Oncology Center Medical Library Stories & Articles

Four years ago Maryann Dillon was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. “You’re just numb, any time you receive a diagnosis like that, you’re just numb,” says Maryann. Maryann says she felt like she was given a death sentence. Because her... ( Read more about Abraxane Breast Cancer Treatment)

“I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to see my children grow up and my grandchild grow, you get this really scary feeling inside,” says Rosamond Stallings. When 45 year old Rosamond Stallings was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 years ago,... ( Read more about African American Women and Breast Cancer)

“I am here to show you that there is life after colon cancer, and it is something that can be easily detected and treated,” says Verna Cox. 56 year old Verna Cox says it’s a testament to her competitive spirit, that she wasn’t going to let... ( Read more about African American Women and Colon Cancer)

Women who have BRCA breast cancer genetic mutations are just as likely to survive as other women who get breast cancer, according to a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are more likely... ( Read more about BRCA Breast Cancer Genes)

In this day and age, bald is beautiful. But is it also a health risk? New research presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research shows men who started to bald in the back of their heads before age 30 are at a... ( Read more about Baldness and Prostate Cancer Risk)

Medical experts are saying that research just released from the medical journal the lancet will have a profound impact on many women battling breast cancer. It shows that one of the most popular and established drugs should be replaced by newer... ( Read more about Breast Cancer Drug Study)

There is a bit of frustrating news for women facing a battle with breast cancer. The tests thought to be highly reliable in detecting genes which are linked to breast and ovarian cancers have been shown now to miss many cases. “I’ve actually... ( Read more about Breast Cancer Gene Testing)

While the number of deaths from breast cancer each year have been declining, they are still staggering: more than 40-thousand women will die this year alone. More than 260,000 women will be told they have the disease.

Researchers have discovered how to identify women with breast cancer who are at risk for having the cancer spread. This is quite a significant step, because currently, there's no reliable way to see what cancers will spread and what won't, and... ( Read more about Breast Cancer Recurrence Marker)

There’s an important piece of medical research released tonight which every woman with breast cancer or a family history of breast cancer needs to hear about. The study looks at whether they need to worry about their risk of ovarian cancer, and... ( Read more about Breast Cancer and Ovarian Cancer Risk)

There is important new research out tonight which addresses the question: how should women at high risk for breast cancer be screened? Should they get mammograms, or ultrasound, or the newest technology, the breast MRI?

There's good news tonight for women at high risk for breast cancer. Researchers say using breast MRI along with mammography is highly accurate in detecting tumors. Not only does this mean cancers can be picked up more reliably, but also, women... ( Read more about Breast MRI-Mammography Study)

37 year old Michelle Michaels is taking every precaution to protect herself against breast cancer. "My mother had inflammatory breast cancer three years ago, and my grandmother had breast cancer at 38, so I'm considered high, high risk." says... ( Read more about Breast Ultrasound)

Researchers have discovered a chemical already used to treat rare metabolism conditions in children might help kill off cancer cells. The drug is cheap, it’s already shown to be safe, and that has scientists cautiously optimistic. But it has... ( Read more about Cancer Cure Hope)

They're used by practically everyone these days, and health-wise, they get a bad rap. Cell phones are purported to be linked to brain tumors. Now, a new Danish study tests the theory. The researchers questioned people with and without brain... ( Read more about Cell Phones and Brain Cancer)

Natalie is grateful that she listened to her body. It helped doctors in her cervical cancer detection and treatment. "I had one missed period and for me that wasn't normal, so I went to the doctor." says Natalie. A pap smear revealed that at... ( Read more about Cervical Cancer Bio-Probe)

There is a disturbing report out of the centers for disease control tonight. It says the most common reason women say they do not get regular pap tests to screen for cervical cancer is because their doctors never recommend the test. When you... ( Read more about Cervical Cancer Screening Study)

29 year old Melissa Gilbert received the ultimate gift on Valentine’s Day. Her daughter Kendal Grace entered the world. But, just two years ago, holding her own baby, seemed like an impossibility. A pap smear revealed she had cervical cancer.... ( Read more about Cervical Cancer and Miracle Baby)

