October 12, 2018

Feeling Whole After Breast Cancer

After facing a breast cancer diagnosis, surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation, Jean Marie Lown, a physical therapist from Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania, certainly didn’t feel like her usual energetic, outdoor-loving self. It wasn’t until after reconstructive surgery and physical therapy at Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA) in Atlanta, Georgia, that Lown began to feel whole again. […]

September 11, 2018

Small Steps to Healthier Living and Healthy Aging

Health goals often focus on the short term-what you can do now to see results quickly. For cancer patients, focusing on healthy aging may be more realistic and effective. By making small lifestyle changes patients feel more in control of their health and longevity, helping those changes to become healthy habits. The question is, what […]

September 11, 2018

Coping with Unexpected Change

Joy Williams was diagnosed with a cancerous vocal chord tumor in 2011 and initially received treatment from a local physician in North Carolina. When the cancer returned in 2012, Williams decided to seek care at Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA), Atlanta. After several days of tests, Williams’ CTCA® doctor told her although the treatment he […]

September 10, 2018

Understanding the Links Between Inflammation, Lifestyle and Cancer

Experts have long suspected inflammation may play some role in cancer’s development. In 1863, German scientist and physician Rudolf Virchow was the first to make the connection, observing that cancer often develops at sites of chronic inflammation. But researchers have only recently pinpointed chronic inflammation as a primary risk factor for cancer and other serious health conditions. […]

September 10, 2018

When Tumor Growth May Be a Good Thing

When you get sick, the lymph nodes in your neck may swell as your body amps up its production of white blood cells to fight the infection. The swelling is usually temporary, and once the threat has passed and the infection heals, the lymph nodes return to their normal, bean-shaped size. In a similar way, […]

August 12, 2018

Sunburned as a Child? Your Skin Cancer Risk May Be Sky-High

You’re probably aware that protecting your skin from overexposure to the sun is key for both avoiding sunburns and skin cancer. Perhaps you even dutifully lather up with sunscreen or wear sun-protective clothing whenever you know you’ll be outdoors for a fair amount of time. These are great habits, but even if you haven’t had […]

August 10, 2018

E-cigarettes’ Persistent Popularity Raises Serious Concerns

Electronic cigarettes are often touted as a safer alternative to their traditional counterparts. They typically have fewer chemicals and lower nicotine levels than regular cigarettes. They’re also marketed to smokers as a way to quit the habit, and advertised to young people with appealing packaging and flavors, like chocolate and cotton candy, and names like One […]

July 6, 2018

Sensitive Skin From Cancer Treatment? Here’s How to Enjoy the Summer

If summer has you dreaming of days spent poolside, feeling the warm sun on your skin, you’re in good company. And a relaxing summer is just the kind of TLC you need during or after cancer treatment. But before you head outside, be aware that cancer treatments, especially chemotherapies like taxanes and Fluorouracil (5FU) and […]

July 6, 2018

3 Common Symptoms that Often Get Overlooked by Cancer Patients

Cancer patients often deal with a long list of physical side effects. But unlike fatigue, nausea, neuropathy and other well-known physical challenges that typically come with fighting cancer, some common conditions don’t get as much public attention. That may make it more difficult for patients to anticipate the side effects, to seek proper treatment for them, or to even […]

July 6, 2018

Double Trouble

For many people, smoking and drinking go together like bacon and eggs or hot dogs at a baseball game. But when it comes to cancer risk, Stephen Lynch, MD, Primary Care and Intake Physician at Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA), Phoenix, compares alcohol and tobacco to a more volatile pairing. “It’s gasoline and matches,” he […]