The Darryl Worley Cancer Center

01/02/2026

Key Trends Predicted for Cancer Care in 2026:

Chronic Disease Model: Stage 4 cancer increasingly viewed as a manageable, long-term condition, with more people living with a history of cancer.

Microbiome & Nutrition: Gut health and specific foods will become powerful tools, with personalized nutrition integrated with oncology treatments.

Mainstream Cell Therapy: CAR T-cell therapies will expand beyond hospitals, becoming available in outpatient settings and potentially at home, aided by digital health.

AI-Driven Precision Medicine: Artificial intelligence will move from hype to reality, using digital pathology and genomic data to match patients with highly specific treatments.

Decentralized Trials: AI and new trial designs will make it easier for more patients, regardless of location, to access clinical trials, increasing breakthroughs.

Robotics in Surgery: AI-guided robots will enhance surgical precision, leading to better outcomes and faster recovery.

These shifts suggest a future where cancer care is more personalized, accessible, and integrated, leading to better long-term survival

01/01/2026

12/31/2025

We hope 2026 is the best year ever for you!
Take care of yourself and a few others!
We love serving our community!
Celebrate life tonight!

12/29/2025

How to protect your health & safety during the holidays!

Guard Your Health: Be mindful of germs; avoid sharing utensils and stay away from sick people, especially with a weakened immune system.

Eat Mindfully: Don't force holiday foods; focus on what you can tolerate and stay hydrated with water.

Travel Prepared: Carry health records, medication lists, and doctor's contacts if traveling.
Consult Your Team: Talk to your oncology team about diet, travel, or managing symptoms like fatigue.

What about our emotional well-being?

Be Flexible: Give yourself permission for things to look different this year; it's okay to do less.

Acknowledge Feelings: Allow yourself to feel sadness, grief, or apprehension, and use healthy coping like talking or new traditions.

Lean on Support: Connect with loved ones or professional counselors if you're struggling.

We got this!
Pace yourself!

12/24/2025

If you're dealing with Chemo during the holidays, keep this in mind!

The best foods during chemotherapy are nutrient-dense, easy-to-digest options like protein-rich eggs, fish, beans, Greek yogurt, and plant-based sources, alongside whole grains (oats, brown rice), fruits (bananas, applesauce), and vegetables to maintain energy and rebuild tissue. Hydrating fluids, broths, and bland foods (crackers, plain pasta) are great for managing nausea, while smoothies, nut butters, and avocados add healthy fats and calories. Focus on bland, moist, and cool/room-temp foods to soothe side effects like mouth sores, and ensure good hydration.

High Protein (for tissue repair)

-Eggs: Scrambled, hard-boiled, or in custards.
-Fish & Poultry: Baked or broiled chicken, turkey, salmon.
-Dairy: Yogurt (especially Greek), cottage cheese, milk.
-Plant-Based: Beans, lentils, tofu, nuts, seeds, nut butters.

Complex Carbs & Fiber (for energy)
-Whole Grains: Oatmeal, brown rice, whole-wheat bread, barley.
-Starchy Veggies: Plain potatoes, sweet potatoes.

Hydrating & Soothing Foods
-Fruits: Bananas, applesauce, canned peaches/pears (in juice), popsicles, smoothies.
-Liquids: Water, electrolyte drinks, diluted juices, broth-based soups, herbal teas (ginger, peppermint).
-Bland Snacks: Saltine crackers, pretzels, plain toast, pudding, Jell-O.

Healthy Fats (for calories)
-Avocado: On toast or in smoothies.
-Oils: Olive oil.
-Nuts & Seeds: Almonds, walnuts

12/23/2025

Here are our tips for coping with cancer during the holidays:
1. Make plans to get together with friends, family or co-workers over the holidays.

2. Create a new holiday season tradition that makes the most of your energy.

3. Enjoy special moments.

12/22/2025

IT'S NOT TOO LATE!
We can all help a cancer patient thrive during the holidays!

1. Do the outdoor décor. Put up Christmas lights, adorn their mailbox or set up a simple festive spotlight.

2. Bring the morning’s breakfast. Deliver a breakfast casserole or prepared sweet rolls that simply need to go in the oven on Christmas morning.

3. Help with shopping. Relieve the burden of running from store to store. Help them with online purchases and arrange for delivery or in-store pickup.

4.Drop off a gift card for groceries or a store like Wal-Mart.

