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Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in the United States. Annually, there are more than 5.4 million new cases of non-melanoma skin cancers. While there are fewer cases of melanoma, the incidence of this cancer is on the rise. Many of these cancers can be prevented by protecting skin from excessive sun exposure and avoiding indoor tanning. Read more about skin cancer prevention tips.  Risk factors Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or tanning beds Skin & hair color: People with fair skin, freckling or red or blond hair have a...

Aside from skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Therefore, it’s important to learn some facts about prostate cancer screenings and make sure you, or the males in your life, are getting screened for prostate cancer in a timely manner.   Early Detection of Prostate Cancer Can Provide Better Outcomes for Patients! All men, even healthy ones, can benefit from making prostate cancer screenings part of their regular healthcare routine. Doctors sometimes recommend testing simply because of age or family history. Other times, patients have some symptoms, and their doctor...

By Robert Gin, MD The word profiling has been defined as the use of personal characteristics or behavior patterns to make generalizations about a person. Profiling is used in our everyday lives. When someone knocks on our door and we look through the peephole, we make a split decision on the person’s appearance to decide if we open the door or turn off our lights to show no one is at home. Dating sites and the internet collect data and use that information to present users with a compatible person or products.  However, profiling is not limited to just people. Think about walking...

September is Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month, providing us with a perfect opportunity to dispel myths about these often misunderstood blood cancers. Below are some of the most common misconceptions: 1. Myth: Leukemia and Lymphomas Aren't Cancer Fact: Both leukemia and lymphoma are types of cancer. While many people think of cancer in terms of solid tumors, leukemia and lymphomas are considered blood cancers. They affect the production and function of blood cells, which are essential for overall health. Leukemia starts in the bone marrow, where blood cells are produced. The disease...

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month – a time dedicated to informing women and their families about a disease that affects thousands of women each year. Ovarian cancer, a type of cancer that begins in the ovaries, is often referred to as the “silent killer” because it isn’t usually diagnosed until it has progressed to an advanced stage. Many early symptoms either aren’t apparent or they are mimicking symptoms of other stomach and digestive illnesses. This is why it’s not only important to know the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, but also to pay close attention to any new or...

According to the American Association for Cancer Research, approximately 19,680 women in the United States are expected to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year. Unfortunately, because most ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage when the disease has already spread beyond the ovaries, nearly 12,740 will lose their lives. Ovarian cancer is the mostly deadly cancer of the female reproductive system and the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths in women in the United States.   The SEER five-year survival rate for ovarian cancer, if caught in early (stage one), is a promising...

August is Wellness Month and an excellent opportunity to talk about how crucial a healthy lifestyle is to cancer prevention. “Up to 90 to 95 percent of cancers have their roots in environment and lifestyle, while only 5 to 10 percent have a genetic component,” explains Dr. Aisha Ahmed, medical oncologist and hematologist at Arizona Oncology. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that between 30% to 50% of all cancer cases are preventable. When you make choices that prioritize your health and wellness, you are taking actionable steps against developing cancer. While not all...

Exposure to ultraviolet light is the primary cause of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers and premature aging. Both of these can be largely avoided by protecting the skin from ultraviolet rays – whether from the sun or tanning beds. If you’re going to be outdoors one of the best things you can do to protect your skin is to wear sunscreen. Wearing protective clothing and avoiding the sun at the hottest times of the day (10 am - 4 pm) can also reduce the risk of developing skin cancer. With so many options, numbers and phrases on sunscreen packages, going to the store to choose the...

Recent studies indicate a troubling trend: cancer diagnoses among adults younger than 50 are becoming more common. What used to be considered an affliction of the elderly is striking more and more people during their prime working and child-rearing years. “By 2030, one recent study estimated, the number of these early-onset cancer diagnoses could increase by roughly 30% worldwide,” says Dr. Aisha Ahmed, medical oncologist and hematologist at Arizona Oncology. That’s a frightening statistic, but understanding what drives it can be empowering. Dr. Ahmed walks us through the facts. Why Are More...

According to the American Cancer Society, about 2 million new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in 2024. More than 18 million Americans will be living beyond cancer. The American Cancer Society reports a majority of cancer survivors (69%) were diagnosed 5 or more years ago.  Prostate, breast and colorectal cancers are the most common diagnoses among survivors. The increase in survival rates over the last 5 years can be attributed to early detection methods for cancer screening, and advancements in identifying new targeted cancer therapies. As cancer detection and treatment continue...