People experiencing a serious illness—whether their own or a loved one’s—are faced with many emotions and important decisions. One of these decisions might be whether to pursue palliative care or hospice care; these two types of care are sometimes confused. Gary Winzelberg, MD, MPH, associate medical director of UNC Health’s Palliative Care Program and director…
When you learn that you have cancer, you want the best treatment possible. Depending on where you live, you may have multiple options for where to receive that treatment or you may consider traveling for your care. Your primary care provider or the doctor who made your diagnosis can provide referrals and help guide you…
When you move, speak, breathe or swallow, motor neurons send messages from your brain down into the spinal cord and out to your muscles. For people with the neurodegenerative disorder amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, these messages become compromised. The motor neurons weaken and die, affecting a person’s ability to control their movement and use…
Over the past 50 years, there’s been great news about leukemia: The five-year survival rate has doubled to about 70 percent. But the good news for acute myeloid leukemia, or AML, has been harder to come by. This rare but aggressive type of leukemia tends to affect older people and the five-year survival rate was…
When you learn you have cancer, you may want to rush to treatment so you can be disease-free as soon as possible. You might also be influenced by stories of other people’s cancer journeys—for example, you hear that one treatment was effective while another produced terrible side effects. Before you pick any path, it’s important…
If your doctor has recommended chemotherapy as part of your cancer treatment, you might be nervous. Maybe you have had a family member who found the treatment grueling or a friend who experienced intense side effects. “Chemotherapy looks really different for everyone,” says UNC medical oncologist Jacob Stein, MD. “If it was a tough experience…
If you have cancer, there’s a good chance your doctor has discussed radiation with you. More than half of all cancer patients receive radiation therapy at some point in their treatment. Radiation is known for its effectiveness. “Radiation uses X-rays to damage the DNA of cancer cells,” says UNC Health radiation oncologist Ashley Weiner, MD,…
Nobody likes to think about getting seriously sick or injured, but planning for the worst can be a significant gift to yourself and your family. Advance directives are legal documents that let others know your preferences for care when you are incapacitated, whether you are expected to recover or you’re near the end of life.…
Hospitals are places where people go to be physically healed. But often, emotional and spiritual care is needed, too. That’s where hospital chaplains come in: They offer a compassionate presence in times of crisis and grief. Their support and guidance can be a valuable resource for patients and families navigating challenging situations. UNC Medical Center…