5. Show up with vacuum in tow. Offer a whole house run through. Or go big and get friends to help clean the house flash-mob style.

6. Take out the trash. Drag the trash to the curb on the appropriate night and retrieve them the next day.

7. Arrange for a restaurant delivery of a meal. Something healthy and warm!

8. Wrap their presents! This task can be tiring for anyone, let alone a cancer patient.

9. Take their kids for an outing. Even better if it’s a loud and crazy place that kids love but can be trying for a parent who doesn’t feel well (like an arcade or laser tag).

10. Be the handyman. Go through the home and make a list of minor tasks and repairs that you can address right away, like changing light bulbs, hanging shelves, replacing the furnace filter, etc.

12/19/2025

Cancer patients may not embrace the holidays like they used to.

For motivation during the holidays with cancer, focus on realistic expectations, simplify traditions to prioritize meaningful moments over perfection, communicate needs openly with loved ones, and practice self-compassion by managing energy and seeking support, remembering you can create new, less stressful ways to enjoy the season, like virtual calls or small gatherings, while focusing on being present and finding joy in small things.

* Managing Expectations & Stress

Be Realistic: Acknowledge that fatigue and side effects are real; it's okay not to be "perfectly" festive.

Prioritize: Focus on what truly matters – relationships and moments – not elaborate plans or hosting.

Communicate: Tell family and friends your limitations and needs (shorter visits, quiet time) to get support.

*Simplifying & Creating New Traditions

Delegate: Ask for help with cooking, decorating, or shopping.

Small Celebrations: Opt for potlucks, restaurant meals, movie nights, or virtual gatherings.

Focus on "Now": Practice mindfulness to enjoy the present moment and cherish good memories.

*Finding Support & Joy

Talk to Your Team: Consult your oncology team about appointments and managing your health.

Seek Support: Talk to a counselor, join support groups, or write down feelings.

Find Comfort: Allow for tears, laughter, and moments of quiet reflection; these are all part of coping.

Creative Expression: Use journaling, music, art, or meditation to process emotions.

We can help make your treatment more gratifying!
Call the office and let's talk!
731-926-8112

12/15/2025

During a Cancer journey, having support is HUGE! Why?

Key reasons why support is vital:

Emotional & Mental Well-being: Cancer brings fear, stress, anxiety, and depression; support offers empathy, companionship, and a safe space to discuss feelings, combating isolation and improving mood.

Improved Quality of Life: Strong support networks (family, friends, groups) help patients adjust better, maintain hope, and feel more empowered, leading to a better overall experience.

Better Treatment Outcomes: Less stress and better emotional health can improve adherence to treatment, potentially leading to better tolerability of therapies and improved survival rates, as noted in studies by the National Institutes of Health.
Practical Assistance: Support extends beyond emotion to help with daily tasks, appointments, finances, and navigating complex medical information, reducing caregiver burden too.

Holistic Approach: Modern cancer care recognizes that physical treatment isn't enough; supportive care addresses physical symptoms (nausea, pain) alongside psychosocial and spiritual needs, making it an indispensable part of care.

Post-Treatment Challenges: Support remains critical during recovery, helping with unique obstacles like fertility issues, return to work, and insurance hurdles.

Need some support or just want to talk?
Call DWCC 731-926-8112

12/12/2025

Who is in your support network? Besides our team?

Support is crucial in cancer care because it addresses the whole person, improving emotional stability, reducing stress, enhancing treatment tolerance, and even boosting survival rates by providing companionship, practical help, and a sense of normalcy, tackling everything from loneliness and anxiety to managing daily life and financial worries. It helps patients cope with physical side effects, emotional turmoil, and the complex journey from diagnosis through recovery, making the experience less isolating and more manageable.

Who provides support?

Family & Friends: Offer love, companionship, and a sense of normalcy.
Healthcare Teams: Provide crucial medical, informational, and emotional guidance.
Support Groups: Connect patients with peers for shared experiences, education, and empowerment.
Professionals: Counselors, social workers, and spiritual advisors offer specialized help.

Call for support!
731-926-8112

12/11/2025

Regular exercise is a powerful cancer prevention tool. It helps regulate hormones, reduce inflammation, strengthen the immune system, support digestion, and manage weight—all of which create an internal environment less favorable for cancer to develop, according to the National Cancer Institute and American Cancer Society.

DO THIS: Aim for 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity weekly.
ALSO DO THIS: Add strength training at least twice a week.

Even small increases in movement help. Always check with your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.