In The News

As a result of the pandemic, less people are going into doctors’ offices for their annual checkups and screenings, leading to more cancer diagnoses being caught late. Dr. Shail Dalal, M.D., Texas Oncology–Palestine, shares more about the importance of breast cancer screenings and early detection.

A diagnosis, treatment plan, or return of breast cancer can impact all aspects of your life. As you adjust to the physical, emotional, and psychological changes that come with cancer, you also must decide when and how to tell your family, friends, and broader support system. Tanyel S. Williams, LMSW, ACSW, CHW, ACHP-SW, OSW-C, Texas Oncology–Palestine Cancer Center, shares how to have a conversation about breast cancer with your loved ones.

A Medscape poll of over 200 physicians showed that insurers denied up to 60% of their prior authorizations, and most believe that denials delayed treatment or diagnostic tests. Debra Patt, M.D., Ph.D., MBA, Executive Vice President, Public Policy, Payer Relations, and Strategic Initiatives at Texas Oncology, discusses with Medscape how the prior authorization process can cause delays in patient care and how she manages patients’ expectations.

In 2020, 68-year-old Robert Walker was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer, which typically has a poor prognosis with less than five percent of patients expected to survive more than five years. Through good days and not-so-good days, Robert maintained a positive attitude. Thanks to the multidisciplinary care he received from Texas Oncology, Robert has responded so well to every component of treatment from chemotherapy to surgery, that he has far outlived the traditional survival for patients with stage IV pancreatic cancer as he continues to fight this deadly disease.

According to Debra Patt, MD, PhD, MBA, Executive Vice President, Public Policy, Payer Relations, and Strategic Initiatives at Texas Oncology, results from the DESTINY-Breast04 clinical trial continue to make waves in breast cancer care—while raising considerations for payers and a need for education among doctors. Dr. Patt offered the keynote address at ASCO’s Patient-Centered Oncology Care®, highlighting the dramatic responses seen with trastuzumab deruxtecan in the trial.

For many, cancer care is not just a career, but a calling. In honor of International Day of Medical Physics and Radiology Day, Limin Song, Ph.D., medical physicist, and Anthony Salazar, R.T., (R)(T), chief radiation therapist at Texas Center for Proton Therapy, both share what inspired them to specialize in proton therapy and a glimpse into their day-to-day life caring for cancer patients.

The holiday season is quickly approaching and food is often at the center of celebrations. While many look forward to tables covered in extravagant main courses, sweet desserts, and festive drinks, these gatherings can be challenging for those who are fighting cancer. Seyed Mohammad Abedi, M.D., Ph.D, Texas Oncology–Cedar Park and Marble Falls, Shail Dalal, M.D., Texas Oncology–Palestine, Ashwani K. Agarwal, M.D., Texas Oncology–Corsicana and Vipal Pratin Durkal, M.D., Texas Oncology–Houston Medical Center share more about the importance of healthy eating when fighting cancer and how to maintain balanced nutrition during the holidays.

Through research, cancer care is evolving. Treatment is becoming less about the type of cancer and more about creating tailored treatment plans unique to the genetic makeup of each patient’s specific tumor. Breakthroughs such as immunotherapy now effectively treat a variety of cancers. Learn what immunotherapy is and how it helps treat cancer.

Every October, women band together with pink ribbons in hand to spread awareness for breast cancer. With one in eight U.S. women developing breast cancer in their lifetime, what can women do to reduce their risk of a late-stage breast cancer diagnosis?

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.