MD Anderson Cancer Center

Young adult astrocytoma survivor puts trust in doctors during treatment After she received a brain tumor diagnosis days before her 32nd birthday, Hannah Kahn came to MD Anderson for treatment. She shares how her care team made her feel comfortable and how she’s connected with other cancer patients.

Only a few months into her new marriage and just days before her 32nd birthday, Hannah Kahn was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Read why she chose MD Anderson for treatment and how she's getting back to her life: spr.ly/63322hvWJw #OncSky #EndCancer

The sandwich generation: Tips for juggling parenting and an aging parent’s cancer diagnosis Caring for your children and your aging parents at the same time is a challenge even when cancer isn’t involved. So, what do you do when it is? Senior social work counselors Tatiana Fincham and Mary Dev share their advice.

If you're in the sandwich generation, the main thing to remember is you don't have to do it all by yourself, say social work counselors Tatiana Fincham and Mary Dev.

They share tips for how and where to ask for help: spr.ly/63321ht5mN #OncSky #EndCancer

Understanding the different types of lymphoma How many different kinds of lymphoma are there? What makes each unique and how are they treated? Lymphoma specialist Ranjit Nair, M.D., weighs in. 

There are many types of lymphoma but generally speaking, they are classified as either Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin.

Dr. Ranjit Nair shares what you should know about this disease type: spr.ly/63325hqvgh #OncSky #EndCancer

Is foul-smelling poop ever a symptom of cancer? Can foul-smelling poop ever be a sign of cancer? Gastroenterologist David Richards, M.D., weighs in on why odor alone isn’t a symptom and what other signs – like weight loss or blood – you should watch for instead.

It can be hard to tell if you have a health problem or if you just ate too much broccoli last night. But odor isn’t the only thing to think about when it comes to digestive issues.

Dr. David Richards shares what else you should consider: spr.ly/63328hodz2 #OncSky #EndCancer

Clinical psychologist: 7 ways to reduce excessive screen time How do you cut back on screen time if you’re mentally and emotionally exhausted and don’t really want to live in the moment? Clinical psychologist Catherine Powers-James, Ph.D., offers seven tips. 

Many people use devices to check out mentally for any number of reasons – maybe they're bored or feeling lonely.

Our Dr. Catherine Powers-James shares tips for cutting back on screen time, even if you’re mentally and emotionally exhausted: spr.ly/63321hmvuU #OncSky #EndCancer

How art is shaping the patient experience at MD Anderson As associate vice president for Art Experience, Jennifer Finkel, Ph.D., is building an art collection that matches the caliber of cancer care patients and families can expect at MD Anderson.

"In a hospital, art is absolutely a positive distraction. Art can transport you to another place. For that moment, you're not thinking about why you're there," says our Dr. Jennifer Finkel.

She shares her goals for MD Anderson's art collection: spr.ly/63329h9lgR #OncSky #EndCancer

I have dreamed of an early-onset colorectal cancer center at @mdanderson.bsky.social for years & it’s finally here!

TY Dr.Nancy You & Dr. Van Morris & so many others that made this happen! More space to save more lives!

Read more: bit.ly/4aqHwmR

#crcsm #ayacsm #cancer #colorectalcancer

Intrathecal chemotherapy: 10 questions, answered What is intrathecal chemotherapy, and how does it work? Neuro-oncologist Barbara O’Brien, M.D., answers these and eight other questions.

Intrathecal chemotherapy is used when microscopic cancer cells from a solid tumor spread to the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, making it difficult to treat.

Learn more about this treatment approach from our Dr. Barbara O'Brien: spr.ly/63327h55JL #OncSky #EndCancer

Facing a pediatric brain tumor with a cheerful spirit After having a rare and aggressive pediatric brain tumor completely removed, 10-year-old Audrey Yerian came to MD Anderson to receive proton therapy to prevent a local recurrence and spare her healthy tissues.

After migraines and seizures led to Audrey Yerian's brain tumor diagnosis, her family sought proton therapy treatment at MD Anderson.

Despite fatigue, side effects and setbacks, Audrey never lost her passion for cheerleading. Read her story: spr.ly/63327hdo8c #OncSky #EndCancer

How to talk to your children about vaping What’s the best way to talk to your kids about vaping? Here are three tips from Jennifer Cofer, Dr.P.H., executive director of EndTobacco™, and Mark Moreno, senior vice president for Governmental Relations and Health Policy at MD Anderson.

