Why subspecialized cancer care matters

By John Deeken, MD | September 23, 2025 |
A small medical team of professionals sit around a boardroom table as they meet together to discuss patient cases. They are each dressed professionally in scrubs and lab coats as they work together to find solutions for their patients.

John Deeken, MD, is president of the Inova Schar Cancer and Medical Director for the Inova Schar Head and Neck Cancer Program. He is board-certified in medical oncology and specializes in head and neck cancers. When you or someone you love is diagnosed with cancer, one of the most important decisions you face is choosing…

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Groundbreaking Inova study finds potential link between long-distance running and colon cancer

By InovaNewsroom | August 19, 2025 |
Athletes running down hill on mountain trail. Men and women running in cross country marathon race.

Fairfax, VA – A groundbreaking new study led by Tim Cannon, MD, Sheridan Director, Molecular Tumor Board and Co-Director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Program at Inova Schar Cancer, has revealed a potential link between extreme endurance exercise and increased risk of advanced colon cancer in younger adults, raising new questions about screening for high-performance athletes.…

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“Are Marathons and Extreme Running Linked to Colon Cancer?,” New York Times, August 19, 2025

By InovaNewsroom | August 19, 2025 |
Running crowd at the marathon. Many runners passing the start or finish line.

Running marathons or endurance races is often seen as a hallmark of peak fitness. However, a groundbreaking new study led by Inova oncologist Tim Cannon, MD, Sheridan Director, Molecular Tumor Board and Co-Director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Program at Inova Schar Cancer, reveals a surprising prevalence of precancerous colon growths among extreme runners. Recently featured…

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Inova Schar Cancer dosimetry team shines at AAMD International Planning Competition

By InovaNewsroom | July 28, 2025 |

Historic achievement showcases excellence in proton and photon therapy planning The medical dosimetry team at Inova Schar Cancer has achieved a historic milestone at the 2025 American Association of Medical Dosimetrists (AAMD) International Planning Competition, a globally recognized event showcasing cutting-edge treatment planning expertise. Competing against 194 submissions – 103 from the United States and…

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Inova and the Virginia ACCESS Hub launch new study to evaluate multi-cancer detection tests

By InovaNewsroom | July 21, 2025 |

Inova, VCU, and Sentara enrolling participants in national study of blood tests designed to detect multiple cancer types Fairfax, VA – July 18, 2025  – Inova is now recruiting participants for the Vanguard Study, a national study of an innovative blood test that screens for several types of cancer. Researchers will evaluate whether these Multi-Cancer…

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Inova Schar Cancer joins pioneering national effort to transform cancer care through ARPA-H’s ADAPT Program

By InovaNewsroom | May 27, 2025 |

Fairfax, VA – May 27, 2025 – Inova Schar Cancer is proud to participate in a groundbreaking national effort to transform how cancer is treated, through a major award from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). The initiative—ADvanced Analysis for Precision cancer Therapy (ADAPT)—aims to change the way cancer treatment decisions are made…

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Debunking breast cancer myths

By Costanza Cocilovo | October 2, 2024 |

Costanza Cocilovo, MD, FACS is board certified in surgery and fellowship trained in breast surgery. She serves as the medical director of Inova Breast Surgery. Dr. Cocilovo has numerous publications in national journals and surgical textbooks, has presented nationally on topics in breast surgery and has been involved in numerous research projects. She practices at…

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