News & Events
Austin CyberKnife Highlights Healthy Living for National Cancer Control Month
In support of April as Cancer Control Month, Austin CyberKnife is encouraging Texans to use a proactive approach to a healthy lifestyle.
Cancer Control Month highlights the progress in fighting cancer and increases awareness of who is at risk. The initiatives of Cancer Control Month seek to encourage healthy lifestyles, promote cancer screening, increase access to quality cancer care, and improve quality of life for cancer survivors.
The American Cancer Society predicted Texas will rank as the third highest in the nation for new cancer cases in 2012 with more than 110,000 potential diagnoses. In Travis County, the cancer rate is higher than the statewide average with about 456 of every 100,000 residents affected, compared to 440 of every 100,000 residents statewide.
Practicing early detection and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are the first steps to ensure that cancer is found and treated at the earliest stage, increasing the rate of survival. The American Cancer Society found that of cancer-related deaths, two-thirds could be avoided with proper diet and exercise and cutting out tobacco use.
“Cancer Control Month is a reminder that there are several steps you can take to lower the risk of cancer,” says Dr. Doug Rivera, medical director of Austin CyberKnife. “Being proactive about your health means not only regular exercise and practicing healthy eating habits, but also being aware of warning signs.”
The American Cancer Society suggests these guidelines for early detection of cancer:
- Learn more about your family members’ medical history
- Ask your doctor about self-exams and symptoms to watch for
- For women, yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40
- Men ages 50 and above should speak with their doctor to decide when to start screening for prostate cancer
- Both men and women should be tested for colorectal cancer every 5 to 10 years
- Protect and examine your skin regularly
“Following these guidelines can help to reduce the risk of cancer and may increase chances of detecting it early,” Dr. Lamond said. “Detecting cancer when it is small and localized increases the chance for cure and CyberKnife may play a potential curative role.”
CyberKnife treats cancerous and benign tumors in the brain, spine, lung, liver, pancreas, prostate and kidney with a procedure called stereotactic radiosurgery, a noninvasive method of treating tumors with high-dose radiation precisely aimed from different angles. The result is greatly increased accuracy that spares healthy tissue. Treatment is complete in one to five treatment sessions, and patients are allowed to go home after each procedure to resume normal activities.
Contact Austin CyberKnife at (512) 324-8060 or at www.austincyberknife.com to determine if you or a loved one may be a CyberKnife candidate. Most insurance plans and Medicare are accepted.
In partnership with the Seton Healthcare Family, a local group of physicians and US Radiosurgery/Alliance Oncology, Austin CyberKnife is a department of University Medical Center Brackenridge and is located at 1400 N. IH-35 in Austin, Texas. The center provides the only CyberKnife technology in the greater Austin area.