Dr. Raye Abella-Gavile . Medical Oncologist

08/08/2026

To every patient fighting cancer, may you be gentle with yourself and take it one day, one step, one moment at a time.

You are doing better than you think.🫶

30/07/2026

Frequently Asked Questions Before Chemotherapy🤎

Starting chemotherapy can feel overwhelming, especially if it's your first treatment. Here are answers to some of the questions patients ask most often:

1. How long does the first chemotherapy session take?
It may take several hours because the team checks your health, prepares the medicines, and explains the treatment.

2. Can I eat before chemotherapy?
Many patients can eat a light meal, but always follow the instructions from your care team.

3. What should I bring with me to my chemotherapy session?
Bring water, light snacks if allowed, a phone charger, headphones, a book, your medicine list, and identification.

4. Will chemotherapy hurt?
You may feel a small pinch when the intravenous line or port is accessed, but the infusion itself is usually not painful.

5. Will I feel sick immediately after my first chemotherapy?
Some people feel tired or nauseous afterward, while others feel well. Side effects can begin later that day or over the next few days.

6. Can someone come with me to my chemotherapy session?
Many treatment centers allow a support person, but you should check the clinic’s rules before your appointment.

7. Can I drive home after chemotherapy?
It may be safer to arrange transportation after the first session because some medicines can cause tiredness or sleepiness.

8. When will hair loss begin after chemotherapy?
Hair loss usually does not happen immediately. When it occurs, it often begins a few weeks after treatment starts. Then again depends on the type of chemotherapy.

9. When should I contact my healthcare team after chemotherapy?
Call immediately for fever, breathing problems, chest pain, severe vomiting, heavy bleeding, confusion, or an allergic reaction.

10. Is it normal to feel nervous before my first chemotherapy session?
Yes. Feeling nervous before the first session is very common. Asking questions and knowing what to expect can help you feel more prepared.

Read here:
https://oncodaily.com/oncolibrary/first-chemotherapy

25/07/2026

Take the walk. Book the check-up. Ask the questions. Rest when you need to. Choose one healthy habit today — and let it be the beginning of many.

Your health is worth your time.

Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s survival, strength, and showing up for yourself.

Every choice to protect your health is a quiet act of power for you, and for the people who count on you.

This International Self-Care Day, choose yourself.

Take the walk. Book the check-up. Ask the questions. Rest when you need to. Choose one healthy habit today — and let it be the beginning of many.

Your health is worth your time.

24/07/2026

22/07/2026

More younger adults are being diagnosed with bladder cancer.

It’s long been considered an older man’s disease, but a Cleveland Clinic study found the demographics are shifting.

Women now account for 39% bladder cancer cases diagnosed before age 50.
That’s compared to 19% among adults 50 and older.

One reason this matters: bladder cancer symptoms—including blood in the urine, frequent urination and pain with urination—can overlap with urinary tract infections, potentially delaying diagnosis.

12/07/2026

Please be guided by my clinic schedule for this week.
If you wish to book an appointment or have any inquiries, please contact the corresponding clinic numbers listed below.
Thank you and I look forward to seeing you.

11/07/2026

A study from the National Cancer Institute found that regularly consuming sugar-sweetened beverages was associated with a 10–15% higher risk of two major liver cancer subtypes, for each additional drink consumed per day.

Liver cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Studies like this help identify modifiable risk factors that can inform cancer prevention strategies and improve public health.

Read the study: https://go.nih.gov/oNn0MEA

An NCI-led analysis published in JAMA Network Open found that regularly consuming sugar-sweetened beverages was associated with a 10–15% higher risk of two major liver cancer subtypes for each additional drink consumed per day. No independent association was observed between artificially sweetened beverages and liver cancer risk.

Liver cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Studies like this help identify modifiable risk factors that can inform cancer prevention strategies and improve public health.

Read the study: https://go.nih.gov/oNn0MEA

28/06/2026

🔆Good Days and Bad Days🔅

Being an oncologist means living between hope and heartbreak.

There are good days—days when scans show tumors shrinking, when treatment works, when patients ring the bell and celebrate remission. Days when families smile with relief and gratitude. Those moments remind us why we chose this path.

Then there are the bad days—days when cancer progresses despite our best efforts, when difficult conversations must be had, when we witness the pain, fear, and grief that cancer can bring. Those are the days that stay with us long after clinic hours end.

But whether the day is good or bad, one thing remains constant: the privilege of walking alongside our patients and their families through one of the most challenging journeys of their lives.

Medicine is not just about curing disease. It is about showing up, offering comfort, providing honest guidance, and never letting a patient face cancer alone.

Some days we celebrate victories. Some days we simply stand beside those who are fighting. Both matter.✨🩵

📷posted with the patient’s and family’s permission

23/06/2026

🔹 What is PSA and Why Does It Matter? 🔹

PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) is a protein produced by the prostate gland. A simple blood test can measure PSA levels and help identify prostate conditions, including prostate cancer.

✅ A high PSA does NOT automatically mean cancer.
PSA levels can also increase due to:
• Benign prostate enlargement (BPH)
• Prostatitis (prostate inflammation)
• Recent urinary procedures
• Certain activities such as cycling or ej*******on

✅ A normal PSA does NOT completely rule out cancer.
This is why PSA results should always be interpreted together with your symptoms, medical history, and physical examination.

👨‍⚕️ Who should consider PSA screening?
• Men aged 50 years and older
• Men aged 45 years and older with a family history of prostate cancer
• Men experiencing urinary symptoms such as difficulty urinating, weak urine stream, or frequent urination

🎗️ Early detection saves lives.

When prostate cancer is found early, treatment options are often more effective and outcomes are generally better.

Talk to your doctor about whether PSA screening is right for you.

A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures the amount of PSA in your body. It’s a type of blood test that reveals if you have elevated PSA levels. PSA is a protein that your prostate gland makes. Normal and cancerous prostate tissue make PSA. But prostate cancer tends to produce PSA in higher amounts.

Healthcare providers recommend PSA tests for males to screen for prostate cancer. Catching prostate cancer early with a PSA test increases your chances of effective treatment.

A provider will usually conduct a digital re**al exam (DRE) along with a PSA test.

A normal PSA depends on your age. Your PSA levels slowly increase as you get older, even if you don’t have prostate cancer or any other conditions that affect your prostate. Elevated PSA levels may indicate that you have prostate cancer.

Healthcare providers measure PSA in your blood in nanograms per milliliter of blood (ng/ml).

PSA tests are very common. If you have a prostate, most healthcare providers recommend getting a PSA test every two to three years, starting around age 50.

If your PSA test results are abnormal, a provider may recommend close observation, with PSA tests and other screenings every six to 12 months.

If you have a high risk of prostate cancer, a provider may recommend getting regular PSA tests starting around 40.

If you have prostate cancer, a provider may also recommend a PSA test to assess the effectiveness of your treatment or to make sure prostate cancer hasn’t come back.

09/06/2026

Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause a variety of side effects, leading to low energy. Since cancer treatments cause fluctuations in your appetite and body weight, it is important to pay close attention to your diet. Focus on what your body tolerates best and stay hydrated.

Here are simple and budget-friendly food options that can help support your energy during cancer treatment.