Inside your mouth, there is lots more than what meets the eye. This world is called the oral microbiome, and it's made up of a community of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa and archaea. It plays an important role in your health, affecting everything from how your breath smells to protecting against serious health issues.
Here, I’ll explain more about the oral microbiome and what may help to keep it healthy...
In 2014, Amanda Boswell was a young mother to her six-month-old son, Court. One day when she was breastfeeding, she noticed an unusual lump...
The first time I was diagnosed with a granulosa cell tumor in early 2005, I didn’t realize that my doctors here in Mississippi may have never...
Starting at age 40, women at average risk for breast cancer should get yearly mammograms to screen for breast cancer.
2D digital mammography and 3D digital breast tomosynthesis are the main imaging technologies used for breast cancer diagnosis and screening. However, for some women this may not be enough. If that’s the case for you, your doctor might recommend another kind of mammogram called a contrast-enhanced mammogram....
Night sweats, persistent fevers and unexplained weight loss are three of the most common symptoms of lymphoma, whether they stem from Hodgkin...
Radiation therapy is often thought of as a treatment for localized cancer that hasn’t spread. But when paired with other therapies, it can...
MD Anderson has a clear mission: to end cancer. However, our efforts go far beyond our campuses in the Greater Houston area. To make the biggest...
In 2021, J. David Garrett, Ph.D., began to experience pain in his upper abdomen and back. He initially blamed it on acid reflux. When the...
Adoption of radiation therapy technology has increased around the world to the point that access to the technology itself is often no longer...
If you’ve been told you need a liver biopsy, you might have some questions. What will the liver biopsy reveal? Will the procedure hurt? How...
In 2022, Emily Shults, then 47, had recently moved to Magnolia, Texas, from California, to be closer to family. During the move, she remembers...
Every day on her way to her lab, Sammy Ferri-Borgogno, Ph.D., passed through the oncology waiting room. Seeing the faces, observing the interactions...
Fall is a busy time of year. Back-to-school is in full force, and the holidays are on the horizon. It’s also when new flu and COVID-19 vaccines...
When you don’t feel well, it may seem natural to stay curled in bed or parked on the couch while you recover. But what should you do when...
Leukoplakia is the scientific name for abnormal white patches that develop inside the mouth. They can be a symptom of oral cancer or a pre-cancerous...
My wife, Lorraine, is a 17-year breast cancer survivor, thanks to the treatment she received at MD Anderson in 2007. So, when I was diagnosed...
Kidney cancers don’t generally cause pain in patients before diagnosis. That’s because the most common types of kidney cancer tend to grow...
Lip cancer describes cancer that develops on the inside or outside of the lip. Anyplace from where the lips touch each other and inward is...
Immunotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses a patient’s immune system to target their cancer cells. Some common types of immunotherapies...
You might think that the terms “integrative medicine” and “alternative medicine” are interchangeable, or that they mean the same thing. But...
Grains are small seeds that we eat every day. But how does our body use them? And are they healthy? We spoke with wellness dietitian Lindsey...
A bone marrow biopsy is a procedure that helps diagnose diseases and other conditions in the blood and bone marrow. MD Anderson performs about...
Myxoid liposarcoma is a rare cancer that accounts for about 30% to 40% of liposarcoma cases. This makes it the second most common type of...
Recently, period products have raised questions after a study found heavy metals in some brands of tampons.
While very small amounts...
Renal medullary carcinoma (RMC) is a rare and extremely aggressive kidney cancer. In the United States, it is diagnosed most frequently among...
If you’ve ever been asked to come back for additional testing after a routine mammogram, you know that the experience can be nerve-wracking...
Protein is an important building block for our bodies. It helps build tissue and muscle mass and keeps us healthy.
Protein is especially...
In the summer of 2022, the sound in Elizabeth “Nikki” Lacobie’s left ear became muffled. When Nikki’s ears did not clear after antibiotic...
Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and eyes caused by abnormally high levels of bilirubin, an orangey-yellow pigment found in a liver secretion...
Dietitian Jessica Tilton describes calories as the energy in food, but she also understands that for many of us, they represent so much more...
Michael Morin spent long days reading and looking at the computer screen while he studied for the Bar Exam and completed law school. So, when...
