Patient access representative supports patients, team during hurricane
As a patient access representative for Lymphoma, Graciela “Grace” Chavez is the first point of contact for many new MD Anderson patients. She handles intake and helps them prepare for their first visit, including completing registration, obtaining medical records, and scheduling their first appointment.
“Patients are often scared before their first appointment,” says Jennifer Canales-Olmos, supervisor of patient access operations...
MD Anderson helps survivor through three cancer diagnoses
Diane White had bronchitis off and on for most of her adult life. But one case in late 2019 was hard to shake.
So, she saw her family...
Stage IV leiomyosarcoma survivor: Faith and quality care got me through cancer
Sheri Peters was diagnosed with stage IV leiomyosarcoma of the uterus in 2015. Her 17-year-old son, Zach, had died from stage IV Ewing’s sarcoma...
‘How I knew I had bladder cancer’: 3 survivors’ first symptoms
Bladder cancer is a disease of the urinary tract. So, most bladder cancer symptoms will affect urination in some way.
“The most common bladder cancer symptom far and away is blood in the urine,” says urologic surgeon Thomas Smith, M.D.
Here, three survivors share their first bladder cancer symptoms, and Smith weighs in on when to see a doctor.
Blood in urine is often the first bladder cancer symptomOne day in 2018...
9 things to know about lip cancer
Lip cancer describes cancer that develops on the inside or outside of the lip. Anyplace from where the lips touch each other and inward is...
Hodgkin lymphoma survivor thankful for care at MD Anderson
Macey Hicks always made her health a priority. She went to 4 a.m. boot camp classes, worked out regularly, didn’t smoke and ate plenty of...
Lung cancer survivor grateful for immunotherapy clinical trial
It’s been almost a year since Att Callahan was diagnosed with stage IIB lung cancer. The diagnosis came after she began coughing up blood...
‘How I knew I had a brain tumor’: 4 survivors share their symptoms
Headaches and seizures are common brain tumor symptoms. But they can also be caused by other medical conditions.
So, how can you tell...
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs): What are they, and how are they treated?
A gastrointestinal stromal tumor is a type of sarcoma that develops in the connective tissue of the gastrointestinal tract. It’s often referred...
Medullary thyroid cancer survivor trusts MD Anderson for long-term care
In March 2019, Dana Reeves was preparing for several milestones. Her daughter was getting ready to graduate from high school. Her husband...
Understanding chondrosarcoma: symptoms, treatment and prognosis
Chondrosarcoma is a rare type of bone cancer that develops in cartilage cells. It is the most common bone cancer in adults.
Conventional...
Stage III bile duct cancer survivor: ‘I can’t imagine being anywhere but MD Anderson’
For over two years, JoAnne Holly fought a terrible rash on her face and back. She visited several doctors and even had biopsies done. They...
Cancer treatment-related nail changes: 7 things to know
Cancer treatment can cause physical and emotional side effects. You may notice changes to your nails if you receive chemotherapy or certain...
Urothelial carcinoma: 8 insights about this common bladder cancer
Urothelial carcinoma is cancer that develops in the urothelial cells. These cells are located in the urothelium, which lines the inside of...
Researcher studies tumor cell interaction to improve immunotherapy
Kenneth Hu, Ph.D., first got a taste of what it’s like to work in a real science lab as a senior in high school. He was part of a program...
Orthopedic oncologist passionate about helping patients regain mobility
Valerae Lewis, M.D., always knew she wanted to be a doctor. Math and science fascinated her. She liked working with her hands. As a child,...
Retinoblastoma: 7 insights on this rare eye cancer
Retinoblastoma is a cancer that forms in the retina, a layer of tissue in the eye that’s sensitive to light. It’s a rare eye cancer, but it...
Researcher wants to use epigenetics to advance cancer treatment
When Angela Ting, Ph.D., was in her third year of college at The University of British Columbia, she still hadn’t decided on a career. She...
Cancerversaries: How and why cancer survivors celebrate
If you’re a cancer survivor, you may have heard the term ‘cancerversary.’ A combination of the words ‘cancer’ and ‘anniversary,’ a cancerversary...
Young adult colon cancer survivor says support was vital during treatment
At age 26, Savannah Kaspar was a typical young adult: working, spending time with family and friends and planning trips. But after a colorectal...
CAR T cell therapy for pediatric patients: What parents should know
CAR T cell therapy is a type of immunotherapy that modifies T cells, so they can detect and fight cancer cells. This therapy is increasingly...
Squamous cell carcinoma survivor thankful he chose proton therapy
A routine dentist visit prompted a series of tests that led to Jay Rusovich’s squamous cell carcinoma diagnosis in early 2023.
“My...
Young adult cancer survivor’s treatment sparks passion for photography
In February 2013, Kenyan Guidry went to the emergency room for what he thought were symptoms related to a recent car accident.
“I was...
Cancer in the sigmoid colon: What it means when colon cancer is on the left side
The sigmoid colon is the part of the large intestine (colon) closest to the rectum. It absorbs water from stool and pushes the stool to the...
Ommaya reservoir and its role in cancer care
An Ommaya reservoir is a plastic, dome-shaped device inserted underneath the skin on your scalp. The dome is connected to a catheter placed...
MD Anderson helps breast cancer survivor get back to her family
Stacia Folloder was nine years away from the recommended age to get her first mammogram when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 31...
Childhood cancer caregiver is passionate about serving our children
When it comes to MD Anderson’s pediatric cancer patients, Tomika Gamble is the agent of fun.
As program director for pediatric support...
What are the top 5 warning signs of prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland in the male reproductive system. It is the...