News

Early detection saves lives—and when it comes to breast cancer, getting screened regularly is one of the most important steps women can take. Karmanos Cancer Institute and McLaren Health Care recommend that women of average risk begin receiving annual mammograms at age 40. For those at higher risk, screening may need to start even earlier. But mammograms are just one part of the picture. Understanding breast cancer risk factors, recognizing early warning signs, and staying ...

When faced with an emergency, knowing where to go for the right care can make all the difference. Through modern health care, patients now have a wide range of services available to them, from urgent cares for non-life-threatening conditions to emergency departments for more serious illnesses and injuries. Understanding the differences between your options can help you make informed decisions about where to go to get the best and timeliest care possible. Urgent Care An urgent care is often defined by pr...

According to the American Cancer Society , roughly 2 million new cancer cases are diagnosed each year. In 2024, Kendall Wingrove of Okemos became a member of the club that nobody wants to join. “When the doctor utters the word ‘cancer,’ it’s the beginning of a whole new chapter in your life. My specific diagnosis was prostate cancer,” said Wingrove. “Like millions of other men, rising PSA scores during regular blood tests had indicated a potential problem. Then, some biopsy samples showed a Gleason scor...

As the season for football and other fall sports are in full motion, medical professionals urge athletes to take precautions to avoid injuries and stay healthy throughout the season. “As athletes transition into their fall seasons, we start to see knee ligament and meniscus injuries, as well as shoulder instability and hip or ankle strains,” said Dr. Sheeba Joseph , orthopedic and sports medicine specialist at MSU Health Care. “Early in the season, athletes who may not have conditioned adequately over t...

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people in the United States, with the most common being coronary artery disease (CAD). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 20 adults aged 20 and older have CAD, and in 2023, about one out of every six deaths from cardiovascular disease were among adults younger than 65. What is CAD? Coronary artery disease, or commonly known as CAD , is a serious condition that affects the major blood supply to the heart. This is typically c...

While pain is a natural part of the healing process after an illness, injury, or surgery, it can become a condition in its own right. This can happen when the pain becomes more intense or lasts longer than expected, or when it has no clear cause. When pain gets to that point, it requires its own specific intervention and treatment. Pain specialists at the Pain Management Center at McLaren Greater Lansing believe that, with an accurate diagnosis, pain can be eliminated or effectively managed. “Patients e...

Ovarian cancer can be a difficult cancer to diagnose in the early stages because symptoms usually aren’t noticeable for women until the disease has progressed.  According to the American Cancer Society, more than 20,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year in the U.S. The good news? There are steps you can take to understand your risk better—and possibly lower it. Start with Family History One of the most important things you can do is learn about your family’s health history. If your ...

McLaren Greater Lansing nurse Luke Guggemos was honored with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize the exceptional care nurses provide every day. The nomination, submitted by a colleague, read as follows: “Luke is an outstanding nurse who is helpful, patient, and always willing to take the time to teach/explain something to someone with questions. He flexes his schedule to help meet most staffing needs from day to nights to help and al...

Family Birthing Centers at several McLaren Health Care hospitals have earned advanced Maternal Levels of Care verifications from The Joint Commission, an achievement and sign of those locations’ commitment to providing a capable and safe environment and enhance outcomes for the patient and the child. Family Birthing Centers at McLaren Flint, McLaren Bay Region (Bay City), and McLaren Greater Lansing have all earned Level II verification, and McLaren Central Michigan (Mount Pleasant) earned Level I. Mate...

Among American men, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death after lung cancer. While early detection can make a significant difference, the decision to begin screening isn’t always straightforward and should involve a conversation with your doctor. Screening tests can help detect prostate cancer in its early stages, often before any symptoms appear. However, these tests are not designed to diagnose cancer on their own. If screening resul...