At first sight Brian Goff looks like your typical pre-teen, member of the football team, a video game fanatic. But, a year ago, Brian and his family received news that turned their world upside down. Brian was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma,... ( Read more about Children Cancer Survivors School Re-entry program)

You might say that prepping for surgery is getting a makeover. In addition to putting on surgical gowns, scrubbing and sterilizing surgical instruments, this time around it’s makeup, red rubber noses and big shoes. “The clowns are cool, you... ( Read more about Clowns Helping Out in Children's Hospital)

We are in the midst of March Madness now, but a sidebar to the basketball tournaments is a coaches versus cancer initiative to get fans to think about colon cancer screening during what also happens to be colon cancer awareness month. They’re... ( Read more about Colon Cancer March Madness)

Tina Donnelly has no doubt been heavily exposed to the dangers of cigarette smoke. “It has gotten less and I am at about a pack and a half a day, and I have been smoking just because time passes so quick for thirty six years,” says Tina. She... ( Read more about Colon Cancer Screening)

What is the Colon cancer?

Colon cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer in America. The colon is a muscular thin tube about 5 feet long. In mammals, the colon consists of four... ( Read more about Colon Cancer: Causes and Treatments)

There is new research out tonight that affects the 17 million Americans suffering from diabetes. The study says diabetics with high blood sugars are at a significantly higher risk for developing cancer. The study looked at more than a million... ( Read more about Diabetes and Cancer Risk)

The foundation run by fashion designer Donna Karan, founder of the DKNY clothing line, is partnering with Beth Israel Medical Center, in New York City, to test yoga, meditation and aromatherapy treatments against cancer over the course of a... ( Read more about Donna Karan to Fund Alternative Cancer Research)

Are your children at greater cancer risk because of the electrical appliances you use everyday? There are many who believe electromagnetic radiation does in fact increase cancer risk, and that’s the why the International Agency for Research on... ( Read more about Electromagnetic Radiation And Kids)

There is a new warning for people with pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators: Magnets may pose a serious health risk! While common magnets for home and office use with low magnetic strength posed little risk, stronger magnets... ( Read more about Health Wrap | Cardiology, Cancer, Asthma, Trans-fat)

According to new research in the medical journal the lancet, the number of people that have dementia--the common form is Alzheimer’s disease--is going to double every twenty years. Given that 24 million worldwide have dementia today, that... ( Read more about Healthwrap - Dementia, SIDS, Breast Cancer)

How Cancer is Detected?

It is very important that a cancer diagnosis is made quickly and accurately so that a specific and appropriate treatment is planed. Generally speaking,... ( Read more about How Cancer is Detected - Know the Symptoms)

A focus on emotional health and overall well being is changing how cancer is treated. For many who are diagnosed with Cancer, the initial reaction is shock mixed with fear. While coping with the news, having support during a time of uncertainty... ( Read more about Humanistic Cancer Care)

There is important research that will directly affect one out of every four women diagnosed with breast cancer. Herceptin, a treatment used to boost the benefits of chemotherapy and surgery has been shown to be highly effective, and experts are... ( Read more about Important Research for Woman Diagnosed with Breast Cancer)

It’s something no parent or child should have to face: pediatric brain tumors. Fortunately there are great advances being made in treating pediatric brain tumors, which get more effective with each year. But the downside is that the... ( Read more about Kids Brain Cancer After effects)

As a Broadway press agent, Michael Hartmans life is jam-packed with deadlines, meetings and mountains of stress. But 3 years ago, his world was turned upside down. Michael began passing blood, and was diagnosed with colon cancer.

