Dr. Everardo Cobos Discusses the Role of Prevention in Oncology

When it comes to caring for patients, Dr. Cobos uses his experience working with combat veterans. “Cancer patients are so stressed and all of their senses are heightened. It is like someone being in combat, they hear things that you and I normally wouldn’t hear. They feel things that we normally would not feel; they smell things that we wouldn’t feel. So every little thing is magnified. So how they are greeted when they come in is extremely important to an oncology patient,” he says. Dr. Cobos says listening and empathizing with his patients and their families are at the heart of his work.

Here are some tips to reduce your risk of developing cancer.

1. Don't Smoke
Seriously, it is really bad for you. You wouldn't hold your head in front of a car's exhaust so why put one in your mouth. You are inhaling the same chemicals. Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide cause cancer.

Quitting smoking is one of the most important health decisions you can make. It also prevents cancer. If you need help quitting tobacco products visit us at and talk to one of our health care providers.

2. Check your diet.

What you eat is very important because it literally becomes a part of you. Finding the right nutrients and having a balanced diet not only prevents cancer but a lot of other ailments as well.
Make sure that your diet consists of healthy greens, fruits, nuts and minimal protein. The less processed foods the better.

3. Maintain a healthy weight and be active.
A minimum of 150 minutes of exercise is needed to prevent most cancers. Diet and exercise not only benefit your physical well being but your mental well being as well.

Dr. Everardo Cobos Discusses Prevention vs. Cure

Screening for cancer is one of the easiest ways to prevent cancer by identifying issues before they become a bigger problem.

The American Cancer Society recommends that:

-Women ages 40-44 should start scheduling yearly mammograms, x-rays of the breasts.
-Colon and rectal cancer and polyps
Starting at age 50, both men and women should follow one of these testing plans:

Tests that find polyps and cancer

Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years*, or
Colonoscopy every 10 years, or
Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years*, or
CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years*
Tests that mostly find cancer

Yearly guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT)**, or
Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT)**, or
Stool DNA test (sDNA) every 3 years*
* If the test is positive, a colonoscopy should be done.
** The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done in the office is not enough. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.
The tests that can find both early cancer and polyps should be your first choice if these tests are available and you’re willing to have one of them. Talk to a healthcare provider about which test is best for you.

If you are at high risk of colon cancer based on family history or other factors, you may need to be screened using a different schedule. Talk with a health care provider about your history and the testing plan that’s best for you.

I've seen the bad results that can occur from not getting your mammogram and not getting your colonoscopy and not getting the prostate exam in terms of having to deal with complicated surgery or complicated chemotherapy, or radiation that affects our quality of life. When you look at that then it sounds like getting a prostate exam is very very easy and getting a colonoscopy. Yes it's uncomfortable but I rather be close to the commode for 24 hours than have to be getting a lot of chemotherapy and surgery.-Dr. Cobos

If you are needing a cancer screening and would like to schedule an appointment; visit us at