LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center

04/24/2026

Tomorrow is National DNA Day. A celebration of discovery, innovation, and the code that shapes life itself.

One of our researchers, Dr. Jovanny Zabaleta, captured that wonder in an original poem, Ode to DNA.

At LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center, curiosity drives the discoveries that move cancer care forward.

Learn more: https://www.lsu.edu/blog/2026/04/dna-sequencing-history.php

04/22/2026

Earth Day reminds us that our health is shaped by the world around us. From the air we breathe to the communities we live in, environment plays a powerful role in cancer risk and in prevention.

04/21/2026

There's still time to register for the 3rd Annual African American Lung Cancer Patient & Caregiver Summit in New Orleans!

LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center's Dr. Michael Celestin will be speaking Friday, April 24 during the Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) Fast Action breakout sessions from 1:00–3:45 p.m.

Lung cancer remains one of the most urgent cancer challenges in Louisiana, where incidence rates are higher than the U.S. average across all major race-sex groups. Nationally, lung cancer is also the leading cause of cancer death for Black men and women making conversations like these critical to advancing awareness, access, and outcomes.

To register, visit

Join the 3rd Annual Lung Cancer Patient & Caregiver Summit in New Orleans (Apr 23-25, 2026), hosted by HEAL Collaborative. Elevating voices and advancing equity in lung cancer care for patients & caregivers. Register now!

04/20/2026

Did you know your genetics can play a role in cancer risk and that understanding your risk can help you take action before disease develops? Our latest blog breaks down how breast cancer genetic testing works and why it matters for prevention and early detection.

Genetic testing looks for specific changes in genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2 that can increase the risk of breast and other cancers. With just a blood or saliva sample and expert counseling, people at higher risk can learn more about their risk and make empowered decisions about screenings and personalized care.

Prevention isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s about access. Access to genetic counseling. Access to testing. And access to expert care especially for families across every corner of Louisiana. When all Louisianans have access to tools that help prevent and catch cancer early, we move closer to a future with fewer lives lost.

📖 Read more:

Learn how breast cancer genetic testing works, what BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations mean for your health, who should consider testing, and how results guide prevention and treatment. Discover how genetic counseling helps you understand your risk and make informed decisions about breast cancer care.

04/17/2026

What if a bacterium best known for causing dangerous infections could help fight cancer?

Researchers at LSU are investigating how proteins derived from Staphylococcus aureus, often called a “superbug,” can be engineered to precisely target and destroy cancer cells while leaving healthy tissue largely unharmed. The work highlights an emerging strategy that turns biology’s own tools into highly specific cancer treatments.

Read the blog to learn how an unlikely source could open new doors in cancer therapy - https://www.lsu.edu/blog/2026/01/rb-superbug-cancer.php

04/16/2026

Oral and head and neck cancers have several preventable risk factors. To***co use and heavy alcohol consumption remain major contributors, especially here in the Gulf South. HPV is also a significant and growing cause of throat cancers, particularly those involving the tonsils and base of the tongue.

The good news? You can reduce your risk by:
• Avoiding to***co
• Limiting alcohol
• Getting the HPV vaccine
• Keeping up with dental checkups and screenings

Healthcare providers—including dentists, primary care providers, oncologists, and public health experts—are working together to support earlier detection and better outcomes. This 𝗢𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵, take steps to protect yourself and those you love. LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center

04/15/2026

National Minority Health Month is a reminder that improving cancer outcomes requires addressing gaps in access to care and research participation.

Black Americans continue to face higher cancer burden, yet remain underrepresented in clinical trials making up more than 13% of the U.S. population but less than 5% of participants in many cancer studies.

At the LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center, we are working to expand access through community-based partnerships, education, and innovative models like the Gulf South Clinical Trials Network, bringing research opportunities closer to the patients we serve.

Advancing cancer care means ensuring discoveries benefit everyone.

Learn more: https://www.medschool.lsuhsc.edu/cancer_center/newsroom/addressing_barriers_to_clinical_trial_enrollment_among_black_americans.aspx

04/13/2026

April marks National Alcohol Awareness Month, highlighting an important, but often overlooked, connection to cancer risk.

Alcohol consumption is associated with multiple cancers, and even moderate intake can increase risk.

At the LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center, we believe knowledge is power. Small choices, like reducing alcohol intake, can play a meaningful role in lowering risk and protecting long-term health.

If you drink, consider drinking less. It’s a simple step that can make a difference.

04/10/2026

This Head & Neck Cancer Awareness Month, we’re reminded that behind every diagnosis is a story of resilience and often, a new purpose.

After facing vocal cord (laryngeal) cancer, Sam didn’t just focus on recovery. He chose to give back supporting others as they begin their own journeys, offering reassurance, perspective, and hope when they need it most.

Today, he’s helping patients see what’s possible beyond diagnosis: life, strength, and community.

Stories like Sam’s show that cancer care is about more than treatment. It’s about lifting each other up along the way.

Read his journey:

At 72, Sam Hawkins turned his battle with recurrent vocal cord cancer into a mission to support others. After surgery, radiation, and months of recovery at University Medical Center, Sam now mentors patients facing laryngeal cancer, showing how resilience, family support, and compassionate care can....

04/09/2026

Many early symptoms of oral cancer are easy to overlook. Any sore or ulcer that doesn’t heal within 14 days should be examined by a dental professional. Other warning signs include:

• Persistent mouth sores
• White or red patches
• Lumps or swelling
• Changes in the mouth’s lining

Dentists and dental hygienists are uniquely positioned to identify these subtle changes. In a state like Louisiana—where cancer rates remain among the highest in the nation—early detection truly matters. This 𝗢𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵, take a moment to learn the signs and make prevention part of your routine. LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center

04/08/2026

ICYMI: Carleigh Baudoin, Assistant Director of the Louisiana Cancer Prevention and Controls Programs joined Fox 8 New Orleans to discuss cervical cancer prevention and the importance of screening and early detection.

Cervical cancer remains one of the most preventable cancers, yet too many women still miss routine screenings. Through research, community outreach, and clinical care, the LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center is working to better understand cancer risk, improve prevention strategies, and bring the latest advances in cancer care to patients across Louisiana.

Regular screenings, HPV vaccination, and awareness remain critical tools in reducing cervical cancer and improving outcomes.

Watch the segment:

04/07/2026

Today is National Health Day. A reminder that the most powerful care often starts before a diagnosis.

At the LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center, we’re working to bring prevention, early detection, and education closer to every community we serve across Louisiana.

Because when cancer is caught earlier, or prevented altogether, outcomes change. Lives change.

From screenings and outreach to research that helps us better understand risk, we’re committed to a future where more people stay healthy, longer.

Take a step for your health today. Schedule a screening. Talk to your doctor. Share the reminder with someone you love.

At the LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center, we’re leading the charge against cancer through an integrated model that unites cutting-edge research, compassionate clinical care, and world-class education.