All posts in Cancer Awareness

Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month

Head and Neck Cancer Awareness MonthApril is a special month here for us at Pasadena CyberKnife, and it has nothing to do with the Easter Bunny! April is National Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, a cause that’s well worth celebrating. At Pasadena CyberKnife, we’re proud to offer state-of-the-art treatment for a variety of cancerous conditions, including noninvasive CyberKnife treatment for all forms of head and neck cancer. But the best way to fight cancer is through patient education, so here are a few important things to know during this important holiday.

About Head & Neck Cancer

Unlike some other forms of cancer, head & neck cancer doesn’t refer to one specific condition: rather, it’s an umbrella term for a variety of different cancers that form in the tissues of the head, neck, nose, and throat, including oral cancer, cancer of the sinuses, and throat cancer. Head and neck cancer accounts for about 4% of all cancer diagnoses in the United States.

As with most forms of cancer, the best way to fight head & neck cancers is through prevention. Here are a few steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing head and neck cancer:

  • Don’t smoke. Smoking cigarettes and tobacco of any kind greatly increases your risk for head and neck cancer.
  • Don’t chew tobacco. All smokeless tobacco products also increase your risk.
  • Limit your alcohol intake. Drinking alcohol increases your likelihood of developing the condition.
  • Get an HPV vaccination. Human papillomavirus is a major cause of oropharyngeal and other head and neck cancers.

Head & Neck Cancer Treatments

While surgery is a common treatment for many cancers, due to the location of most head and neck tumors, surgery is very undesirable for this condition. Thankfully, though, CyberKnife offers another option. CyberKnife uses advanced technology to deliver a massive dose of radiation to the site of a tumor with pinpoint accuracy, eliminating cancerous cells without damaging surrounding tissues. In addition to CyberKnife, treatments including chemotherapy and immunotherapy can also offer effective treatment options.

Schedule a Consultation with Your Pasadena Cancer Doctor

Head and neck cancer is a serious condition, but we can all help to fight it by spreading awareness and taking preventive steps – and if you or a loved one ever are diagnosed with head and neck cancer, we can help. Contact us today to learn more about how our cancer doctors can create a personalized, comprehensive plan to help you beat cancer and reclaim your life. We can’t wait to hear from you, and we wish you a happy, healthy Head & Neck Cancer Awareness Month.

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Kidney Cancer Awareness Month: The Month of March at Pasadena Cyberknife

At the Pasadena Cyberknife oncology center, it is our goal to provide every patient with individualized cancer treatments that will aggressively stop cancer growth and give hope for recovery and a cancer free future. During the month of March, this is especially important as we strive to bring awareness about kidney cancer, patients fighting kidney cancer, and those who we have unfortunately lost to their battle with kidney cancer. Our Cyberknife kidney cancer treatment in Los Angeles delivers a precise dose of radiation, with pin-point accuracy, to decrease tumor growth and stop kidney cancer in its tracks.

Find a Cancer Treatment That Works For You

Whether you have been recently diagnosed with kidney cancer or have been undergoing other treatments, Cyberknife radiation center may be right for you. Unlike conventional radiation therapy treatments, the CyberKnife system is designed to respond to the movement of the tumor as a result of respiration or other involuntary bodily functions. During treatment, the Pasadena CyberKnife system continually calibrates your tumor’s position through a unique combination of real-time imaging and intelligent tumor tracking.

Be Aware & Recognize the Symptoms

Kidney cancer is never easy and will always come as a shock to a newly diagnosed patient. At Pasadena Cyberknife, we hope to raise awareness throughout the month of March about the signs and symptoms of kidney cancer in order to diagnose and treat early. The most common symptoms of kidney cancer include:

  • Blood in the urine (hematuria)
  • Low back pain on one side (not caused by injury)
  • A mass (lump) on the side or lower back
  • Fatigue (tiredness)
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss not caused by dieting
  • Fever that is not caused by an infection and that doesn’t go away
  • Anemia (low red blood cell counts)

If you are worried about any of these symptoms, please contact your local oncology and cancer treatment center in Los Angeles for kidney cancer care immediately.

Schedule Your First Visit With Pasadena Cyberknife Oncology Center!

