MSI Press Blog

  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...

  What Is Integrative Oncology? Integrative oncology is a relatively new and rapidly growing field in cancer care. Over the past two decades, patient interest and clinical research have expanded its reach, leading to formal guidelines from major organizations like the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Today, many comprehensive cancer centers—including City of Hope, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and MD Anderson—offer integrative services such as acupuncture, massage, nutrition counseling, and mind-body therapies alongside conventional treatments. While implementation varies widely, integrative oncology is no longer just experimental—it’s becoming part of mainstream supportive care. 🧩 Key Components of Integrative Oncology Nutrition and Supplements : Tailored dietary guidance and, when appropriate, evidence-based supplements to support immune function and recovery. Mind-Body Therapies : Practices like meditation, yoga, guide...

  There will be times when someone is at your side. Other times, someone will be on call. Yet others, you will be alone. That is what I learned about hospice care from the short time Carl had access to it when he was dying from cancer. I have written about hospice care before. Good hospice is a wonderful source of support. Unfortunately, not all hospice care is good. What should you expect? And what should you require? Medicines on time, a bed and everything else needed set up before the patient arrived -- it took days to get those from the first hospice. What should you expect? You should expect compassion, competence, and coordination. Hospice care is not just about easing pain—it’s about preserving dignity. A good hospice team communicates clearly, responds promptly, and anticipates needs before they become crises. You should expect timely medication delivery, proper equipment setup, and a care plan that reflects the patient’s wishes. If these aren’t happening, speak up. You ar...

  You were fine. Maybe tired, maybe achy, but who isn’t? Then came the fall. Or the headache. Or the strange swelling. A trip to the ER, a scan, a biopsy—and suddenly, you’re told you have Stage IV cancer. Terminal. No prior warning. No time to adjust. No roadmap. This isn’t a progression. It’s a revelation. And it changes everything. ⚡ The Shock of a First-Time Terminal Diagnosis It feels impossible. How could you not know? How could your body betray you so quietly? Silent cancers like pancreatic, ovarian, or certain lung cancers often grow without obvious symptoms until they’ve spread. Attribution errors are common: fatigue gets blamed on age, back pain on posture, weight loss on stress. Healthcare gaps —especially for those without regular screenings or access—can mean years without detection. By the time symptoms demand attention, the disease may have already metastasized. The diagnosis isn’t just cancer. It’s late-stage, incurable cancer. 🧭 What Happens Next: Stra...