Former teacher’s wisdom helps increase high school blood donations
After spending 13 years as a classroom teacher, MD Anderson Blood Bank community representative Jeannette Salloum was thrilled to begin managing the high school component of our blood donor program.
“It was already thriving when I took over in 2018,” she says. “But as a former educator, there will always be a part of me that wants to work with students and teachers.”
MD Anderson’s high school blood donor program plays a...
What color is breast cancer discharge?
Only about 5% of patients report having nipple discharge as one of their breast cancer symptoms.
But when they do, what does it look...
Can dry, scaly skin be a sign of cancer?
Dry, scaly skin can be a sign of many common skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis. It could also be a sign that you’re dehydrated...
How is ablation therapy used to treat cancer?
Ablation therapy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that kills cancer cells with either very hot or very cold temperatures.
It is used to treat both primary tumors in their original locations and cancers that have spread — or metastasized — to other organs.
To learn more about the risks and benefits of ablation therapy, as well as how it works and which patients might be eligible to receive it, we spoke...
5 things to expect after finishing chemotherapy
If you’re receiving chemotherapy as a part of your cancer treatment, you’ve probably already figured out ways to make it a little more manageable...
Should you get a full-body scan to look for cancer?
Getting a full-body scan to check yourself out for possible cancers might sound like a great idea. But what are the risks and benefits? And...
Desmoid tumors: 8 things to know
Desmoid tumors are slow-growing, locally invasive tumors that develop in the body’s connective tissues. Also known as aggressive fibromatosis...
Sell by, best by and use by dates: 5 things to know
Use by.
Best by.
Sell by.
We’ve all seen these confusing terms printed alongside dates on food packages and wrappers...
Signs of thyroid issues: How do you know if you have them?
Ever heard someone blame their inability to lose weight on a “thyroid problem?”
While “thyroid problems” can and do cause people real...
7 questions about B vitamin supplements
If you follow professional or collegiate sports, you’ve probably heard at least a few athletes say they needed a B12 injection to boost their...
Ministrokes and cancer: 9 questions answered
Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or “ministrokes” are temporary blockages caused by clots in the blood vessels that supply the brain. Usually...
What does colon cancer pain feel like?
Most people diagnosed with colon cancer won’t mention pain as one of their symptoms. But when they do, how do they describe it? What does...
‘How I knew I had endometrial cancer’: Six survivors share their stories
Maria Lozano was already well into menopause when she started experiencing the most common symptom of endometrial cancer (also known as uterine...
Deep vein thrombosis as a side effect of cancer: 9 things to know
The risk of developing blood clots is somewhat higher among cancer patients. This is due both to the inflammatory nature of the disease itself...
What is a biopsy? 7 questions, answered
Many cancer patients will need a type of tissue analysis called a biopsy at some point. What is a biopsy, how does it work and what can it...
Edema and cancer: 8 questions answered
Edema is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in body tissue. It happens when the fluid that would normally stay in the bloodstream leaks out...
Traveling with cancer: 7 questions to ask your doctor
Some elements of travel are the same for everyone. Clothing and toiletries, for instance, are generally a packing staple. Many people bring...
Is breast cancer more common on the left side?
A study published in Nature last fall suggests that breast cancer is slightly more common on the left side of the body than it is on the right...
30-year stage IV colon cancer survivor: Cryoablation clinical trial at MD Anderson saved my life
When Gene Jones was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in 1993, cryoablation was such a new therapy that MD Anderson was still waiting on...
Artificial sweeteners and cancer: 7 things to know
Artificial sweeteners have been on a lot of people’s minds lately — especially since the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Agency...
Radon exposure and lung cancer: 11 things to know
After smoking, radon exposure is considered the second most common cause of lung cancer in the United States. It is usually suspected when...
5 questions to ask a medical oncologist during your first visit
One of the first physicians you may speak with after a cancer diagnosis is a medical oncologist.
These doctors specialize in...
When should I take antibiotics? 7 questions, answered
Antibiotics are a class of medications used to treat bacterial infections. They work by either killing the bacteria outright or by disabling...
‘How I knew I had throat cancer’: Four survivors share their symptoms
For high school football coach Mark Teague, the only symptom of throat cancer he noticed was a small lump beneath his jaw.
“I...
Ovarian cysts and cancer: Is there a connection?
Benign — or non-cancerous — ovarian cysts are common among women of childbearing age. And most premenopausal women who have one at any given...
Leukemia specialist, amateur painter finds meaningful connection between art and medicine
Hagop Kantarjian, M.D., isn’t just the head of Leukemia at MD Anderson; he’s also a prolific artist.
Since 1992, the leukemia specialist...
Colonoscopy anesthesia: 7 things to know
If you’ve never had a colonoscopy before, you might have some questions about anesthesia.
Is there more than one option, for...
What happens if a doctor finds cancer during my colonoscopy?
Most colonoscopies end with a gastroenterologist saying to come back in 10 years for another colorectal cancer screening, a woozy ride home...