Lung cancer has been the focus of medical news reports this week, with the death of Peter Jennings and the Dana Reeve’s announcement that she too has lung cancer. What effect will these celebrity cases have on the rest of us who perhaps light... ( Read more about Lung Cancer Screening)

If you smoke, or are a former smoker, there is an extremely important new study out which shows how you can protect yourself from developing advanced lung cancer. More Americans die each year from lung cancer, than from breast, prostate, and... ( Read more about Lung Cancer Screening Test)

There is new hope for patients diagnosed with lung cancer but with too much lung disease to go through surgery to get their cancer removed. Radioactive seeds deliver concentrated doses of radiation treatment to the specific areas affected by... ( Read more about Lung Cancer Seed Treatment)

There are several important advances in lung cancer research being reported out of ASCO, the major cancer conference in New Orleans. The studies find that not only are lung cancer survival rates improving, but that there are now several new,... ( Read more about Lung Cancer Studies)

People suffering from paralysis due to stroke or traumatic brain injury may be able to reprogram their brains to improve motor skills and to control artificial limbs. With a stroke, when nerve cells are damaged, other nerve cells take over for... ( Read more about Lung Cancer Treatment, Stroke Retraining, Whole Body CAT Scan)

Anita Jacobs juggles a hectic schedule. She travels all over the country as a corporate training lecturer, plus she's an author and a mom. But just over a year ago, her world was turned upside down. She was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had... ( Read more about Massage & Breast Cancer)

Finally! It's the first unofficial weekend of the summer! But if you're heading out into the sun, here's a question for you: have you had your skin screened? Everyone should! Melanomas cause 80 percent of deaths from skin cancer. But here's the... ( Read more about Melanoma Screening)

What is Melanoma?

Melanoma is a malignancy of the skin. It's the fastest growing cancer in America today. It is caused by excessive sun exposure combined with a genetic disposition... ( Read more about Melanoma: Causes and Treatments)

With the waning weeks of summer, this is the time that we’re hitting the pools and beaches strong, trying to catch the last vestiges of the sun. But men, listen up: you don’t worry enough about your skin, according to the latest research. It’s... ( Read more about Men and Skin Protection)

There is a disturbing report out tonight that says minority women, who are at the highest risk for having aggressive breast cancer, are simply not getting their mammograms. Now, we keep hearing study after study showing how there are ethnic... ( Read more about Minorities and Breast Cancer)

It's the time of year the pool and the beach beckons us, But African Americans and Hispanics have reason to pause before heading out into the sun. New research shows that it's not just fair skinned individuals, but dark skinned minorities are... ( Read more about Minorities and Melanoma)

There is strong evidence showing that the deadliest form of skin cancer, melanoma, is a growing threat. Now, new research shows that cases of multiple melanomas are on the rise. People who get melanoma don’t just get one; they’re at risk for... ( Read more about Multiple Melanoma)

There is a new non-invasive bladder cancer test which detects cancer proteins in the urine. It could be a big breakthrough in detecting this common malignancy. Right now, 13,000 Americans die of bladder cancer each year. So, like many other... ( Read more about New Bladder Cancer Test)

College professor, 61 year old Karin Wexler, wasted no time when she first felt a lump on her breast three years ago. “Within 3 minutes, I had called my doctor and went for a mammogram and sonogram right away and nothing showed up on the... ( Read more about New Breast Cancer Diagnostic)

If you or someone you love has ever smoked, this is a very important story you must pay attention to. A landmark study has just been released which shows you can detect lung cancer early enough to cure it. Here’s the bottom line: We tell you to... ( Read more about New CT Scan Lung Cancer Screening)

There’s new hope for ovarian cancer patients. Doctors are saying that giving chemo through the abdomen rather than through the vein should now be the way many ovarian cancer patients are treated. This is actually an old method to deliver chemo;... ( Read more about New Ovarian Cancer Treatment)

New research just released shows the rate of male breast cancer is on the rise and the disease in men is usually detected when the tumors are more advanced, compared to cases of breast cancer in women. Breast cancer in men is much rarer than in... ( Read more about New Research on Male Breast Cancer)

Is it possible sun exposure could actually have benefits? Experts at an American Academy of Dermatology conference addressed the issue, with the kickoff of Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection & Prevention month. The academy has gone on the... ( Read more about No Safe Sun)

The American Cancer Society has released the latest edition of it’s Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention. The publish it every five years, and the emphasis now is on--you guessed it--obesity. Yes, being overweight... ( Read more about Obesity and Cancer Risk)

