TV Coverages

The U.S. cancer death rate has fallen 33% since 1991, and Texas is also seeing this downward trend, according to a new report from the American Cancer Society. Angela S. Kueck, M.D., FACOG, FACS, at Texas Oncology–Austin North Suite 300 and Horizon Circle, discussed the impacts of the pandemic on delayed screenings, acknowledging the use of telemedicine but emphasizing the importance of routine screening like Pap tests.

Lawrence Tsai, M.D., Texas Urology Specialists–Austin and Georgetown, joins Spectrum News in the studio to talk about men’s health to help local Texans stay healthy and prevent future diseases. He speaks on general healthy lifestyle advice for men, annual cancer screening guidelines, and the new prostate surgery that Dr. Tsai introduced to the Austin region.

Northeast Texas Cancer and Research Institute had its grand opening in Tyler on Tuesday. The new clinic is an 85,000-foot facility with about 3,000 feet designated for research space. The facility has specialized areas for radiation oncology, gynecologic oncology, hematology, and medical oncology. The purpose of this facility is to encourage healing, here at home. Some patients have to travel to Houston or Dallas for their oncology appointments. Now, they have the convenience of having all of their doctors in East Texas.

Like many women, cancer took a toll on Waco resident Heather Fields, patient of Dr. Carlos A. Encarnación, M.D., FACP, Texas Oncology-Hamilton and Horizon Circle. At the age of 42, in late 2019, Heather was diagnosed with breast cancer and embarked on a journey that impacted herself, family, loved ones and how she viewed her body image. With her loss of hair, she felt she lost her identity. Throughout her journey Heather realized that hair does not define you and now advocates for anyone diagnosed with breast cancer to embrace the new skin their in and have grace for their body as they fight this disease.

Identical twins from Austin are raising awareness about breast cancer for women in their 20s and 30s. Hattie Sherman was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer at age 27 but has since made a full recovery, now becoming an advocate urging young women to take breast cancer seriously. Hattie’s twin, Mary Alice, is planning the same surgery next year as a preventative measure as the Sherman twins’ mother, Molly, also had a double mastectomy following a breast cancer diagnosis years ago. Debra Patt, M.D., Ph.D., MBA, Texas Oncology-Austin Central, who has treated all three women, can’t stress enough the importance of self-breast exams, annual checkups and screenings.

Battling breast cancer and going through treatments like chemotherapy can take a toll on one’s physical and emotional health as well as affect how patients feel about their body. Waco resident, Heather Field, and patient of Carlos A. Encarnación, M.D., FACP, Texas Oncology-Hamilton and Horizon Circle remembers feeling insecure about her body during her battle with breast cancer. “I would wake up every morning and think I don’t have any hair and think, ‘wow I have cancer,’” said Heather. “It’s just that image you face everyday that you actually do have cancer.” Heather and Dr. Encarnación join KWTX-TV (CBS, Waco) to talk about the importance of breast cancer awareness and need to schedule your regular mammogram appointments.

For women like Caitlyn Rice with a family history of breast cancer, mammograms can be an instrumental tool in providing the full spectrum of treatment options. In May of 2022, Caitlyn was diagnosed with stage zero breast cancer at age 38. Thanks to a routine mammogram and vigilance about her health, Anne Doughtie, M.D., of Texas Oncology Surgical Specialists–Amarillo, was able to detect and treat her cancer in its early stages.

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Carl G. Chakmakjian, D.O., FACP, Texas Oncology–Gatesville, Mexia and Waco joins KCEN-TV (NBC, Waco) to discuss the prevalence of breast cancer in males. Dr. Chakmakjian explains how men typically present with more advanced disease than women, which is why awareness of this disease among men is very important, top risk factors for men and more.

From cancer survivor to marathon runner. Angelo Ciardella, patient of Michael Herman, , M.D., Texas Oncology—Austin North Radiation Oncology and Round Rock, was diagnosed with head and neck/larynx cancer, stage four. Ciardella went through eight rounds of chemo, 35 rounds of radiation and claims his key to success is his stubbornness. Ciardella is now preparing to cover 26.2 miles in an upcoming marathon "to show that he can beat cancer and also show people that the stage four cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence.”

Steve Dombek considers himself unbreakable. It's been his motto since he was diagnosed with leukemia and multiple myeloma in 2015. Dombek's doctor Jeff Yorio, M.D., Texas Oncology–Austin Central, introduced him to the Flatwater Foundation, a program that provides mental health therapy to individuals and families coping with a cancer diagnosis. Moved by Flatwater’s mission, Steve now advocates and raises awareness about mental health while giving back to his community.