For more information about kidney cancer treatment and the Cyberknife system, never hesitate to contact Pasadena Cyberknife radiation center. Cyberknife is an effective alternative treatment for kidney cancer that may be right for you or a loved one. Call Pasadena Cyberknife in Los Angeles to schedule your first appointment. We look forward to helping you and creating hope for the future!

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Where to Get Free Cervical Cancer Screenings in LA

Cervical cancer is a danger for any woman – but with preventive measures, you can reduce your risk. In addition to preventive measures like HPV vaccination, regular screenings for cervical cancer are one of the most powerful ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer and minimize the threat it poses. At Pasadena CyberKnife Center, we strive to be a comprehensive resource for people in the fight against cancer, and that includes the early detection process.

How Often Should I Get Screened for Cervical Cancer?

Every woman is different, and ultimately, only you and your doctor can decide the ideal screening frequency for your unique situation. However the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has a base recommendation for cervical cancer screenings that applies to most women.

If you are between the ages of 21 and 65, the USPSTF recommends getting a cytology (Pap smear) every 3 years. If you are between the ages of 30 and 65 and you’d prefer less frequent screening, you also have the option of getting a cytology along with human papillomavirus (HPV) testing every 5 years.

If you’re over age 65, have had adequate screening for most of your life, and aren’t otherwise at a high risk for cervical cancer, regular screening isn’t recommended.

Where to Get Screened for Cervical Cancer in Los Angeles

Unfortunately, cervical cancer disproportionately affects women of color and people in poverty – and while there are many factors contributing to this fact, one of the most important is access to care and preventive services. Many people don’t know where or how to get preventive cervical cancer screenings, and for poor individuals, paying for a screening at a clinic is out of the question.

So where can you get cervical cancer screenings? Thankfully, the Los Angeles Department of Health Services provides cervical cancer screenings completely free of charge. These screenings are one of the most important ways to detect cervical cancer early, when the chances of successful treatment are the highest.

Below is a list of health centers that offer free cervical cancer screening for women in the LA area. Visit or call any of these health centers to learn more and schedule a screening appointment – no payment necessary.

 

Antelope Valley Health Center

335-B East. Avenue K-6

Lancaster, CA 93535

(661) 471-4400

 

Bellflower Health Center

10005 E. Flower St.

Bellflower, CA 90706

(562) 804-8112

 

Edward R. Roybal Comprehensive Health Center

245 So. Fetterly Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90022

(323) 980-2731

 

El Monte Comprehensive Health Center

10953 Ramona Blvd.

El Monte, CA 91731

(626) 579-8463

 

Glendale Health Center

501 N. Glendale Ave.

Glendale, CA 91206

(818) 500-5785

 

Claude Hudson Comprehensive Health Center

2829 S. Grand Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90007

(213) 744-3945

 

Harbor-UCLA Medical Center

1000 W. Carson St.

Torrance, CA 90509

(310) 222-3723

 

High Desert Regional Health Center

335 East Avenue I

Lancaster, CA 93535

(661) 471-4400

 

Hubert H. Humphrey Comprehensive Health Center

5850 S. Main St.

Los Angeles, CA 90003

(323) 846-4312

 

LAC+USC Medical Center

2051 Marengo Street

Los Angeles, CA 90033

(323) 409-1000

 

Lake Los Angeles Community Clinic

16921 East Avenue O, Space G

Lake Los Angeles, CA 93591

(661) 471-4400

 

La Puente Health Center

15930 Central Ave.

La Puente, CA 91744

(626) 968-3711

 

Long Beach Comprehensive Health Center

1333 Chestnut Ave.

Long Beach, CA 90813

(562) 599-2153

 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Outpatient Center

1670 East 120th Street

Los Angeles, CA 90059

(310) 668-5011

 

Mid-Valley Comprehensive Health Center

7515 Van Nuys Blvd.

Van Nuys, CA 91405

(818) 947-0230

 

Olive View-UCLA Medical Center

14445 Olive View Dr.

Sylmar, CA 91342

(818) 364-3184

 

San Fernando Health Center

1212 Pico St.

San Fernando, CA 91340

(818) 837-6969

 

South Valley Health Center

38350 40th Street East

Palmdale, CA 93552

(661) 471-4400

 

Wilmington Health Center

1325 Broad Ave.

Wilmington, CA 90744

(310) 518-8800

 

Contact Your Pasadena Radiation Therapy Center

Maintaining regular appointments for cervical cancer screening is one of the most important parts of protecting yourself from cervical cancer – and if one of your tests comes back positive, Pasadena CyberKnife Center can help. Our state-of-the-art cancer treatment facility provides the industry-leading, noninvasive CyberKnife treatment, allowing you to beat cervical cancer without the need for surgery. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a consultation.

