Oral cancer survivor: 5 quality of life hacks that I didn’t learn until survivorship
When I was still in active treatment for stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, a type of oral cancer, I was so focused on staying alive that I couldn’t think too far into the future.
But after five years of being cancer-free, I finally transitioned to survivorship. That meant I only needed to come back to MD Anderson once a year for check-ups. It also meant I’d meet with a nurse or a physician assistant instead...
Magnesium supplements and mocktails for better sleep: Do they work?
You may have seen “sleepy girl mocktail” recipes making the rounds on social media, promising deep and restful sleep. Usually, these non-alcoholic...
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...
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) diagnosis fuels nurse educator’s passion for goal concordant care
Tori McClosky’s senior year of high school turned upside down when a tumor was found on her brain. The cause was neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a genetic condition that causes tumors to grow on nerves in the brain and throughout the body.
“I went from planning prom and playing soccer to shaving my hair off and preparing for brain surgery,” she recalls. “It was shocking. I was living my life, and everything was great until I got...
7 tips for maintaining weight loss
You’ve hit your weight loss goal! Now what?
While there is no shortage of information on how to lose weight, it can be trickier to...
Meeting with a research nurse during a clinical trial: What to know
Enrolling in a clinical trial is one way to access cancer treatment that may not yet be broadly available while helping future cancer patients...
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...
Guitarist’s awake craniotomy video strikes a chord with drummer facing similar diagnosis
When Adrian Rivas needed brain surgery, his doctors suggested he not only be awake in the middle of his procedure but that he also play the...
Caring for a cancer patient with cognitive impairments: Use this advice
Caregivers of cancer patients with cognitive impairments can face any number of unique challenges.
If their loved one has...
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...
Breast cancer survivor: Calling MD Anderson was the best decision I ever made
You only have one life. So, when you find out you have cancer, you don’t want to mess around. You want the best possible care you can get,...
Should you eat a lectin-free diet?
You’ve probably heard about the heart-healthy diet, the Mediterranean diet and even the keto diet. If you’re a cancer patient or caregiver...
Young adult astrocytoma survivor grateful for MD Anderson's expertise
“Other doctors felt they could not operate,” says Sean O’Brien, an astrocytoma survivor. But MD Anderson neurosurgeon Frederick Lang, M.D....
What does a data scientist do?
Theoretically, anyone who analyzes data to do science could call themselves a data scientist. But to me, that term also implies the use of...
3 women in science share their perspectives on working in cancer research
Women account for 1 in 3 researchers across the globe. At MD Anderson, women play a vital part in our research community. They are leaders...
Pleiomorphic sarcoma survivor: MD Anderson gave me back my life
When I was diagnosed with an aggressive soft-tissue cancer called undifferentiated pleiomorphic sarcoma at age 74, the tumor in my flank was...
Prostate cancer survivor grateful for high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)
When Howard Walton visited his primary care doctor in August 2022, she was concerned his prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were rising...
What is composite remission?
If you or someone you love has ever been diagnosed with a blood cancer such as leukemia or lymphoma, you’re probably already familiar with...