Monday, April 25, 2016

Tips on Preventing Cancer from the American Cancer Society




A radiation oncologist with more than a decade of experience, Dr. Raj Dahiya works at Premier Cancer Centers in Dallas. Dr. Raj Dahiya maintains membership with the American College of Radiology, the American Cancer Society (ACS), and several other professional organizations.

The ACS has supported cancer research and education for more than a century. Its website explains multiple ways that individuals can reduce the risk of developing cancer.

- Discontinue or avoid smoking, which is one of the best-known ways to decrease the risk of cancer. Even habitual smokers begin to benefit from quitting as little as 20 minutes after doing so.

- Avoid prolonged sun exposure, which has long been linked to skin cancer. By remaining in the shade, applying sunscreen, and wearing a hat and other clothes to cover the face and other areas that would otherwise be exposed, people can substantially reduce their exposure to sunlight’s problematic ultraviolet rays.

- Undertake a healthy lifestyle. The ACS encourages individuals to maintain a healthy weight, avoid excessive alcohol consumption, and consume a healthy diet. Such practices can also reduce one’s risk of heart disease.

Friday, April 15, 2016

Robotic Surgery Device Adds Options for Cancer


Dr. Raj Dahiya serves as a radiation oncologist at Premier Cancer Centers in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Raj Dahiya's organization was one of the first to install the CyberKnife M6 robot and the TomoTherapy H Series in the world. These technologies can serve as an alternative to cancer surgery.

Rather than cutting into a patient, the robotic CyberKnife system treats cancerous and benign tumors with doses of stereotactic radiation, which focus in three dimensions on the target. The pain-free system can be used anywhere in the body, especially the pancreas, liver, brain, and kidney. Although it employs high radiation doses, CyberKnife affects only the tumor, avoiding healthy tissue. It has been used for persons with multiple tumors or inoperable tumors, as well as for patients who simply wish to avoid invasive surgery.

Another unique feature of the CyberKnife is its ability to track and adjust dosages. This enables patients to lie down comfortably without worrying about their motions. Brain surgery with CyberKnife does not require the head restraints that other imaging systems do.

Preparation for the procedure involves a CT scan to locate the general area of tumors. Images from the scan are fed into CyberKnife's software. This permits the radiologist to plan treatment.

Each procedure lasts between 30 and 90 minutes.