Patients living with cancer have complex needs that go beyond medical treatment. Patients and families need expertise to help navigate the sometimes complex psychological, emotional, logistical and financial aspects of cancer care.
Cancer helpers are available to help patients and families navigate their way through the often overwhelming maze of appointments, procedures and emotional feelings. They are available to explain all aspects of care, answer questions, help with scheduling and offer knowledgeable and friendly support during a difficult time.
Cancer treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy or a combination of these therapies.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation Therapy is often done on an outpatient basis. A precisely measured dose of radiation is directed to a tumour with minimum exposure to surrounding tissue. Current radiation therapy methods cause much less damage to healthy tissue than methods previously used. Typical side effects may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue and depression.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy, the use of drugs or chemicals given individually or in combination, is administered in precisely measured doses to target rapidly dividing cancer cells. It is a particularly effective treatment for leukaemia and many metastatic cancers and may be used in combination with other forms of treatment. Expected side effects include nausea, vomiting, weakness and diarrhoea. Hair loss and decreased sex drive, usually temporarily, may also occur.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy or biological response modifiers may be used as an adjunct therapy. These substances, such as Interleukin-2 or Interferon, are used to stimulate the body’s own immune system to interfere with cancer cell growth, help healthy immune cells control cancer and can help repair normal cells damaged by other cancer treatment. Patients may encounter side effects during treatment including flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, muscle or joint aches), loss of appetite and fatigue.
Diagnostic Procedures
When a potential problem is identified, your physician will order a number of diagnostic tests which might include the following: x-rays, CT scan, MRI, PET scan, Nuclear Medicine scan, bone marrow biopsy and scintigraphy.
PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography)
Positron emission tomography or PET scan is a test used to look at different parts of the body to see how they are working. PET scans can show how much blood is flowing to an area of the body and how well the tissues in that area use oxygen and food. They can also show where medicines and chemicals go inside the body. A PET scan works by giving radioactive “tracers” as a dye through an IV or as a gas. These tracers are picked up by a scanner and turned into pictures with different colors indicating varying levels of activity.
CT Scan
Computed axial tomography, also called “CT” or “CAT” scan is a painless test that takes pictures of the inside of the body. This radiographic technique produces a film that represents a detailed cross-section of tissue structure. Because CT scans take pictures of the body only a few layers at a time, they are especially good for showing bone, soft tissue and blood vessels.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Magnetic resonance imaging or MRI uses a strong magnetic field and a computer to take pictures of the body. MRI is especially useful in evaluating the brain, neck, spinal cord and blood vessels. However, nearly every part of the body can be evaluated by MRI. For this painless test patients must remain motionless for high-quality imaging.
Nuclear Medicine Scan
This technique uses an injected radioactive material and a scanner to determine the size, shape, location and function of various organs, structures and body parts. The procedure is painless and is used for assessing solid structures of the body.
Bone Marrow Biopsy
This procedure takes a sample of bone marrow to test for abnormalities. Bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue inside some of the larger bones. Bone marrow makes most blood cells, such as red and white blood cells and platelets. The biopsy is performed by inserting a needle into the bone (usually of the hip) and removing the marrow sample during a sterile procedure. The sample is then sent to the lab for testing.
Scintigraphy
The radiographic procedure is performed to determine lymph node involvement with a primary tumor. A radiographic isotope is injected around the tumor and then imaged after it has traveled to the lymph node group that serves as its primary drainage. Demonstrating this involvement is highly important because effective treatment has been discovered for patients with metastatic lymph nodes.
Cancer Navigators
Our dedicated team of cancer navigators is made up of oncology certified nurses who work with patients, families and physicians to help the cancer patient “navigate” the health care system. Currently our cancer navigator team consists of breast, gastrointestinal/prostate, and lung/brain cancer navigators.
Your navigator can help you and your family with:
- Understanding your cancer diagnosis
- Providing emotional support and guidance
- Assisting with coordination of appointments as needed
- Explaining your treatment options
- Connecting you with services such as nutritional counseling, physicial therapy, genetic testing, financial assistance, support groups and palliative care
- Help remove any road blocks that may hinder your care
- Assist with communication between you and your physicians
- Coordinate participation in the multidisciplinary breast clinic
No referral is needed for this service which is provided free of charge. Simply contact one of our navigators for an appointment.
Home health care services
After patients have returned to the home after treatment, a skilled team of nurses, therapists and other staff may provide intermittent continuing care through our home health care services.
Hospice care
When cancer becomes life-limiting, patients and families can choose to manage physical symptoms without seeking curative treatments through hospice care — medical care delivered with compassion and dignity.