Very few people will be diagnosed with renal medullary carcinoma this year. But of those who are, about 60% will be young Black men who carry...
Macey Hicks always made her health a priority. She went to 4 a.m. boot camp classes, worked out regularly, didn’t smoke and ate plenty of...
The prostate is a gland found only in males. It plays a role in maintaining fertility in sexually mature males, as well as in the act of procreation...
When I was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma in August 2023, I wasn’t really frightened for myself. I was more worried about my pregnancy. At...
From postal services to art classes and spiritual care, MD Anderson offers patients and their caregivers many amenities.
Some...
Staying hydrated is a health topic that never seems to get less popular – no doubt because of how many of our bodies’ functions rely on water...
Between 25% and 60% of people who have surgery as part of their breast cancer treatment will also experience a side effect known as post-mastectomy...
When I was diagnosed with stage II triple-negative breast cancer in November 2022, I originally planned to seek treatment at the hospital...
Inflammatory breast cancer symptoms tend to appear very quickly.
“At first, patients might complain of a spot-like rash, or of...
Every cancer patient’s situation is unique. But Heather Williams’ was exceptional.
The ER nurse from North Carolina was only...
If you’ve read dietary or health information, you may have stumbled across the term ‘free radicals.’ Maybe you’ve even heard that free radicals...
Jana Selman wants to share her experience on a clinical trial for cervical cancer with anyone who could benefit from knowing about it....
Most people would not look at a cancer recurrence as a blessing. But I consider mine nothing short of a miracle.
If God hadn’t led...
Uterine fibroids are smooth-muscle tumors that develop in the thick muscular walls of the uterus. We don’t know for certain what causes them...
You’ve put on your UPF-rated clothing, applied your sunscreen and positioned your beach umbrella carefully. But are you also wearing sunglasses...
Lung cancer is the third-most common type of cancer and the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, according to...
When you have a health-related question, whom do you ask? If you are like me and many of the patients I work with as a psychiatrist, you might...
If you’ve ever examined the Nutrition Facts label on food, you’ve likely seen a phrase like “2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition...
It’s been almost a year since Att Callahan was diagnosed with stage IIB lung cancer. The diagnosis came after she began coughing up blood...
Headaches and seizures are common brain tumor symptoms. But they can also be caused by other medical conditions.
So, how can you tell...
Managing pain is an important part of cancer treatment. There are many pain management options, depending on the patient’s preferences and...
Oral cancers can cause many different symptoms. And, because they may develop on the tongue, lips, gums, cheek, hard palate or floor of the...
Gabriel Francis Paz Goodenough knows the impact of storytelling. He’s spent 30 years working as a camera operator in television and film....
A cystoscopy is a medical procedure in which a doctor uses a slender, flexible scope to look inside the bladder. It’s the best way we have...
A gastrointestinal stromal tumor is a type of sarcoma that develops in the connective tissue of the gastrointestinal tract. It’s often referred...
Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. It can be used alone or in combination with...
Amputation surgeries are sometimes used to treat cancer that affects an extremity, including toes, fingers, legs and arms. When a limb is...
Hot flashes. Insomnia. Mood changes.
If you've experienced menopause symptoms, you can probably relate to the feeling of wanting them...
In March 2019, Dana Reeves was preparing for several milestones. Her daughter was getting ready to graduate from high school. Her husband...
My father died of hairy cell leukemia in 1980, when I was only 4. Before he passed away, he wrote me letters for every major milestone in...
After Tim Turner began feeling pain in his jaw, doctors discovered an ulcer underneath his tongue. A CT scan and biopsy in early 2023 confirmed...
Chondrosarcoma is a rare type of bone cancer that develops in cartilage cells. It is the most common bone cancer in adults.
Conventional...
Sunburn causes skin sensations that many of us are all too familiar with: stinging, burning, blistering, peeling, and, of course, that hallmark...
For over two years, JoAnne Holly fought a terrible rash on her face and back. She visited several doctors and even had biopsies done. They...
Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the colon or the rectum. It is the fourth most common cancer diagnosed in the U.S.<...
I’ve had several benign skin growths removed from my back over the years. But I never expected to be diagnosed with four different types of...
Cancer treatment can cause physical and emotional side effects. You may notice changes to your nails if you receive chemotherapy or certain...
