Oncology Care

GSK Opens Free Cancer Hotline for Patients and Relatives

Munich – November 09, 2026 -- People with cancer and their relatives in Germany can call a free, confidential expert hotline on 0800 2030040, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The service, called "Halt bei Krebs," is run by GSK and staffed by medical professionals.

Medical staff explain diagnoses, therapies and side effects

The hotline is aimed in particular at people with multiple myeloma, myelofibrosis, ovarian cancer or uterine cancer, and at their families. Staff explain the disease, its treatment, symptoms and side effects, and help callers relate that information to their own situation.

The aim is to help patients understand their illness, prepare for doctor appointments and make informed decisions together with their treatment team. On request, the team also points callers to self-help groups and associations. Email support and the service's website supplement the hotline.

Water-Based Nail Polish Aims to Help Chemo Patients' Nails

Kawanishi, Japan – November 06, 2026 -- A water-based nail polish with nail-repairing keratin, paired with a remover made from 100% natural ingredients, was displayed at a Cancer Survivor Fashion Show at Kansai Rosai Hospital in Japan. Japanese GreenTech startup Green Science Alliance developed both products for people whose nails change during chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy drugs can darken, thin and weaken nails

Chemotherapy can change the nails. The source attributes this to inhibited basal cell division and proliferation in the skin, activated melanin-producing cells, and impaired nail growth. Drugs that may cause nail disorders include fluorouracil (5-FU), TS-1, capecitabine (Xeloda), docetaxel (Taxotere), paclitaxel (Taxol), cytarabine (Cylocide) and some molecular targeted drugs. Reported effects are darkening, ingrown nails, thinning and brittleness.

Ravens Turn a Baltimore Hospital Into a Tailgate for Cancer Patients

BALTIMORE – November 06, 2026 -- Cancer patients whose treatment keeps them from attending a Baltimore Ravens game got a tailgate of their own at the second annual Ravens Crucial Catch Tailgate Experience, held inside a MedStar Health hospital for patients, their families and their care teams.

A marching band leads the hospital's largest event of the year

The Ravens Marching Band, new to the event this year, played through the parking lots and hospital lobby to draw people in. The gathering has become the largest hospital event of the year for the Ravens and MedStar Health. Ravens alumni Qadry Ismail (Super Bowl XXXV) and Jameel McClain (Super Bowl XLVII) posed for photos with fans. Poe and members of the cheer squad also joined in.

Free Genomic Cancer Profiling Now Open to Military and Veterans

San Diego – October 30, 2026 -- U.S. service members and veterans with a cancer diagnosis can now get comprehensive genomic profiling and biomarker interpretation at no cost, through a nationwide program called Cancer Hunt from the nonprofit SOTERIA Precision Medicine Foundation.

SOTERIA, a California-based 501(c)(3), is currently accepting both patient referral partners and military and veteran patients with a cancer diagnosis. The program also aims to reduce the administrative burden on treating oncologists and medical institutions.

A multidisciplinary team supports each patient's care team

Cancer Hunt deploys oncology nurse navigators, PhD-level scientists, oncology specialists and logistics coordinators. Their job is to give treating clinical teams actionable molecular data specific to each patient's disease.

Breast Cancer Radiation: Why Patients Are Asking About Proton Therapy

Somerset, N.J. – October 29, 2026 -- Women diagnosed with breast cancer, and the people supporting them, can ask whether proton therapy is an option if radiation is recommended, says ProCure Proton Therapy Center in New Jersey. For some patients, it may reduce radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissue, including the heart and lungs.

A study found fewer lung changes and skin reactions with protons

Research published earlier this year in Breast Cancer Research examined 8,189 breast cancer patients who received radiation after surgery. Of those, 501 were treated with proton therapy.

Lung changes visible on imaging occurred in 5.8% of the proton group, compared with 10.0% of the conventional radiation group. Skin reactions were also less frequent with protons, at 13.4% versus 20.9%.

UPMC Radiation Oncologist Named Pinnacle Lifetime Member

Beaver, Pa. – October 29, 2026 -- Cancer patients at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center are treated by a radiation oncologist whom The Inner Circle has named a Pinnacle Lifetime Member: Dr. Michael M. Pennock, MD, MBiot, DABR.

Pennock treats adults with lung, breast, prostate and other cancers

Dr. Pennock is a board-certified radiation oncologist with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). His adult patients include those with lung, breast, head and neck, gastrointestinal, prostate, brain, and spine cancers. The recognition highlights his attention to detail and his ability to offer both clinical expertise and emotional reassurance during treatment.

Virginia Cancer Specialists Opens Larger Warrenton Office Nov. 9

Fauquier County – October 15, 2026 -- Virginia Cancer Specialists will open its relocated, larger Fauquier office at 410 Rosedale Court, Suite 270, in Warrenton, VA on November 9, 2026. The move keeps oncology care local for patients in Fauquier County and the surrounding region.

Patients keep their doctors in a bigger space

Patients will continue to see the physicians and care team they already know. The practice says the new facility is designed for a smoother, more compassionate patient experience.

Care under one roof includes medical oncology, hematology, supportive services, care coordination and patient navigation. The larger site is meant to meet growing demand, so patients can be treated without traveling far from family, work and support systems.

Ventura County Gala to Fund Local Cancer Care on May 1, 2027

Ventura County – October 14, 2026 -- Tickets are available for the St. John's Healthcare Foundation's 2027 gala, Adventure. Seats cost $450 each, and all proceeds go to cancer care in Ventura County. The black-tie evening takes place Saturday, May 1, 2027, at the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village.

Every dollar raised supports St. John's Cancer Services

The foundation says 100 percent of gala funds will support St. John's Cancer Services. The money is meant to continue and expand access to advanced imaging technology, infusion treatments and oncology services across the county.

The event starts at 4:30 p.m. with a reception featuring tasting stations. It continues with a multi-course meal, wine, entertainment, and silent and live auctions. This year's Spain-inspired theme is "Beneath the Spanish Sky: Rhythm, Recognition and Rich Tradition."

Baltimore Hospital Offers 5-Session Prostate Radiation Option

Baltimore – – October 13, 2026 -- Mercy Medical Center is offering selected prostate cancer patients stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) that can be finished in as few as five sessions, using its upgraded Varian TrueBeam radiotherapy system.

The five treatments take place over about two weeks. The usual alternative is daily radiation spread over many weeks.

TrueBeam targets tumors to less than a millimeter

According to Kelly Orwat, M.D., Director of Radiation Oncology at Mercy, the system can target tumors in increments of less than a millimeter. It combines image guidance with focused radiation designed to spare surrounding healthy tissue. Mercy's unit is configured for image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), SBRT, volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and other advanced techniques.

Tigerlily's Pajama Glam Party Teaches Girls Breast Cancer Self-Advocacy

Tysons Corner, VA – October 02, 2026 -- Tigerlily Foundation will host its Pajama Glam Party 2026 on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Tysons Corner, bringing together approximately 150 girls, caregivers and community members for a family health literacy event tied to Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The gathering, now part of Tigerlily Foundation's 20-year mission, asks attendees to trade formal wear for pajamas and sparkle, creating a relaxed setting for conversations about body awareness, family health history, prevention and emotional wellness.