MSI Press Blog

Carl enjoyed eating--any food. There were nearly none he did not like and in big quantity. When someone dies of cancer, the cause is rarely just one thing. Cancer itself is a ruthless disease, but the body’s vulnerabilities, choices, and circumstances all play their part. Looking back at Carl’s journey, here are the threads that may have woven together into his final tapestry: 🦠 COVID and No Doctors The pandemic shut doors that should have stayed open. With clinics closed or appointments delayed, cancer had the luxury of time. Those lost months gave the disease a head start, unchecked by early detection or intervention. 📅 Putting Off the Colonoscopy Colorectal cancer often whispers before it shouts. A colonoscopy might have caught the whisper. Postponing it meant the cancer could grow in silence, moving from manageable to menacing. 💉 Diabetes and/or Diabetic Medicine Diabetes weakens the body’s defenses. High blood sugar fuels inflammation, and some diabetic medications may complica...

  We all get tired. Life asks a lot of us—work, caregiving, grief, change. But sometimes, fatigue isn’t just a whisper of overwork. Sometimes, it’s a signal. And sometimes, it’s a warning. In the cancer community, we learn to listen differently. We learn that fatigue can be more than a side effect—it can be a symptom. Not just of treatment, but of cancer itself. Before diagnosis. Before the scans. Before the words that change everything. The Kind of Tired That Doesn’t Go Away This isn’t the tired that lifts after a nap or a weekend off. It’s the kind that settles in your bones. That makes simple tasks feel monumental. That turns your usual rhythm into a slow, uncertain shuffle. It’s easy to dismiss. Easy to say, “I’m just getting older,” or “I’ve been stressed,” or “It’s probably nothing.” And sometimes, it is nothing. But sometimes, it’s not. What If Fatigue Is the First Clue? Certain cancers—especially blood cancers like leukemia or lymphoma—can show up first as fatigue. N...

  Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is more than just chronic heartburn—it’s a condition that, over time, can lead to cellular changes in the esophagus and, in rare cases, cancer. Let’s unpack the journey from reflux to risk. 🔥 GERD → Barrett’s Esophagus: How Often? GERD affects up to 20% of Western populations weekly. Barrett’s esophagus develops in about 10–15% of GERD patients . Barrett’s is a condition where the normal squamous cells lining the esophagus are replaced by columnar cells, resembling intestinal tissue—a process called intestinal metaplasia . 🧬 Is Barrett’s Esophagus Stage 0 Cancer? Not quite. Barrett’s itself is precancerous , but when it progresses to high-grade dysplasia , it’s often classified as stage 0 esophageal cancer . Stage 0 means abnormal cells are confined to the top layer of the esophagus lining and haven’t invaded deeper tissues. It’s called “stage 0” because it’s the earliest detectable phase before true invasive cancer begins. ...

  When cancer enters your life, the search for a good oncologist becomes urgent and deeply personal. But if you live in a rural area, that search can feel like a scavenger hunt across miles of farmland, winding roads, and medical deserts. Here's what I've learned—and what I wish someone had handed me in a moment of overwhelm. 🧭 Start Local, Think Strategic Your primary care doctor is often your first guide. They may not specialize in oncology, but they can refer you to regional cancer centers or specialists who treat your specific type and stage of cancer. Ask them directly: “Who would you trust with this diagnosis?” 🧑‍⚕️ Know Your Oncologist Types Medical oncologists manage chemotherapy and systemic treatments. Radiation oncologists specialize in targeted radiation therapy. Surgical oncologists remove tumors and perform biopsies. You may need more than one. Ask how they coordinate care and whether they’re part of a cancer center or hospital network. 🚗 Bridge th...