Siddhartha Mukherjee, MD, an oncology fellow at the time, wrote a detailed biography of cancer in his 2010 book Emperor of All Maladies. In it he reports that early in human history, cancer was a very rare disease. As we all know, cancer has become increasingly common, especially since the industrial revolution. This increase cannot… Read more »
Cancer
In January I was told I have breast cancer. The overwhelming news brought tears and the urge to crawl up in a ball and stay there forever. I didn’t want to face what lay ahead – more doctors, more tests, and many life-changing decisions to be made. How could this happen to me? You can’t… Read more »
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. behind lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about 1 in 22 (4.49%) for men and 1 in 24 (4.15%) for women. And while colorectal cancer rates have dropped overall, the numbers… Read more »
Each year, as December 31st approaches, people start talking about goals, especially fitness-related ones. I feel everyone has the best intentions, including myself, to lose the weight, eat clean, or detox. I like to sit down with my cancer Warriors and have a goal-intention setting night. After cancer, your body has the innate ability to… Read more »
There’s no denying it—having cancer (or any other life-threatening disease) definitely changes the way one looks at the future. So it’s only natural that, after a diagnosis of cancer, the nature of patients’ New Year’s resolutions changes as well. I can say that from my own experience (diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2016, treated… Read more »
A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. A health care team may provide a variety of treatment options, but it is up to the patient to prioritize and focus daily on their nutrition, which is the foundation of health. Malnutrition (lacking adequate nutrients) is a serious side effect of cancer and cancer treatments. In fact, at… Read more »
Shay Moraga is a triple negative breast cancer survivor and shares her journey with Desert Health® readers in an ongoing column… It is the most wonderful time of year. Festive tunes on the radio, everyone you meet seems excited about upcoming vacations and family coming into town to celebrate the holidays. However, to a cancer… Read more »
Cancerous tumors, due to their fast metabolism, exist best in a ‘low oxygen’ environment. While chemotherapy is, by nature, dominantly an oxidative process, there are non-toxic oxidative therapies available in out-patient environments that are proving to be effective as a complement to chemotherapy and radiation or as stand-alone holistic treatment options. Both hyperbaric oxygen therapy… Read more »
Here we are again at another holiday season, and whether you observe religious or spiritual traditions or take part in a more cultural expression of the holiday spirit, it is time to prepare yourself emotionally for what that means as you navigate your cancer treatment at this emotionally charged time of year. Between the planning,… Read more »
Shay Moraga is a triple negative breast cancer survivor and shares her journey with Desert Health® readers in an ongoing column… I HAVE CANCER… Those are the dreaded words you never want to hear from a family member or friend. The person telling you those words is more than likely completely overwhelmed and in shock.… Read more »
Shay Moraga is a triple negative breast cancer survivor and shares her journey with Desert Health® readers in an ongoing column… Do you ever wonder why so many people turn to yoga after a life changing experience? It is because yoga heals us in so many ways. Yoga and cancer both teach us to accept… Read more »
Shay Moraga was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at the beginning of 2016 and shares her journey with Desert Health® readers in an ongoing column… If a cancer diagnosis has changed your life like it has mine, then you have been immediately thrown into the world of doctors, treatments, surgeries, fears, and overwhelming opinions… Read more »
When someone is in the midst of medical treatment for cancer, they may not have the strength or desire for vigorous exercise. But gentle forms of movement such as yoga, tai chi, and qigong can be extremely beneficial in a treatment plan that addresses spirit, mind and body. Gentle movement can also be beneficial post-treatment,… Read more »
Shay Moraga was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at the beginning of 2016 and shares her journey with Desert Health® readers in an ongoing column… In this New Year, I look forward to reviewing my goals from last year and reflecting on how the past year has played out. However, the goals I set… Read more »
In May 2010, while living and working in Greece, I received the call that would change my life. It was from my mother living here in the desert. She had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. That call completely altered my life, as I left my career in Europe and moved to Palm Springs to… Read more »
Shay Moraga was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at the beginning of 2016 and shares her journey with Desert Health® readers in this ongoing column. We have a lot of concessions, but some of the biggest ones we have are keeping the fear and anxiety away when the world seems to be turning upside… Read more »
About 50,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year. It is one of the most dangerous cancers, and its prevalence is increasing while awareness is low. Current five-year survival rates are only slightly better than 50%. This rate is mainly due to the fact that oral cancers are often discovered at a late… Read more »
In 1986, I was diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer. My medical treatment included removal of my lower left lobe followed by 35 radiation treatments. My road to recovery was long and difficult. At the time, there was little information out there for patients like me – no Internet to research and… Read more »
Last October, Desert Regional introduced TrueBeam, the latest technology for radiation therapy which aims to reduce treatment time and the effect on surrounding tissues. We spoke with Comprehensive Cancer Center Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Amir Lavaf, to learn more and see how this new technology is changing the way they treat cancer. Dessert Health: Is TrueBeam… Read more »
Shay Moraga was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at the beginning of 2016 and shares her journey with Desert Health® readers in this ongoing column. In the July/August issue, she shared her growing fear that her cancer had returned…. As I sat up in bed I prayed. I prayed to take this fear away… Read more »
