Together... The Strength to Fight Cancer Annual Cancer Report December 2014
2 Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center HOW DO YOU KNOW MEMORIAL HOSPITAL HAS HIGH QUALITY CANCER CARE? The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer s national accreditation process is considered the gold standard for cancer programs. You can be assured of the quality at Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center because the Commission awarded our program their highest level of recognition for program excellence in 2012. This OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD was only given to 76 programs across the nation which means our cancer center is in the top 15% in the country. Memorial Hospital s cancer program has been accredited for 17 years. Accreditation involves rigorous evaluation of data submissions and performance reviews, including a site survey every three years. The accreditation with commendation means high ratings were received for 76 special quality standards in 2012. According to the Commission, This level of excellence assures the highest quality of care for patients close to their home.
Annual Cancer Report 3 The award also represents the strong focus our integrative medicine programs have placed on individualized care, which centers around our patients specific needs. The commission surveyor noted that our patient support programs (started here in 2008) have grown significantly providing specialized psychological and spiritual support services for men, women, and families that are not available in many programs of our size. Our most recent program developments have included the expansion of patient navigation and survivorship services. We are committed to caring for our patients with excellence, quality, and compassion and will continue the journey through cancer with them side-by-side. Most recently, in December 2014, Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center was recognized as one of the top 10% in the state for Medical Excellence in cancer care and is the recipient of the CareChex Comparion Award. WHAT SETS US APART FROM OTHER CANCER PROGRAMS? Our patient-care team has extensive skill and experience in the treatment of adult cancers. While almost twothirds of our patients have breast, colon, or lung cancer, we also treat kidney, urinary, prostate, and ovarian cancers, melanoma, and a variety of lymphoid and other neoplasms. The Lange-Fuhs Cancer Center combines top quality medical oncology and radiation services with integrative medicine in a warm, peaceful, supportive environment. The team of board-certified physicians, oncology-certified nurses, pharmacists, therapists, and
4 Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center support staff are committed to superior, compassionate, and individualized care. Our team embraces both conventional and complementary therapies. This combined approach truly sets us apart from other cancer centers and actually begins before the patient ever arrives for the first appointment. When a patient is referred to the Lange-Fuhs Cancer Center, a staff member will make an introductory phone call to the patient to familiarize them with our services and answer questions. We recognize that receiving a cancer diagnosis is a frightening time in one s life and comes with worry and anxiety. We want to ease those worries and concerns as soon as possible. Once a patient completes the initial appointment, comments regarding the kindness and compassion received are often heard from patients. They also often comment on the professional, yet family-like care experienced from the entire team. We take the concept of providing whole-person, patientcentered care very seriously. The Lange-Fuhs Cancer Center offers several components of integrative medicine specifically aimed at treating body, mind, and spirit. These include massage therapy, reflexology, volunteer companioning, a women s support group, a men s discussion group, Celebrate Today, Look Good-Feel Better, and artistic expression (Creating
Annual Cancer Report 5 Hope ). In fact, the Creating Hope group completed a beautiful 2015 calendar, which incorporated artwork from multiple members. The Look Good Feel Better program is offered in partnership with the American Cancer Society. All integrative medicine components are offered free of charge to patients and their families, and truly become integrated into one s overall treatment plan. Behind the scenes, many departments within the hospital work hand-in-hand to coordinate the patients care. These include the Women s Center, Pathology, Radiology, Palliative Care, Pastoral Care, Pharmacy, and many others. SHOULD I CHOOSE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL IF I HAVE COLORECTAL CANCER? Absolutely! Our team stays current with all new research, development, and treatment methods. Early detection of colorectal cancer improves the success of treatment. Our community education programs have spent years bringing information to community groups and employer groups regarding the importance of prevention and early detection. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States. Per the National Cancer Institute, it is estimated that there will be 136,830 new cases of colon and rectal cancer cases in the US by the end of 2014. The estimated deaths due to colon and rectal cancer cases by the end of 2014 will be 50,310. Per the Centers for Disease Control, if everyone above the age of 50 had regular screenings, at least 60% of deaths could be avoided. The exact cause of most colorectal cancers is unknown. Prevention and early detection tests can help to lower a patient s
6 Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center cancer risk. Risk may also be reduced by maintaining a healthy body weight, limiting intake of high fat foods- especially red meat and processed meats, and staying physically active. Both men and women can get colon cancer, and it is most often found in adults 50 or older. You are at a higher risk if: you or a close relative have had polyps or colorectal cancer; you have inflammatory bowel disease; or you have a genetic syndrome. The following charts show some of the differences and similarities for colon and rectal cases at our hospital when compared to the national cancer database which uses averages from 423 community hospitals. As compared to the national cancer data base, we have fewer colon and rectal cancers detected in the 50-59 age group and more than the national data base detected in the 60-69 age group. This reveals an opportunity to increase awareness of the benefits of screenings in adults 50 years and older. We will be making this a focus for 2015 through community education and employee wellness.
