Oncology News
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas
Vol. 1, No. 2 - September 2010
In this Issue
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
By Julia Taylor
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Breast cancer has been one of the most publicized diseases of women. In recent estimates by the American Cancer Society, one in eight women has the chance of developing invasive breast cancer during her lifetime. The chance of dying from breast cancer is about one in 35. The good news is through early detection, survival of this disease is increasing. There are more than 2 1/2 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. Patients treated at Texas Health Dallas with early-stage invasive cancer have a greater than 91 percent five-year survival rate, a statistic that highlights the need for early detection. This rate is similar to the national rate.
American Cancer Society recommendations for finding breast cancer early:
- Women 40 and older should have a mammogram every year as long as they are in good health.
- Women in their 20s and 30s should have clinical breast exams as part of regular exams by a health expert every three years. Beginning at age 40, women should have breast exams every year.
- Breast self-exam is an option for women starting at age 20. Women at high risk should talk to their doctors about the best screening plan, which could include starting at an earlier age and having extra screening tests and more-frequent exams.
In honor of the thousands of patients who have fought breast cancer in our community, Texas Health Dallas actively promotes women's wellness by organizing educational events, participating in the Dallas Susan G. Komen Race for The Cure and providing free screenings for the uninsured or underinsured women of Dallas County.
For the last three years, Texas Health Dallas has sponsored the "Go Pink" Breast Cancer Awareness day, on which representatives from each area of the breast care program are available to do risk assessments and genetic counseling and to answer questions regarding imaging and surgery. This fun and informative event is open to the public.
Staff, family and friends join the Texas Health Dallas Team each year to promote breast cancer awareness by participating in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Walkers, runners and sponsors help raise much-needed funds to support education, treatment and research.
For more information regarding the breast care program and related topics, visit TexasHealth.org/Breast.
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Modern Breast Imaging
By Katherine Hall, MD
Breast cancer detection has been an important research topic in the field of medicine for quite some time. As it stands, there are only three ways in which breast cancer may be detected: through mammogram screening, by the patient or her doctor noticing the presence of a lump in a breast, or by finding a breast tumor which has metastasized (or spread) through the body.
Mammograms serve as the most important tool for screening. According to studies, deaths associated with breast cancer have significantly decreased due to mammogram screening.
Presently, mammography acts as the best screening tool for the majority of women, with the exception of high-risk women who typically require an MRI. Even in these women, the mammogram is still a very useful exam, as it can identify tiny masses and microcalcifications, which can be an indicator of breast cancer.
Be proactive in taking care of yourself. Discuss with your doctor methods of reducing your risk of breast cancer and detecting its presence early to promote effective treatment. As women, we are all at a particular risk for breast cancer, but through proper care and sufficient screening, these risks can be significantly reduced.
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'Power of Pink' Jewelry Proceeds to Benefit Breast Care Program at Texas Health Dallas in October
By Vickie Ramsey
Spend some green, show some pink!
Shop at Brighton Collectibles in Northpark and its newest store location, E. 61st in Highland Park Village, during October, and you can help support the Breast Care Program at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas.
For the last four years, Brighton Collectibles has designated the Texas Health Dallas Breast Care Program as the beneficiary of a portion of the proceeds from its “Power of Pink” specialty item, designed to honor and support Breast Cancer Awareness month. This year, an I.D. bracelet with an “All you need is love” theme will be sold for $50 from October 1 through 31. $10 of each “Power of Pink” bracelet sale will benefit the Breast Center Program. In 2009, more than $3,500 was raised by the Brighton NorthPark store to support research and patient care advancements.
For more information, please call Vickie Ramsey, Director of Development for Texas Health Presbyterian Foundation, at 214-345-8322.
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Volunteers at Your Service
By Linda Vozzella, R.N.
One of the unique elements of Texas Health Dallas is the work of a group of dedicated breast care volunteers. These ladies are breast cancer survivors who have personally experienced the diagnosis and treatment of the second-leading killer of women. As breast care program volunteers, women must be one year out of treatment for breast cancer. They are trained through the American Cancer Society (ACS) and must continue to meet the certification guidelines. In addition to the ACS training, volunteers must go through mandatory hospital training.
Volunteers give their time and effort to a number of activities that support the program. They build resource binders for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, assist patients locate materials in the Helen Schmidt Women’s Cancer Resource Center, made possible through the generosity of Bob and Helen Schmidt and in honor of Helen, who is a survivor of breast cancer. Volunteers also deliver handmade comfort pillows to post-biopsy and surgery patients, assist patients in fittings for breast prosthetics, and undertake a number of administrative duties.
