@ CANCER: BY THE NUMBERS
55
78% of all cancers are diagnosed in people 55 and older.
14.5 million+
Americans alive today have a history of cancer.
CANCER IS THE
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ND
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#
most common cause of death in the U.S. Source: American Cancer Society
SPRING 2016
Do I have cancer? CUTTING-EDGE TESTS CAN ANSWER THAT QUESTION You never want to hear that you have cancer. But if you do, you want that diagnosis to be swift and accurate. The earlier cancer is found—and the more information doctors have—the more likely treatments will work. At Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, we have advanced technologies for detecting cancer, along with a dedicated team of caring professionals
who specialize in treating the disease. Here is a brief look at some of the tests we use to diagnose and assess cancer: Imaging tests. These can help doctors see masses anywhere in the body—without the need for surgery. The tests, which include CT and MRI scans, can also reveal how — Continued on page 2
IN THIS ISSUE
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HELP, I HAVE CANCER! Never fear, our nurse navigator is here to guide you
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A PATIENT’S WISH FULFILLED In spite of bladder cancer
CANCER AND APPETITE Tips to help you eat well
NEED A TEST? To schedule an imaging procedure at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, call 610.237.2525.
Timely cancer care THE DOCTOR WILL SEE YOU RIGHT AWAY
Going the extra mile for cancer patients No matter how gently the news is delivered, it can be overwhelming to learn you have cancer. You need a helping hand. And that’s just what Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital extends to anyone facing a cancer diagnosis. That support starts with the first suspicion of cancer and continues through treatment and recovery. “We’re here to help at every step,” says Joy Hepkins, RN, BSN, OCN, oncology nurse navigator at Mercy Fitzgerald.
GET SUPPORT Learn more about our support services for cancer patients. Call 610.237.2648 to speak to our nurse navigator.
Do I have cancer? — Continued from page 1 far a cancer has spread and how advanced it is. “Imaging tests are crucial to accurately diagnosing and treating cancer,” says David Mayer, MD, chair, Department of Radiology. “We can often find cancer in its beginning stages because of these tests.”
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Joy reaches out to patients, helping them sort through the whole course of treatments and addressing any concern—large or small. And she’s available 24/7 to talk. But Joy’s help is only one example of the extra support our patients can count on. We also provide: A cancer support team. This team works closely with Joy to meet patients’ special needs. That might mean arranging rides for chemo treatments or counseling about nutrition. Members of the team also include a social worker certified in cancer care. Help with healing. Our rehabilitation therapists help people recover from cancer and its treatments. For example, a speech therapist may help a patient learn to swallow safely again. Continuing care. Every patient receives a personalized survivorship plan for follow-up care and testing. Throughout this care, all the support mentioned is still available. “We don’t stop caring,” Joy emphasizes.
Pathology tests. Not all lumps or growths are cancer. To determine if they are cancerous, a sample of tissue (usually from a biopsy) is viewed under a microscope by pathologists in a state-of-the-art laboratory at Mercy Fitzgerald. “We work behind the scenes,” says Joseph M. Jaworski, MD, who specializes in oncology pathology. “But our diagnosis is key to how the
You don’t mind waiting for some things, like to check out at the grocery store or to be seated at your favorite restaurant. But waiting to get an appointment with a doctor when you learn you have cancer? That’s definitely not something you want to do. And you won’t have to at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital. Most new cancer patients at Mercy Fitzgerald wait, on average, less than a day for an appointment with a doctor. “Cancer is a scary word,” says Michele Zappile-Lucis, DPT, OCS, administrative director of Oncology. “When patients hear that word, they don’t want to wait. It really reduces their fears to see a doctor and get started on a treatment plan right away.” At that first visit, you will meet your medical oncologist, radiation oncologist or both. If you need a surgeon, one will be there too. And a special cancer nurse navigator is available to guide you. All of these members of your team will answer your questions and help you understand your treatment options. To make an appointment with an oncologist at Mercy Fitzgerald, call 610.237.7950.
patient is treated.” Mercy Fitzgerald pathologists also go to weekly meetings called tumor boards. There, the whole medical team discusses the best way to treat each cancer patient. “Mercy offers a comprehensive approach to cancer,” Dr. Jaworski says. “We make sure everyone is on the same page so the patient gets the best treatment.”