For some time now, obesity has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. It's well established that obese, postmenopausal women have an increased risk of breast cancer compared with postmenopausal women of normal weight. Part of... ( Read more about Obesity and Mammogram Errors)

It’s not exactly beach weather this time of year, but melanoma is on the mind of medical researchers this week with an unusual message. Maybe it’s OK to get screened for skin cancer, just once in your life! Or… is it? If you’re a number... ( Read more about One-time Melanoma Screening)

There is an exciting new test being rolled out in dentist’s offices that will hopefully have a huge impact on mouth cancer, something that hits around 30,000 Americans each year, believe it or not.

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death among women with gynecologic cancer in North America, according to the American Cancer society. And new research finds yet another reason why women should make their annual appointments for the... ( Read more about Ovarian Cancer Risk)

There is an exciting breakthrough reported tonight by Yale University researchers that could mean finally, an accurate way to carry out early screening tests for ovarian cancer. If you think about it, we have colonoscopy to screen for colon... ( Read more about Ovarian Cancer Screening Test)

Many women have to face a very difficult decision to electively remove their ovaries because of an inherited ovarian cancer risk. But now the findings of new research are making that decision a bit more difficult. Mayo Clinic researchers have... ( Read more about Ovarian and Dementia Risk)

69 year old Eugene Brown didn't understand why he just couldn't shake some lingering flu symptoms. "My illness hung on for 2 months maybe even three months." says Eugene.

There is a new online tool for prostate cancer patients just unveiled that is said to be the most accurate way to predict one’s chances of long term survival.

If you know anyone diagnosed with prostate cancer, you know about the confusion surrounding which treatment course to take, and even which doctor to see. Medical specialists from several fields are getting together for the first time at a major... ( Read more about Prostate Cancer Consortium)

There is a brand new tool for detecting prostate cancer that could make a huge difference in reducing the chances a cancer will be missed. The bottom line here is not only will cancers be detected more accurately and be less likely to be... ( Read more about Prostate Cancer Detection)

"The initial shock hit me like a ton of bricks." Joseph Califano was diagnosed with prostate cancer in spite of the fact his PSA was by current guideline standards, completely normal. PSA is the blood test that detects prostate cancer when... ( Read more about Prostate Cancer Study)

A new study out of the American Urological Association meeting shows not only do patients have a high likelihood of long term survival if prostate cancer is caught early, but also that they can have a high quality of life with no lasting ill... ( Read more about Prostate Cancer Treatment)

Two new studies highlight the risk men with prostate cancer face concerning osteoporosis risk. Both show that hormone treatment for cancer can up the chances of developing the bone brittling disease. One study in Wednesday's New England Journal... ( Read more about Prostate Cancer and Osteoporosis)

What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is second only to skin cancer as the most common types of cancer among men. The prostate is a male sex organ. It's the size of a walnut and... ( Read more about Prostate Cancer: Causes and Treatments)

If you smoke or know someone who smokes, which is just about all of us, you know how difficult it is to quit smoking. But what about cutting back, reducing the number of cigarettes one smokes each day as a first step towards quitting smoking?... ( Read more about Smoking Cut Back)

We’re always talking about the risks of smoking: lung cancer, heart disease, strokes, esophageal cancer, laryngeal cancer--- it’s a long list. Well, make it one item longer, because the latest research says cigarette smoking is contributing to... ( Read more about Smoking and AMD)

You probably know that smoking and lung cancer are very closely related, with heavy smokers being the most prone to suffer from lung cancer. Smoking also raises one's risk of heart disease. Now, smokers can add pre-cancerous growths in the... ( Read more about Smoking and Colon Cancer Risk)

It’s a nightmare for any parent: being told that your child has a life-threatening condition like cancer. And then having to take an immediate decision as to whether or not place your child in a clinical trial. This scenario raises a lot of... ( Read more about Studying Studies)

Protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays. It's summer again, and for most of us, a lot more sun exposure. Protecting your skin from harmful UVA and UVG rays is essential to preventing skin cancer, and it's not a bad idea if you want to... ( Read more about Summer Sun Safety Tips)

No doubt, you've heard about the dangers of sun exposure and the risk of skin cancer. But new research suggests that getting sunshine can help prevent another of the most common cancers- prostate cancer.

