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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...

6 ovarian cancer signs and symptoms every woman should know:  Changes in appetite Bloating or increase in abdominal girth Frequent urination Changes in menstruation Discomfort in the pelvis Low energy  September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, so it's a good time to learn more about early detection and save lives. About 21,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year in the US. While about half of all cases happen in women who are age 63 and older, all women face some risk of developing the disease. Certain risk factors, including being overweight and a history of...

Arizona Oncology proudly announces its participation in the Enhancing Oncology Model (EOM), a novel program aimed at improving cancer care. Only 44 oncology practices across the country, including ours, have been selected to take part in this initiative. Backed by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), the program aligns with the Biden Administration's Cancer Moonshot effort to enhance the cancer treatment experience. What EOM Means for Patients The EOM primarily targets Medicare and Medicaid patients undergoing chemotherapy for seven cancer types: breast...

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...

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...

“Cancer and the diagnosis has changed my life.” - Deborah, Arizona Oncology patient Arizona Oncology patient, Deborah, recently shared her story with the world in the hopes that others could learn from her experience and be inspired by it. Deborah was diagnosed with advanced stage gynecological cancer. Her oncologist is Dr. Shobhana Talukdar. “I immediately had total trust in her, and I could tell that she cared and she made me at ease. She's such a caring person. I just am so lucky that I was led to her,” Deborah said. “Dee faced her advanced cancer diagnosis with a lot of courage and...

Ways to Minimize Side Effects from Cancer Treatment Because of advances in cancer treatment, more and more people can expect to reach remission or to live a long life with cancer. This is wonderful news! However, going through cancer treatment often isn’t easy. Cancer medications and radiation treatments can cause a variety of side effects that can be difficult to deal with. Here are some things you can do at home or with the help of your doctor to minimize side effects from cancer treatment. Appetite Loss. People being treated for cancer often don’t feel hungry. But when you don’t get...

Often times, when people hear the word “cancer”, sarcoma isn’t one that quickly comes to mind. Some may not even know what a sarcoma is--so it’s no surprise that it’s considered the “forgotten cancer.” To bring it to the forefront, July has been declared Sarcoma Awareness Month. Now, more than ever, is the perfect time to learn more about this rare disease. What is Sarcoma? Sarcomas can be broken into two main types: soft tissue sarcomas and bone sarcomas. There are, however, more than 50 different subtypes that fall under these two categories. Soft tissue sarcoma is a broad term...

Approximately 228 Americans are diagnosed every day with bladder cancer. July is recognized as National Bladder Cancer Awareness Month, and Arizona Oncology would like to remind all men and women to speak with their healthcare providers about the signs and symptoms, as well as screenings, for the disease. By finding cancer early, treatment is more effective. According to the American Cancer Society, it is estimated that nearly 83,190 new bladder cancer cases are expected this year, and more than 16,800 people will lose their lives to the disease. Knowing the signs and symptoms of bladder...