In The News

The Alamo City welcomed thousands of visitors this week for the 44th San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. During the conference, Debra Patt, M.D., PH.D., MBA, medical oncologist and breast cancer specialist in Austin, Texas, and an executive vice president of Texas Oncology with responsibilities in healthcare policy and strategic initiatives, explained the impact COVID-19 has had on routine breast cancer screenings.

It’s the second most common cancer among women in the United States, and this week, it was center stage at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Debra Patt, Debra Patt, M.D., PH.D., MBA, medical oncologist and breast cancer specialist in Austin, Texas, and an executive vice president of Texas Oncology with responsibilities in healthcare policy and strategic initiatives answers viewers questions about breast cancer.

The three women met at Texas Oncology–San Antonio Medical Center during the same appointment times for radiation treatment for breast cancer. Though they came from different cities in the surrounding area and had different diagnoses, they bonded as a group and benefited from support from one another when COVID-19 protocols allowed only patients in for treatment.

The holidays can be a time of joyful celebration and hopeful anticipation as you gather with friends and spend time with loved ones. But for people living with a cancer diagnosis, the holiday season can be so different from what they hoped or imagined, that it becomes a difficult, painful, or lonely time of year. Srivani Thatikonda, M.D., Texas Oncology–Austin Midtown Radiation Oncology, Ashwani Agarwal, M.D., Texas Oncology–Corsicana, and Michelina Cairo, M.D., Texas Oncology–Houston Memorial City share some simple and meaningful ways to care for those who may need your good cheer most during this holiday season.

Taking time out of your busy schedule to see a doctor for suspicious symptoms, a new ache or pain, a nagging cough, or any other unexplainable health concern doesn’t usually rank high on the list of things to do. Steven Paulson, M.D., medical oncologist and president and chairman of the board at Texas Oncology, explains why some symptoms shouldn't be ignored. 

In addition to being a valuable source of information, support groups can help resolve feelings of isolation and loneliness. Stephanie Broussard, MSSW, LCSW, ACHP-SW, director of palliative care and social work at Texas Oncology explains how support groups can make an impactful difference in patients’ lives.

While the incidence of pediatric cancer is low, the survival rate—more than 80%—is high, and a major factor in successful treatment for these young patients is where they receive their care—not only in the quality of care received but the support provided to navigate their journey. Stanton Goldman, pediatric oncologist at Texas Oncology–Medical City Dallas Pediatric Hematology–Oncology explains the benefits of a highly specialized, multidisciplinary team approach to pediatric cancer care.

In The Jewish Outlook's annual special section highlighting business and professional women, Aimee Mackey, M.D., FACS, breast surgical oncologist at Texas Breast Specialists–South Austin, discusses her role caring for women fighting cancer and what inspires her on the job.

Mike Diers, 54, battled months of a persistent cough and multiple doctors’ visits before he underwent exploratory surgery where it was determined he had stage II lung cancer. Following the exploratory surgery, Mike was referred to James Uyeki, M.D., Texas Oncology–South Austin who recommended a clinical trial with a course of checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy to engage Mike’s immune system to attack his cancer prior to surgery, during which the cancer would be removed. After surgery, Mike began standard of care chemotherapy. Four years later, Mike is back to normal, and he recognizes that despite all that’s going on with work, life, and in the world, what’s in front of him and in the present are where he should focus, taking things as they come.

While October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, breast cancer awareness is something women need to keep in mind year round. Amber York, breast cancer survivor, shared with KTBC-TV (FOX, Austin) the importance of screenings and early detection after delaying a routine mammogram then learning she had early stage, triple negative breast cancer. York’s physician, Bridget O’Brien, D.O., FACS, FSSO, breast surgical oncologist at Texas Breast Specialists–Georgetown, urges women to prioritize their screenings by sharing that one out of eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.