Home to the best in cancer care Many hospitals treat cancer. But not all of them have state-of-the art treatments, highly skilled doctors and compassionate care. You’ll find all of those things at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital. “You don’t have to leave the community to get great cancer care,” says Usha Babaria, MD, a radiation oncologist at Mercy Fitzgerald. “We have advanced technologies here and a variety of cancer specialists, depending on what you need.” Just as important, “You get individualized treatment—you aren’t a number,” she says. “Patients who come to Mercy Fitzgerald say they’re glad they decided to be treated here
and not go anywhere else.” That great cancer care includes: •• Chemotherapy and radiation treatments •• Surgeons skilled in treating breast, colon and other cancers •• Access to clinical trials and studies •• A cancer nurse to help guide you through treatment
More treatment options Work is underway to also install a new linear accelerator at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital. This hightech machine is equipped with the latest in cancer-fighting capabilities and delivers a specialized type of
“You get individualized treatment—you aren’t a number.” —Usha Babaria, MD
radiation called stereotactic radiation. “It lets us give higher doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and at the same time protect normal tissues,” Dr. Babaria explains. This new tool is used to treat certain lung or other tumors in patients who can’t have surgery. “It gives excellent results without having surgery,” Dr. Babaria says.
Know the screenings you need Screening tests can find cancer even before you have symptoms. Talk to your doctor about which screenings you need—and when you might need them. Here are a few that experts commonly recommend.
MEN
WOMEN
Prostate cancer
Breast cancer
Starting at age 50, men should talk to their doctors about the pros and cons of screening for prostate cancer. Men at high risk, including African American men and men with a family history of the disease, should have this discussion earlier, in their 40s.
Starting at age 45, most women need to get mammograms. Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital offers walk-in screening mammograms every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. Physician prescription, insurance card and photo ID are required. For more information, call 610.237.2525.
BOTH MEN AND WOMEN Colorectal cancer. Both men and women should start screenings for colorectal cancer at age 50. There are several options to choose from. Each method has its own benefits and risks. Also, some need to be repeated yearly, while others need to be done every 5 to 10 years. Talk to your doctor about which screening method is best for you.
Cervical cancer Starting at age 21, women should have Pap tests. At age 30, women should also consider adding testing for HPV (the human papillomavirus). At age 65, women may opt to stop screening, depending on their medical history.
Lung cancer. Annual lung cancer screening with low-dose CT is recommended for people who are 55 to 74 years old with no signs or symptoms of lung cancer; who smoke now or who quit within the last 15 years; and have a tobacco smoking history of at least 30 pack years. (A pack year equals smoking 20 cigarettes every day for one year.) Lung CT scans are available at Mercy Fitzgerald. To make an appointment, call 610.237.2525.
mercyhealth.org
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“I was supported in every way possible.” —Harvey Lucas
Eventually, the pain became so severe that Harvey finally listened to his friend. He headed to the Mercy Fitzgerald Emergency Department and was admitted to the hospital, where doctors discovered his cancer. And then came more unsettling news: The standard treatment for a cancer as advanced as his is surgery to remove the bladder. And that meant Harvey might need to wear a bag outside his body to collect urine. “Lying in that bed, I said: ‘No. That’s not going to happen. If I go, I’m taking all my parts with me,’” he says.
Following patient wishes
Remission accomplished!
HARVEY LUCAS NEVER SUSPECTED HE HAD BLADDER CANCER
Please go to Mercy Fitz, Harvey. They’ll help you, I know. Looking back, says Harvey Lucas, that advice from a worried friend helped save his life. For nearly a year, he had toughed out steadily worsening symptoms—mistakenly blaming them on kidney stones and hoping the stones would pass.
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But what Harvey actually had was bladder cancer that had already spread deep inside his bladder wall. “It was such a shock—there aren’t really words for it,” he says. “Though I was almost 70, there was so much more I wanted to do.”
A cancer journey begins Harvey’s symptoms started about three years ago with frequent and painful urination. “But then I began passing blood clots,” he recalls.
So a team of Mercy Fitzgerald specialists joined forces to treat Harvey’s cancer while sparing his bladder. Working closely together, they mapped out a plan that combined both the latest chemo and radiation therapy. His treatment ended roughly two years ago. “It was a challenging case to treat,” says Bruce Sloane, MD, a Mercy Fitzgerald urologist. “Taking the bladder Bruce out when the Sloane, MD cancer has grown deep into the bladder wall helps boost cure rates. And while Harvey understood this, he wasn’t comfortable with surgery.” Dr. Sloane did the biopsy that found Harvey’s cancer. He has also closely monitored Harvey ever since his treatment ended to be sure the cancer hasn’t come back.
“And Harvey, despite the hurdles, has had wonderful results,” Dr. Sloane says. “He has no signs of cancer. That says a lot about our ability to successfully treat cancer and follow a patient’s wishes.”
