If a recent mammogram showed you have dense breast tissue, you may wonder what this means for your breast cancer risk. Studies show that dense breast tissue makes breast cancer screening more difficult and increases the risk of breast cancer. A dense breast tissue diagnosis is an opportunity to review your breast cancer risk factors …
After decades in education as a teacher, principal and administrator, Pam Neves was enjoying her retirement. She was relishing time with family, traveling, fun with friends and the occasional pickle ball game. There was one aspect of life after retirement that she never saw coming—cancer. Like many others, Pam’s life changed suddenly and completely. In …
Living life to the fullest in the face of breast cancer Read More »
Chances are, you know someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Maybe it even runs in your family and you’re worried about your own risk. Or maybe you’re simply starting to get older and you want to know how to prevent it from happening to you. While cancer can strike anyone, some people—mostly women, …
Even for adults, cancer is a big diagnosis to process. And if you have children, you may be unsure how to help them understand your diagnosis too. From toddlers to teens, telling kids about cancer is one of the conversations that recently diagnosed parents struggle with the most. While your initial reaction may be to …
Retired US Navy Lt. Cmdr. Bren Doreck has fought his fair share of battles. But there’s one battle he never saw coming—cancer. At only 39 years old, he was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) while fighting for his country overseas. Suddenly, Bren found himself in a battle for his life. It’s only through his unwavering strength, …
Navy veteran overcomes leukemia with help of his birth mother Read More »
Sometimes, as women, we have a hard time prioritizing ourselves. We take care of our other priorities, such as family and work, before we take care of our own needs. In doing this, it’s all too easy to ignore common cancer symptoms for far too long. Here’s what I want you to hear today—putting yourself …
Have you been putting off screening for colon cancer? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 30% of adults aren’t up to date on their recommended screenings. But, if you’re hesitant to get a colonoscopy, that doesn’t mean you should avoid screening altogether. There are other procedures and tests that may …
Beyond colonoscopy: What to know about alternative colon cancer screenings Read More »
Colonoscopies sometimes have an undeserved reputation, especially among those who haven’t had one before. I hear my patients say they’ve heard something bad from their neighbor, their family or an online search. But often, these negative misconceptions go away once they have their first screening. As a physician, I believe in the scientific data behind …
Time for a colonoscopy? Here’s what to expect (and why it’s not that bad) Read More »
When you’re facing a cancer diagnosis or awaiting the results of your latest scan, every hour may feel like an eternity. From the moment you know something is off, you may feel like you’re constantly waiting for the next steps—the next appointment with a specialist, the next scan, the next test result, the next step …
Waiting for cancer test results? How to ease the anxiety and fear Read More »
Liver cancer is the sixth leading cause of cancer death in the US and the incidence of liver cancer has more than tripled in the past 40 years. So, what’s behind this disturbing trend—and should you be worried? Risk factors for liver cancer The most common type of primary liver cancer is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) …