The first case of cancer was documented in Egypt in 1500 B.C. At that time, the believed cause of Cancer was the Gods and it was treated with a hot instrument called “the fire drill” to destroy the affected tissue. It was the Greek physician, Hippocrates, who used the Greek words carcinos and carcinoma to [...]

For years, heart disease and cancer have been thought of as two separate, unrelated diseases. Could preventing one disease stop the other? The Reid Heart Center, the FirstHealth Cardiac and Vascular Institute at Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, NC, and the FirstHealth Comprehensive Cancer Center have been working to provide outstanding care to patients with [...]

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer among women causing 15,000 deaths a year.(Source: Ovarian Cancer Awareness)Ovarian cancer is difficult to detect and could often be fatal when detected too late. If diagnosed at an early stage, the five-year survival rate is more than 93 percent. The cause is unknown but there are some [...]

In February 2000, President Clinton officially dedicated March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Every year, patients, survivors and advocates across the country join together to spread the word of colorectal cancer awareness. These actions include wearing blue, holding fundraising and educational events, talking to friends and family about screenings and much more.  What exactly is [...]

The Foundation of FirstHealth’s Cancer CARE Fund provides assistance to local cancer patients and their families during difficult times. Since 2000, the Cancer CARE Fund has contributed more than $800,000 to support cancer patients in our community. The Cancer CARE Fund is hosting a Run for the Ribbons 5k and Family fun 1k in conjunction [...]

The word technology refers to the usage of tools, machines, or techniques, in order to solve a problem or improve a preexisting problem. There are new advances in technology every day that are helping people solve their problems and are creating new opportunities all around the world including Pinehurst, North Carolina. Advances in cancer technology [...]

Being diagnosed with cancer can leave a sense of uncertainty in patients even after you have started treatment. Aside from the uncertainty, treatments can cause side effects that can leave you feeling a little less than normal. To try and help with this, FirstHealth of the Carolinas offers a Cancer Wellness program for cancer patients [...]

What did you do on February 4, 2013? Go to work? School? What about making strides for cancer? That is what hundreds of thousands of people across the world did on February 4, 2013 for World Cancer Day. World Cancer Day is an annual day of advocacy observed on February 4th with events, campaigns and [...]

The last article we wrote focused on the importance of a healthy diet when it comes to cancer patients. On top of consuming the proper types of foods, it is also important to be taking the proper vitamins to say strong during cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation. The following is a list of [...]

Cancer and cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation, can take a toll on the body often leaving patients feeling sick or weak. That is why it is more important than ever to transition to a healthy diet. There are many foods out there that are packed full of cancer fighting antioxidants as well as [...]

This past year FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital was ranked fifth best hospital in North Carolina.  The rankings were based off of various criteria and FirstHealth was strong enough to place fifth in not just one service line, but nine. Moore Regional was recognized as a high performer in cardiology and heart surgery, diabetes and endocrinology, [...]

Since December is National Caregiver Awareness month, it’s important to recognize that sometimes they need help too. The word caregiver refers to an unpaid individual who assists another sick or disabled individual. Commonly caregivers are family members but can also be close family friends.  You are considered a caregiver if you do any of the [...]

A mastectomy is a surgery to remove the breast and is commonly performed either to treat or prevent breast cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) this procedure is only performed on high-risk patients, but that is no longer the case. Prophylactic contralateral mastectomies have become increasingly more common. You may ask, “What is [...]

Yoga is a Hindu system of philosophy dating back 5,000 years. It uses the combination of postures, rhythmic breathing, and meditation, and is said to contribute to physical and mental well-being. Symptoms of fatigue, sleeplessness and pain caused by cancer treatments can lower your overall quality of life. Yoga is not a treatment for cancer [...]

Most people know that “Movember” helps raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer, but people frequently forget to mention this charity also supports testicular cancer. Testicular cancer is a type of cancer you hear very little about unless a celebrity, like Lance Armstrong or Tom Green, is diagnosed with it. Approximately 8,890 men will be [...]

As of 2008 the estimated cancer prevalence in the U.S. was just shy of 12 million people. This means there are 12 million people living with cancer at any point in time. According to the American Cancer Society between birth and death 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will develop cancer at [...]

It’ officially Movember! No, that’s not a type-o. Movember, known to some people as NoSHAVEmber, is an annual, month long men’s health initiative to raise money and awareness of prostate and testicular cancer.  Over 250,000 men are affected by prostate and testicular cancer every year and prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. [...]

Good news, bad news.  Good news, heart disease is no longer the number one cause of death in Hispanics and cancer rates are declining.  Bad news, According to the American Cancer Society cancer has surpassed heart disease as the leading cause of death in Latinos.  The death rates for both cancer and heart disease have [...]

Physicians at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital have been performing robotic surgical procedures since 1996.  One of the tools used by surgeons at FirstHealth is the da Vinci Si surgical system.  This technology helps our surgeons perform the highest level of state- of-the-art surgical procedures for the treatment of an array of ailments. History: The first [...]

Lung Cancer: Risk factors for non-smokers Smoking has been a controversial topic for decades. That is why the US government and courts have limited the tobacco industry’s advertising, passed smoking bans, and piled on fine after fine onto cigarette companies.  But, did you know that there are many other factors that can increase your risk [...]