Hair loss is a side effect of cancer treatment that can be physically and emotionally challenging.
"When patients lose their hair...
“I have an illness, not a terminal diagnosis,” says Lisa Ordmandy. Despite her metastatic breast cancer diagnosis, Lisa remains optimistic...
Many of us enjoy soda without a second thought.
About two-thirds of children and teenagers and half of adults in the United States...
The most common symptoms of pancreatic cancer are pain in your abdomen or back, weight loss and jaundice.
But these issues can also...
The sun’s ultraviolet radiation damages skin cells, which can lead to sunburn, early aging and even skin cancer. Thankfully, sunscreen...
An FDG PET scan uses a radiotracer to measure things like blood flow, oxygen use and sugar metabolism in your body. It shows how your tissues...
Not even the stress of finals week could stop Fernando Langer from giving blood. That’s how strongly the importance of giving back is ingrained...
Helene Andrews-Polymenis finds hope in cancer research.
Like many cancer survivors, she often feels some anxiety when she thinks about...
Chemical peels have been credited with everything from eliminating wrinkles and acne scars to stimulating cell growth and reversing sun damage...
With a family history of prostate cancer, Keith Burchfield did not wait to talk to his doctor about the risks and benefits of early prostate...
Smoking is on the decline. But if you are one of the 28 million Americans still smoking, you probably know how hard it is to quit.
Protecting our skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) light is a year-round job. It requires wearing the proper clothing, using sunscreen on exposed...
We all hope the awkwardness is over after we get our Pap and HPV tests. So hearing that you have tested positive for HPV can be a blow...
The relationship between what we eat and drink and our cancer risk is complex. It’s been the subject of research for decades.
“Nutrition...
Sunscreen is a hot topic – and not just because it’s a summertime staple!
There are also many myths and misconceptions surrounding...
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to shape nearly every aspect of our lives – including cancer care. At MD Anderson, we see the...
Sarcomas are a broad group of cancers that originate from connective tissues, such as the blood or lymph vessels, gastrointestinal tract...
This month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved self-collection to test for HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer. As a researcher...
Leukemia is an overarching term encompassing several subtypes of blood cancers. Blood cells are produced in the bone marrow, the spongy material...
Cancer is incredibly stressful. Phobias, or intense fears, can add another layer of stress and anxiety to the process – especially when that...
Urothelial carcinoma is cancer that develops in the urothelial cells. These cells are located in the urothelium, which lines the inside of...
Kenneth Hu, Ph.D., first got a taste of what it’s like to work in a real science lab as a senior in high school. He was part of a program...
I’ve always been aware of my body. So, when something goes awry, I follow up. Any time I notice something unusual, or just don’t feel quite...
Patients with cancer may undergo anesthesia for many reasons, including MRI, pain management techniques or surgery. The method uses special...
Regina Dela Cruz knows that being an oncology nurse is not for the faint of heart. But the inspiration she receives from her patients makes...
Pain is the body’s warning signal. The brain processes, interprets and uses pain to warn our bodies of danger and threat.
Unlike...
After watching a relative’s local doctors coordinate their cancer treatment with specialists from MD Anderson years ago, I remember thinking...
One of the earliest immunotherapies approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of cancer was a vaccine called sipuleucel-T...
Valerae Lewis, M.D., always knew she wanted to be a doctor. Math and science fascinated her. She liked working with her hands. As a child,...
Peritoneal cancer is a rare cancer that develops in the peritoneum, the tissue made of epithelial cells that line the abdominal wall. It’s...
Abdominal pain, heartburn and fatigue can sometimes be symptoms of stomach cancer. But they can also be the result of overeating, untreated...
MD Anderson is known for its cancer care and research. But did you know that for more than a decade, MD Anderson researchers have been working...
Ascites is the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal space of the abdomen. Though it can be caused by several non-cancerous conditions,...
The emotional impacts of cancer can last long after treatment is completed.
Guilt is just one of the many emotions that may come up...
Retinoblastoma is a cancer that forms in the retina, a layer of tissue in the eye that’s sensitive to light. It’s a rare eye cancer, but it...
When Angela Ting, Ph.D., was in her third year of college at The University of British Columbia, she still hadn’t decided on a career. She...