Can pelvic organ prolapse be a sign of cancer?
Pelvic organ prolapse — or the intrusion of nearby organs into the vaginal canal — is a condition that occurs most often as a side effect...
Dry mouth (xerostomia) in cancer patients: 5 things to know
Xerostomia is the scientific term for a chronically dry mouth. Though it might not seem like that big of a deal, dry mouth is actually a very...
Squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs: 5 things to know
Squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs is a type of non-small-cell cancer that originates in the thin, flat cells lining the airways. About...
Salivary gland cancer: 9 things to know
Cancer of the salivary gland is not very common. Only about 2,500 cases are diagnosed in the United States each year.
So, how do you...
Caring for adult children with cancer: 4 tips for parents
Learning that your child has cancer is never easy — no matter how old your child might be. But in some ways, managing their care can be simpler...
Should you have your fallopian tubes removed to reduce your ovarian cancer risk?
A woman could have her fallopian tubes removed for any number of reasons. Sometimes, it’s necessary to treat an ectopic pregnancy or to resolve...
What does ‘supporting’ a cancer patient look like? 4 dos and don’ts
If you know someone going through cancer treatment, you might feel eager to help, but not quite sure what to do.
Should you offer them...
Fecal microbiota transplants: 10 questions, answered
If you’ve never heard of a fecal microbiota transplant before, the concept might seem a bit startling at first.
But transferring...
5 thoughtful, personalized ways to make a cancer patient feel loved
You may already know that people tend to feel loved best when friends and family show affection in the ways that they find the most meaningful...
What does oral thrush look like?
Oral thrush is a fungal infection of the mouth often caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans. But why do people receiving cancer treatment...
5 ways to improve your life as a caregiver
When you act as the caregiver for a cancer patient, it’s easy to let your own needs take a back seat sometimes. After all, they are the sick...
Children’s Art Project gives osteosarcoma survivor meaningful experiences as both a child and an adult
Jordan Rance was only 11 years old when she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2005.
“I didn’t have any symptoms,” she says. “I got...
What does an early inflammatory breast cancer rash look like?
Redness or another change in the skin color of the breast, swelling on one side and/or a rash that appears quickly — sometimes literally overnight...
5 hard truths it’s important to acknowledge as a caregiver
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), roughly 6 in every 10 adults live with some form of chronic illness. Many are severe enough...
Can frequent UTIs be a sign of bladder cancer?
The symptoms of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and the symptoms of bladder cancer can be very similar. Both may involve pain while urinating...
How is ovarian cancer treated?
One reason ovarian cancer often comes with a poor prognosis is that the disease is not usually diagnosed until it’s already in the latter...
7 myths about caregiving you shouldn’t believe
Taking care of myself is selfish.
All of the support available is for patients.
Nobody really understands what I'm going through...
How is ovarian cancer diagnosed?
Cervical cancer can be detected with a Pap test. Breast cancer can be detected with mammograms and clinical breast exams. But ovarian cancer...
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): 7 things to know
If you’ve been diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS, you might have questions. For instance, is DCIS the same thing as stage 0...
Food allergies and cancer: How to nourish yourself well during treatment
Navigating life with a food allergy is often a challenge on its own. Throw in a cancer diagnosis on top of it, and nourishing yourself properly...
What to expect after an oophorectomy: 9 questions, answered
If you need an oophorectomy as a part of your ovarian cancer treatment, you probably have some questions.
How much of your internal...
Neutropenic precautions: 5 dos and don’ts for this cancer treatment side effect
You may already know that it’s important to wash your hands, wear a face mask and avoid sick people while neutropenic.
But is there...
CT scan vs. MRI: What’s the difference?
You may already know that MRIs and CT scans are two of the imaging methods doctors use to diagnose and stage cancer.
But do you...
Topical magnesium patches and sprays for cancer patients: Are they safe?
If you shop online or use social media at all, you’ve probably seen at least one advertisement recently for topical magnesium sprays or transdermal...
8 excuses not to donate blood, busted
I’m taking medication.
I just got over the flu.
I have a chronic health condition.
These are three common reasons...
Need CAR T cell therapy? Here’s what to expect
CAR T cell therapy is a type of immunotherapy used to treat lymphoma, multiple myeloma and some forms of leukemia. The treatment modifies...
Side effects of radiation therapy for breast cancer
If you need radiation therapy as a part of your breast cancer treatment, you may have questions about side effects.
What are the most...
The XBB1.5 COVID-19 variant: 7 questions, answered
A new COVID-19 subvariant called XBB1.5 is on the rise across the U.S.
Early reports indicate that it is much more contagious...
Cancer of the gums: 9 things to know
Gum disease is far more common than any type of gum cancer.
But how do you know if you have gingivitis, periodontitis or cancer...
10 things to avoid while receiving chemotherapy
If you’re receiving chemotherapy as a part of your cancer treatment, you’ve probably already learned a few tricks to make the experience easier...