The most important role of the breast care program volunteer is to provide direct contact with breast cancer patients who need information, a hand to hold or a word of encouragement when they feel alone in their fight. Because every patient is different, a coordinated effort among the volunteers is made to address questions about what to expect for specific treatments. Dona Glover, a 10-year survivor and one of the first breast care program volunteers, states, “It’s rewarding to see a woman who during her first visit was full of fear and doubt be transformed into someone of confidence and hope. It feels great knowing that I made a difference in her life by listening to her and sharing my story.”
The volunteer experience has been so positive for some survivors that they have become volunteers, too. For more information on the breast care program volunteer services, please contact Dona Glover at 214-345-8365, or visit the Cancer Resource Center in Suite 107 of the Perot Building on the Texas Health Dallas campus.
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The Role of Massage Therapy in Cancer Care
By Diane Stewart
Recent research has shown the benefits of massage for oncology patients, including improvement in the immune, circulatory and lymph systems of the body as well as the reduction of stress levels. Oncology massage can encourage a sense of well-being in the patient, along with a reconnection with the body. The choice to receive massage therapy returns a sense of control over the patient’s body that may have been lost with the onset of the disease.
A licensed massage therapist can provide positive benefits as part of oncology treatment at Texas Health Dallas. Massage treatments are specific for various types of cancer, and precautions have been set in place to deal with specific chemotherapies and radiation treatments.
The massage team at the Texas Health Finley Ewing Cardiovascular and Fitness Center is provided guidelines by the MD Anderson Oncology Massage Program for the compassionate delivery of massage therapy to cancer patients at almost every level of treatment.
For more information on ways that massage may benefit you or a loved one, contact your massage professionals at the Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas Fitness Center or Diane Stewart, LMT.
Source: Role of Massage Therapy in Cancer Care, Nancy C. Russel, DPH, Sat-Siri Sumler, LMT, Curtiss M. Beinhorn, LMT, and Moshe A. Frenkel, MD The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine Volume14, Number 2, 2008 1.6.
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Texas Health Dallas Marks First Anniversary of da Vinci Robot
In June, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas celebrated the one-year anniversary of the acquisition of the da Vinci® SI Surgical System. Surgeries performed with this system are referred to as robot-assisted laparoscopic surgeries.
More than 200 robot-assisted laparoscopic procedures have been performed, and more than 20 physicians on the medical staff at Texas Health Dallas are trained to perform robot-assisted surgery.
Robot-assisted surgery is helpful in colorectal, gynecologic, urology and vascular surgery.
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Upcoming Events
September 2010
Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month
Sept. 9
Prostate Cancer Support Group Meeting
6:30 to 8 p.m.
Renaissance Hotel, Richardson
Sept. 13
Pancreatic Cancer Support Group Meeting
6 to 8 p.m.
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Fogelson Building, Ground Floor, Classroom B
For more information, contact Linda Vozzella at 214-345-4054.
Sept. 20, 27
I Can Cope
6 to 7:30 p.m.
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Cancer Center (formerly Radiation Oncology Center)
For more information, please contact Jeanice Janes at 214-345-2036.
Sept. 25
Breast Cancer Symposium - Sponsored by the Texas Health Research and Education Institute
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Hilton Dallas Lincoln Centre Hotel
For more information, call 1-866-295-3265 or visit TexasHealth.org/CME.
October 2010
Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Wear pink every day in support of a cure!
Oct. 1
Brighton Collectible Breast Cancer Awareness Month Event
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
"E. 61st" at Highland Park Village Center
Oct. 2
Brighton Collectible Breast Cancer Awareness Month Event
9 to 11 a.m.
Brighton Collectibles Store at NorthPark
Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25
I Can Cope
6 to 7:30 p.m.
For more information, please contact Jeanice Janes at 214-345-2036.
Oct. 8
GO PINK Day
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas, Main Concourse
For more information, contact Julia Taylor at 214-345-4064.
Oct. 7
Advances in Medicine lecture series
6:30 to 8 p.m.
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Fogelson Building, Ground level, Haggar Hall
Speaker: Archana Ganaraj
Oct. 11
Pancreatic Cancer Support Group Meeting
6 to 8:00 p.m.
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Fogelson Building, Ground level, Classroom B
Oct. 12
Prostate Cancer Support Group Meeting
6:30 to 8 p.m.
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Fogelson Building, Ground level, Haggar Hall
Oct. 16
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
7:30 a.m.
North Park Center
Join the Texas Health Dallas Team - contact Julia Taylor at 214-345-4064.
November 2010
Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
Nov. 9
Prostate Cancer Support Group Meeting
6:30 to 8 p.m.
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Fogelson Building, Ground level, Haggar Hall
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