Nagging back pain. Indigestion. Frequent urination. You may assume these are minor health issues that don’t need a doctor’s visit. But think...
When Alexandra Mastrogiuseppe-Cribbin was diagnosed with stage IV marginal zone lymphoma in August 2023, she and her husband, James, were...
My husband, Allan, started receiving treatment for stage IV prostate cancer at MD Anderson in the summer of 2022. He was in such bad shape...
Many people are curious as to how vaping impacts the brain. As a researcher who studies the psychology behind smoking, I share that curiosity...
Many cancer patients ask how long it might take for chemotherapy to shrink their tumors.
That’s a tough question because the answer...
It’s natural to wonder how the substances we consume affect our bodies. Many Americans choose to drink, so it’s no surprise that alcohol’s...
An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but does the saying also apply to a serving of apple cider vinegar?
Social media influencers...
Symptoms of ovarian cancer are so vague that roughly 80% of cases are diagnosed only after the disease has reached stage III or IV.
As a researcher who studies diet and the microbiome, I often hear questions about how everyday choices impact the body.
One area that...
Cancer is intense, but it isn't something you have to go through alone.
As a psychiatrist, I help patients with mental health conditions...
From barbeque to brisket and sausage to steak, red meat is a mealtime and menu staple.
Yet, for cancer prevention, it’s best to limit...
Cancer cells often develop genetic mutations that initiate and sustain the growth of tumors. The most frequently mutated of these oncogenic...
PARP inhibitors are a type of targeted therapy commonly used to treat breast cancer and ovarian cancer, among others. They target PARP, or...
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. So, you may be wondering how to avoid breast cancer.
While there is no guaranteed...
Richter transformation, historically called Richter syndrome, can affect patients who have or have not been treated for chronic lymphocytic...
If you’re a cancer survivor, you may have heard the term ‘cancerversary.’ A combination of the words ‘cancer’ and ‘anniversary,’ a cancerversary...
Recently, colostrum supplements have been gaining popularity online and across social media.
These dietary supplements are a powdered...
I was blindsided by my stage I testicular cancer diagnosis at age 42. It was the fall of 2020, and I had just moved to a new city, started...
You may already know that some types of colon polyps can develop into colorectal cancer. Or, that cervical dysplasia can sometimes lead to...
At age 26, Savannah Kaspar was a typical young adult: working, spending time with family and friends and planning trips. But after a colorectal...
The breast is made up of ducts and lobules. The cells in the lining of a normal milk duct grow in an orderly single layer. Sometimes there...
When Mac Dunwoody thinks of his late wife, Susan, he doesn’t focus on the ovarian cancer that ultimately took her life. Instead, he remembers...
Smoking causes an addiction that can be tough to shake. This is due to nicotine, the addictive ingredient in tobacco.
Thankfully, there...
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein made by the prostate, a walnut-shaped gland that’s part of the human male reproductive system...
As a retired firefighter and combat veteran, I’ve been in some pretty tough situations. But the hardest thing I’ve ever done was sit my four...
At MD Anderson, our care teams work hand in hand with scientists who bring the best treatments available today to our clinics while dreaming...
When it comes to his glioblastoma diagnosis, Chris Cook is inspired by his faith, his family and his doctors at MD Anderson.
Post-holiday...
CAR T cell therapy is a type of immunotherapy that modifies T cells, so they can detect and fight cancer cells. This therapy is increasingly...
Families pass down many things: traditions, names, heirlooms, recipes. But if you have family members who have or had breast cancer, you might...
Judd Woehrle has always been a firm believer in listening to your own body when something feels off. When he noticed a painless swollen gland...
When I was still in active treatment for stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, a type of oral cancer, I was so focused on staying...
You may have seen “sleepy girl mocktail” recipes making the rounds on social media, promising deep and restful sleep. Usually, these non-alcoholic...
A routine dentist visit prompted a series of tests that led to Jay Rusovich’s squamous cell carcinoma diagnosis in early 2023.
“My...
Tori McClosky’s senior year of high school turned upside down when a tumor was found on her brain. The cause was neurofibromatosis type 1...
You’ve hit your weight loss goal! Now what?
While there is no shortage of information on how to lose weight, it can be trickier to...
