Blog

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Incidences of colorectal cancer are rising in people under age 50. That makes it even more important for adults to understand their individual risk and take steps to be screened for colorectal cancer. What is Colorectal Cancer? Colorectal cancer is cancer that develops in the large intestine (colon) or the part of the large intestine that connects to the anus (rectum). Most colorectal cancers begin as polyps—small growths in the lining of the intestine. Polyps, even noncancerous ones, can be removed during a colonoscopy, which is why we say that...

February 13th, 2014 22 Months All Clear! I'm happy to report that my 22 month post-surgery check up showed no evidence of lingering cancer cells.I'm not happy to report that the Tucson cancer "establishment" is still not telling new chemotherapy patients about the baldness-preventing cold caps that preserved my hair and my morale.  Not a single person has contacted me for information despite newspaper and TV publicity about their effectiveness with me. I recently attended a psychology conference in Anaheim with an estimated 8,000 attendees. See the attached photo for what I wore. ...

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. In fact, research shows that it is the third-leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, will result in over 53,000 fatalities in 2020, and will appear in almost 150,000 patients over that same time frame. As with many health issues, knowledge of colorectal cancer means power: the power of early detection, treatment, and in some cases even prevention. You may worry that you or a loved one are at risk for developing colorectal cancer; or you may want to better understand certain aspects of this...

Cancer treatment continues to advance, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of it with our brand-new Halcyon Linac by Varian. This state-of-the-art radiotherapy system offers faster treatment in a spacious, patient-centered design, while incorporating volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) to deliver a consistent radiation dose to tumors while minimizing the dose to healthy tissue. Dr. Neil D’Souza is a radiation oncologist at our Goodyear location who has firsthand experience with this revolutionary machine. We asked him to share, in layman’s terms, exactly what makes the Halcyon Linac...

January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, a time set aside to increase awareness of the disease and the importance of screening as a prevention strategy. Arizona Oncology reminds all women to speak with their healthcare providers about being screened for cervical cancer. In the United States, approximately 13,820 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and more than 4,360 women will die from the disease this year, according to the American Cancer Society. Today, however, invasive cervical cancer is highly preventable. According to the National Cancer Institute, the key to preventing...

Jackie Dominguez had a very aggressive form of breast cancer, but with a multidisciplinary cancer care team who cared for her both physically and emotionally, she’s thriving with and beyond cancer. “The doctor was kind enough to not make me wait for the results. I’ll never forget that,” Jackie said. “But he also said that it wasn’t a death sentence. He just reassured me that I wasn’t going to die from this.” Jackie chose Arizona Oncology for treatment for her breast cancer. For most patients with breast cancer, surgery is the first step, and Jackie went to see Dr. Jennifer O’Neill, MD, FACS,...

Of all the cancers, lung cancer is claiming the most lives of men and women every year in the United States. If you are a smoker, then it likely concerns you that smokers have the greatest risk of developing lung cancer according to the CDC. The good news though is that even after a lifetime of smoking, you can substantially reduce your risk of getting lung cancer if you stop smoking now. This article explores practical tips that can help you to quit smoking and as a result, reduce your lung cancer risk. What Practical Steps Can Smokers Take to Reduce Their Lung Cancer Risk? Go...

The internet contains many valuable sources of information about cancer. Unfortunately, it's also used to spread fear through myths and misconceptions that are repeated so often that many people believe they're true. These 12 statements about cancer are often relayed as fact. However, they are really myths. Myths About Cancer A cancer diagnosis means the end of life. Cutting out sugar will cure cancer. Cancer is caused by artificial sweeteners. A biopsy or surgery will cause cancer to spread.  Cancer cures are being withheld. Cancer is a modern disease created by humans. Smartphones...

It’s the most wonderful time of the year—except when it isn’t. Facing the holidays with cancer presents unique challenges. It’s very common to experience a mixture of anticipation, excitement, and apprehension. The social workers at Arizona Oncology work with our patients to help them prepare for and cope with holiday-related pressures. Here are some of their tips. P Plan in Advance. In previous years you may have had the energy to pack the holiday season full of activities, traveling, and shopping. This year, however, doctor appointments, treatment side effects, and low energy may...