So we’re in the meat of the summer now: it’s July 4th weekend, the days are long, and that means lots of sunshine. But are you protecting your eyes by wearing sunglasses? The fact is you can look awesome and do something really really healthy... ( Read more about Sunglasses)

All across America, people are packing up the kids, the coolers, and towels, headed to enjoy the kick-off of summer. But, will you be tossing the correct sunscreen into your bag? If the weather gods are on our side this weekend, many of us will... ( Read more about Sunscreen)

The notion that ovarian cancer is a "silent killer" without early warning signs has changed. The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation has announced a national consensus on symptoms for ovarian cancer. Symptoms that women should consider as warning... ( Read more about Symptoms Identified For Ovarian Cancer)

We're smack dab in the middle of summer, and another weekend is here when a lot of us, especially our kids, are going to be outside in the sun. But at a time when skin cancers are on the rise, even in teens, there's evidence that adolescents... ( Read more about Teens and Melanoma)

They are two news broadcasters with a common bond: Sean Kimmerling, the WB 11 sportscaster in New York; and Dan Abrams of NBC. Dan says, “No one expects to hear the words "You have cancer." I think it's even more unexpected for people who are... ( Read more about Testicular Cancer - New Research Shows Good News)

By Dr. Chitti Moorthy In recent years, Radiation Oncology has made great strides in cancer treatment. Alone or in combination with other treatments, radiation therapy is dramatically raising cancer cure rates. Leading medical centers provide... ( Read more about Treatment of Cancer with Radiation Oncology)

Investigators have found that men who are or have been overweight or who have high insulin levels are more likely to die from prostate cancer. The discovery of these two predictors is important, because doctors now have two crucial clues as to... ( Read more about Two Markers Found for Prostate-Cancer Deadliness)

Could a common over the counter pain reliever be a key to the prevention of ovarian cancer? Last week we heard about the dangers of Tylenol, that it could, even in appropriately prescribed doses, affect the liver. Well, here’s a piece of good... ( Read more about Tylenol and Ovarian Cancer)

How do Cancer Vaccines Work?

Vaccines that protect against cancer have been proposed since before the 1910s. A growing sophistication of how cells age and die may hold the key to a... ( Read more about Understanding Cancer Vaccines)

What is the Mammograms?

A mammogram is a special type of X-Ray that allows doctors to visualize the breast tissue. The mammography machine compresses the breast and this will cause... ( Read more about Understanding Mammograms)

Moserata Santana is not worried about colon cancer in spite of the fact that the disease killed her father and brother. She’s getting a screening colonoscopy, and has faith that the colonoscopy procedure will detect anything unusual, before it... ( Read more about Virtual Colonoscopy)

There’s no question, early screening for colon cancer saves lives, particularly among those aged 50 and older. But there is a debate now among medical experts: can patients get as good, and as safe a reading by using virtual colonoscopy, which... ( Read more about Virtual Colonoscopy)

Calcium & Vitamin D intake may lower Breast Cancer risk You already knew that calcium and Vitamin D are important for health. But a new study by a team of researchers at Harvard Medical Center suggests that pre-menopausal women who get... ( Read more about Vitamin D and Calcium Associated With Reduced Breast Cancer Risk)

What is Cancer?

Cancer is a term used to describe a group of illnesses all having certain common characteristics. There are over 200 different types of cancer and all have a... ( Read more about What is Cancer and How it is Caused)

By Dr. Chitti Moorthy -Director, Departments of Radiation Medicine and Radiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla , NY The cause of cancer lies deep within the building blocks of a person's cells (genes and DNA). If these blocks become... ( Read more about What is Cancer? Searching for the Cause)

By Tauseef Ahmed, MD, FACP Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Oncology / Hematology at New York Medical College Your tests have come back. The news is not good and your doctor refers you to a specialist. Oncologist, Orthopedist,... ( Read more about Your First Visit)