Feeling alone after a cancer diagnosis? Here’s how to break through that isolation
Many of my patients here at UT MD Anderson report feeling isolated. Whether they’ve just received a cancer diagnosis, are in treatment or have finally entered survivorship, this is a very common complaint.
But why are feelings of isolation so common among cancer patients? And, what can you do to ease yours?
Here, I’ll answer these questions and share tips to help you feel connected again and find the support you need.
Elastography 101: How this test helps diagnose liver disease
Elastography is an imaging test to check the elasticity of tissue in your body. Stiffness in your tissue is often a sign of disease. Elastography...
Sigmoidoscopy: Purpose, procedure and how it compares to a colonoscopy
An anoscopy examines the anus, and a colonoscopy examines the colon. So, what does a sigmoidoscopy examine? Hint: the answer is in the name...
The sandwich generation: Tips for juggling parenting and an aging parent’s cancer diagnosis
The term “sandwich generation” describes people who are raising their children while also caring for their aging parents.
Juggling the responsibilities that each of these entails — plus a career, a household and a social life — is challenging even when cancer isn’t involved. So, what do you do when it is?
Senior social work counselors Tatiana Fincham and Mary Dev weighed in on this topic during ...
What is dysplasia?
“Dysplasia” is the scientific term for “abnormal cells,” which don’t look the way they’re supposed to under a microscope. These abnormal cells...
Cancer recurrence: 4 questions to ask
You’ve finished your cancer treatment and shown no evidence of disease — for weeks, months or maybe even years. Then, a routine scan or bloodwork...
Extramammary Paget disease (EMPD): What you need to know
Extramammary Paget disease (EMPD) is a very rare form of skin cancer, affecting an estimated one in a million people in the U.S. It tends...
Tips for using AI to find cancer information
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the way many of us find information online. Only a few years ago, a web search would pull up pages...
Anoscopy explained: Purpose, process and results
An anoscopy is a procedure that examines the lining of the anal canal to help diagnose anal conditions. Anoscopies can help doctors diagnose...
6 ways to cope with scanxiety
If medical tests like scans, biopsies or bloodwork cause you anxiety, you’re not alone. It’s common to...