McLaren Flint

The goal of eliminating cancer, while minimizing side effects, is ongoing as medical scientists continue research and development of new treatments. Some of that research is done through clinical trials. Clinical trials allow physicians to observe what new treatments work best and even help to improve current treatments for cancer patients. “We can cure a lot of cancers today. This is a result of past research,” said Brian Yeh, MD, PhD. The Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Flint and the McLaren Prot...

The vision of staff on 11-tower of having a designated hospice suite for patients and their families, became a reality on February 1 of this year. That was the day it became available for use. The room is for category four patients and above. Preference for use will go to actively dying patients regardless of status. The hospice team will also have priority use of the suite. Should you have any questions about the room during normal business hours, please reach out to Jason Metevier, nurse manager on 11...

December 2021 marked the third year of treating patients at the McLaren Proton Therapy Center , part of the Karmanos Cancer Network. Since 2018, the capacity of the center has grown and proton therapy experts are able to treat many more patients, with plans to expand over the next couple of years. Hundreds of patients have gone through proton therapy treatment, including the 400 th patient, who completed treatment for acinic cell carcinoma in November 2021. “It feels good to finally say that I’ve comple...

It may come as a surprise to many people to find out lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Cancer often develops in the lungs from breathing in toxic chemicals. The number one cause of lung cancer is smoking. If you are a smoker, it is not too late to decrease your chances of getting lung cancer by quitting. However, if you have already quit, you may still be at risk of developing this disease. For both smokers and former smokers, physicians recommend having a low-dose lung cance...

Right before her seven-year anniversary of being cancer free, Andrea Thompson received another breast cancer diagnosis. “This time, it was more aggressive than the first disease,” said Andrea. “It was triple negative – the first time it was hormone positive.” She was first diagnosed in 2013 with cancer in her right breast. Andrea went through reconstructive surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. In 2019, after having her annual mammogram, she was recalled and had to have additional scanning and testing. S...

Your Breast Health Starts with You: What if I Need Radiation or Proton Therapy? The size of the breast tumor, the location, and the status of the lymph nodes also determines where radiation or proton therapy might play a beneficial role, and if it is needed for the continuity of care for the patient. This decision is made with the patient’s cancer care team of doctors who talk and come up with the best course of action to target the disease. “For those patients that we agree need to have surgery first, ...

Your Breast Health Starts with You: What if I Need Chemotherapy or Other Medical Interventions? With earlier stages of breast cancer, surgery is usually the first stage of treatment. The cancer care team at Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Flint analyzes the pathology report to understand the stage of diagnosis, the status of the lymph nodes and the types of receptors that may be contributing to cancer growth. HER2 is one of those receptors. It affects around one in five women with breast cancer. HE...

Your Breast Health Starts with You: What if I Have to Get Surgery?   When it comes to breast cancer, most women’s cases will require surgical intervention. Ashley Richardson, DO, breast surgeon at McLaren Flint , says the breast care team takes a very individualized approach when determining which surgery is best for each patient. “Once diagnosed with breast cancer, patients are very anxious and have several questions,” explained Dr. Richardson. “The diagnosis and treatment can be alarming and dras...

Your Breast Health Starts with You Comprehensive Breast Care at McLaren Flint During this time, many people are putting off life-saving health appointments due to the ongoing pandemic. Patients can be assured that McLaren Flint continues to provide safe care and encourages everyone to keep scheduled medical appointments and reschedule appointments that were canceled earlier in the year. Important health appointments, such as an annual mammogram, can catch cancer in the early stages resulting in better o...

Funds Raised to Benefit Area Women in Need with Free 3D Mammograms McLaren Flint’s free mammogram program not only promotes breast cancer awareness, but this year will also provide 3D mammogram screenings for 150 uninsured, at-risk, low-income women throughout Genesee County. Funding is made possible by the partnership between the McLaren Flint Foundation and the Flint Firebirds, and the generous sponsors who support the annual “Pink out the Rink for Mamms” hockey game held each October. October is...