McLaren Health Care

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...

Significantly lower health risks for people over 50 linked to flu shot With the typical risk associated with the ordinary flu season complicated by the on-going pandemic, medical professionals and public health experts urge everyone everywhere to start the season with a flu shot. More so this season than perhaps ever before, a flu shot can aid greatly in protecting people against the potentially devastating effects of a co-infection of the flu and COVID-19. However, the results of a recently published s...

Numbers have shown that women are delaying their annual screening due to COVID concerns. Breast cancer continues to be the most common form of cancer among women, with one in every eight women diagnosed in their lifetime, while further affecting countless more family members, friends and loved ones who support the patient. The best chance for fighting the disease, beating it and graduating into survivorship comes with an early diagnosis. Early diagnosis are achieved, in great part, by keeping to regular...

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...

In 2018, Ann was a featuring BRAvo performer. Today, she’s 5 years into her breast cancer survivorship. In the morning or night, every day I see a verse I keep next to my bed, a message that I absolutely love. In case no one    told you today,    you’re beautiful    you’re loved,    you’re needed. You’re alive for a reason    you’re stronger    than you think,    you’re gonna    get through this. I’m glad you’re alive. Don’t...

As you age, your body ages; ligaments and tendons become stiff and slowly degrade. Add in osteoarthritis, where the cartilage between joints starts to wear away, and you have a recipe for pain, specifically back pain. “There are two significant issues with lower back pain,” said Dr. Douglas Bez, DO, pain management physician at the McLaren Greater Lansing Pain Management Center . “There is facet arthritis, where the cartilage that covers the ends of the joints wears out, or a patient might have disc deg...

The danger of waiting to get cancer care is far greater than the risk of exposure to COVID-19.   No matter how you say it—between a rock and a hard place, the lesser of two evils, between the devil and the deep blue sea—there’s a reason the old adage exists, especially now. As we continue coping with the Coronavirus pandemic, we face decisions that force us to weigh out risks. Should we forgo fresh produce to avoid too many trips to the grocery store? Should we shop online and put delivery drivers ...