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BY Chris Massanova

I ran my first triathlon in the summer of 2015. Even with the 100-degree Texas heat, I fell in love with the sport. I started training several hours a day and eating a healthy diet. Swimming, running and cycling gave me a way to challenge myself and develop a healthy mindset about my food choices.

This also helped me overcome cancer of the base of tongue a few years later.

In the summer of 2021, I had a sore throat when...

Chris Massanova riding a bicycle during a race.

BY Kellie Bramlet Blackburn

Living with a tracheostomy and learning proper tracheostomy care can take some adjustment for cancer patients who rely on them during cancer...

BY Ann Gillenwater, M.D.

As director of MD Anderson’s Oral Cancer Prevention Clinic, I see many patients each year with both oral cancers and pre-cancerous conditions...

BY Shelley Varnado

In January 2020, I noticed a changing spot under my tongue. My family doctor advised that I get it biopsied. The results came back negative.

But soon the spot changed in shape and size, and it became painful to eat and talk. My family doctor told me it was time to seek an opinion at MD Anderson.

My tongue cancer diagnosis and surgery

I had an appointment with head and neck surgeon Dr. Shirley Su the following...

Tongue cancer survivor Shelley Varnado with her husband and sons

BY Kate Hutcheson, Ph.D.

The ability to swallow — or to eat and drink what you enjoy most without choking or coughing — is something that many of us take for granted...

BY Cynthia DeMarco

Singer and songwriter Kimmie Rhodes holds a somewhat unique distinction: she’s supported two different people on their oral cancer journeys...

BY Cynthia DeMarco

When Cora “Corky” Hilliard was diagnosed with squamous cell cancer of the tongue for the second time in June 2012, she got to MD Anderson...

BY Clayton Boldt, Ph.D.

The single greatest step you can take to protecting your health is to quit using tobacco. Tobacco is responsible for one-third of all cancers...

BY Emily Tickle Thomas

My name is Emily Tickle Thomas and I had cancer. I was diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma in 2007 while pregnant with my fourth son...