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Kidney Cancer Awareness Month

At Pasadena CyberKnife Center, March is one of our favorite months of the year. Why? March is Kidney Cancer Awareness Month, and we think this is a truly important cause worthy of promoting and learning more about. Kidney cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer for both men and women, affecting some 60,000 new people every year. In the past, methods like surgery and chemotherapy were the recommended treatments for kidney cancer – but thanks to advances in medical technology, we can now offer a revolutionary new treatment that’s considerably more effective and convenient than treatments of the past.

Treating Kidney Cancer with CyberKnife

CyberKnife combines some of the most advanced medical technologies in the world to create a cancer treatment system that’s more convenient, comprehensive, and effective than almost any other on the market today. CyberKnife uses targeted radiosurgery, delivering high-dose radiation to the site of a tumor with sub-millimeter accuracy. The radiation prevents cancer cells from reproducing, and after the existing cells die off, the tumor fades away – and thanks to its accuracy and precision, CyberKnife minimizes damage to surrounding cells and tissues. In addition, CyberKnife uses the Synchrony Respiratory Tracking System, which lets it track and compensate for the movement of the tumor in real time – so there’s never a need for painful, irritating braces and immobility devices during treatment.

CyberKnife is one of the most effective cancer treatments on the market, and at Pasadena CyberKnife Center, we specialize in using CyberKnife to treat virtually all forms of kidney cancer. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma or transitional cell carcinoma, our team will design a detailed treatment plan to help you beat cancer and reclaim a healthy, normal life.

Contact You Pasadena & Los Angeles, CA Cancer Treatment Center

A cancer diagnosis is one of the scariest things in life – but with CyberKnife, there’s hope. If you or a loved one are in the fight against cancer, call us today at (626) 768-1021 or reach out to us at our contact page to find out how CyberKnife can help you overcome cancer. We hope to hear from you soon, and we wish you a strong and healthy Kidney Cancer Awareness Month.

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Carcinoid Cancer Awareness Month

We know you’re probably looking forward to the Thanksgiving feast – but there’s another important reason to celebrate November. November is Carcinoid Cancer Awareness Month, and as a leading cancer treatment provider serving the greater Los Angeles area, we at Pasadena CyberKnife Center feel this is an important cause. The best way to fight cancer is through early detection and treatment, and raising awareness is a primary way to improve the early detection of cancer – so awareness months like this are critical.

About Carcinoid Cancer

Carcinoid cancer refers to a rare form of slow-growing neuroendocrine tumor that forms in the cells of the nervous or hormonal systems. Carcinoid tumors are most common in the lungs or the lining of the digestive tract, but they can also form in a variety of other areas of the body. Carcinoid cancer affects roughly 12,000 new people each year, with most people being diagnosed over age 60.

Unfortunately, many forms of carcinoid cancer don’t produce symptoms until very advanced stages – making them difficult to detect and treat early. Often, patients are diagnosed because their doctor sees a tumor in an X-ray for an unrelated condition. While carcinoid tumors grow slowly, the fact that they don’t generate symptoms means they’re rarely found until an advanced stage, presenting problems for treatment. By raising awareness around carcinoid cancer and encouraging regular cancer screenings, we can all help to fight carcinoid cancer and decrease the danger of this disease.

Contact Your Los Angeles Radiation Therapy Center

We hope you’ll take November as an opportunity to reflect on the importance of cancer awareness, learn more about carcinoid tumors, and take steps to prevent cancer help ensure early detection in your own life. If you’re even diagnosed with a carcinoid tumor or any other form of cancer, however, Pasadena CyberKnife Center can help. Our state-of-the-art cancer center offers the industry-leading CyberKnife treatment, a noninvasive method to treat almost any cancer – including most carcinoid tumors. Contact us today to learn more about CyberKnife and schedule a consultation.

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