oral cancer survivor cope with rare diagnosis
Whenever Jessica King returns to Houston for an appointment at MD Anderson, she has to make one stop before she leaves: a visit with Jill Flynn, a physician assistant who cared for the Kilgore, Texas native during oral cancer treatment.
From Jessica’s first visit until she hit the gong at MD Anderson Proton Therapy Center to mark the end of her treatment, Flynn was there.
A rare oral cancer diagnosis...
Clinical trial puts rare BPDCN leukemia in remission with diphtheria-based targeted therapy drug
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. The...
Houston symphony brings music to hospitalized children, with three-time cancer survivor's help
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 Utah...
Stage IV melanoma survivor: Immunotherapy clinical trial put me in remission
My melanoma diagnosis started out like many others: a suspicious mole followed by a dermatology appointment — and then, bad news. That was in early 2017.
In my case, the mole was on top of my head. And though it darkened and bled occasionally, I still didn’t give it much thought, because I never imagined it might be cancer. I didn’t see a doctor until several months after it first appeared, and even then, only because my wife urged...
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. However, I...
Skin rashes and leukemia: 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 disorders...
Interventional radiologist: Expanding my comfort zone made me a better doctor
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 school...
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 colors...
Triple-negative breast cancer and leukemia survivor achieves remission after dual relapses
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 Anderson...
Basketball coach cancer-free after nasopharyngeal cancer treatment
I’ve prepared for a lot of big moments and competitions in my 30 years of coaching college and high school basketball. But nothing could have...
Daughter’s persistence shows importance of not delaying cancer screenings
Judy Garcia is still too young to need a regular mammogram herself. But as a breast ultrasound technologist, the 30-year-old knows how important...
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 patient...
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 changes shape...
Tobacco cessation study helps LGBTQ+ community members quit smoking
As a former competitive CrossFit athlete, Katherine Norman sees herself as a healthy person. Over the last year, she also saw herself as a...
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 career...
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 chronic...
Motorcycle racing champion in remission after leukemia clinical trial
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 something...
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. Memory loss...
4 things to ask your doctor after a new lung cancer diagnosis
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 therapy...
Triple-negative inflammatory breast cancer survivor: Why I joined a clinical trial
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 change...
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 months....
Should I take a collagen supplement?
Celebrities are promoting it, the internet is pushing it and your friends may even be raving about how taking collagen has helped their skin...