When I was diagnosed with throat cancer at age 39, my first thought was my wife and three children. Yes, I was scared. No, I didn’t know what was to come. What I did know was that leaving a toddler without a dad was not an option. Putting my family firmly in the category of Read More
Sometimes the little things bring the most joy When someone learns they have cancer, it’s not just a diagnosis, but a life-altering challenge that impacts them and their loved ones. Patients are almost instantly flooded with emotions, imagining what they will face: Potentially treatments and appointments that can make for long days. There are also Read More
Head and neck cancers account for approximately 3 percent of malignancies in the United States, but since most people don’t know the signs and symptoms of these cancers, nearly half of the cases are found in late stages when treatment options are more complex. The Cancer Center’s MD Anderson-trained otolaryngologist Dr. Ashley Mays reviews common Read More
By Derrick W. Spell, M.D., FACP Six years ago, everything that was wrong with my health came to mind one day. Most of my clothes no longer fit. I had trouble climbing one flight of stairs. I realized that I was taking care of my patients, but not taking care of myself. I finally accepted Read More
More and more, certain barriers to care are coming to light in local communities—not just throughout Louisiana, but also around the nation. One of those barriers is taking time away from work and family to access cancer screenings, but unfortunately, this can result in cancers going undetected. Watch Kelly’s story to see how companies like Read More
Ten years ago, when cancer patients in Southeast Louisiana were deciding where to be treated, the closest options included a commute to larger cities for visits and treatments -- sometimes multiple times a week-- navigating traffic and scheduling challenges. This all changed for residents of Ascension Parish and surrounding areas in 2009 when Mary Bird Read More
Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center is holding its free annual Fest for Life event on Saturday, April 13 in downtown Baton Rouge! Get all of the details here.' WHO? Fest for Life is perfect for kids, adults—the entire family! WHAT? Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Read More
Cardio-oncology is an emerging field dedicated to optimizing the cardiovascular care that cancer patients receive before, during, and after their cancer treatment. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is at the forefront of this evolving field. How Cancer Treatment Can Affect Patients’ Heart Health Although cancer treatments are constantly improving, some of the most effective cancer Read More
At age 47, Tavia Crumpler knew something was off. The increasing symptoms of bloating, gas, and changes in her stool consistency were especially disturbing since her grandmother had suffered from colon cancer, but Tavia chalked it up to stress. When the symptoms didn’t stop, she began asking for medical help. “I told every doctor I Read More
Medical oncologist Dr. Vince Cataldo discusses Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center’s partnership with Lane Regional Medical Center to provide enhanced medical oncology care and infusion services to patients in the Zachary, LA area. Meet Our Oncology Team in Zachary Dr. Cataldo is joined in Zachary by Dr. Joseph Shows, Read More
