Circle of Hope

When David Reyes had trouble writing, he chalked it up to a nerve issue. But then came headaches so painful he ended up in the ER. David was eventually diagnosed with a medulloblastoma, a type of brain tumor. David says though brain cancer has left him unable to do certain things, he’s grateful to be alive—and to have wonderful friends and family who have supported him along the way.

Black, Latinx, and Asian populations have the lowest rates of genetic counseling and testing. These important data can help find inherited mutations that could cause the disease. Huntsman Cancer Institute works to share the importance of knowing family cancer history, create easier access to genetic counseling and testing, and educate about hereditary cancers.

“We want to provide patients the most comprehensive care possible,’ says Sonal Oza, MD, cancer rehabilitation physician. In this Talks with Docs video, Oza details the importance of cancer rehabilitation and helping patients do what’s important to them.

If you’re on chemo or radiation and you’ve noticed sores in your mouth, you may have mucositis. This side effect of chemotherapy and radiation can cause pain and make it hard to eat. Having mucositis may even lead to limits on your chemotherapy doses. Learn how to recognize, prevent, and treat mucositis to improve cancer treatment and your quality of life.

Huntsman Cancer Institute is proud to recognize Jonathan Martinez and Stella Mason as two of the eight 2020 University of Utah Staff Excellence Awards recipients. This prestigious award recognizes superior service and ongoing contributions by full-time staff.

An advance directive is a way to tell your loved ones and doctors your wishes if something happens and you can’t speak for yourself. A directive can include the type and extent of your medical care. It can help your family and care team better understand your values. Being prepared can bring you and your loved ones peace of mind.

When facing cancer, some people have worse outcomes because of economic, social, cultural, environmental, and geographic disadvantages. These worse outcomes are known as cancer disparities. HCI senior director of population sciences Tracy Onega, PhD, MS, talks about two of the biggest groups who experience cancer disparities in Utah—rural residents and the Hispanic population—and what we can do to achieve health equity for these groups.

Cancer symptoms and treatments can sometimes make it hard for people to do everyday activities. Huntsman Cancer Institute’s occupational therapy service helps people find ways to adapt or change the way they perform daily tasks so they can get back to their normal routines. Learn more about what occupational therapists do and the specific problems they can address.