News

"I actually had thyroid cancer before, so, I’m not someone to mess around. If I think something’s suspicious, I want to get it taken care of.” For Susan Plessner, there was no chance of skipping doctor appointments or ignoring the signs of a health issue, even during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020. One reason for her diligence is the prevalence of cancer in her family. “I always figured I’d get it some way or another because of the high incidence in our family history,” said Susan, who lives in Auburn...

What is Sarcoma? Sarcomas are rare tumors that develop in tissue, like bone or muscle. There are more than 70 subtypes of sarcoma cancers. Soft tissue sarcomas develop in soft tissues like fat, muscle, nerves, fibrous tissues, blood vessels, or deep skin tissues.   Sarcoma Risk Factors Radiation exposure accounts for less than five percent of sarcomas. However, patients can develop sarcomas from radiation given to treat other cancers, such as breast cancer or lymphoma. In addition, s ome family can...

The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, in partnership with the Detroit Tigers and McLaren Health Care, the official health care system of the Detroit Tigers, will continue the tradition of raising awareness for breast health at the annual Pink Out the Park game on Wednesday, July 21, when the Tigers face the Texas Rangers at Comerica Park at 7:10 p.m. A special pre-game ceremony honoring survivors will take place on the field prior to the game. Additional activities will take place throughout the ga...

KSP Specialty Pharmacy is pleased to announce that it has achieved accreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) for its pharmacy services. Accreditation is a process through which health care organizations demonstrate compliance with national standards. Accreditation by ACHC reflects an organization’s dedication and commitment to meeting standards that facilitate a higher level of performance and patient care. ACHC is a nonprofit organization that has stood as a symbol of qu...

The New England Journal of Medicine Congratulations to Jeffrey Zonder, M.D., leader of the Multiple Myeloma and Amyloidosis Multidisciplinary Team at Karmanos Cancer Institute. Dr. Zonder co-authored a paper that was recently published by The New England Journal of Medicine. Titled “Daratumumab-Based Treatment for Immunoglobulin Light-Chain Amyloidosis,” the paper includes the results of a randomized trial, which led to the first FDA approval of any therapy for AL amyloidosis: Daratumumab-FasPro + CyBor...

  “It’s good to keep in mind that you can’t pour from an empty cup."   Diagnosis of a chronic illness can lead to anxiety, depression, and physical exhaustion. Just going to treatments or taking certain medications can put you in one of those states. So, how do you communicate your inability to do certain tasks or activities with family and friends – activities that you would normally do had you not had treatment today, or needed to clean up the kitchen which took all of your energy? Christine...

The Flint Courier News Hayley Thompson, Ph.D., associate center director of Community Outreach & Education at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute will be a co-investigator on a study examining colorectal cancer screening and health equity. The primary goal is to build on a program of research centered around improving take-home colorectal cancer screening among African Americans as a route to achieving greater screening equity. The study is funded by a $1.7 million Research Scholar Grant from ...

Black Health Matters.com Jennifer Beebe-Dimmer, program leader of the Population Studies and Disparities Research Program at Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University School of Medicine shares findings from her recent study, which shows that most black cancer survivors do not get the recommended amount of activity. This study included 1,500 black survivors of the four most common cancers (lung, breast, prostate and colon) who completed a survey with a follow-up a year later. Of those, 60 perc...

  “Screening is available for all of these cancers, such that the diagnosis can be made early on and the cure rate increases.”   Prostate, lung and colorectal cancers are the most common diagnosed among men , and one of the best weapons in fighting cancer is prevention through screening – services that men can access at a McLaren Flint location . “Diagnosis can be made early on and the possibility of cure is higher,” states Madan Arora, MD, hematology and medical oncologist at Karmanos Cancer ...

“If the option of radiation comes into play, seriously inquire about proton therapy versus regular radiation." A small, light blue ribbon on a lapel pin that has become part of Dana Monville’s everyday wardrobe tells a story   – the story of the Bay City man’s prostate cancer journey. “I wear it all the time, whether I’m golfing, in meetings, fishing, going out in public, in a bar, while I’m up north – I wear it everywhere,” explained Dana. “People ask about it, because they see the reds, the yello...