Cancer Patient Stories

Patient Stories about cancer

April 8, 2019

Art Students Help UAMS Cancer Patients ‘Paint Over Pain’

Susan Van Dusen

Fen Xia, M.D., Ph.D., (right) chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, and Central Arkansas Christian School students display radiation masks they decorated as part of CAC’s art program “Paint Over Pain” to represent beauty that can come from hardship.

Transforming something frightening into something inspiring isn’t an easy task. But that’s exactly what students at Central Arkansas Christian (CAC) School set out to do for patients undergoing treatment at the UAMS Radiation Oncology Center. “I love the idea of being able to inspire the patients and bring a little bit of light into a…


March 6, 2019

Cancer Diagnosis Gives UAMS Medical Student New Perspective

Susan Van Dusen

Third-year UAMS College of Medicine student and cancer survivor Corbin Norton (center) with his medical oncologist Rashmi Verma, M.D., (right) and nurse Jason Guenther, R.N.

With his first medical licensing exam in the books, Corbin Norton was ready to relax. “It was a really tough exam. I had been studying for weeks,” the 27-year-old UAMS College of Medicine student said.


January 22, 2019

UAMS Myeloma Center Social Work Manager Harold Dean to Lead National Association

Linda Haymes

LITTLE ROCK — The Association of Social Work Boards recently elected Harold Dean, LCSW, OSW-C, clinical social work program manager for the Myeloma Center at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), president-elect of the association’s board of directors. Dean will serve as president-elect for one year, followed by a two-year term as president…


January 14, 2019

UAMS Colorectal Surgeon: Know the Symptoms and Your Surgeon

Katrina Dupins

Keith Maddison speaks with his surgeon, Conan Mustain, M.D. during a visit to UAMS.

Most colorectal cancers occur in the colon, the abdominal portion of the large intestine, but up to a third of cases arise in the last 6-8 inches of the bowel, known as the rectum. While more challenging to treat than colon cancer, rectal cancers often display symptoms at an earlier stage, causing bleeding or discomfort….


December 14, 2018

Minimally Invasive Surgery Yields Successful Outcome for Lung Cancer Survivor

Susan Van Dusen

UAMS Lung Cancer Patient Mary Davis

Mary Davis shies away from the spotlight.

“I don’t like to be the center of attention,” she said.

But in 2016, when a hacking cough resulted in an unexpected cancer diagnosis, she had no choice but to turn the attention to herself.


December 10, 2018

With the Ring of a Bell, 8-year-old Celebrates End of Radiation Therapy

Susan Van Dusen

Abigail Lewis (center) celebrates with her health care team at the UAMS Radiation Oncology Center following her final radiation treatment.

It’s common to hear bells at the UAMS Radiation Oncology Center. When a patient completes their final treatment, they celebrate by stepping up to the large brass bell on the wall and giving it a ring.


November 19, 2018

Screening Leads to Early Cancer Diagnosis and Early Cure

Katrina Dupins

Carrie Stewart playing golf

During a visit with her primary care physician last fall, Carrie Stewart decided to schedule a routine colonoscopy. “It was time anyway because I was 50,” Stewart said. “My doctor helped me get set up and I went in for the procedure Dec. 27.” The physician performing the colonoscopy saw a growth on the imaging…


November 8, 2018

UAMS Cancer Researchers Receive NIH Grant to Develop New Cancer Therapies

Linda Haymes

Karen Abbott, Ph.D., assistant professor in the UAMS College of Medicine's Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Analiz Rodriguez, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor in the UAMS College of Medicine's Department of Neurosurgery, have received a $604,208 NIH grant to study an abnormal protein found in ovarian cancer and some brain tumors.

LITTLE ROCK — Researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) have received a $604,208 grant to study how an abnormal protein found in ovarian cancer and some brain tumors helps tumors grow. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded the three-year grant to Karen Abbott, Ph.D., assistant professor in the UAMS College…


October 26, 2018

After Mammogram Reveals Cancer, Mom of 3 Fights Back

Susan Van Dusen

Abby Ellington (left) dons her pink boxing gloves for her ongoing fight against breast cancer. She is pictured with her surgeon, Ronda Henry-Tillman, M.D.

When Abby Ellington got the call about a suspicious spot on her mammogram, she wasn’t worried. She had a scare seven years earlier, before a biopsy revealed her to be cancer free.


October 15, 2018

After 57-Year Respite, Little Rock Woman Beats Breast Cancer a Second Time

Susan Van Dusen

After being diagnosed with breast cancer at age 84, Joyce Faulkner of Little Rock encourages women to continue receiving annual mammograms throughout their lifetime.

The year was 1961, and football season was in full swing. With her tickets in hand, University of Arkansas alumna Joyce Faulkner headed to Fayetteville to watch her beloved Razorbacks take the field. But first, she had one stop to make.



Previous page Next page