IN THISISSUE: 2 Good Samaritan

receives NAPBC accreditation

4 Cancer: A Family Disease?

7 National Nutrition Month

Get the Facts About Colorectal Cancer

Welcome to the new survivorship newsletter! You’ve probably noticed the newsletter has a new look. In addition to a beautiful face-lift, you may notice articles and news from serveral cancer centers. Good Samaritan Cancer Center in Kearney, Saint Elizabeth Cancer Institute in Lincoln and Saint Francis Cancer Treatment Center in Grand Island, which are a part of Catholic Health Initiatives in Nebraska, have joined forces to create the first newsletter of 2013. Not only does this mean more great articles for you, it has also allowed us to tap in to the minds of medical experts across the state.

The third change is that we are expanding the content in the newsletter to make it more appealing to more people. We will still have plenty of good information for cancer survivors, but we want to offer something that is useful and interesting to your friends and family members as well.

Enjoy! v

If you’re seeing a lot of blue this month, it’s probably for colorectal cancer awareness. Much like the October pink-out for breast cancer, more and more people are splashing the month of March with blue to raise awareness of colorectal cancer. March 1 has even been designated as “Dress in Blue Day” by the Colon Cancer Alliance to help engage people with life-saving information as well as recognize those who have battled the disease.

Colon and rectal cancers affect one in 20 people in the United States, and are the second leading cause of cancer deaths. However, when caught early, these cancers are highly treatable. Find

out what you can do to minimize your risk of developing colorectal cancer.

Risk Factors

In any type of cancer there are two types of risk factors – those you can change, and those you can’t. Things like family history, history of certain related diseases, age and ethnic background, and genetic or hereditary factors, can impact your chances of getting cancer. Lifestyle choices like diet, exercise, tobacco and alcohol use are all within your control and have a big impact on your overall health – not just cancer.

The Importance of Early Detection

The best way to detect colorectal cancer is through regular screenings. Colonoscopies can find polyps, or growths in the colon, before they ever develop into cancer. Because 90% of colorectal cancer cases and 95% of deaths from the disease occur in people aged 50 or older, it is recommended that people with no known risk factors other than age should begin screenings at age 50. Those with a family history or

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A newsletter for those affected by cancer

WINTER 2013

HEALING

Good Samaritan Cancer Center ReceivesNAPBC AccreditationThe Breast Center at Kearney’s Good Samaritan Hospital has been granted a three-year/Full accreditation designation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the American College of Surgeons. Accreditation by the NAPBC is only given to those centers that have voluntarily committed to provide the highest level of quality breast care and that undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performance. During the survey process, the center must demonstrate compliance with standards established by the NAPBC for treating women who are diagnosed with the full spectrum of breast disease. The standards include proficiency in the areas of: center leadership, clinical management, research, community outreach, professional education, and quality improvement. A breast

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NCI Community Cancer Centers Program UpdateThe National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP) is a network of community hospitals from around the United States working with the NCI to improve patient access to high-quality cancer care and to expand cancer research taking place at the nation’s community hospitals.

participated as a regionally-coordinated program, in the NCCCP network since it was piloted in 2007.

The NCCCP sites support or conduct basic, clinical, and population-based research in risk assessment, prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment,

The NCCCP network currently includes 21 community hospitals in 16 states, selected through a competitive review process. Good Samaritan Cancer Center in Kearney, Saint Elizabeth Cancer Institute in Lincoln and Saint Francis Cancer Treatment Center in Grand Island were selected, and have

center that achieves NAPBC accreditation has demonstrated a firm commitment to offer its patients every significant advantage in their battle against breast disease.

The NAPBC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to the improvement of the quality of care and monitoring of outcomes of patients with diseases of the breast. This mission is pursued through standard-setting, scientific validation, and patient and professional education. Its board membership includes professionals from 15 national organizations that reflect the full spectrum of breast care.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimated that there would be 226,870 patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the United States in 20121. In addition, hundreds of thousands of women who will deal with benign breast disease this year will require medical evaluation for treatment options.

(continued on page 4

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In the CommunityA look at the upcoming events in your area

ONGOING MONTHLY PROGRAMS Good Samaritan:

• Breast Cancer Support Group meets the second Tuesday of the month at the Good Samaritan Cancer Center

Saint Elizabeth:

• Clinical Breast Exam Clinics on the third Tuesday of the month at People’s Health Center, 5:30-7pm

• No Cost Mammogram Program funded by NC2 and offered at Saint Elizabeth for uninsured/underinsured women

• Expressions of Art and Hope Classes with the Lux Center for the Arts for Cancer Survivors—March 11, 6-8pm—Paper Exploration

• Center for People in Need Cancer Prevention Presentations: 3-4pm on March 26—topic is Smoking Cessation/Education

Saint Francis:

