Media Outlet: KXAN-TV (NBC, Austin)
3/27/2025- R. Daniel Zaunbrecher III, M.D., Texas Colon & Rectal Specialists–Austin Central and Austin South, highlights the rising incidence of colorectal cancer in younger adults, emphasizing symptoms like rectal bleeding and changes in bowel habits, as well as risk factors such as family history, diet, and lifestyle. He also notes the importance of early detection through screenings starting at age 45 and shares the various treatment modalities associated with this cancer type.
Media Outlet: KVUE-TV (ABC)
3/24/2025- Thiru V. Lakshman, M.D., FACS, FASCRS, Texas Colon & Rectal Specialists–Austin Central and Austin North, highlights the rising prevalence of colorectal cancer, particularly among younger individuals, which led to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force lowering the recommended screening age from 50 to 45. He emphasizes that early detection through screening colonoscopy can lead to cure rates as high as 90-95% when cancer is caught in its early stages.
Media Outlet: KXAN-TV (NBC, Austin)
3/19/2025- Christopher R. Oxner, M.D., FACS, Texas Oncology Surgical Specialists–Austin Central and Cedar Park, shares insights about histotripsy, a minimally invasive technique that destroys liver tumors using ultrasound waves. He compares the precision of histotripsy to a "3D printer" as it moves around the lesion and emphasizes the exciting potential of this new treatment in offering more effective treatments with fewer side effects.
Media Outlet: Austin American-Statesman
3/16/2025- Susana Wellman, a 46-year-old mother of two, was diagnosed with stage III rectal cancer during her first routine colonoscopy in 2023, but under the care of a comprehensive team at Texas Oncology, she underwent chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, ultimately becoming cancer-free. Now, Susana emphasizes the importance of routine cancer screenings and shares her story to offer hope and awareness about colorectal cancer, especially for those under 50.
Media Outlet: American Journal of Managed Care
3/2/2025- Shaun P. McKenzie, M.D., FACS, Texas Oncology Surgical Specialists–Round Rock and South Austin, explains that certain patient characteristics, such as normal liver function and overall health, play crucial roles in determining candidacy for histotripsy, a liver-directed treatment, which is not a replacement for existing cancer care methods. He also emphasizes that this treatment should be integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan and is ideally suited for tumors under 4 centimeters, while cases of spread beyond the liver must be carefully managed by a multidisciplinary team.
Media Outlet: American Journal of Managed Care
2/23/2025- Shaun P. McKenzie, MD, FACS, a surgical oncologist with Texas Oncology, explained that histotripsy, a novel technique using high-frequency ultrasound waves to destroy tumors, is currently used in the liver due to its durability and experience with ablative therapy. While histotripsy shows promise in destroying liver tumors, longer-term data on recurrence rates and overall survival are still needed to fully assess its effectiveness.
Media Outlet: KTBC-TV (FOX, Austin)
2/17/2025- The American Cancer Society's latest report reveals some promising trends in cancer care. From 1991 to 2022, the cancer mortality rate in the U.S. dropped by an impressive 34%! Advances in tobacco control, improved screenings, and innovative treatments have played crucial roles in this progress. However, it's important to note that the number of cancer cases continues to rise, particularly among women and younger adults. Jeff Yorio, M.D., Texas Oncology-Austin Central shared insights on KTBC-TV’s (FOX, Austin) “HealthBeat” segment highlighting concerning trends in female breast cancer and colorectal cancer diagnoses in those under 50.
Media Outlet: Community Impact
2/11/2025- Shaun P. McKenzie, M.D., FACS, Texas Oncology Surgical Specialists–Round Rock and South Austin, shared information on a new, noninvasive treatment for liver tumors called histotripsy. Dr. McKenzie discussed how histotripsy works, why it matters to cancer patients, and the significance in the marketplace, particularly in light of the significant rise in liver cancer incidence in the United States.
Media Outlet: Austin American-Statesman
1/13/2025- A recent advisory by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy emphasized the link between alcohol consumption and cancer, highlighting that alcohol is the third-leading preventable cause of cancer in the U.S. In an interview with the Austin American-Statesman, CDR Christopher R. Oxner, M.D., FACS, USN, Texas Oncology Surgical Specialists–Austin Central and Cedar Park, noted the need for increased awareness among both the public and medical professionals regarding alcohol's cancer risks, emphasizing how alcohol can damage DNA, increase inflammation, and alter hormone levels, which can raise the risk of various cancers.
Media Outlet: American Journal of Managed Care
12/19/2024- Histotripsy is an FDA-approved, minimally invasive technique that destroys liver tumors using high-frequency ultrasound waves. Shaun P. McKenzie, M.D., FACS, Texas Oncology Surgical Specialists–Round Rock and South Austin, the first physician to perform this procedure in Austin, spoke with the American Journal of Managed Care to share his insights on this new treatment.