May 19, 2023 | Southern Arizona
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in this United States, but it is also one of the most preventable. With the heat and activity of the summer months still upon us, it is important to be proactive in protecting your skin from the sun and other sources of ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
UV rays are invisible to the naked eye and are more intense in the summer, at higher altitudes, and in areas closer to the equator. Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun causes sunburn (erythema), skin cancer, premature aging (skin wrinkling), cataracts (gradual clouding of the lens of the eye), immune system suppression, DNA damage and dilated blood vessels.
The most important way for a person to lower his or her risk for skin cancer is to avoid exposure to UV radiation, either from the sun or other sources, such as tanning lamps.
7 Skin Cancer Prevention Tips
The American Cancer Society recommends the following seven practices for sun safety:
- Protect skin with clothing, such as long sleeve shirts and hats with broad brim.
- Avoid being outdoors when the ultraviolet light is strongest, particularly between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
- Seek shade
- Use sunscreen and lip balm with an SPF of 30 or more on areas of the skin exposed to the sun. Products should be used on hazy or overcast days as well. Check out our blog on how to read a sunscreen label.
- Wear wrap-around sunglasses with at least 99 percent UV absorption to provide the best protection for the eyes and the skin around the eyes.
- Avoid other sources of UV lights, such as tanning beds and sun lamps.
- Protect children from the sun by using the same precautions as adults.
Read our blog post on how your family’s history of melanoma can affect you.
Self-Examinations for Skin Cancer
Skin cancer can appear in hidden places like eyelids!Early detection is key in successful skin cancer treatment. Take the time to regularly check your skin for abnormalities and spot changes. Some areas that are hard to remember to check are your scalp, ears, eyelids and back. Ask a family member or friend to help you check your skin in these hard-to-see areas. Here’s an easy ABCDE list our skin cancer specialists suggest you use when checking your skin:
- Asymmetry. If you draw an imaginary line through the middle of a melanoma, the two halves would not match.
- Border. The edges of a melanoma are usually uneven, fuzzy or jagged.
- Color. Melanomas change colors and are often a combination of black, brown and tan.
- Diameter. Melanomas may grow larger than the size of a pencil eraser.
- Elevation. Once a mark on your skin becomes raised or thicker, it is a serious red flag indicating a melanoma may be spreading and should be evaluated by a doctor immediately.
Check out this step-by-step guide on how to screen your body for skin cancer from the Skin Cancer Foundation.
If you find any areas of concern on your skin, immediately schedule an appointment with your primary doctor. They can help you determine what it is and if you need to be referred to a skin cancer specialist for further diagnosis. As a community-based cancer care provider with clinic locations throughout the state, our skin cancer doctors help cancer patients and their families access a full range of advanced skin cancer care services in an environment that allows patients to remain close to their homes. Through its affiliation with The US Oncology Network, one of the nation’s largest healthcare services networks dedicated exclusively to cancer treatment and research, our skin cancer specialists can quickly bring the latest advances in therapies, research and technology to where patients live. As a result, patients access the best possible treatment with the least amount of disruption to their daily lives.
May 11, 2023 | Southern Arizona
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men after skin cancer. One in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Learning the facts about the risk factors, screenings, and symptoms can help you understand your risks and create a personal medical plan.
Risk Factors of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer typically has nothing to do with your lifestyle or personal habits. However, there are certain indicators that could signal you are at an increased risk of getting the disease. If you have a combination of risk factors, your doctor may suggest you have certain screenings earlier or more often than what is generally recommended.
Men with one or more of the following indicators should be sure they’re screened regularly for prostate cancer.
- Age 50 or older with an average risk level
- Have a family history of prostate cancer
- Have a female relative (mother, sister, or aunt) who has or had BRCA positive breast cancer
- African descent
Prostate Cancer Signs & Symptoms
Early-stage prostate cancer typically has no symptoms. That’s why routine screenings are vital for early detection. As the cancer grows, men may experience a variety of symptoms. Unfortunately, these symptoms are present in a variety of conditions that are common in men of the same age. The screening process for prostate cancer is simple and should always be considered when symptoms are present. These are some of the most reported symptoms in men with prostate cancer.
- Difficulty urinating
- Frequent urination
- Blood in urine
- Erectile dysfunction
- Hip and back pain
- Weakness or numbness in the legs
Prostate Cancer Screening
There are two tests available to screen for prostate cancer. These tests aren’t designed to provide an absolute diagnosis of prostate cancer. Instead, they detect certain factors that make a cancer diagnosis more likely. If your screening results aren’t normal, you’ll have to undergo more testing for a final diagnosis.
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test
PSA is a protein made by cells in the prostate gland. Only small amounts of this protein are found in the blood. The PSA blood test measures PSA in units called nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). As PSA measures rise, so do the risks of prostate cancer. There is no exact PSA number to detect prostate cancer, but doctors typically follow these guidelines.