“We care for the whole person. This lets our patients concentrate on one thing only: getting better.” —Joy Hepkins, RN, BSN, OCN, oncology nurse navigator at Mercy Fitzgerald
Helping the whole person Still, first-rate treatment isn’t the only thing Harvey received. “I was supported in every way possible,” he says. That support included the compassion—and encouragement— of virtually every doctor and nurse who cared for him. “I was so overwhelmed at first that sometimes I would just break down and cry,” Harvey says. “People would hold my hand and tell me, ‘You’re going to get through this.’ That was such a help.” One especially caring person helped him more times than he can count: Joy Hepkins, RN, BSN, OCN, the oncology nurse navigator at Mercy Fitzgerald. Her role is to help ease the stress of all patients facing cancer. It’s a broad role, defined by the individual needs of each patient. She helps explain treatment options and arrange appointments, and is available to simply listen when that’s the best medicine. And she did all that—and more—for Harvey. Here’s how she describes the first time they met, shortly before he started treatment: “He came straight to my office from his house. And it seemed all he had with him was the pain of a growing tumor.” He didn’t have health insurance or a personal doctor, despite high blood pressure. And he lacked reliable transportation to and from the daily chemo treatments he needed. Joy arranged for all three of those necessities. She also convinced the power company not to turn off his utilities. Too sick to work, he hadn’t been able to pay his bills.
BLADDER CANCER: FACTS TO KNOW MEN are at higher risk for bladder cancer than WOMEN.
500,000
About 9 OUT OF 10 people with bladder cancer are over the age of 55.
More than people in the U.S. are bladder cancer survivors.
Source: American Cancer Society
Eugene Choi, MD, PhD, is Harvey’s oncologist. He answers common questions about cancer on page 8. “We don’t just take care of cancer,” Joy says. “We care for the whole person. This lets our patients concentrate on one thing only: getting better.” And Harvey couldn’t be more grateful for this approach. “I can’t say thank you enough,” he says.
EXPERT CARE Learn more about the many cancer treatments and services at Mercy Fitzgerald. Go to mercyhealth.org/cancer.
mercyhealth.org
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How are you doing today?
Care that follows you home YOUR CARE DOESN’T END AFTER YOU LEAVE THE ER Great doctors and nurses will look after you should you ever need care in the Emergency Department. But what if your care didn’t stop there? What if a nurse stopped by your home the day after your visit to the Emergency Department to check on you? And what if that nurse continued to come back to offer support that might help you stay out of the hospital? That isn’t just wishful thinking with Mercy Home Health.
A helping hand when you need it Many people who come to the Emergency Department need treatment right away. But they don’t have to stay in the hospital. Yet they could use some medical help after they head home. “We realize that many patients still have needs beyond their visit to the Emergency Department,” says Greg Beach, Director of Community Relations at Mercy Home Health. “That’s where home health care can help.” To make sure patients who need that kind of care get it, the Emergency Department is staffed with people called referral specialists. They can start the home health process even before someone leaves the hospital.
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Here’s how it works: If you went to the Emergency Department due to a sudden problem with a disease like diabetes or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, for instance, a doctor would treat your urgent need. If he or she thought you’d benefit from home care, the doctor would have you meet with a referral specialist. That person will: •• Talk with you and your family about home health. Home health provides things like skilled nursing, physical therapy and education to help you manage your medicines. This may help you avoid another trip to the Emergency Department. •• Make it easy to get started. They handle the paperwork. And they send a nurse to see you within 24 hours of your arrival home. These new specialists have already made a difference in patients’ lives. “We hear a lot of great feedback from patients,” Beach says. “Many have said they appreciate the service and like being able to get help in their home.”
One of the many services offered at Mercy Home Health helps safely monitor patients from the comforts of home. The program is called Telehealth Monitoring. Patients with diseases such as heart failure send their blood pressure readings, blood-oxygen levels and daily weight results over the phone. Nurses from Mercy Home Health can see this information on a screen and respond if anything needs prompt attention. “This service, now offered for patients with different types of diseases, allows us to monitor a patient even when a nurse isn’t in the home,” Greg Beach, Director of Community Relations at Mercy Home Health, says.
COULD HOME HEALTH HELP YOU? Find out by experiencing the high quality of care that the Mercy Home Health team provides. To learn more, call 1.888.690.2551. Or visit mercyhomehealth.org.
Mercy Home Health is a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) five-star rated home health agency for excellence in patient satisfaction!