Dr. Jennifer Cofer and Mark Moreno share tips for how to break the ice with your kids about vaping and how to prepare for the conversation: spr.ly/63325hbUyF #OncSky #EndCancer

Phantosmia: 8 things to know about olfactory hallucinations Smelling things that aren’t there? Ehab Hanna, M.D. explains phantosmia, its causes (like COVID-19 and migraines), and whether it’s ever a sign of a serious condition.

Phantosmia is the scientific term for olfactory hallucinations — like detecting the aroma of coffee brewing at home when no one is making it.

Dr. Ehab Hanna explains more about the condition and its connection to cancer: spr.ly/63323hw8cV #OncSky #EndCancer

Clinical dietitian: 3 ways to reduce your sugar intake and still enjoy sweets How can you reduce your sugar intake and still enjoy your favorite sweet treats? Clinical dietitian Claire Gundlach offers these three tips.

Our bodies are wired to want sweets, but eating too much sugar can lead to weight gain, which increases your risk of developing health conditions, including cancer.

Try these tips for reducing your sugar intake: spr.ly/63322hwBbp #OncSky #EndCancer

Kidney cancer caregiver: The Institute for Data Science in Oncology (IDSO) can help unlock advances to end cancer Monika Bickert learned firsthand how difficult facing cancer could be when her late husband, Philip Guentert, was diagnosed with stage IV kidney cancer in 2012. Now, she’s using her background in tech and involvement with IDSO to help MD Anderson offer more personalized care.

"Showing people what’s only possible here at MD Anderson — in a way that’s relevant to everybody — is a real opportunity," says Monika Bickert.

Here, she shares how AI and data are making MD Anderson's research more approachable: spr.ly/63323hGNTU #OncSky #EndCancer

Does your body have a set point weight, and can you change it? Some research shows that our bodies have a natural weight or ‘set point’ that they will return to regardless of what we eat or how much we exercise. So, what does that mean for your weight loss goals? And can you change your set point weight? Exercise physiologist Carol Harrison explains.

If you feel like you can't lose weight past a certain point, you might assume you just don’t have enough willpower.

But what if your body has a set point weight? Our clinical exercise physiologist explains the theory: spr.ly/63322hOVi0 #OncSky #EndCancer

Soursop: Does this tropical fruit have health benefits? Soursop has long been used in traditional medicine. Today, researchers are learning more about this tropical fruit’s potential health benefits. A clinical dietitian shares details, plus what we know for sure about how diet impacts cancer risk.

Soursop goes by several names, including graviola or guanabana, it also has a very distinct look and potential health benefits.

But clinical dietitian Jowelle Haikal shares shares why more research is needed: spr.ly/63321hrKkS #OncSky #EndCancer

Pancreatic cancer survivor grateful for MD Anderson Pancreatic cancer survivor Malinda Lyda didn’t expect to live long after looking up her diagnosis on the internet. But having surgery at MD Anderson changed both her opinion and her outlook. 

When Malinda Lyda was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, she thought her case was unusual.

"Fortunately, MD Anderson deals with the unusual every day — so it didn’t seem weird there at all," she says. Read her story: spr.ly/63321hPxDD #OncSky #EndCancer

What is an actinic keratosis? Dermatologist explains common precancerous skin lesion An actinic keratosis is a very common and treatable precancerous skin lesion. Our dermatologist Saira George, M.D., explains what causes actinic keratoses, how to treat them and who’s at risk.

Actinic keratoses typically look like small pink spots, and, while they aren't cancerous, they could turn into squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated.

Our Dr. Saira George shares what you should know: spr.ly/63323hPaOR #OncSky #EndCancer

MD Anderson researchers found that adding an immune booster to a cancer-targeting virus increased survival for some patients with glioblastoma and helped identify blood biomarkers in patients most likely to benefit: spr.ly/6019hObV5 #EndCancer

Clean scan compels patient to give back to MD Anderson After undergoing successful immunotherapy treatment for spindle cell sarcoma at MD Anderson, Scott Ferguson decided to add MD Anderson to his will to help continue its mission to end cancer.

“Go to the place where they’re creating the science and doing more clinical trials than anyone else. Go to where you’ll find the highest standard of care,” says Scott Ferguson.

