Hollings Headlines // August 2023

Tamoxifen? Oxidative stress? Discerning differences in incidence rates between different populations?

These are not in the curriculum for most high schoolers. For 17 teens from four Charleston County schools, though, this summer was all about cancer research. They're the first cohort of SC CHEER YES, a program designed to introduce students to biomedical careers.

Deanna Jackson's mentor, research specialist Steven Dixon, said the students have come a long way since the first day.

“I can see that they've developed a research mindset, which has been really great to see. They're a lot more confident, a lot more comfortable with everything that we do in the lab now.”

Larry Ferguson, D.M.D., said he's been blessed living in Charleston.

He's lived here his whole life, graduating from Charles A. Brown High School, then The Citadel, and finally from MUSC's College of Dental Medicine. His roots run deep.

And after being diagnosed with prostate cancer himself, he's using his community connections to raise awareness of prostate cancer.

"It's been my observation that many men suffer in silence,” he said. “I wanted to change that narrative. So, I made a decision to be as transparent and public as I can possibly be. I want to share my story as a story of hope for other men.”

A better biomarker

For someone with a blood cancer, receiving stem cells from a donor offers the possibility of a cure. But patients undergoing this procedure, called allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, also face the possibility of a common side effect – graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD).

Hollings researcher Sophie Paczesny, M.D., Ph.D., led a multi-center team to identify three biomarkers that could identify people at highest risk of developing this condition, long before doctors could diagnose it.

Mark your calendars for the second annual MUSC Hollings Cup Regatta on Sept. 9!

In 2022, Hollings accepted the honor of hosting the regatta alongside the Charleston Ocean Racing Association. After a successful 25-year run hosted by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the regatta has already become one of our favorite events.

Don't have a sailboat? You don't need to be a sailor to join the fun. Grab a seat aboard the Charleston Princess and enjoy an afternoon on the water watching the action. Or join us for the after-party at the Charleston Yacht Club – or both!

Best of all - money raised from this event goes to lifesaving cancer research happening right here at Hollings.

Calling all breast cancer survivors!

Survivors' Fit Club, a program designed especially for you, is starting up a new 10-week session beginning Sept. 11.

This program focuses on improving quality of life factors specific to cancer survivors, like cardiovascular health, functional movement/range of motion, muscular strength, body composition and stress relief.

Come join in this caring, supportive community of survivors and experts!

A physician's referral is required. For more information, contact Tatiana Baier or Cindi Day.

Post and Courier: 'Lucky': Breast cancer case with no risk factors shows why mammograms should start at 40

Physician's Weekly: Nonpediatric specialties face smaller return margins for HPV vaccine costs

The Cancer Letter: MUSC Hollings’s Raymond N. DuBois inducted as a fellow into the Royal College of Physicians

Aug. 12 - Community Health Van

The Hollings Community Health Van provides the HPV vaccine, which protects against a virus that can cause six types of cancer. Staff on the van can also provide Tdap, meningitis, polio and Hepatitis A vaccines, as well as information on cancer prevention and awareness. The van will be at these upcoming community events:

Saturday, Aug. 12, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Neighbors Together Back to School Bash

2105 Cosgrove Ave., North Charleston, SC

Saturday, Oct. 7

Healthy Me Healthy SC/Siemens mammography screening event

Lancaster County

Aug. 15 - Online Breast Cancer Support Group

Join us online for a monthly support group moderated by MUSC Hollings Cancer Center providers with expertise in the psychological experience of people with breast cancer. You can participate however you feel most comfortable: video on, video off, or call in. All options are available.

The group meets on Zoom the third Tuesday of every month from noon to 1 p.m. Register to receive a link. 

Aug. 17 - LLS Blood Cancer Support Group

Please join us as we restart our South Carolina Virtual Blood Cancer Support Group, supported by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Meetings will occur on Zoom on the third Thursday of each month from 2-3 p.m.

Register via this link, and once registered with a valid email address and phone number, you will receive the meeting invitation and link.

For questions about this support group, please contact Hollings Cancer Center social worker Kristin Farris.

Aug. 17 - Head and Neck Cancer Survivors Support Group

Meet with other head and neck cancer patients and caregivers in a supportive environment. This group meets in a hybrid format; you may join online or in person. 

The Head and Neck Cancer Support Group meets 5:30–6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month. To attend online, register on Zoom. To attend in person in room 121 of MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, RSVP to whitfis@musc.edu. 

Aug. 29 - Mobile Health Unit

The Hollings mobile health unit provides mammograms, Pap smears and skin checks. Appointments are required. Please call 843-792-0878 to schedule an appointment.

Upcoming dates:

Thursday, Aug. 29

Town of McClellanville

711 Pinckney St., McClellanville, SC

Thursday, Sept. 14

Live Oak AME Church

The MHU will be parked at the Vance Senior Center.

10304 Old Hwy 6, Vance, SC

Aug. 31 - LOWVELO Lunch and Learn

Featuring Dr. Melissa Milanak, a licensed clinical psychologist, executive consultant and keynote speaker. Dr. Milanak specializes in improving workplace effectiveness and quality of life by helping professionals develop a mindset focused on successfully overcoming various work and personal challenges.

Noon to 1 p.m. in auditorium 204 of the MUSC Wellness Center, 45 Courtenay Drive. Lunch provided. RSVP to reserve your spot!

Send us your news

Got news? We have outlets, from our news site to our video boards! We’d love to help promote your latest journal publications, grants, clinical advances, awards, events and patient stories. Please contact the Hollings communications team to share your news or if you have questions.

Explore some of our featured trials being offered at Hollings.

Check out the latest publications from doctors and researchers at Hollings.