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8 Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center If you, a friend, or a loved one has colorectal cancer or any other type of cancer and are 18 years of age or older, please call us at 812-996-0626 with any questions you may have. Whether you are a current or past patient of the Lange-Fuhs Cancer Center, or somewhere else, we will assist you with getting supportive services or any information you may need. BASIC COLORECTAL FACTS Screenings Saves Lives - Colorectal cancer normally starts from a polyp in the colon or rectum. - Polyps can turn into cancer. - Screenings find polyps, which can be removed before they turn into cancer. - Screenings also find cancer early, which gives a greater chance of being cured. Symptoms may include : - Blood in bowel movement. - Stomach pain, aches, or cramps that do not resolve. - Unexplained weight loss. Colorectal cancer can start with no symptoms at all. BOTTOM LINE Screening tests offer the most powerful opportunity to prevent and detect colorectal cancer. You are unable to change your genetic makeup or family health history, but are able to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by following the American Cancer Society s screening guidelines: eating a healthy diet, staying at a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol intake, and increasing physical activity.
Annual Cancer Report 9 HOW MANY CANCER CASES ARE IDENTIFIED ANNUALLY AT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL? Almost 400 people are diagnosed with cancer each year at our facility. The following pages describe the volume of all cancers identified at Memorial Hospital by cancer site for men and for women compared to the national rates for these groups.
10 Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center MHHCC 2013 CANCER INCIDENCE BY SITE AND SEX COMPARED NATIONALLY These charts illustrate the total number of analytic cancer cases (those diagnosed and/or treated initially at MHHCC) in 2013 and breaks them down by site of origin and sex. National estimates are provided by the American Cancer Society: 2013 Cancer Facts & Figures. Excluded from the comparison are basal and squamous cell skin cancers, benign brain, and hematopoietic cases.
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12 Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center WHO OVERSEES THE ACTIVITIES OF THE CANCER PROGRAM? Each year, the Cancer Committee of MHHCC is responsible for monitoring, assessing, and identifying changes needed to maintain compliance with the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer standards for accreditation. Accreditation ensures that quality care is provided to patients in a safe environment. Committee members are as follows: Physician Committee Members: Karim Anwar, MD Medical Oncology Crystal Reed, MD Radiation Oncology Charles Tollett, Jr., MD Surgery Joseph Munning, MD Internal Medicine, ACoS Liaison Daniel Weaver, MD Pathology Greg Brown, MD Pathology - Cancer Committee Chair Cindy Casey, DO Radiology Ancillary Committee Members: Cheryle Daunhauer, BA Cancer Center Manager Allyson Hoffman, BSW/LSW SocialServices,PsychosocialCoordinator Ann Hostetter, RN, OCN Medical Oncology Denise Myers, RN Palliative Care Paula McCarter, RN, OCN QualityImprovementMedicalOncology Shawna Verkamp, RHIT, CTR Cancer Registrar Tana Scott, RN, OCN Navigation CharlotteStephenson, NP-C,OCN Oncology Research and Survivorship Susan Weisheit, BS Health and Wellness/Outreach Angela Hoagland, Pharm D DirectorofPharmacyandOncologyServices
HOW CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LANGE-FUHS CANCER CENTER? If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with cancer and need more information, please call Lange-Fuhs Cancer Center at 812-996-0626 weekdays between 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or stop in to see us. Our entrance is located on Dorbett Street between 9th Street and 13th Street in Jasper, Indiana. You can also read about us on Memorial Hospital s website at www.mhhcc.org. Having cancer doesn t mean that you need to travel to a big city to receive treatment, especially when services, clinical expertise, and genuine patientcentered care are right here in Jasper.
Memorial Hospital Mission Statement: Christ s healing mission of compassion empowers us to be for others through quality and excellence. Memorial Hospital Core Values: Respect for Human Dignity Compassionate Caring Stewardship Quality Justice For more information on the Lange-Fuhs Cancer Center or any of its services, please call 812-996-0626.