TV Coverages

In the U.S. in 2021, 281,550 women and 2,650 men are expected to be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Praveen Reddy, M.D., medical oncologist and hematologist at Texas Oncology-Bowie and Wichita Falls Cancer Center shares insight into male breast cancer and provides the signs and symptoms of breast cancer that everyone should know.

Breast cancer remains the second deadliest cancer among American women, but we’ve made great strides in both early detection and the treatment of breast cancer over the last several decades. For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Allyson Harroff, M.D., medical oncologist and hematologist, Texas Oncology–San Antonio Northeast and San Antonio Stone Oak explains the importance of routine breast cancer screenings and early detection. 

Texas Oncology is planning to build a 50,000 square foot cancer center to serve more people affected by this illness. Vance Esler, M.D., executive vice president-managing medical director, and regional medical director, Texas Oncology, explains how the new center will meet the growing need for cancer care in the Panhandle region. 

Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s announcement authorizing an extra COVID-19 dose for the immunocompromised, KXAN (NBC Austin) provided further insights on the third vaccine dose for immunocompromised individuals, particularly cancer patients. Debra Patt, M.D., PhD, MBA, executive vice president of policy and strategic initiatives at Texas Oncology offered insights on patient eligibility for a third vaccine dose, where to go to schedule an appointment for the third dose, and the nuances between the third dose and a “booster” shot.

A new study shows that over 4% of all new cancer cases in 2020 were caused by alcohol consumption. CDR Christopher R. Oxner, M.D., FACS, USN, surgical oncologist at Texas Oncology Surgical Specialists–Austin Central, talks about the new research linking alcohol consumption to an increased risk of cancer and shares preventative tips for a healthier lifestyle on Good Day Austin.

A new cancer center is on the bill for Amarillo, according to a Tuesday morning email from Texas Oncology. The company said they hope to build a 50,000-square-foot center at 8212 West Amarillo Boulevard.

House Bill 3459 passed, allowing physicians to earn a "gold card" exemption from some health plans' prior authorization requirements. Debra Patt, M.D., PhD, MBA, medical oncologist, breast cancer specialist, and  executive vice president of Texas Oncology, explains how the new legislation, which goes into effect on Sept. 1, 2021, will help streamline cancer care.

Texas Oncology announced today the opening of a new comprehensive cancer center in Denison, combining both Sherman and Denison locations to offer medical oncology, radiation therapy, and hematology services – all at one location. Tammy Roque, M.D., medical oncologist at Texas Oncology–Denison Cancer Center explains that the new center will also provide patients with access to cancer prevention and screenings, genetic risk evaluation and testing, and research and clinical trials.

COVID-19 vaccines can cause side effects that may impact the interpretation of results from imaging, including mammograms. As one of the body’s first lines of defense, lymph nodes can commonly swell in reaction to a vaccine similar to how they fight a bacterial or viral infection, leading to their enlarged appearance in breast imaging. Julie Sprunt, M.D., FACS, of Texas Breast Specialists–Austin, advises women to complete upcoming imaging before getting the vaccine or wait six weeks after getting their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to schedule a mammogram.

Doctors are urging people to go in for their routine annual checkups after millions of cancer screenings were missed last year because of the pandemic. According to Dr. Debra Patt, M.D., PhD, MBA, executive vice president of policy and strategic initiatives, between social distancing, avoiding non-essential trips to the doctor's office, and trying to find balance during the pandemic, going to get a routine checkup was crossed off many people's lists.