• Breast Cancer Support Group meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 7pm in Conference Room 4, Saint Francis Medical Center

• Cansurmount support group meets the first Wednesday of the month at 1:30pm in the Telehealth conference room at Saint Francis Memorial Health Center

• From Surviving to Thriving support group meets the second Wednesday of the month at 3pm in the Telehealth conference room at Saint Francis Memorial Health Center

SPECIAL EVENTSGood Samaritan:

• The Annual Colorectal Screening Program will take place March 18-29; interested parties should call 1-800-865-7884 to request a free test kit

• The Good Samaritan Cancer Center and Kearney Family YMCA Family Health Day, featuring the Prevent Cancer Super Colon, will take place Saturday, March 23 at 10 a.m. at the Kearney Family YMCA

• The Annual Cancer Survivors Day Celebration will be held on Thursday, April 25 at St. James Catholic Church

Saint Elizabeth:

• Spring ‘A Time to Heal’ Program for Breast Cancer Survivors begins March 7 for 12 weeks—Thursdays 6-8:30pm

• Pfizer/LPS/Novartis Science Fair on March 21 at the Lancaster County Event Center—featuring smoking education including pigs’ lungs and other smoking prevention info for children

• Colon Crusade March FOBT kit Distribution—Saint Elizabeth Cancer Institute participates in the mass distribution of FOBT kits at participating Lincoln pharmacies and

athletic clubs

• African American Protect Your Health Heritage Event at the Lancaster County Health Dept on April 9—focused on cancer prevention and screening with a dinner, speakers and health screenings. Partnering with ACS, Malone Center, Lancaster County Health Dept, National Council of Negro Women, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Nebraska Cancer Research Center and AARP

(continued on page 6)

surveillance, and end-of-life care, and are working to apply the latest research findings to their cancer practices.

The NCCCP sites are working to improve cancer outcomes in their communities, especially among medically underserved populations (including rural Nebraska). This work includes:

• Accruing greater numbers of patients in the community to cancer clinical trials;

(continued on page 6)

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Cancer: A Family Disease? >>>

Receiving care at a NAPBC-accredited center ensures that a patient will have access to:

• Comprehensive care, including a full range of state-of-the-art services

• A multidisciplinary team approach to coordinate the best treatment options

• Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options

And, most importantly,

• Quality breast care close to home.

Saint Francis Cancer Treatment Center in Grand Island received its NAPBC accreditation in August, 2012.

For more information about the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, visit their Web site at www.accreditedbreastcenters.org. v

1. American Cancer Society Cancer Facts & Figures 2012. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2012.

Good Samaritan Cancer Center Receives NAPBC Accreditation(continued from page 3)

Since cancer is a common disease, many families have at least a few members who have been diagnosed. Although it is commonly believed that many cancers are hereditary, the fact is that most cancers are not clearly linked to family history. Certain cancers can sometimes run in families, but only a small portion of all cancers are inherited.

In some cases, cancer is caused by an abnormal gene that is passed from generation to generation. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), this is referred to as inherited cancer, but the abnormal gene is what is inherited and not actually the cancer itself. Only about 5% to 10% of all cancers are inherited.

Genes and CancerGenes are pieces of DNA that

contain instructions on how to make cells work. Cancer is caused by genes that function abnormally. Genes control hair color, eye color and height, but they also can affect a person’s chance of getting certain diseases, such as cancer. There are two types of gene mutations—abnormal changes in a gene: inherited and acquired. Inherited gene mutations are passed from parent to child and are present in every cell in the body. Acquired mutations are not passed from parent to child, but rather are acquired at some point in a person’s life.

Family RiskWhen cases of cancer occur in a family, it is often due to chance or because family members have been exposed to a common toxin, such as cigarette smoke. Less often, these cancers are caused by familial cancer syndromes.

“While cases of familial cancer syndromes are less common, there are factors that make it more likely that abnormal genes are causing cancers in a family,” said Kim Brussow, MS, CGC, a certified genetic counselor for Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney and Saint Francis Medical Center in Grand Island.

According to the ACS, some of those factors include:• Many cases of a rare type of cancer• Cancers occurring at a young age• More than one type of cancer in a single person• Cancers occurring in both of a pair of organs• More than one childhood cancer in a set of siblings• Multiple family members with the same or related cancers

According to the ACS, certain things to consider before deciding if cancer runs in your family include:• Who is affected?• What type of cancer is it?• How old was the relative when diagnosed?• Did this person smoke or have other known risk factors?

Genetic Counseling and TestingGenetic counseling and testing may be recommended for some people who have a strong family history of cancer. The information gathered and results that are identified through testing can help families in planning future health care needs. “The best time to see a genetic counselor and test for family risk is before diagnosis,” says Stephanie Percich, MS, CGC, certified genetic counselor at Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center in Lincoln. “It’s also important for people to be aware of their family history at a young age so they can determine if genetic counseling and testing is right for them.”

