Doctor's Blog

Spot the Signs — Know the Symptoms of Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, and when detected early, it’s also one of the most treatable. That’s why knowing the warning signs and regularly checking your skin is so important.

Managing Stress Through Cancer Treatment
A cancer diagnosis brings more than just physical challenges—it also affects emotional and mental health. It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed, anxious, or even scared. But managing stress throughout treatment can help improve your overall well-being and support healing.

Alcohol Awareness and Cancer Prevention
April is Alcohol Awareness Month—an important time to understand how alcohol consumption affects cancer risk. Regular alcohol use is linked to an increased risk of cancers, including breast, liver, mouth, throat, and esophagus.

Testicular Cancer: Know the Signs, Catch It Early
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men between the ages of 15 and 35. While rare overall, it is highly treatable, especially when caught early.

Head and Neck Cancer: Awareness, Symptoms, and Treatment
April is Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month—a time to highlight cancers that affect the mouth, throat, voice box, nasal cavity, and sinuses. Though these cancers are less common than others, they can have a significant impact on daily life and long-term health.

Colon Cancer Awareness: Why Early Detection Matters
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a time to highlight the importance of screening, prevention, and early detection. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, yet it is also one of the most preventable cancers.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Colon Cancer: What You Need to Know
Colonrectal cancer is one of the most common cancers, but when detected early, it is highly treatable. Understanding the warning signs can help you take action before the disease progresses. We encourage everyone to be aware of these symptoms and prioritize regular screenings.

Colorectal Cancer Awareness: Know the Facts, Reduce Your Risk
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers, yet it is also one of the most preventable and treatable when detected early. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, encourage screenings, and promote healthy habits that can lower your risk.

Coping with a Cancer Diagnosis
A cancer diagnosis can bring a wave of emotions—fear, anxiety, sadness, and even anger. While these feelings are normal, finding the right emotional support can make a significant difference in your journey.

Is Palliative Care Right for You? The Answer May Surprise You
Palliative care is a lot of things, but “end of life” care it is not. At its roots, it is care to keep living. Whereas hospice focuses on the last months of someone’s life, palliative care is concurrent with a patient’s illness – ideally, starting at initial diagnosis through any treatment or post-treatment adjustments.

COVID-19 Vaccine and Cancer FAQ
On December 11, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNtech mRNA vaccine for use against the virus that is causing the illness known as COVID-19. The vaccine has been 95% effective in large-scale clinical trials and has already been approved for use in five other countries. It is given in two doses, three weeks apart. The state of California is now administering vaccines to those 65 and older.

Managing Cancer Pain for Better Quality of Life
Whether it’s a friend, family member or yourself going through cancer treatment, many of us have been impacted by pain associated with the disease and its treatment. With about 50% of cancer patients reporting pain as a symptom early in the diagnosis and more than 75% in later stages, pain caused by cancer and its treatment can become difficult to bear and can cause a variety of negative effects such as depression, hopelessness and loss of appetite.

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates for Cancer Patients
We encourage our patients to protect themselves and stay as informed as possible during the pandemic. Coronavirus is a family of viruses, but a new strain discovered in 2019 has resulted in concern and actions worldwide. Its official name is coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19. It is also called novel (new) coronavirus.

Insights on Breast Cancer Signs, Mammograms & Breast Cancer Treatment
Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer found in American women. According to the American Cancer Society, each woman has a 1 in 8 chance she will develop breast cancer within her lifetime. Approximately 1 in 39 women will die from breast cancer. With these high statistics, it is important that women know the basics about breast cancer signs, screening and treatments.

To Boost Breast Cancer Awareness, Our Fresno-Based Breast Surgeon Clears up Misconceptions
To effectively fight breast cancer, you need to know – and avoid – the myths that surround it

Managing Weight Loss or Gain Side Effects of Cancer Treatment
Maintaining a good fighting weight can help you go the distance in your bout with cancer

How You Can Support Cancer Patients
Cancer affects the person, his or her friends and family. Our tips for listening, keeping it normal and the do’s & don’ts of supportive care can help you alleviate a loved one’s anxiety.

Tobacco, Lung Cancer & Quitting Smoking FAQ
Smoking causes more than 480,000 preventable deaths in the United States each year. Dr. Lamon addresses some of the common questions around smoking and cigarettes.

Robotic Prostatectomy Is Changing the Game for Men with Prostate Cancer
These advanced surgical techniques can not only extract the cancer, they also can help preserve quality of life after prostate cancer treatment