In The News

Dr. Benjamin West of Texas Oncology-McAllen explains how patients with blood-related cancers often rely on blood and marrow donors to aid in treatments. This involves a bit of genetic matchmaking, among many other factors, between the patient and marrow donors. When a match is made, it gives patients a powerful way to fight their cancer. The challenge is that many Americans have no idea they may hold the key to saving a life.

Dr. Rogelio Salinas of Texas Oncology-McAllen discusses how radiation therapy technology in cancer care is continually advancing to provide more precise and personalized treatment grows.

For the third year in a row, Austin-based jewelry company Kendra Scott Design held its Buy One, Gift One initiative during October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Since the initiative launched in 2015, Kendra Scott has donated nearly 30,000 pieces of jewelry to those affected by breast cancer and raised $125,000 for research.

Texas Oncology and Florida Cancer Specialists knew their ability to recover from hurricanes Harvey and Irma would hinge upon the work they did before either storm arrived. Acting on the warnings, both practices built on existing disaster plans already refined by experiences with several tropical storms each year.

The approach to cancer care is transforming so that what the patient “wants” is more likely to be what he or she gets. Cancer indeed changes many things in a patient’s life, but not the essence of who you are. Before, during, and after treatment, your personal values, perspectives, and cultural and religious beliefs are an important constant – the glue that holds you together during challenging times. Today, those values can also play a direct role in cancer care.

​Dr. Eric Nadler & Dr. Kartik Konduri of Texas Oncology-Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center discuss risk factors, signs and symptoms as well as prevention methods for oral cancer and head and neck cancer with the hosts and listeners of DocTalk Live, a radio show dedicated to educating the DFW area on all aspects of healthcare.

In The Jewish Outlook's annual special section highlighting business and professional women, Texas Oncology-Austin Central's Elisabeth King - a nurse practitioner in medical oncology and hematology - discusses what led her to focus on cancer care within the field of nursing, fundraising for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), her typical day and what inspires her on the job. 

Singing has been a vital part of Renate Duty’s life for over three decades. She even met her husband of 32 years, Jim, when they were singing in different gospel quartets. It was after a performance in July 2015 that Renate unexpectedly lost consciousness. She was taken by ambulance to the emergency room at Harris Methodist Hospital and underwent an X-ray of her chest as well as a CT scan of her brain. The diagnosis was grim: Stage 4 breast cancer with brain and lung metastases.

Damaged nerves behind her left eardrum, caused by head trauma, sent Ann to a specialist who prescribed a hearing aid. Ann considers what happened next providential. Leaving the office after her hearing aid appointment, Ann saw a sign reminding her to get her daily mammogram, so she went and immediately made an appointment that would prove to be the beginning of Ann's diagnosis.  

Hope and science. Both are crucial to fighting cancer. Just ask Dallas accountant Rhonda Jenkins, who faced and overcame not one, but two terminal cancer diagnoses. Thanks to recent advances in cancer treatment and Rhonda’s own fortitude, she has not only survived but, at age 63, she continues to work full-time and aims to inspire courage in others.