Sponsored by Baton Rouge General Foundation

We all know someone who googled their dry eyes or ingrown hair to find websites that scared them into believing it was a sign of cancer. The internet has a way of making exceedingly rare diagnoses feel much more likely than they actually are. But what happens when your relatively minor symptom actually is cancer?

When Kimberly Babin’s eye stayed inflamed for nearly two weeks, she thought she just had a stubborn stye. Her doctor prescribed antibiotics, but they didn’t help. Eventually her doctor was able to diagnose her rare cancerous tumor. Kim was told she would need surgery to remove the tumor, then undergo 30 rounds of radiation treatments.

Many patients put off discussing minor symptoms with their doctors. They worry silently, embarrassed by their concerns and the worries from their internet research. But studies have shown that when patients are engaged in the medical decision-making process, they better understand the treatment options and risk factors.

Today, Kim is cancer free. The doctors at Baton Rouge General were able to fully remove the tumor and make her radiation treatment as comfortable as possible. Kim urges people to listen to their bodies and seek treatment for things that don’t feel right. “Just pay attention”, Kim says. “You know when something’s not right. Always get it checked out.”

As the region’s first comprehensive cancer program, Baton Rouge General’s Pennington Cancer Center has provided state-of-the-art treatment and compassionate care–right here at home—for more than 30 years. More than 20 physicians specialize in different types of cancer, as well as a variety of treatment options. Patients are treated in one of its cancer centers either at Mid City, Bluebonnet or the Zachary location, depending on the type of care needed. Click here to learn more about the Pennington Cancer Center and how to support cancer patients.