You can eat well with cancer When you’re being treated for cancer, it’s important to eat healthy foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Unfortunately, both the disease and the drugs used to treat it can make it difficult to eat. “The drugs can affect your taste buds,” says Ed Kratowicz, RD, MPH, a dietitian with Mercy LIFE. Foods you once liked might seem flavorless now. Or healthy foods might not taste as good to you as your old favorites, Kratowicz says. Other problems can get in the way too. You might not have much of an appetite while you’re in treatment. Or it might be hard to chew or swallow foods. Nausea from the drugs is a common problem. And it’s easy to become dehydrated. So what can you do? Kratowicz and other experts offer these tips:
HELP WITH DAILY TASKS If you’re not able to get out and grocery shop—or if cooking is too difficult— Mercy LIFE may be able to help. Talk with your doctor. Or call 215.339.4747.
Tell your doctor what’s going on. He or she may be able to give you medicine or refer you to a dietitian.
If possible, take a walk before meals to work up an appetite.
To get more calories, eat every few hours. Eating six small meals instead of three large ones may help with nausea too.
For trouble swallowing, try blended foods like smoothies and soups. Or chop food into small pieces that are easier to chew.
For nausea, try adding ginger, lemon or peppermint to your food. Or drink ginger tea or ginger ale.
Aim to drink eight glasses of water a day.
Feel better, live well PALLIATIVE CARE PUTS YOU IN CONTROL Are you living with cancer or another advanced illness? Palliative care focuses on helping you feel your best, whether or not you’re getting treatment for your condition. And it’s all about giving you comfort and confidence as you live with a chronic condition.
Care that empowers Mercy Home Health’s palliative care nurses will talk with you about
your goals. And they’ll work with your doctors and care team to find solutions to help you live better. “Palliative care empowers people,” says Donna Raziano, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Mercy Home Health. It’s not the same as hospice care. Hospice is for people at the end of their lives. But you can receive palliative care at any time. It’s often used by people with: •• Cancer •• Heart disease •• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease •• Kidney failure Palliative care can help you feel in control of your life again. And it’s
tailored to your goals. For instance, you might use it to help you: •• Manage pain •• Breathe better •• Relieve side effects of treatment •• Deal with the emotional stress of a serious illness There’s even access to spiritual care if you want it. It’s about what matters to you. “Palliative care is about the quality of your life,” Dr. Raziano says.
How do you get it? Just ask. Call Mercy Home Health at 1.888.690.2551. Or visit mercyhomehealth.org to learn more. mercyhealth.org
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HELP WITH HEALING BODY AND SPIRIT
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Oncology rehab Cancer treatment side effects can affect quality of life. The oncology rehabilitation program offered through Mercy Cancer Care can help patients feel better. To learn more about this outpatient program or to make an appointment, call 610.237.4231.
Find more @ mercyhealth.org
MFH
On the lookout for cancer
AND
Every year, more than a million people in the U.S. find out they have cancer. Fortunately, because of advances in cancer detection and treatment, most of them will survive the disease. “Most of the time, the earlier we find cancer, the better the chance of curing it,” says Eugene Choi, MD, PhD, an oncologist with Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital. Dr. Choi answers key questions about cancer risk factors, symptoms and screenings. What are some risk factors for cancer? Answer: Smoking tops the list. It’s probably the most detrimental thing a person can do. It’s strongly linked to cancer of the bladder, lungs, head and neck, pancreas, and stomach. So if you smoke, ask your doctor to help you quit. Also, tell your doctor if any family members have cancer. Many cancers don’t run in families. But some do. So it’s still important for your doctor to know.
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PICK A PARTNER FOR GOOD HEALTH Need a primary care physician? Call 1.877.GO MERCY (1.877.466.3729). Or visit mercyhealth.org/find-a-doctor. MORE @ MERCY is published as a commu nity service for the friends and patrons of Mercy Health System. Information in MORE @ MERCY comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your healthcare provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. If you would like to stop receiving this publication, please email IAtMercy@mercyhealth.org. 2016 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
What are some common warning signs of cancer? Answer: There are many types of cancer and many possible signs. But anything that’s unusual for you that persists for two or more weeks
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Mercy Oncologist Eugene Choi, MD, PhD
should be checked by your doctor. That might include: •• A lump in the breast •• A sore that doesn’t heal •• A cough you can’t shake •• An unexplained weight loss •• Unusual fatigue •• Blood from the rectum If you’re over 50 and have blood from the rectum, get a colonoscopy—even if you have hemorrhoids. How can doctors find cancer early? Answer: One way is with screening tests. Screening can help us find breast, cervical, prostate, colon and lung cancers early. So ask your doctor when you should have these: •• Mammograms and Pap tests (for women) •• PSA blood tests (for men) •• Colonoscopies and lung scans (for men and women) Cancer screenings are not guaranteed. But they’re the best thing we have for finding cancer.
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