Driven to prevent cervical cancer worldwide
Kathleen Schmeler, M.D., has been focused on bringing high-quality cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment programs to women in underserved communities since she was a medical student more than 20 years ago.
The reason? “All patients deserve access to the same high-quality cancer care,” says the executive director of Global Oncology and professor of Gynecologic Oncology & Reproductive Medicine at MD Anderson. ...
What do cancerous breast lumps feel like?
A lump in your breast can sometimes be a sign of breast cancer. It could also be a harmless cyst, or a temporary change in breast tissue caused...
Squamous cell carcinomas: 8 things to know about the ‘cancer of the surfaces’
Much like adenocarcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas can develop in many locations, including the skin, lungs and cervix.
Unlike...
How to weather the tripledemic: When COVID-19, flu and RSV collide
You might know that flu season got off to an earlier start than usual this year or that the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is making a serious comeback. You may have even heard people call this a “tripledemic” of viruses. But you may be wondering why, or what — if anything — you should do about it.
We checked in with Chief Infection Control Officer Roy Chemaly, M.D., to find out what patients and their families should know about...
Pediatric leukemia caregivers: Why we’re grateful for MD Anderson
When Arav Patil was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the spring of 2019, his parents, Komal and Rahul, were dumbfounded....
Need an omentectomy? Here’s what to expect
If you need an omentectomy as a part of your cancer treatment, you probably have a lot of questions.
To learn more about who needs...
Cervical cancer symptoms: What to look for and when to see a doctor
Like many women diagnosed with cervical cancer, Linda Ryan didn’t initially have any symptoms. So, she didn’t know she had the disease until...
‘My first symptoms of ovarian cancer’: Signs to look for and when to see a doctor
Bloating, diarrhea and abdominal pain are three of the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer. They’re also some of the easiest to overlook...
What causes cervical cancer? 6 questions, answered
About 10,000 people are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. The vast majority of cases are due to the human papillomavirus (HPV).
CAR T cell therapy puts smoldering and multiple myeloma survivor in remission
Until she came to MD Anderson, 82-year-old Myrna Youmans had never heard the words “smoldering myeloma.” So, she didn’t know that they described...
‘How I knew I had lung cancer’: Three survivors share their symptoms
Chest pain, shortness of breath and a persistent cough can all be symptoms of lung cancer.
But they can also be signs of other conditions...
Papillary thyroid cancer: 8 questions, answered
Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common form of thyroid cancer. It is normally a slow-growing cancer and makes up roughly 80% to 85% of...
Nodular melanoma: 5 questions, answered
Nodular melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can mimic benign conditions, including blood blisters and acne. It’s also one of the more invasive...
Amelanotic melanoma: 7 questions, answered
Most melanomas tend to appear as irregular black or dark brown splotches on the skin. But amelanotic melanoma is an outlier: it doesn’t share...
Breast cysts and breast cancer: How can you tell the difference?
Many women will experience a breast cyst at some point in their lives. Though they tend to be more common among women between the ages of...
Flu and COVID-19 vaccines: What to know in 2022
The start of a new flu season often brings questions, such as: “When should I get my shot?” And, “Is it OK to get my flu shot and another...
Acral lentiginous melanoma: 8 questions about this rare skin cancer
Many skin cancers — including cutaneous melanoma — are associated with UV exposure. Yet acral lentiginous melanoma develops only on areas...
Canker sore vs. oral cancer: How can you tell the difference?
Most people experience a canker sore at some point in their lives. These small, often painful lesions can appear on any moist, fleshy surface...
COVID-19’s bivalent boosters: 9 questions, answered
Last updated on Oct. 13, 2022
You may have heard that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted emergency use authorization...
Need an ostomy? Here’s what to expect
If you need an ostomy as a part of your cancer treatment, you probably have a lot of questions.
To learn more about who...
Understanding the types of leukemia
How many types of leukemia are there? What makes each one unique, and are they treated any differently?
We went to leukemia specialist...
Mpox (monkeypox) 101: Insights for cancer patients and caregivers
Last updated Dec. 1, 2022.
If you’ve seen the headlines about mpox (formerly called monkeypox) and are wondering if you need to be...
7 self-soothing techniques to build emotional resilience
Has claustrophobia ever kept you from getting an MRI? Or a fear of needles made routine bloodwork or IV chemotherapy difficult? If so, then...
Hair loss after chemotherapy: 10 things to know
If you need chemotherapy as a part of your cancer treatment, you might have some concerns about losing your hair. But does every chemotherapy...
What happens to your lungs from smoking? 3 things to know
Roughly 85% of all lung cancer diagnoses are caused by smoking. But what does smoking actually do to your lungs?
Does the lung...
Colorectal cancer symptoms in women: 5 things to know
What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer in women? Are they any different from the symptoms that men normally experience? And is it possible...
Gift ideas for cancer patients: 14 survivors share their favorites
A bag of simple peppermint candies can provide welcome relief from the nausea that sometimes accompanies chemotherapy. And a tube of high-quality...
Melatonin for cancer patients: Is it safe?
If you’ve ever struggled with insomnia, you’ve likely heard of melatonin. This nutritional supplement has been widely available in drug stores...
Hairy cell leukemia: 6 questions, answered
Hairy cell leukemia is a rare blood cancer diagnosed in only about 1,000 people each year in the United States. Usually slow-growing, it’s...
COVID-19 and summer travel: Advice for cancer patients
Last updated May 31, 2022
Figuring out how to travel safely has never been more confusing — especially for cancer patients and their...
Who needs a second COVID-19 vaccine booster shot?
You may have heard talk recently about a second COVID-19 vaccine booster shot. But if you’re confused about whether you need one — and what...
Colon polyps: 10 things to know
If you’re age 45 or older, your doctor may have already talked to you about the need to start getting a colonoscopy to check for polyps. ...
What do your lab test results mean?
Ever logged into MyChart to check on some lab test results, then just stared blankly at the screen once you saw them? You’re not alone. ...
Is pancreatic cancer hereditary? 9 things to know
Many cancers have been linked to genetic mutations, whether they’re inherited or occur spontaneously.
Certain BRCA mutations, for instance...
7 anxiety hacks: How to manage stress and worry in the moment
Many people already know that activities like yoga, exercise, meditation and talk therapy can help reduce anxiety. But what do you do when...
Blood donation and COVID-19: 3 things to know
If you’re confused about how your COVID-19 status might affect your eligibility to donate blood or platelets, you’re not alone. ...
What does throat cancer look like?
Most people who are diagnosed with throat cancer won’t see anything unusual if they look in the mirror, open their mouths and say, “Ahhhh....
COVID-19 treatment options for cancer patients: 7 things to know
Last updated on Aug. 9, 2022.
When the COVID-19 pandemic began two years ago, so little was known about the SARS-CoV-2 virus that all...
‘Flurona’: when flu and COVID-19 collide
If you’ve heard the word “flurona” recently, but aren’t quite sure what it means, you’re not alone. Many people have expressed confusion about...