In The News

Breast cancer patient Emily Williams shares her extraordinary cancer journey, from being diagnosed while expecting her second child, to giving birth just days after finishing chemotherapy and running the London Marathon shortly after. People Magazine shares how Texas Oncology helped navigate her treatment throughout pregnancy - all the way to her daughter's delivery day. 

Breast cancer patient Emily Williams shares her extraordinary cancer journey, from diagnosis to becoming a mother of two and running the London marathon—all in less than a year. Debra Patt, M.D., Ph.D., MBA at Texas Oncology–Austin Central shares how she and the rest of Emily’s care team navigated the complexities that occur when pregnancy and cancer occur simultaneously.

For Mental Health Awareness Month, Vicki Wright, LMSW, OSW-C, social worker at Texas Oncology–Tyler discusses cancer and mental health including signs and symptoms, self-care methods, and the importance of seeking out supportive services. “Getting enough rest, eating healthy, light exercise,” and having the energy to put into things one enjoys doing can bring normalcy back into their lives, says Wright.

"There's been other pregnant women diagnosed with breast cancer. All it does is just change the course of action," says Emily Williams, who was diagnosed with Stage IIB breast cancer only a month after finding out she was pregnant with her second child. Over the course of a year, Emily braved all the challenges of cancer diagnosis and treatment and delivered a healthy baby girl less than a week after her last round of chemotherapy. Months later, Emily ran the London Marathon, raising thousands of dollars for cancer research. Emily and her care team, Debra Patt, M.D., Ph.D., MBA at Texas Oncology–Austin Central and Rebecca L. Wiatrek, M.D., FACS at Texas Oncology Surgical Specialists–Austin Central, share the importance of breast cancer screening for women, how they navigated Emily’s cancer treatment during pregnancy, and the power of having a strong support team.

The Austin Under 40 Awards honor industry leaders under the age of 40 making a difference in the Central Texas community. Michael Herman, M.D., Texas Oncology–Austin North Radiation Oncology and Round Rock, was chosen as a finalist in the Medicine and Healthcare category.

Ashley Griffin, MSW, LMSW, Texas Oncology-Deke Slayton Cancer Center, Houston Medical Center, Houston Memorial City, Houston Willowbrook, Pearland and Sugar Land joins KPRC-TV (NBC, Houston) to discuss how cancer treatment negatively impacts a patient’s mental health and shares the support services and counseling Texas Oncology offers.

According to a Texas Oncology survey, 70% of cancer patients have reported feeling symptoms of depression, and 60% felt the symptoms during or after cancer treatment. Rachel Mahabir, a Texas Oncology social worker, joins NPR Houston to discuss the mental toll cancer treatment has on patients shining light on not only the physical symptoms patients experience during cancer treatments, but also the symptoms of depression, anxiety and how it can impact a patients quality of life.

Studies have shown being outside can benefit one's well-being, reducing str­­ess and improving mental health. Kelli E. Ivy, MSN, FNP-BC, OCN, Texas Oncology–Palestine Cancer Center, Shubhada Shrikhande, M.D., Texas Oncology–Austin North, and Sonal Sethi, M.D., Texas Oncology–Deke Slayton Cancer Center and Pearland, share how just few minutes outside each day can improve a cancer patient's mood and what activities are suitable while going through treatment.

More than 130,000 new cancer cases are expected this year in Texas. R. Steven Paulson, M.D., president and chairman of the board at Texas Oncology, shares how the practice strives to provide high-quality cancer care and leading-edge therapy options to patients where they live.

Since 2015, Texas Center for Proton Therapy has served cancer patients across North Texas and beyond. Andrew Lee, M.D., MPH, medical director at Texas Center for Proton Therapy, shares how the center's advanced technology and treatment options continue to improve overall patient care.