Family Matters: Double Mastectomy Puts Patient at Ease
Thursday, November 5th, 2020
After her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis, healthcare professional Velvet Giddens sought genetic testing for the breast cancer gene mutation known as BRCA. When the test came back positive, indicating a high risk of developing cancer herself, she underwent a preventive mastectomy, or surgical removal of both breasts. “It’s a double-edged sword when you become the […]
Read More »Is Genetic Testing Right for Me?
Wednesday, November 4th, 2020
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer death rates decreased steadily from 1989 to 2015 because of improved treatments and early detection by mammography. In 2015, relative survival rates for women diagnosed with breast cancer were 91 percent at five years after diagnosis, 86 percent after 10 years, and 80 percent after 15 years. […]
Read More »Double Punch – Patient Beats Breast Cancer Twice
Thursday, October 22nd, 2020
When breast cancer patients arrive for radiation treatments, they are sometimes filled with fear and sadness, or great hope and faith. Most of them don’t know they have a friend nearby who understands those feelings on a personal level. Wilma Cason, 74, is a department assistant at the Thompson Comprehensive Breast Center, a department of […]
Read More »Dr. Vinsant Awarded Hidden Scar Breast Certification
Tuesday, November 19th, 2019
Jessica Vinsant, MD, FACS, of Premier Surgical Associates in Knoxville has been recognized as a Hidden Scar Trained Surgeon for Hidden Scar Breast Cancer Surgery. Dr. Vinsant is among the first in the Knoxville region to perform this advanced approach to breast cancer surgery that hides scars, minimizing the daily emotional reminder of a breast […]
Read More »2 Weeks to Freedom: Breast Conservation & Partial Breast Radiation are Game Changers
Friday, October 18th, 2019
From Parkwest Health & Lifestyles Early detection not only saves lives. It can also give a breast cancer patient a shot at a better quality of life. Working together, Parkwest Medical Center and Parkwest Comprehensive Breast Center offer a plan that can dramatically alter a patient’s cancer story. Treatment only takes about two weeks, and […]
Read More »Colon Cancer Survivor Admits: I Dodged a Bullet
Friday, June 28th, 2019
From Fort Sanders Regional Health & Lifestyles Fort Sanders Regional Patient Promotes Early Detection When it came to health screenings, one word described Karen Russell: vigilant. A stroke survivor who worked at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center for years, she was always faithful about scheduling check-ups at her doctor’s office. Except for one. Every year, […]
Read More »Are You At Risk for Thyroid Cancer?
Thursday, January 10th, 2019
This year, it is estimated that over 53,000 adults in the United States will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer is the fifth most common type of cancer in women. It’s the type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the thyroid, the butterfly-shaped gland that can be found at the base of […]
Read More »Breast Cancer Care at Premier Surgical Associates
Friday, October 5th, 2018

Breast Cancer Awareness Every October, we recognize the brave women who are fighters and survivors of Breast Cancer. Roughly 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. That’s a little over 12% of the female population. Besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women. As […]
Read More »Be Skin Safe!
Wednesday, July 18th, 2018
Every year, more people United States are diagnosed with skin cancer than all other forms of cancer combined. While early detection is important in keeping skin cancer from becoming life-threatening, taking proper steps for prevention is key. Premier Surgical Associates in Knoxville reminds you that one of the best ways to prevent skin cancer is […]
Read More »Early Diagnosis Increases Cancer Survival Rates
Monday, June 4th, 2018
Cancer survival rates vary, usually depending on the type of cancer. For instance, the overall five-year survival rate of those with bladder cancer is 78 percent while it’s 56 percent for those with early stage lung cancer. These figures simply mean that out of a 100, 78 of those with bladder cancer and 56 of […]
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