The Future of Cancer Care
Close to Home
Courtesy Texas Hematology Oncology Centers
Just a decade ago cancers that would have been rapidly fatal are now being controlled for years while the patients conduct near-normal lives . Cancer used to be considered a death sentence ; however , centers like Texas Hematology / Oncology ( THOC ) are changing that perception and providing patients with hope . They offer a unique team approach to cancer care . Their broad geographic reach brings world-class cancer diagnosis and treatment closer to the community . The THOC Network is an independent group of medical oncologists with a certified patient navigator and a 40--year legacy of serving cancer patients from North Texas and beyond .
Each year thousands of North Texas residents travel hundreds of miles away to M . D . Anderson and other cancer treatment facilities to receive care , when they have M . D . Anderson trained physicians right here in North Texas at the Texas Hematology / Oncology Centers . The M . D . Anderson trained , Founder and Medical Director , Dr . Dennis Birenbaum , along with Dr . Eugene Wyszynski , says , “ We offer the most advanced cancer care technology in the region . THOC ’ s ongoing commitment is to bring the services you need where you need them –– close to home .” Sixty percent of all THOC ’ s referrals come from other patients . “ This is due to our cutting edge treatment , helpful support programs and a healthy dose of good ole fashion concern ,” says Dr . Birenbaum . THOC is dedicated to the personalized treatment and care of each cancer patient , seeing over 900 new ones each year .
What Causes Cancer ?
Cancer is an abnormal growth of cells that often times interferes with normal cell behavior . Lung cancer is the most common form of cancer followed by prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women . There are about 200 different types of cancer . They
Patient Rosalyn S ., a 12-year , Stage 4 breast cancer survivor , hugging Dr . Dennis Birenbaum can start in any type of body tissue . What affects one body tissue may not affect another . For example , tobacco smoke that you breathe in may help to cause lung cancer . Overexposing your skin to the sun could cause a melanoma on your leg . But the sun won ’ t give you lung cancer and smoking won ’ t give you melanoma .
Apart from infectious diseases , most illnesses are ‘ multifactorial .’ Cancer is no exception . Multifactorial means that there are many factors involved . In other words , there is no single cause for any one type of cancer .
What are Cancer Risk
Factors ?
Cancer-causing substances ( carcinogens ) are something that can help to cause cancer . Tobacco smoke is a powerful carcinogen . So there must be other factors at work as well as carcinogens . Texans need to know the major risk factors for specific cancers so they can be proactive in their health care . Risk factors can be identified as increasing an individual ’ s chance of getting a disease . Some cancer risk factors are age , genetic make up , the immune system , bodyweight , diet and physical activity , day-to-day environment , viruses and bacterial infection , just to name a few .
Cancer Family Syndrome
With Cancer , History Does Repeat Itself
Family history plays a strong role in predicting your overall risk for getting cancer . It ’ s important to know if you ’ re in a high risk group so you can be more diligent about getting screenings and changing lifestyle behaviors that impact changeable risk factors , if needed . THOC does heredity and genetic testing as well as pharmacogenetic drug testing .
Dennis Birenbaum , MD and Dr . Wyszynski , MD , DO are M . D . Anderson trained hematologists / oncologists . Dr . Wysznski , MD , DO also trained at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia , PA . They may be reached at the following locations in North Texas . Texas Hematology / Oncology locations :
DALLAS : 10 Medical Parkway Plaza III , Ste . 106 Dallas , Tx 75234
469-453-5500
DALLAS : 10425 N . Central Expy . Dallas , TX 75231
48 DENTON COUNTY Living Well Magazine | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2017