For more information or to visit with a genetic counselor about your family’s risk, visit gshs.org, saintelizabethonline.com or saintfrancisgi.org. v

Source: American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org).

Kimberly Brussow, MS, CGCGenetic Counselor

Stephanie Percich, MS, CGCGenetic Counselor

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other risk factors like polyps should talk to their doctor about getting screened at an earlier age or more frequently. Most insurance plans cover colorectal cancer screening tests, so check with your provider for details on what’s available to you.

Signs and Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer

A lot of people in the early stages of colon cancer don’t have any signs or symptoms – this is why regular screenings are so important. If you do experience any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor for further examination:

• A change in bowel habits that lasts more than a few days

• A constant feeling that you need to have a bowel movement

• Rectal bleeding, dark stools, or blood in the stool

• Stomach pain or cramping

• Fatigue and weakness

• Unexpected weight loss

Most of these things can be caused by something other than colorectal cancer, but it’s best to check with your doctor if you are experiencing anything out of the ordinary.

Diagnosis

If your doctor suspects that colorectal cancer is the cause of your abnormal symptoms, more tests will be needed to determine if the disease is present and if it has spread. Your doctor will talk to you about your medical and family history, and perform a complete physical exam. Blood tests may also be necessary.

If the results of your physical exam or blood test show that you may have cancer, your doctor will likely recommend a colonoscopy. Any suspicious tissue that is found during the colonoscopy will be sent to the lab to be biopsied.

It’s also possible that you will have imaging tests performed. These tests help doctors find out if suspicious tissue is cancerous, or if cancer has spread to other areas of the body. Common imaging tests include CT or CAT scans, Ultrasound, MRI, X-Ray and PET scans.

Treatment

There are several types of treatment for colorectal cancer: surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Surgery is the most common treatment for early stage colorectal cancer, and can sometimes be done through a non-invasive method using a colonoscope. Cases that are further advanced usually require an incision in the abdomen to remove the cancerous tissue.

Chemotherapy and radiation are often done in conjunction with surgery. Radiation can be used after surgery to kill any cancer cells that may have been missed during the surgery, and it can also be given to people in more advanced stages who may not be healthy enough for surgery. In this case, radiation may help ease their symptoms. Chemotherapy can be given before surgery to shrink the cancerous area, or after surgery to help relieve symptoms and increase the survival rate for people in later stages of cancer.

Outlook

The good news is that when detected early, colorectal cancer is very treatable; and with regular screenings, many of these cancer cases can be prevented. Eat a healthy diet, stay active, and start getting screened at age 50. For more information about colorectal cancer, visit http://www.cancer.org/cancer/colonandrectumcancer/index or http://www.ccalliance.org/. v

Get the Facts About Colorectal Cancer (continued from cover)

Your doctor may order an MRI to help identify cancerous tissue.

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• Improving cancer care quality by increasing use of evidence-based guidelines and participating in national quality reporting initiatives;

• Increasing the number of cancer screening events offered to underserved patients to detect cancer early;

• Enhancing survivorship and palliative care programs for cancer patients;

• Expanding the practice of a multidisciplinary team approach to cancer care;

• Offering more patients genetics counseling services;

• Increasing collection of high-quality biospecimens for research purposes.

Lessons learned from the program are being shared with community hospitals nationwide through the program website (www.ncccp.cancer.gov), presentations and publications. v

NCI Community Cancer Centers Program Update

(continued from page 3)

SPECIAL EVENTS (cont.)Saint Francis:

• The next Freedom From Smoking tobacco cessation class will begin April 8. Please call Ann or Connie at the Cancer Treatment Center at 308-398-5450 for more information.

• Divas’ Night Out will be held on April 18 at the Grand Island Platt Deutsche - the Saint Francis Cancer Treatment Center will have a booth focused on cancer education, Derma Scan screenings and Gail Risk screenings

• The Minority Health Fair will take place on April 20 at the Grand Island YWCA – Saint Francis Cancer Treatment Center will be doing Derma Scan screenings and clinical breast exams v

In the Community (continued from page 3)

Participating in Clinical Research StudiesIf you have cancer, you may be invited to take part in a clinical research study. Clinical research is designed toanswer questions about current treatments and explore possible new treatments. Medical treatments in use today are the result of past clinical research studies. At Catholic Health Initiatives, clinical research studies – because they result in advances in the prevention and treatment of cancer – are part of our commitment to provide the best possible cancer care to our patients.

In cancer research, clinical studies are designed toanswer questions about new ways to:• Prevent cancer• Find and diagnose cancer• Treat cancer• Manage the symptoms of cancer or its treatment• Improve the quality of life for persons who survive or

live with cancer

Each clinical research study has criteria that patients must

meet before they can participate. If you or a loved one has cancer, you may want to visit with your doctor to find out if you are eligible to participate in any studies that may be beneficial to your treatment.

