Blood cancers can develop quietly, often masking their early signs as minor health issues like fatigue or frequent infections. Many people dismiss these symptoms as stress or seasonal illnesses and put off further medical help. Timely detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes and quality of life.
As men age, conversations about health can sometimes feel uncomfortable, especially when they involve personal topics like prostate health. Knowing the difference between a minor issue and a more serious condition is key to taking control of your health.
Skin cancer touches millions of lives every year, making it the most common cancer in the U.S. Often overlooked, your skin serves as your body’s largest and most visible line of defense, shielding you from the outside world. It works tirelessly, but it needs your attention too. Every freckle, mole or change tells a story, and knowing which ones to take seriously can protect your health in remarkable ways. By understanding the signs of skin cancer and acting early, you can take charge of your skin’s health.
It can be uncomfortable to talk about bathroom habits, but paying attention to them is important for your health. Changes in what’s normal for you can sometimes be an early indicator of a health issue.
A cancer diagnosis often arrives unexpectedly, bringing with it a whirlwind of confusion, anxiety and complex medical decisions. Navigating this new reality requires a team that understands the disease and the person fighting it. For patients in Oklahoma, knowing where to turn for specialized care is the first step toward clarity, which is why at INTEGRIS Health, we emphasize the importance of thoracic oncology.
Most guys in their twenties and thirties feel pretty unstoppable, assuming serious health issues are decades away. That mindset makes it easy to overlook subtle changes in your body, but understanding common testicular cancer symptoms is vital for men of all ages. At INTEGRIS Health, we want to replace fear with facts so you can take charge of your well-being.
Storing your leftovers in plastic containers and popping them into the microwave the next day probably feels like second nature. It’s convenient and quick – a routine many Americans rely on. But have you ever wondered about the safety of this habit? As practical as plastic containers are, heating them may come with hidden risks.
Lung cancer remains one of the deadliest forms of cancer, claiming more lives annually than breast, prostate and colon cancers combined. The statistics are sobering, but there's hope on the horizon. Robotic technology that INTEGRIS Health employs is helping to detect lung cancer earlier and more effectively through advanced screening technologies and minimally invasive procedures.
When we think of food, we picture wholesome, nourishing ingredients. But under this comforting image lies a hidden reality not many consider: tiny particles of plastic and the cocktail of chemicals they carry could be making their way onto our plates.
Many Americans are becoming more health-conscious, scanning labels for calories, fat content, carbs and avoiding overly processed ingredients. But one hidden detail often goes unnoticed: Heavy metals lurking in the foods we eat every day. Unlike the nutrients you track on a package, heavy metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium won’t show up in a list of ingredients, yet their presence can have real health consequences.
Screening for cervical cancer is a critical step in protecting women's health, but for many, the process of having a medical professional take a cervical swab can feel uncomfortable or even intimidating. Fortunately, recent advancements in testing now allow people to take a human papillomavirus (HPV) test themselves using a self-swab, all within the privacy and guidance of a clinical setting.
Prostate cancer is a major health concern for men, yet many remain unaware of its warning signs, causes and treatments. In this blog, we speak with Tyler Gutschenritter, M.D., a radiation oncologist at INTEGRIS Health Cancer Institute, to help you enhance your understanding of prostate cancer and promote early detection.
Raising awareness and education about ovarian cancer is crucial to improving early detection rates and ultimately saving lives. In this blog, we speak to Lara Theobald, M.D., a board-certified physician in medical oncology, internal medicine, palliative care and hospice at the INTEGRIS Health Cancer Institute, to learn more.
Stomach noises, medically known as borborygmi, are common and usually harmless sounds produced by the movement of gas and fluids through the intestines. While these noises are typically normal, there are instances where they might indicate underlying health issues, including bowel cancer.