- Most men without prostate cancer have a PSA level below 4 ng/mL
- Men with a PSA level between 4 and 10 ng/mL have a 1 in 4 chance of having prostate cancer
- For men with a PSA level higher than 10 ng/mL, the likelihood of having prostate cancer is over 50%
Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)
A DRE does not require a blood test, and may be performed after the PSA blood test is complete. Instead, a physician inserts a gloved, lubricated, finger into the rectum to feel for bumps or hard areas on the prostate that might indicate cancer. While the exam may be uncomfortable, it is usually painless and only takes a short time.
Prostate Cancer Treatment
If a man is diagnosed with prostate cancer after screening, treatment options need to be explored immediately. Early detection and treatment is the best defense against any kind of cancer. There are three types of specialists that may provide prostate cancer treatment.
- Urologist
- Medical Oncologist
- Radiation Oncologist
Often, these three physicians will work together to form a treatment plan based on your specific situation. At Arizona Oncology, our specialists work together to provide the most detailed, up-to-date studies and treatments for men diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer
There are a variety of treatment options for prostate cancer, and your oncology team may recommend a combination of methods depending on your personal needs. These are the most common treatments for prostate cancer.
- Active Surveillance
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy, including seed implants
- Hormone Therapy
- Chemotherapy
If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, your treatment team will provide a wealth of support and information while you make decisions regarding treatment. Oncologists at Arizona Oncology strive to provide a community for prostate cancer patients and their loved ones with support groups and options for treatment. While prostate cancer symptoms can signal many different health conditions, it’s vital to be aware of your risks and know the signs of prostate cancer. Early detection and treatment is the best defense against prostate cancer, and learning your options provides you with the knowledge you need to protect your health.
May 11, 2023 | Southern Arizona
Cancer is a complex and challenging disease that requires continuous research to develop new treatments and improve patient outcomes. Clinical trials play a crucial role in this process as they provide a way to test the safety and effectiveness of new cancer therapies. Clinical trials also offer hope to patients and families who are dealing with this disease.
If you are considering taking part in a cancer clinical trial, here are some things you should know.
What are clinical trials?
Clinical trials are research studies that involve human participants to evaluate new treatments, drugs, medical procedures, or combinations of treatments for various diseases, including cancer. Clinical trials are conducted in different phases, each designed to answer specific questions about the safety, effectiveness, and side effects of the treatment under investigation.
Cancer clinical trials can have different objectives. Some are geared toward testing new drugs, medical procedures, or combinations of treatments. Others evaluate methods for preventing cancer, procedures to screen for cancer early, or ways to improve comfort and quality of life for cancer patients.
What are the phases of cancer clinical trials?
Most cancer drugs go through three to four trial phases.
● Phase I evaluates the safety of the new drug or procedure.
● Phase II tests the new drug or procedure on a specific cancer type.
● Phase III compares the new drug or procedure to current treatments.
● Phase IV involves additional testing after initial approval to study long-term effects or effectiveness in other cancer types.
Should you participate in a clinical trial?
Participating in a clinical trial is a significant decision that requires careful consideration. By participating in a clinical trial, you have the opportunity to access cutting-edge treatments that may not yet be available to the general public. This can be especially valuable for patients who have exhausted other treatment options and are looking for new options to improve their prognosis.
In addition to receiving access to new treatments, patients who participate in clinical trials also contribute to life-saving cancer research. By participating in a clinical trial, you help researchers learn more about the disease and how to better treat it in the future. This can lead to improved outcomes not only for you, but also for future generations of cancer patients. Many patients feel that participating in a clinical trial gives them a more active role in their healthcare.
Before you commit to a clinical trial, your oncologist will thoroughly discuss all aspects of the trial with you, including risks and benefits. He or she will make sure all your questions have been answered and that you are comfortable with your decision to take part. The decision whether or not to participate in a clinical trial is ultimately yours to make.
Clinical Trials at Arizona Oncology
At Arizona Oncology, we take pride in our ability to push medical innovation and patient care standards to new heights. We participate in clinical trials through the Sarah Cannon Research Institute, which has played a role in more than 70 FDA-approved cancer therapies, about one-third of all cancer therapies approved by the FDA to date. Our partnership with the US Oncology Network makes us one of the worldwide leaders in cancer clinical trials.
To browse the clinical trials currently underway at Arizona Oncology, visit https://arizonaoncology.com/clinical-trials-research/.
Apr 20, 2023 | Southern Arizona
April is Oral, Head & Neck Cancer Awareness Month and Arizona Oncology, a practice in The US Oncology Network, would like to remind both men and women to speak with their healthcare providers about getting screened for the disease.
Oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers are more than twice as common in men as in women and occur most often in the tongue, tonsils and oropharynx, gums, floor of the mouth, and other parts of the mouth. It is estimated that approximately 39,500 people will get oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer in the United States this year, and an estimated 7,500 will lose their lives to the disease (American Cancer Society Cancer Facts & Figures, 2015).
Many pre-cancers and cancers of the oral cavity and oropharynx can be found early during routine screening exams by a dentist, doctor, dental hygienist or by self-exam. However, many of these cancers are found because of signs or symptoms. Even small signs should be examined. Any bumps inside the mouth, on the tongue, or lips that do not go away should be seen by a physician. Also, difficulty swallowing is a sign that should be checked out.
Possible signs and symptoms of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer can include:
- A sore in the mouth that does not heal (most common symptom)
- Pain in the mouth that does not go away (also very common)
- A lump or thickening in the cheek
- A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil or lining of the mouth
- A sore throat or a feeling that something is caught in the throat that does not go away
- Trouble chewing or swallowing
- Trouble moving the jaw or tongue
- Numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth
- Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable
- Loosening of the teeth or pain around the teeth or jaw
- Voice changes
- A lump or mass in the neck
- Weight loss
- Constant bad breath
Some people who have oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer have few or no known risk factors, and others who have several risk factors never develop the disease. Factors increasing risk of the disease include:
- Tobacco use – Most people with oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers use tobacco, and the risk of developing these cancers is related to how much and how long they smoked or chewed.
- Alcohol use – About 7 out of 10 patients with oral cancer are heavy drinkers.
- Betel quid and gutka – In Southeast Asia, South Asia, and certain other areas of the world, many people chew betel quid, which is made up of areca nut and lime wrapped in a betel leaf. Many people in these areas also chew gutka, a mixture of betel quid and tobacco. People who chew betel quid or gutka have an increased risk of cancer of the mouth.
- Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection – People with oral and oropharyngeal cancer linked to HPV infection tend to be younger and are less likely to be smokers and drinkers.
- Gender – About twice as common in men as in women.
- Age – Most patients with these cancers are older than 55 when the cancers are first found.
- Ultraviolet (UV) light – Cancers of the lip are more common in people who have outdoor jobs where they are exposed to sunlight for long periods of time.
- Poor nutrition – Several studies have found that a diet low in fruits and vegetables is linked with an increased risk of cancers of the oral cavity or oropharynx.
- Weakened immune system – Oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers are more common in people who have a weak immune system.
- Graft-versus-host disease – Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a condition that sometimes occurs after a stem cell transplant. During this medical procedure, blood stem cells from a donor are used to replace bone marrow that has been destroyed by disease, chemotherapy or radiation. GVHD occurs when the donor stem cells recognize the patient’s cells as foreign and launch an attack against them. GVHD can affect many tissues of the body, including those in the mouth. This increases the risk of oral cancer, which can occur as early as 2 years after GVHD.
- Genetic syndromes – People with certain syndromes caused by inherited defects (mutations) in certain genes have a very high risk of mouth and throat cancer. (Fanconi anemia, Dyskeratosis congenital)
- Lichen planus – This disease occurs mainly in middle-aged people. Most often it affects the skin (usually as an itchy rash), but it sometimes affects the lining of the mouth and throat, appearing as small white lines or spots. A severe case may slightly increase the risk of oral cancer.
Arizona Oncology plays a major role in helping people throughout the state and their families win their battle against oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer by providing easy access to a full range of advanced cancer care services in a setting that allows patients to remain close to their homes and their support network of family and friends. (Originally posted 2015, updated 2024)
Apr 16, 2023 | Southern Arizona
April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month. Approximately 1 in 250 men will develop testicular cancer at some point during their lifetime, and Caucasian men are four to five times more likely to develop testicular cancer than African-American and Asian-American men. The average age of a man diagnosed with testicular cancer is 33. Approximately 6% of cases occur in children and teens, and about 8% occur in men over 55.
If detected early, testicular cancer is one of the most curable forms of cancer. With today’s treatments, testicular cancer survival rates are high, with 95% of men surviving five years after diagnosis. That number jumps to 99% if the cancer was localized in the testicle.
In this blog post, Arizona Oncology’s Dr. Marshall Davis shares a personal account of his experience with testicular cancer and how it has helped him be the doctor he is today.
Dr. Marshall Davis’ story
Dr. Davis is not only a radiation oncologist at Arizona Oncology, but also a 12-year cancer survivor. He was in practice for almost 25 years when he did a self-exam and discovered that he had a tumor on his testicle. Knowing that any changes in size or lumps could be a sign of cancer, he immediately approached a urology colleague who performed an ultrasound.
