Research Archives | Provision Healthcare

Jan

A Black senior couple sits down and speaks with the doctor about a prostate cancer diagnosis

New report says prostate cancer cases are on the rise

Published: Jan 25, 2023 at 10:09 AM EST

Reversing a trend that saw the number of new prostate cancer cases drop sharply between 2007 and 2014, the American Cancer Society (ACS) reports an increase in prostate cancer incidence between 2014 and 2019.

In its annual report published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, the ACS compiles the most recent data on cancer occurrence and outcomes. This year’s report, Cancer statistics, 2023, includes some updates about prostate cancer. From 2014 to 2019, the incidence rate increased by about 3% each year. That means nearly 100,000 more cases occurred than if rates had stayed the same. Furthermore, of those extra cases, about half of them were advanced, which means they’re harder to cure.

Nov

Debunking lung cancer myths for lung cancer awareness month

Top 5 Lung Cancer Myths Debunked

By Webmaster Provision

Lung cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in America and the leading cause of cancer death. As such, there is a lot of information out there you might come across while researching the disease. But how do you sort the fact from fiction? Well, we’ve done some of the legwork for you by finding our top five lung cancer myths and setting the record straight.

Aug

Men report proton therapy side effects has lower impact on their quality of life than other treatments

Proton therapy patients report fewer side effects after prostate cancer treatment

By Webmaster Provision

A national survey of prostate cancer patients shows that proton therapy side effects have less impact on quality of life compared to patients who choose other treatment options. The benefits of proton therapy for prostate cancer are well-documented by clinical research, and these patient-reported outcomes further verify the advantages.

May

A patient gets ready to receive proton therapy, an advanced form of radiation therapy for cancer treatment

National Proton Conference highlights emerging ideas in proton therapy

By Webmaster Provision

Published: May 3, 2022 at 09:16 AM EDT

The National Association for Proton Therapy (NAPT) recently hosted the 2022 National Proton Conference – a gathering of physicians, administrators, physicists, and more from proton therapy facilities across the United States. Our very own Dr. James Gray, Radiation Oncologist and Medical Director of Provision CARES Proton Therapy Nashville, attended the conference. He serves on the NAPT Board of Directors and Physicians Advisory Committee, and after taking some time to digest all he learned, Dr. Gray is pleased to report that proton therapy is alive and well!

We sat down with Dr. Gray for some Q&A about the new technologies and emerging ideas the nation’s leading proton experts are talking about.

Apr

Scott Hamilton is a testicular cancer survivor and advocate

Scott Hamilton’s testicular cancer journey gives prominent voice to uncommon disease

By Webmaster Provision

Scott Hamilton is an Olympic champion, television broadcaster, motivational speaker, author, husband, father, and testicular cancer survivor. He is also an outspoken advocate for cancer research and an inspiration to other cancer patients around the world!

Sep

Members of Blue Origin's Radiation Effects Team pose while testing space travel equpiment at Provision CARES Proton Therapy Knoxville

How protons created an unlikely connection between cancer treatment and space travel

By Webmaster Provision

Published: Sep 10, 2021 at 11:52 AM EDT

What do you envision when you look at the sky and think of outer space?

We recently had the pleasure of chatting with Merek Chertkow of Blue Origin, an aerospace company whose mission is to benefit the Earth by one day sending millions of people to live and work in space. (Side note: Just days after we spoke to him, Blue Origin made headlines by successfully completing New Shepard’s first human flight!)

Mar

Cancer patient holding covid vaccine information card

COVID vaccine and cancer: What patients need to know

By Webmaster Provision

Published: Mar 29, 2021 at 12:57 PM EDT

The development and availability of COVID-19 vaccines has stirred up many questions, as well as some confusion. The influx of COVID vaccine information (and misinformation) can be even more daunting for cancer patients and survivors.

To help cancer patients better understand the vaccines, Provision CARES Proton Therapy hosted a special chat session with board-certified radiation oncologist Dr. James Gray, who gave a great presentation on “COVID-19 Vaccine and Cancer: Facts vs. Fiction.”

Feb

Proton therapy can help reduce heart radiation exposure from cancer treatment

If you have one of these cancers, proton therapy can help keep your heart safe

By Webmaster Provision

When it comes to treating cancer with radiation, many patients are concerned about the long-term effects the treatment will have on their heart. For cancers near this vital organ, traditional x-ray radiation can cause several cardiac health issues, including heart attacks, heart failure, and arrhythmias.¹

Heart radiation from cancer treatment is especially worrisome for breast, lung, and esophageal cancer patients. If any part of the heart is exposed to radiation, the risk of heart disease is increased. Often, these cardiac side effects don’t appear until several years after the cancer treatment.

In this article, we’ll look at each of those cancers and identify the risk associated with radiation, as well as how proton therapy cancer treatment can help alleviate some of the concerns.

Jan

American cancer deaths dropped by 2.4% from 2017 to 2018

Cancer deaths see record drop in United States

By Webmaster Provision

Published: Jan 27, 2021 at 09:42 AM EST

The number of American cancer deaths from 2017 to 2018 dropped by 2.4%, marking a record single-year drop for the second year in a row at the time of publication. These stats were published in the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) annual Cancer Facts & Figures report, which also revealed more positive news regarding the long-term direction of cancer death rates.

Jan

The COVID pandemic has led to major setbacks in cancer research

Global pandemic means big setback for cancer research

By Webmaster Provision

Published: Jan 13, 2021 at 10:11 AM EST

The numbers are clear – the coronavirus pandemic created a significant setback in the war on cancer. A report from Boston 25 News says the medical community has understandably been focused on research and treatment of COVID-19 since the outbreak began. And that means many potentially lifesaving cancer research projects are on the back burner until COVID is under control.