In The News

Scott White has lived in Georgetown for 34 years, where he loves to Texas two-step. He got his first physical in five years after experiencing some unusual urological symptoms, which a PSA test and subsequent MRI revealed to be prostate cancer. With the help of Dr. Tsai and Dr. Herman, he underwent radiation and hormone therapy. Scott says his cancer treatment taught him to have grace for his body and be grateful for all it is capable of. Today, Scott has no evidence of disease; he is now a staunch advocate for regular health screenings and can’t wait to dust off his cowboy boots and get back on the dance floor.

Heather Scott Pulaski, M.D., of Texas Oncology–Tyler and Longview Cancer Center, shares the importance of scheduling regular "well-woman" visits for women and girls, as well as pertinent information about gynecologic cancers.

Austin was deemed a “pickleball hotspot” for the South and with this popularity it means more people are staying active and building community connections. However, because of prolonged sun exposure, outdoor pickleball tournament players and spectators are at an increased risk of developing skin cancer. Ryan Tierney, M.D., radiation oncologist at Texas Oncology-South Austin, spoke to Community Impact about how Texans can simultaneously enjoy the newly popularized sport while being mindful of skin safety.

Jacob Lerma, a 24-year-old Hodgkin lymphoma patient, celebrated the end of his treatment at Texas Oncology in El Paso with family and friends by his side. Also by his side was his nurse Roby Quintela, BSN, RN, of Texas Oncology–El Paso Cancer Treatment Center Joe Battle, a fellow Hodgkin lymphoma survivor with whom Jacob forged a deep bond of friendship as he underwent treatment.

Regular well-woman visits are important for maintaining overall health and early detection of potential issues, including gynecologic cancers. Tiffany Redfern, M.D., FACOG, Texas Oncology-South Austin and Christine Lee, M.D., Texas Oncology-Woodlands explain why regular well-woman visits should be a non-negotiable part of every woman’s healthcare routine.

While receiving radiation treatment from Justin W. Wray, M.D., Ph.D., Texas Oncology-Waco, Fiona Bond, CEO of Creative Waco, was inspired to create a gallery of photography featuring local murals created by students in Creative Waco’s ARTPrenticeship program. The now display in Waco’s radiation wing, exam rooms and waiting room features art projects that Waco residents are familiar with – bringing patients a sense of comfort and community to patients undergoing cancer treatment.

Significant advancements in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy have occurred over the past several years as successful clinical trials and FDA approvals have positively impacted patient outcomes. Houston Holmes, MD, MBA, hematologist and medical oncologist at Texas Oncology–Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center shares the barriers and solutions to CAR-T therapy and what community oncologists do to optimize CAR T-cell therapy for their patients with cancer. 

David George, M.D., Texas Oncology–Kyle, South Austin, Zehra Kapadia, M.D., Texas Oncology–Houston Willowbrook, Tomball, Nayyar T. Syed, M.D., Texas Oncology–Pittsburg, Sulphur Springs, and Kelli E. Ivy, MSN, FNP-BC, OCN, Texas Oncology–Palestine Cancer Center, share the eating and nutrition challenges faced by cancer patients, as well as helpful tips and resources for accessing healthy foods.

Diversifying data in clinical trials is critical to developing new treatments while also addressing healthcare inequities and gaps in research impacting racial and ethnic minorities. Ines Sanchez-Rivera, M.D., area medical director of Texas Oncology in El Paso, shares information about the role of clinical trials in advancing cancer care and Texas Oncology's ongoing efforts to make cancer research more inclusive and accessible for everyone.

In 2024, over 12,200 Texans are predicted to be newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. While the benchmark age was previously 50 for insurance-covered colorectal screenings, that age has since dropped to 45. Andrew H. Miller, M.D., Texas Colon & Rectal Specialists–Austin North and Round Rock and Ricardo L. Solis, M.D., FACS, Texas Colon & Rectal Specialists–Austin South share how colorectal cancer diagnoses in younger people are on the rise and turning to prevention is the first line of defense.