UAMS Health

Vaginal cancer is probably the least common cancer we take care of in the gynecologic oncology department at UAMS. It’s usually what we call a “squamous cell” cancer. That means it is a cancer of the cells that line the vagina. The reason why it’s the least common is that it has to be unique to the vagina to be called vaginal cancer. Dr. Alexander “Sandy” Burnett is a gynecologic oncologist who t…

Should You Have Lung Cancer Surgery? This question is important and sometimes can be complicated. The discussions about you and what should be done are an important part of the work of the lung cancer team. If you have a cancer which can be safely completely removed, surgery should be considered. But in order to decide whether surgery is an option for you, several questions need to be answered: W…

At four months pregnant, Sasha arrived at UAMS in a coma. We gave her hope — and a baby son. Early in Sasha’s pregnancy, a tangle of blood vessels ruptured in her brain. She was airlifted to UAMS, where neurosurgeons are on call 24/7. By the time she arrived, she had no pulse and had to be revived twice. The UAMS team of neurosurgeons, high-risk pregnancy specialists, and other medical experts jo…

Angel McVay was a busy wife, mother, business owner, photographer, and yoga instructor. Luckily, she took time for a breast self-exam and went to a UAMS Neighborhood Clinic immediately after noticing a suspicious lump. She was referred to the Breast Center at UAMS for a mammogram the following day, and then a biopsy, which showed she had invasive ductal carcinoma. Further testing showed she has t…

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic disorder that runs in the Johnson family. James Johnson, Sr., suffered from the disease and received a donated kidney from his brother in 1985. His young sons made a promise then that they would donate a kidney to the other if they ever needed one. On Feb. 3, 2016, James, Jr., received a donated kidney from his brother, Jeff, and once again, the two br…

When Northwest Arkansas businessman Cameron Smith was diagnosed with base of tongue cancer, he didn’t waste any time. “We had work to do,” he said. The first order of business included consulting UAMS’ renowned head and neck surgeon James Y. Suen, M.D. Led by Dr. Suen, a team of physicians immediately began a rigorous treatment regimen that included a research clinical trial to reduce the side ef…

Gary Taylor is used to providing advice to others when they come into Go! Running, but when Dr. Michael Cassat came into his store, the roles quickly reversed. Gary asked the sports medicine doctor if he could help with a lingering Achilles tendon problem, and the doctor’s response was, “Sure, come see me.” Dr. Cassat prescribed physical therapy, a night splint, and modified training. A few month…

Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and Pro Football Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw knows better than most that sacrifices made on the field can have lasting effects. In 2015, the injuries and pain from 14 years in the NFL made it difficult for him to walk, play golf or meet the demands of his busy schedule as a co-host of “FOX NFL Sunday.” Terry turned to the expert orthopaedic team at UAMS for…

Former Arkansas Senator Paul Miller of Melbourne is not your average senior citizen. At age 79, the retired auto dealer, realtor, farmer and coach was in great shape and still running four miles regularly. His diabetes was well-managed, and he had no complaints about his health. Then, about a year ago, he started having severe stomach pains. His local doctor ordered a colonoscopy, which indicated…

For 25 years, Charlie DeBoard lived with an essential tremor. It affected his hands and then his voice, progressing so much that he could barely talk. Embarrassed by the tremor, he gradually spent less time out with friends and family and almost retired. His family doctor recommended he see a specialist at UAMS. When Dr. Erika Petersen, a UAMS neurosurgeon, discussed surgery to implant wires in h…

When first diagnosed, Stacy said, “I knew that I was in for the fight of my life.” For her fight with breast cancer, Stacy Sells chose the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. Her treatment included chemotherapy followed by a double mastectomy, radiation and reconstructive surgery. “One of the things that really made my experience […]

“An apple a day will keep the doctor away.” Most of us have heard this popular health tidbit at least once in our lives. But, is this advice too good to be true? UAMS family physician Dr. Daniel Knight explains that apples are a good source of fiber, are helpful for keeping good colon health, […]

Migraines affect an estimated 28 million Americans, with 35% experiencing one to four migraine attacks per month, according to the National Headache Foundation. Because migraines are so common, many people have come to believe that they are just bad headaches — just a normal part of life. Migraines are considered intense headaches that can put […]

Do you like to get your skin beach-ready before vacation? If so, you’re not the only one. Many people like to hop in the tanning bed before they hit the beach or pool, hoping that a “base” tan can prevent a painful sunburn. Unfortunately, this ritual is like fighting fire with fire. According to the […]

Did you know that when you sneeze, 100,000 germs fly out of your nasal canal at approximately 100 miles per hour? So, it’s easy to understand why many people try to muffle those annoying “ahhh-choos” in public. Whether you hold a sneeze by pinching your nose or closing your mouth, stifling a sneeze is not […]

For those of you who have plucked those pesky gray hairs from your head, you don’t have to fear that they are coming back with a vengeance. The idea that pulling a gray hair will cause 10 more to grow in its place is simply not true. If you’re not convinced, let UAMS family and […]

What has tiny bristles, lives in your bathroom and can house five of the nastiest germs, including the flu virus? If you guessed your toothbrush, you’re correct. According to researchers, there can be as many as 1.2 million bacteria on a single toothbrush. Also, a New York State Dental Journal found that 70% of used […]

You are about to enjoy a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie right from the oven when it’s intercepted by the cabinet door and falls to the kitchen floor. That’s when the “five-second rule” comes into play. If it has been on the floor for less than five seconds, it’s safe to eat, right? No matter […]

The claim that bra-wearing can put women at serious risk for breast cancer has been around for almost 20 years. Does this idea hold any truth? Dr. Laura Hutchins, a UAMS medical oncologist who specializes in breast cancer, says that there is not enough evidence to support this idea. According to a Scientific American article […]

Ingredients 1 ¼ cup plain 1% yogurt ½ cup of strawberries 1 tablespoon honey Directions Place cut up strawberries in medium bowl. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon honey and toss to coat. Put 1 ¼ cup plain yogurt in a small bowl and garnish with sweetened strawberries. Nutrition Facts Serving 1 ¼ Calories: 123.7 Total Fat: 1.9 grams Saturated […]