Anyone can develop cancer. In the U.S., men have slightly less than a 1 in 2 lifetime risk of developing cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. For women, the risk is a little more than 1 in 3. Most cancer cases occur in adults who are middle-aged and older making it extremely important for adults 40 and older to have regular screenings to detect and remove precancerous growths.

"Early detection is the key to higher cure rates," said Dr. Ernest Hymel of the Cy Fair Cancer Center in Northwest Houston. And screening is the key to early detection. Pap smears are routine in female physical exams these days. As a result, there has been a dramatic drop off in cancer deaths from cancer of the cervix, according to the Cy Fair Cancer Center’s Dr. Joseph Kong. Other forms of cancer such as prostate cancer, breast cancer and colon/rectum can be detected with relatively simple screenings that give doctors a much better chance of treating and curing the disease. "We are curing more than half of the patients that have been diagnosed with cancer," said Dr. Joseph Kong on the Homework Houston radio show. Early detection is the key to the higher cure rate and will be instrumental in increasing it.

The doctors at the Cy Fair Cancer Center recommend taking personal responsibility for a person's health and screening for cancer. "It's the personal responsibility of every person to take their health into their own hands and get those screening tests," said Dr. Hymel. The doctors recommend annual physical examinations and open discussions about cancer. Patients should ask their doctors about screening for the most common forms of cancer and should be aware of any symptoms. Dr. Ernest Hymel earned his doctorate in Biophysics from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

Dr. Joseph Kong has over 30 years of experience in oncology. He's an alumni of M.D. Anderson with over 20 scientific papers published. Dr. Kong recommends keeping an eye on physical symptoms such as skin problems that won't go away. Blood in the stool or urine can be a sign of problems. Also, be suspect of pain that won't go away or a lump in the breast. However, a lack of symptoms doesn't mean you're cancer free. "Many times there are no symptoms associated with any particular cancer. It's the screening tests that will pick it up," said Dr. Ernest Hymel.

Doctors know more about cancer than ever before. "We know the biology of cancer," said Dr. Danny Chow. "We have better technology to understand and treat the cancer. And we have better drugs to fight the side effects of cancer treatments," said Dr. Chow. Doctors using the latest state of the art equipment such as that found at the Cy Fair Cancer Center can more precisely pinpoint the cancer. They are able to focus radiation directly on the cancerous area and avoid the surrounding tissues.

Dr. Danny Chow served at M.D. Anderson as well. He is an alumnus of the Stanford University School of Medicine with over 15 years experience in oncology.

Technology, convenience and personal care are the keys to the success of the Cy Fair Cancer Center. Dr. Joseph Kong founded the Center after years of working in the Medical Center to provide an alternative to patients living in northwest Houston. Patients arrive in a much better frame of mind when they don't have to fight traffic or search for a parking space. "We provide state of the art treatment equivalent to the Medical Center but much closer to home," said Dr. Kong.

All the doctors enjoy working in the closer, more personal environment of the Cy Fair Cancer Center. They prefer the environment where they can get to know the patients personally and help them with the psychological and personal issues they face.

Ask your doctor about having cancer treatments at the Cy Fair Cancer Center located at 10650 Steepletop Drive across from the Cy Fair Hospital. The Cancer center is just south and just west of 1960 and Jones Road. The Center offers tours of its facility and regular open house events.

Call 281-890-8885 for more information. Or, logon to www.cyfaircancercenter.com.