Inpatient palliative care program
The inpatient palliative care program program helps patients who are hospitalized address issues of life-limiting disease: pain management; symptoms control; advance directives; and emotional and spiritual health.
Nutrition services
Cancer and cancer treatment can affect your appetite, nutritional needs and ability to eat healthfully. Registered dietitians at Lee Health Center for Weight Management and Lee Health Center for Integrative Medicine offer individualized support for patients with cancer whose ability to maintain their weight may be affected by the symptoms of cancer or side effects related to treatment.
Psychological and emotional care
Patients and families who need structured support as they adjust to living with a cancer diagnosis can receive referrals and professional care from experts in psychology, psychiatry and emotional health, including individual and family counseling.
Rehabilitation services
After cancer treatment, many cancer patients need to work with physical rehabilitation and/or occupational therapy professionals to regain, re-learn, restore or adapt to changes in their bodies. We offer a full range of services that may be needed, including:
- Wound care
- Voice therapy and swallowing therapy
- Lymphedema therapy
- Balance and vestibular rehabilitation
- Yoga for cancer patients
- Wig-fittings and more at Cookie’s Place
- Driving safety assessments for patients who have had surgery, which may have affected their ability to drive
Integrative Medicine
Integrative Medicine blends medical expertise with complementary therapies focused on healing the body and mind. Our integrative medicine program can tailor a personalized cancer support program, including such services as acupuncture, herbal nutrition and massage therapy methods designed to complement or alleviate other treatments.
Integrative Medicine services include:
- Acupuncture, biofeedback, healing touch, massage and more
- Nutrition consultation
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program
- Integrative Cancer Care and Healing Hearts Program
- Integrative cancer care
Spiritual support
Non-denominational spiritual care is available at every Lee Health hospital. In addition to providing comfort during a hospital stay, our chaplains can reach out to patients’ own clergy, rabbi or spiritual advisor to coordinate spiritual care in times of need.
Multidisciplinary Clinics
The Multidisciplinary Clinics at Regional Cancer Center are for patients with a cancer diagnosis. The standard of care for all patients with a diagnosis of cancer is evidence-based, protocol driven, and provided by board certified physicians. At the core of the exceptional patient and family experience is a respectful partnership based on enabling patients and families to participate in their plan of care. Patients can be referred by their physician or can contact one of our navigators for a self-referral.
Breast Clinic
Benefit for the Patient
Many recent advances in the diagnoses and treatment of breast cancer require close collaboration between cancer specialists, having different areas of expertise. The Regional Cancer Center’s Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic brings these specialists together to meet with and evaluate each patient and to develop an individualized plan of care.
What to Expect at the Clinic Visit
The Breast Clinic meets on Friday mornings and utilizes a multidisciplinary approach where the patient is examined by the surgeon, radiation oncologist and medical oncologist. The visit includes a complete history, physical examination and a review of the patient’s pathology and radiology reports.
After each patient is examined, the physicians meet for a multidisciplinary tumor board, where an individualized plan of care is developed using National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. The multidisciplinary tumor board team consists of the surgeon, oncologist, radiation oncologist, pathologist, radiologist, plastic surgeon, genetic counselor, pharmacist and nurse navigators.
Palliative Care Clinic
Palliative care treats individuals who suffer from serious and chronic illnesses including cancer, cardiac diseases, such as congestive heart failure, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD), dementia, neurological disorders and stroke. The goal of palliative care is to relieve suffering and provide the best possible quality of life for both the patient and family. Palliative care uses customized treatments to ease pain, shortness of breath, nausea, loss of appetite, depression, fatigue and difficulty sleeping.
Genetic Counseling
Cancer is a common disease with complex causes, but recent advances in cancer genetics have led to the identification of genes that—when altered—can put some individuals at risk for cancer. The genetic counselor can help a person or family understand their risk for certain cancers, educate the person or family and perform a genetic screening.
The cancer risk assessment and counseling process includes:
- A detailed family medical history
- Development of a multi-generational family tree/genogram
- Education, counseling and support
- Identification of risk
- Genetic testing as indicated
- Communication with health care provider
The Regional Cancer Center provides counseling and genetic testing for the following syndromes:
- Breast cancer
- Gynecological cancers: ovarian, uterine and fallopian tube
- Gastrointestinal cancers: colon, rectal, pancreatic and gastric
- Genitourinary cancers: kidney
- Endocrine cancers: thyroid, pituitary and adrenal
- Skin cancers: melanoma
Our center also provides counseling and genetic testing for the following syndromes:
- Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (including the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations)
- Cowden syndrome