Enrolling in a clinical trial is one way to access cancer treatment that may not yet be broadly available while helping future cancer patients...
In February 2013, Kenyan Guidry went to the emergency room for what he thought were symptoms related to a recent car accident.
“I was...
When Adrian Rivas needed brain surgery, his doctors suggested he not only be awake in the middle of his procedure but that he also play the...
Caregivers of cancer patients with cognitive impairments can face any number of unique challenges.
If their loved one has...
The sigmoid colon is the part of the large intestine (colon) closest to the rectum. It absorbs water from stool and pushes the stool to the...
You only have one life. So, when you find out you have cancer, you don’t want to mess around. You want the best possible care you can get,...
You’ve probably heard about the heart-healthy diet, the Mediterranean diet and even the keto diet. If you’re a cancer patient or caregiver...
“Other doctors felt they could not operate,” says Sean O’Brien, an astrocytoma survivor. But MD Anderson neurosurgeon Frederick Lang, M.D....
Theoretically, anyone who analyzes data to do science could call themselves a data scientist. But to me, that term also implies the use of...
Women account for 1 in 3 researchers across the globe. At MD Anderson, women play a vital part in our research community. They are leaders...
When I was diagnosed with an aggressive soft-tissue cancer called undifferentiated pleiomorphic sarcoma at age 74, the tumor in my flank was...
When Howard Walton visited his primary care doctor in August 2022, she was concerned his prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were rising...
If you or someone you love has ever been diagnosed with a blood cancer such as leukemia or lymphoma, you’re probably already familiar with...
An Ommaya reservoir is a plastic, dome-shaped device inserted underneath the skin on your scalp. The dome is connected to a catheter placed...
Stacia Folloder was nine years away from the recommended age to get her first mammogram when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 31...
Diet plays an important role in supporting your body during cancer treatment.
Yet there are many reasons why someone in cancer treatment...
At home in Mansura, Louisiana, my life is all about my family. My husband and I are both retired, and we live next door to one of my daughters...
You may have heard the phrase “age is just a number,” and while that may be true, certain factors make age an important part of your medical...
Astrocytoma and glioblastoma are two types of brain tumors. Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) changed how these tumors are classified...
You might say that cancer runs in my family, but not with what I’d call any consistency. There’s been a random case of bladder cancer here...
More than 5,000 students and trainees pass through MD Anderson each year. But when our Diagnostic Imaging teams went to offer full-time roles...
Bone broth is a common soup base, but in recent years, it has been getting attention as a beverage.
This savory drink is usually enjoyed...
Clinical Nurse Christian Perez receives a message that a hospital patient is ready for discharge. Within a few seconds, the patient’s face...
When Frances Snipes began the LEADing Teams Core program with MD Anderson’s Leadership Institute last year, she was surprised to be assigned...
My nutritionist and chiropractor suspected something was wrong when I could not lose weight, but I was not concerned. I did not have any cramps...
When it comes to MD Anderson’s pediatric cancer patients, Tomika Gamble is the agent of fun.
As program director for pediatric support...
What do deli meats have in common with leafy greens?
Aside from the fact that both foods might be included in a sandwich, they also...
At MD Anderson, operating room lamps cast a brilliant glow on surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists and other clinical team members as they...
Fatima Sheriff has been MD Anderson’s chief of staff since September 2018 and a health care professional for more than 25 years. But the Canadian...
Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland in the male reproductive system. It is the...
You may be familiar with sayings such as ‘You can’t exercise your way out of a bad diet’ or ‘Abs are made in the kitchen.’ But are those sayings...
Nikki Samms, DPT, knows the region of the body she treats can make people uncomfortable.
As an MD Anderson pelvic floor physical therapist...
The saying goes ‘Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.’
Vaping seems to be an exception to that rule, as vapes, or e-cigarettes, use electricity...
In 2023 alone, MD Anderson recycled enough paper products to save 20,288 mature trees. Linette Leadon thinks that number could be higher....
While she was a physician in training in Chicago, Sairah Ahmed, M.D., was struck by the similarities between her and a young leukemia patient...
The beauty of walking is in its simplicity. Unlike other workouts, walking doesn’t necessarily require a gym membership or working up a need-to-shower-right-now...