Digestive issues can be more than just an inconvenience – they can disrupt your daily life, cause persistent discomfort and leave you searching for relief. Symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating and changes in bowel habits are often dismissed or attributed to manageable conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
March is colorectal cancer awareness month. Colorectal cancer, a prevalent and potentially fatal form of cancer, affects millions of Americans. In this blog, we discuss key takeaways in understanding the risks involved and ways that you can protect yourself.
Receiving an abnormal pap smear test result can understandably stir up concern, but it's important to remember that such findings don't necessarily point to a serious health issue such as cervical cancer.
Living with one lung may seem like an impossible challenge – the lungs are a key organ that work 24 hours a day to keep us alive – but the human body has an uncanny ability to adapt. Much like living without a pancreas, gallbladder, appendix or spleen, missing out on the functionality of these organs isn’t ideal but it can be done. Learn more about what causes people to have a single lung and how you can still live a healthy life.
Traditional tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals that increase smokers' chances of developing cancer. In fact, smoking is tied to 80 to 90 percent of lung cancer cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As an alternative to smoking, many people have turned to e-cigarettes to vape, including teens and young adults (read our blog on how e-cigarette use is on the rise among teens in Oklahoma). But is inhaling liquid nicotine any safer and is there any risk of cancer associated with vaping?
November is a time when mustaches take center stage, but it's not just about style – it's about striking up conversations and raising awareness for men's health. Movember, a global movement, is dedicated to bringing attention to pressing men’s health issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health challenges.
Stomach cancer, though less talked about than other common cancers, poses a significant health risk that deserves more attention. By raising awareness about stomach cancer, the goal is to empower patients and the community with vital knowledge on the facts, causes and prognosis of this disease.
Lung cancer remains a significant health challenge, affecting millions worldwide. In this blog, we speak to Nathaniel Moulton, M.D., a board-certified interventional pulmonologist at INTEGRIS Health Medical Group Baptist Pulmonary Medicine, to learn more.
Male breast cancer is a rare condition, accounting for less than one percent of all breast cancer cases, but it's still important to be aware of its signs, symptoms, causes and treatment options should you or a loved one be impacted. As part of breast cancer awareness in October, we talk to Samer Hassan, M.D., a board-certified physician in internal medicine, oncology and hematology, with INTEGRIS Health Cancer Institute at Southwest Medical Center.
Chemotherapy is one of the most common and effective forms of cancer treatment. Despite doing its job of destroying cancer cells, chemotherapy drugs also impact healthy cells and cause a wide range of side effects. In this blog, Brian Geister, M.D., and Agnel Raparthi, M.D., both with the INTEGRIS Health Cancer Institute, weigh in on how chemotherapy affects the body.
When it comes to breast cancer screenings, the word “mammogram” is what most people associate with the testing that plays a key role in diagnosing cancer. But some people may not know there are two types of mammograms – screening mammograms and diagnostic mammograms.
It’s a widely held belief that drinking a glass of wine a day is beneficial to health, but experts say alcohol is a known carcinogen and that any amount of alcohol can increase your risk of negative health effects. In this blog, we talk with Bilal Ahmad, M.D., a board-certified hematologist and oncologist with the INTEGRIS Health Cancer Institute at INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center, to learn more.
Despite being one of the most common types of cancers, the scientific explanation for why breast cancer occurs more often than other types of cancers is unknown in the medical community.
What researchers do know is which factors heighten – or lower – the risk of developing breast cancer. As breast cancer prevalence grows (women have a 13 percent lifetime risk, meaning 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed), having a basic understanding of what puts you at risk can help you prepare for the future.
Reaching the age of 40 is a significant milestone that often comes with a greater focus on health maintenance and prevention. As part of Healthy Aging Month in September, in this blog we talk to Jeffrey Cruzan, M.D., a board-certified family medicine physician with INTEGRIS Health Medical Group Memorial West, about the medical screenings to keep in mind as we get older.
On Feb. 5, Oklahoma lost a favorite son and icon, Toby Keith, to stomach cancer and Oklahomans are in mourning. We spoke to oncologist, Laila Babar, M.D., about stomach cancer facts, symptoms and treatment.
