OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center

06/10/2026

Dr. Jonathan Heinlein, a urologic oncologist at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center is encouraging men to start talking with their doctor about prostate cancer screening around age 45.

Many men put off routine checkups, but early detection can make a significant difference. A simple PSA blood test can help assess prostate cancer risk, and advances like minimally invasive robotic surgery are improving treatment options.

This Men’s Health Month, schedule that appointment, know your risk, and encourage the men in your life to do the same. See the full segment on KWTV - NEWS 9's website here: https://brnw.ch/21x3eSF

06/09/2026

Honoring survivorship means recognizing that the journey doesn’t end when treatment does.

Following National Cancer Survivors Day on June 7, we continue to reflect on the strength, resilience, and lifelong journey of those living beyond a cancer diagnosis. “Survivorship and being cancer free are often described as a victory. We ring bells to celebrate the end of treatment, and we rest a little easier when someone is told the cancer is gone. But the journey that follows lasts a lifetime,” shares Peggy Stephenson, breast cancer survivor. Her experience is a powerful reminder that survivorship is not a finish line; it is an ongoing chapter that includes healing, follow-up care, emotional recovery, and continued support.

At OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, that perspective drives our mission. We are committed to expanding access to high-quality, research-driven cancer care across Oklahoma so patients can receive the care they need, surrounded by the people who matter most.

As we carry this message forward, we celebrate every survivor, honor every journey and recommit to ensuring hope, support and world-class care are within reach for every Oklahoman.

06/05/2026

The results from a study, co-led by OU College of Medicine researchers, could improve predictions of which breast cancers become invasive.

Congratulations to Dr. Cole Hladik, Dr. Bethany Hannafon and Dr. Elizabeth Wellberg for their newly published research in the American Journal of Pathology: https://link.ou.edu/4oa9NmV

05/25/2026

Michele Adams never imagined that what felt like a persistent infection would lead to a cervical cancer diagnosis, spanning seven years and four recurrences.

From the moment she arrived at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, Michele was met with specialized care, unwavering support, and a team that never stopped fighting alongside her.

Through multiple rounds of treatment, setbacks, and moments of uncertainty, Michele’s strength and determination carried her forward.

Today, her story is a reminder that even the most challenging cancer journeys deserve expert care, hope, and a personalized path forward. It also underscores the importance of prevention, early detection, and access to advanced cancer treatment.

At Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma’s only NCI‑Designated Cancer Center, we are here for every stage of the fight and every patient who needs a reason to keep going.

05/22/2026

After being diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer, Oklahoman Kimberley Woodward faced a difficult road. When standard treatments were no longer enough, she was referred to OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center and enrolled in a precision-medicine clinical trial.

The trial used a combination of targeted therapies, and her oncologist reported significant improvement, including an 85% reduction in tumors and no visible liver lesions. Her doctors noted that such responses highlight the promise of precision medicine, though outcomes vary by patient.

Woodward shared the clinical trial likely saved her life and emphasized the importance of self-advocacy and participation in research to advance cancer treatment.

At Stephenson Cancer Center, we’re advancing cancer care through discovery, personalized treatment and hope for what’s next.

An Oklahoma woman said that a clinical trial may have saved her life.

05/20/2026

Today is National Clinical Trials Day, and we’re honoring the research — and the patients — that move cancer care forward.

OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center offers nearly 250 clinical trials, including 50 Phase I trials — the most advanced therapies available. As Oklahoma’s only Phase I clinical trials center, we’re helping bring tomorrow’s breakthroughs to patients today.

One in four patients treated at Stephenson Cancer Center participates in a clinical trial, reflecting our commitment to patient-centered, research driven care.

Clinical trials are behind nearly every major advance in cancer care, offering patients access to innovative treatments today while driving the breakthroughs of tomorrow.

05/20/2026

New research from The University of Oklahoma College of Allied Health shows that when people cannot hear their own voice, precise tongue movements become less accurate. While speech may feel automatic, it relies on constant sensory feedback, especially hearing, to guide the tongue’s complex movements.

These findings are especially relevant for people experiencing hearing loss, including those with cochlear implants, and for patients treated for tongue cancer. Chemotherapy can damage hearing, surgery may remove part of the tongue, and radiation can reduce tongue strength and flexibility.

At OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, this research is helping inform ongoing studies focused on improving speech recovery and quality of life for cancer survivors. By connecting research and care, we’re working toward better outcomes for every patient.

05/18/2026

We’re proud to share that OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center has been named a top‑five finalist for Best Cancer Center in The Oklahoman's 2026 Community’s Choice Awards.

✅ Vote daily through May 27
✅ One vote per category, per day
🗳️ Vote for Stephenson Cancer Center — Best Cancer Center: https://brnw.ch/21x2API

This recognition reflects the trust our patients place in us and the unwavering commitment of our physicians, scientists, care teams, and staff who work every day to advance cancer care, research, and treatment for Oklahomans and beyond.

05/14/2026

One Oklahoma woman’s experience highlights OU Health's life-saving impact through early detection and ongoing care.

Kathryn Fuqua, diagnosed with stage three colorectal cancer at age 50, has battled the disease multiple times since 2020, with each recurrence caught early because of consistent follow-up screenings and surveillance at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center.

Dr. Susanna Ulahannan, Director of the Phase I Clinical Trials Program at the Stephenson Cancer Center credits Kathryn’s commitment to routine scans and colonoscopies, ultimately helping her achieve cancer-free status while continuing immunotherapy.

Kathryn’s story underscores OU Health’s emphasis on regular screenings and taking symptoms seriously.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and health experts are urging people not to skip screenings.

05/04/2026

Former Oklahoma Football coach Gary Gibbs spent decades leading teams through tough games and high-pressure moments. In 2018, he faced a challenge far greater than anything on the field when a routine physical led to a diagnosis of multiple myeloma, a complex and aggressive blood cancer.

Gary’s journey brought him to OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, where he underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant. While the treatment initially sent his cancer into remission, years of therapy led to rare and complex complications that required ongoing, highly specialized care.

After a second stem cell transplant performed out of state, Gary continued to rely on his Stephenson care team for treatment of rare post-transplant complications, along with the ongoing care required for long-term cancer survivorship.

Gary’s story reflects how advanced research, specialized clinical expertise, and patient-centered care come together to support patients facing life-threatening disease, not only during treatment, but long after.