The next day, Dr. Davis had surgery to remove the testicle that had cancer in it, followed by a series of scans and chemotherapy. A year later, one of his scans showed that his cancer had recurred. As an oncologist who treats many testicular cancer patients, he knew that recurrence was a very real possibility. “It was disappointing, but it didn’t surprise me,” he said.
Radiation therapy is typically used to treat testicular cancer that has spread to lymph nodes or to distant organs. Dr. Davis’ scans showed that there was cancer in his lymph nodes, and he underwent further surgery followed by radiation treatment. After radiation treatment, a follow up scan showed that the lymph node recurrences had disappeared.
But eight months later, right before Christmas, Dr. Davis felt a lump in his neck and realized that his cancer had returned. He said, “When I felt that lymph node, I almost cried because I knew what was next in line for me… really hard chemotherapy.” Despite the difficulties he knew he’d face, Dr. Davis was determined to undergo the chemotherapy, because he knew that if he did nothing the cancer was going to kill him.
Dr. Davis has now been cancer-free for 12 years
It is with great enthusiasm that we can say that 12 years ago, Dr. Davis fought for his life and is now cancer-free! It wasn’t easy, and he is quoted as saying, “There’s no free lunch in treating cancer. You never get something for nothing.” Since the chemotherapy, he has been living with many side effects. But he feels happy to be alive and to be able to continue to treat his patients. He firmly believes that “you can live with the side effects. What you can’t live with is the cancer.”
Dr. Davis’ personal experience has given him a better understanding of how to help cancer patients through their treatment
After having been through a difficult cancer journey himself, Dr. Davis understands on a personal level what patients go through when they are being treated for cancer. “You worry about life, death, and everything in between,” he recalled. He believes in helping patients through honesty and integrity. “You have to be honest with people about where they stand, and I’ve always felt like I’ve been able to do that effectively and with compassion. You can’t shy away from giving patients bad news just because it’s going to be hard. In my opinion, it’s better to face up to bad news as soon as possible, so you can get on with your life and try to make sense of it.”
You can learn more about Dr. Davis here.
Originally posted April 19, 2022. Updated 2024.
Apr 9, 2023 | Southern Arizona
Prostate cancer and testicular cancer are two different diseases affecting the male reproductive system. These cancers occur in two different locations and commonly affect men at different stages of their life. Because of these differences, it’s important for ALL men to learn as much as they can so they can take the appropriate steps toward early detection.
What is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer is cancer that occurs in the prostate, the small walnut-shaped gland in men that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. It is the most common cancer with about 1 in 9 men being diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime.
Prostate cancer affects mostly older men, with an average diagnosis age of 65. Other risk factors include poor lifestyle habits, family history of prostate cancer, and race. African-American men are more at risk than men of other races. As with many other cancers, prostate cancer may cause no signs or symptoms in its early stages.
More advanced cancer may cause signs and symptoms of prostate cancer include:
- Trouble urinating
- Decreased force in the stream of urine
- Blood in semen
- Discomfort in the pelvic area
- Erectile dysfunction
- Bone pain
Prostate cancer that is detected early – when it has not spread past the prostate gland – has a better chance of being treated successfully. The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that men with no symptoms or family history begin prostate cancer screenings at the age of 50. Men at higher risk (African descent, family history of prostate cancer) should start screening at age 45. Men with two first-degree relatives (father/brother) who had prostate cancer at an early age should begin screening at age 40.
What is Testicular Cancer?
Testicular cancer occurs in the testicles (testes), which are located inside the scrotum, a loose bag of skin underneath the penis. The testicles produce male sex hormones and sperm for reproduction.
Unlike prostate cancer, testicular cancer is rare, accounting for about 1% of all cancers in men. According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 250 men will develop testicular cancer during their lifetime.
The average age of males when first diagnosed with testicular cancer is about 33. This is largely a disease of young and middle-aged men, but about 6% of cases occur in children and teens, and about 8% occur in men older than 55.. Men who have abnormal testicular development and men who have a family history of testicular cancer may also be at an increased risk.
Signs and symptoms of testicular cancer that men should be aware of include:
- A lump or enlargement in either testicle
- Pain or discomfort in the groin area
- Testicle feels heavier than usual
- Breast growth or soreness
- Low back pain
- Early puberty in boys (under the age of 9)
Early detection remains the key to survival.
At this time, there is no way to prevent testicular cancer. However, it can be detected at its earliest stage during routine physical exams with your physician and self-examinations at home. While not all lumps are cancerous, if you find a lump in a testicle it is best to make an appointment to see your doctor immediately.
Screening for Early Male Cancer Detection is Key
Remember, both cancers are highly treatable – but early detection remains the key to survival. To learn more about prostate cancer screenings, ask your doctor for information or get a referral to your local prostate specialists.
Originally posted in 2019, updated in 2024.
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