SERO

01/30/2024

Today, we’d like to spotlight Dr. John delCharco, MD, one of our celebrated radiation oncologists.

Dr. delCharco is a cancer survivor himself, and now makes it his mission to become a warm and personal figure in his patients’ lives, providing them both high-quality care and the welcoming environment they desire during treatment.

You can read more about Dr. delCharco’s certifications, awards, hobbies, and impactful education history here: https://treatcancer.com/staff/john-o-delcharco/

01/26/2024

Have you ever heard of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)? It's a game-changer in cancer treatment, offering a highly precise and customizable approach to deliver radiation directly to tumors.

IMRT shapes the radiation beam into tiny "beamlets" with individually adjustable intensities. This means it can precisely match the shape of your cancer, targeting it with unparalleled accuracy.

Whether you're dealing with a benign tumor or a complex case, IMRT is versatile and can be customized to fit your unique needs. The beauty of IMRT lies in lower risk of side effects for a smoother recovery.

Read more about this transformative technology in cancer care here: https://treatcancer.com/intensity-modulated-radiation-therapy-imrt/

01/23/2024

Please take a moment to read this short article about the importance of cervical cancer screenings, written by one of SERO's wonderful care team members in Hickory, Jennifer Smith, FNP-C.

Cervical Cancer Awareness: Learn, Prevent, Screen

In the United States, cervical cancer is the third most common gynecologic cancer. The average age at diagnosis is only 50 years old. Thankfully, cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that develop precancerous cells that, if detected early, can be treated to prevent the development of invasive cancer. Screening tests include Human papillomavirus (HPV) and Pap smear testing; both of these tests are performed on cells from the cervix.

Abnormal cervical cells and cervical cancer are each strongly associated with HPV infections. In fact, HPV is detected in 90-99% of all cervical cancers. HPV is spread by sexual contact and is very common in young people. Many HPV infections will clear on their own, within a year or two. However, persistent HPV infection significantly increases the risk of developing cervical cancer. Therefore, treating and preventing HPV infections significantly reduces the risk of developing cervical cancer. HPV testing every 5 years is recommended for those ages 30-65. If HPV is detected, your provider will recommend repeat testing in one year.

Preventing HPV infections through vaccination has been in place since 2006. Since that time, the rate of cervical cancer has significantly decreased among vaccinated women. HPV vaccination prevents new HPV infections but does not treat existing infections, therefore vaccination is recommended early in life. The HPV vaccination series is recommended for those ages 9-12 and catch up vaccination is recommended for those ages 13-26.

Pap smear tests look for precancerous cells, abnormal cells that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated. Pap smear testing should begin at age 21; if testing is normal a repeat Pap smear in 3 years is recommended. From ages 30-65, the recommendation is to have Pap smear testing every 3 years or HPV/HPV+Pap smear testing every 5 years.

In the United States, approximately 13,960 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 4,310 women die from cervical cancer each year. We can dramatically decrease this incidence by preventing HPV infections and detecting early cervical changes through appropriate screening tests.

Jennifer Smith,
FNP-C for CVMC Hospitalists

01/23/2024

Exciting news from a recent clinical trial suggests that participating in virtual mind-body fitness classes such as yoga, tai chi, dance therapy, music therapy, and mindfulness, can make a real difference for those undergoing cancer treatment.

Prior studies have hinted that mind-body fitness practices can help alleviate common side effects of cancer treatment, such as fatigue, anxiety, and depression. This most recent trial found that members of these classes were not only less likely to end up in the hospital for treatment-related issues but also had shorter stays when hospitalized.

Dive into the details of this groundbreaking study here: https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2023/mind-body-fitness-cancer-side-effects

For people being treated for cancer, virtual mind–body fitness classes may help reduce the risk of being hospitalized for treatment-related side effects.

01/15/2024

We celebrate National Blood Donor Month in the U.S. every January, as the winter months are often accompanied by reduced donations after holidays, sicknesses, and bad weather obstruct peoples’ ability to donate blood.

SERO as always extends our thanks to those that donate year round, and invites others to become blood donors this January. Read more about National Blood Donor Month here: https://www.redcross.org/red-cross-youth/resources/monthly-focuses/january.html

January is National Blood Donor Month! Every two seconds in the United States, someone needs blood. We need the support of all our volunteers, especially youth and young adults, to help Blood Services with their own work!

01/12/2024

Meet Kaitlin Lyghtel, Nurse Practitioner at Novant Health Weisiger Cancer Institute.

She attended Miami University in Ohio for her undergraduate degree in Zoology, then later The Medical College of Georgia and Duke University for her nursing specialties. She studied Oncology specifically at Duke, and remained in North Carolina to work as part of the Levine Cancer Institute, Carolinas Medical Center, and Piedmont Medical Center.

Learn more about Kaitlin Lyghtel here: https://treatcancer.com/staff/kaitlin-lyghtel/

01/09/2024

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, so today we’re spotlighting the stages of intraocular melanoma.

- Stage I: Tumor is only in the iris
- Stage II: The tumor has caused glaucoma or spread slightly
- Stage III: Tumor has spread outside the eyeball
- Stage IV: Tumor has spread to other parts of the body

Determining what stage of cancer you’re in allows the team at SERO to properly plan your treatment. We’re always here for you as we navigate your cancer journey together. Read more about these stages on our website: https://treatcancer.com/blog/stages-of-intraocular-uveal-melanoma/

After intraocular melanoma has been diagnosed, tests are done to find out if cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body.

01/05/2024

For anyone new to our page, we're SERO - Safe. Empathetic. Reliable. Oncology. We are your dedicated team of over 30 board-certified physicians alongside care team members committed to providing compassionate, high-quality cancer care.

Your health and well-being are our top priorities, and we're here to stand with you every step of the way. Discover how SERO can make a difference in your journey. Learn more about us at treatcancer.com

01/01/2024

Wishing you a Happy New Year filled with health, hope, and happiness from the team at SERO! May this year bring you strength and resilience as we continue to fight alongside you.

12/29/2023

Let's give a warm welcome to Dr. George Alexander Trivette, MD, who will join us as a SERO Radiation Oncologist in January.

Dr. Trivette has been a valuable member of the oncology community in various states across the East Coast for decades, and we are honored to have him joining SERO.

Learn more about his education and dedication to cancer care here: https://treatcancer.com/staff/george-alexander-trivette/

12/25/2023

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas filled with love, joy, and cherished moments with your loved ones. 🎄 From the entire SERO team, we extend our warmest holiday greetings and hope for a season of healing and hope.

Though we hope your days are merry and your hearts are light, we also want to send love to those with heavy hearts this season.

12/22/2023

Pediatric cancer is a difficult topic to talk about. No parent wants to imagine their child dealing with this affliction, but it’s the reality for more than 15,000 children each year in the U.S.

SERO does everything we can to help these kids through their treatment in a supportive, efficient manner, with both kindness and expert knowledge about how new radiation technologies can help get families and children back to the lifestyle they deserve.

For more information on pediatric cancer, visit https://treatcancer.com/pediatric-cancer/.