Circle of Hope

Did you know cervical cancer can be prevented? The HPV vaccine prevents against infection from the human papillomavirus. This common virus can lead to cervical cancer as well as penile, anal, vulvar, vaginal, and head and neck cancers. HCI gynecologist-oncologist Dr. Theresa Werner talks about the importance of getting the HPV vaccine, which is recommended for boys and girls starting at age 11 to 12.

“Any human disease is so complicated that in order to really have the best care for patients, as well as sort of pushing the envelope on research, you need experts in all of it,” says melanoma researcher Robert Judson-Torres, PhD. In this Talks with Docs video, he explains why he wanted to become a cancer researcher, what he hopes his melanoma research will accomplish, and why Indiana Jones is his inspiration.

COVID-19 has had a major impact on health care delivery this year. In spring 2020, as part of the extraordinary precautions designed to keep people safe, certain medical appointments were postponed. These included cancer screenings such as mammograms. Phoebe Freer, MD, a radiologist at Huntsman Cancer Institute, is leading efforts to help women get access to lifesaving mammography screenings. Her team has worked to implement a variety of safety protocols to help keep patients safe

Many of us were taught that no matter how bad it gets, it’s always worse for someone else. However true that may be, it doesn’t change the fact that what you’re facing is extremely difficult. It’s OK to struggle. To anyone feeling overwhelmed or lost, please know you are not alone. You are loved. There are others you love, and your love is extremely important to them.

It has been said that challenges don't build character, they reveal character. The year 2020 put us to the test. Yet, Huntsman Cancer Institute employees made it abundantly clear we have character. We rose to the challenge in order to continue serving our patients and communities with skill and grace. We invited special guests from around the state to thank all of you on behalf of those touched by cancer and whose lives you have touched.

COVID-19 is a new type of virus that can cause mild and severe infections in the lungs. Like other viruses, it can lead to serious infections for people with weakened immune systems. Some people with cancer might have a higher risk of getting COVID-19 or having a serious infection from it.

As COVID-19 numbers continue to increase in Utah, members of Huntsman Cancer Institute’s Community Advisory Board add their names to the people and health care organizations supporting the #MaskUpUtah campaign. They join us in asking everyone to wear a mask to protect cancer patients, who have weakened immune systems, and slow the spread of COVID-19.

Kenneth Slack knows the pain of losing a spouse to cancer. He and his wife, Debby, were expecting to spend 60 or 70 years together, but they only got 32. Debby was diagnosed with leukemia and passed away just six months later. Kenneth shares his experience of grieving the loss of his wife and how he found help and guidance in a grief support group.