Why he tells everyone with a cancer diagnosis to go to MD Anderson: spr.ly/63327hGNpD #OncSky #EndCancer

7 ways to support MD Anderson Donating money is just one way to support MD Anderson’s mission to end cancer. There are many others. Here are six.

From volunteering to donating blood or platelets, there are many ways to support MD Anderson and our mission to #EndCancer.

If you're looking for ways to give back, this list offers options that you may not have considered before: spr.ly/63320hMvKe #OncSky

Lymph nodes explained: Location, function, swelling and cancer connection Your lymph nodes are vital filters in your immune system. Edward Chang, M.D., explains their location, function, what causes them to swell and their role in fighting infection and detecting cancer.

What role do lymph nodes play in cancer prevention and detection?

Our Dr. Edward Chang explains: spr.ly/63324hJcMg #OncSky #EndCancer

Stage IV non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor: Why I’m excited about MD Anderson coming to Austin Austin resident Jamie Chandlee has been in remission for 16 years after seeking treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma at MD Anderson. Find out why she’s excited to know that MD Anderson will soon be closer to home.

"Having a world-class cancer center close to home means patients can stay surrounded by their families and friends," says Jamie Chandlee. "That kind of support matters just as much as the medicine."

spr.ly/63326hGNVC #OncSky #EndCancer

How to lose weight after cancer The leaders of a MD Anderson weight loss program for cancer survivors share eight weight loss tips.

Losing weight can feel overwhelming after cancer treatment.

Get evidence-based advice for survivors from Dr. Karen Basen-Engquist: spr.ly/63329hKZ4U #OncSky #EndCancer

How to manage body image concerns after breast cancer surgery How do you navigate the body issues that arise after breast cancer surgery? Here are three highlights from a podcast on that subject with Puneet Singh, M.D, and Deepti Chopra, M.B.B.S. 

Physical changes after breast cancer surgery may involve more than just a scar.

Our experts share how asking your care team questions and sharing your values and goals with them can improve your experience: spr.ly/63320hJcUp #OncSky #EndCancer

Stage IV lung cancer survivor: ‘Go straight to MD Anderson’  Jennifer Robertson was told she had only three months to live when she was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in the fall of 2024. Find out why she’s still here, 18 months later, and why she tells everyone now to go straight to MD Anderson. 

When Jennifer Roberston was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer, she chose MD Anderson for treatment.

"They have options there that are not available anywhere else," she says. Read her story: spr.ly/63321hHiPS #OncSky #EndCancer

On World Cancer Day, we honor everyone who’s been touched by cancer.

We’re announcing a new traveling museum exhibition, The Journey to End Cancer: From Cause to Cure, presented by MD Anderson.

Join us on the journey to end cancer. spr.ly/63327hynKT #OncSky #EndCancer

Heavy metals in chocolate: 5 questions, answered How worried should you be about heavy metals in chocolate? Senior clinical dietitian Starla Garcia answers five questions on this topic.

Senior Clinical Dietitian Starla Garcia breaks down what to know about reports of cadmium, lead and other heavy metals in some chocolate products: spr.ly/63324hH9Dk #OncSky #EndCancer

Austin breast cancer survivor: Why I went to MD Anderson for lymphedema treatment Stacey Beckworth traveled to MD Anderson from Austin for help with severe lymphedema. Now, she’s a huge fan of its aftercare and looks forward to receiving it at a new location in Austin.

After completing breast cancer treatment, Stacey Beckworth's local oncologist referred her to MD Anderson for survivorship care.

Read why she says the care she received changed her life: spr.ly/63325hGNTX #OncSky #EndCancer

Advance care planning: What patients and caregivers should know Advance care planning makes your health care preferences known to your care team and loved ones. But when should you have these conversations and what should you discuss? Ryan Huey, M.D., and Melanie Cavazos break down what patients and caregivers should know about advance care planning.

When you’re diagnosed with cancer or another serious illness, you can be faced with a lot of uncertainty.

Advance care planning can help you prepare for these situations. Learn more: spr.ly/63320hGg6r @rwhuey.bsky.social #OncSky #EndCancer

Can you screen for pancreatic cancer? There is no screening test for healthy adults for pancreatic cancer. But you can take steps to protect yourself against this rare form of cancer. 

Our Dr. Shubham Pant explains the limits of testing for pancreatic cancer and what people should know about symptoms: spr.ly/63327hEygS #OncSky #EndCancer