Deciding to Participate in a Clinical Research StudyWhen you need treatment for your cancer, clinical research studies may be an excellent option for you. Deciding to join a study is an important and personal decision. It is something only you, with the help of those close to you and your doctors and nurses, can decide.

As a treatment option, a clinical research study has possible benefits as well as potential risks. You will want to discuss all of these issues with your doctor and the people who are close to you.

For more information, please contact the clinical research team at the cancer center nearest to you.

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MAKING SMARTER CHOICES

A healthy diet can help lower your chances of developing many diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Several cancers are more closely connected with obesity, including those of the breast, uterus, esophagus, pancreas, colon and rectum, kidney, thyroid and gallbladder.

Many adjustments can be made to your diet to help keep you fit and lean and help prevent disease. “Limit your intake of foods that are high and fat and sugar and opt for more nutrient-rich foods like veggies, fruits, whole grains and legumes,” said Kathy Brockman, registered dietician at Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center. “Making more nutritious choices goes a long way in helping you maintain good health.”

There is no proven link between red meat and increased cancer risk, but due to other health risks such as heart disease, kidney disease and high cholesterol, it is best to enjoy red meat and other proteins in moderation. Limiting alcohol and sodium and avoiding all tobacco products also helps reduce the risk of cancer and other diseases.

HEALTHY EATING ON A BUDGET

Shopping for fresh and healthy foods can be a daunting task, especially since they are typically a lot higher priced than junk foods and things that are high in fat, sugars and starches. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics makes the following recommendations for eating right on a budget:

• Don’t shop when you’re hungry. If you do, you’re more likely to make impulse purchases on less nutritious items that cost more.

• Check for supermarket specials in the newspaper and online and plan your meals around what’s on sale.

• Buy cheaper meat cuts such as the beef round.

• Buy whole chickens to cut up into batches to cook, dividing them into servings and saving the leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer for future meals.

• Buy fruits and vegetables that are in season and locally grown.

• Buying frozen or canned foods can sometimes save even more than buying fresh produce since there isn’t the chance of having to throw out rotted fresh produce.

• Buy store brands, sometimes called private label, instead of their name brand counterparts, to save you money. Store brands are nutritionally equivalent to the name brand items.

(continued on back cover)

Information courtesy of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

National Nutrition Month® is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, formerly the American Dietetic Association. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

It’s National Nutrition Month!

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Email emartinez@sfmc-gi.org to sign up. We respect your privacy, and will only use your

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NUTRITION AND CANCER TREATMENT

Eating right is especially important for people who are undergoing cancer treatment. Nutrients support the growth of healthy cells in your body, so they also go a long way in helping you keep up your strength and energy during treatment. Cancer and cancer treatments affect the way your body handles certain foods as well as how it uses nutrients, so it’s important to work with a registered dietician to develop a nutritional plan that works for you.

Not everyone has eating problems during cancer treatment, but it’s still important to be prepared. Fill your kitchen with healthy foods, including those you can eat when you’re not feeling your best. It’s

helpful to stock up on foods that don’t need much preparation, or to cook meals ahead of time and freeze them in smaller portions. Most importantly, talk to your doctor, nurse or dietician about what to expect during treatment.

In general, there are a few things you should remember about your diet during cancer treatment and how to manage the ups and downs you may experience.

• Eat plenty of calories to help maintain strength and rebuild healthy tissue.

• Eat when you have the biggest appetite, preferably early in the day.

• Eat what you can, and drink meal replacements if you need extra calories and protein.

• Drink plenty of liquids, especially on days you can’t eat much.

It’s also important to try to stay active during your treatment, because too much rest can lead to muscle weakness and reduced range of motion. Find an activity you enjoy and are able to do, and talk to your doctor about how much exercise is right for you. Exercise not only benefits you physically, it also helps lower the risk of anxiety and depression, and improves self-esteem.

Regardless of your health status, it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating nutritious foods and getting enough exercise.

It’s National Nutrition Month!(continued from page 7)

Saint Francis Medical CenterSaintFrancisGI.org

2620 West Faidley Avenue • Grand Island, NE 68803(308) 384-4600

A newsletter for those affected by cancer

WINTER 2013

Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical CenterSaintElizabethOnline.com

555 South 70th Street • Lincoln, NE 68510(402) 219-8000

Good Samaritan HospitalGSHS.org

10 East 31st Street • Kearney, NE 68847(308) 865-7100

If you have questions or comments about this

newsletter, or would like to unsubscribe, please

contact Erin Martinez at emartinez@sfmc-gi.org

or (308) 398-6787.

HEALING