Forever Connected - Lafayette General Health

Forever
Connected
Cancer Center
of Acadiana at
Lafayette General
has recently
completed its fifth
year of operations.
January 2015
What Is Patient Navigation?
N
Patient navigation is a process by which trained
W
individuals guide patients through and around
barriers in the complex cancer care system. It ensures
that all patients receive treatment and follow-up to
achieve better outcomes. Our navigator, Earlene Ally,
ensures that patients do not “fall through the cracks” due
to lack of communication between health care providers,
S
cancer care centers and community-based services.
For many patients entering the cancer healthcare system, challenges are
encountered on a variety of fronts, from lack of/inadequate health insurance
to the inability to understand high-level/technical language. Addressing all
issues hopefully eliminates barriers to care and ensures timely delivery of
services, while saving lives from cancer.
Six years ago, an
idea was born out of
necessity to provide local comprehensive
oncology services to our cancer patients.
What initially began as a single
clinic with four medical oncologists/
hematologists has grown into multiple
clinics with over 30 practitioners of
varying specialties.
What a noteworthy five years it
has been! As our program grows, our
oncology services will continue to
expand. This will enable us to continue
providing excellent cancer care to
all of southwest Louisiana. I would
like to thank all of our communities
for believing in us and our vision as
we continue to commit to bringing
exceptional cancer care to all.
CANCER AWARENESS
Craig Ortego
VP of Cancer Services
Cancer Center of Acadiana at
Lafayette General Medical Center
FEBRUARY
Gallbladder and
Bile Duct Cancer
Cancer Center of Acadiana honors past, present and future patients by
promoting awareness of all cancers and malignancies. It is our sincerest hope
that there may be cures found for these horrible diseases, but, as the fight
continues, we are so privileged to be able to care for you – our patients.
The following cancers are recognized in the first quarter of the year:
JANUARY
Cervical Cancer (teal)
MARCH
Colorectal Cancer (dark blue)
Kidney Cancer
(orange)
(kelly green)
Multiple Myeloma (burgundy)
Serving You ACROSS ACADIANA
Did you know that Cancer Center of Acadiana has multiple locations? These locations provide the same level of expert care at
each facility. If you live near Crowley, Mamou or Abbeville, you can access care closer to home.
Please ask staff members for additional information or call:
Lafayette General
1211 Coolidge St., Ste. 100
Lafayette, LA 70503
(337) 289-8400
Savoy Medical
803 Poinciana Ave.
Mamou, LA 70554
(337) 468-3099
Abbeville General
118 N. Hospital Dr.
Abbeville, LA 70510
(337) 898-6413
LafayetteGeneral.com/cancer
Acadia General
1305 Crowley Rayne Hwy.
Crowley, LA 70526
(337) 783-3222
E
Michael S. Cain, M.D., Medical Oncology and Hematology
CCA at Lafayette General Medical Center P hysicians
DOCTOR OF MEDICINE
Louisiana State University
School of Medicine,
Shreveport, LA
BOARD CERTIFIED
American Board of Internal Medicine
• Medical Oncology
• Internal Medicine
• Hematology
Nurse Practitioner: Allison Bertrand, APRN, FNP-C
Prior to going to
medical school,
Dr. Cain seriously
considered applying
to the NASA space
program.
Deborah M. Johnson, M.D., Medical Oncology and Hematology
DOCTOR OF MEDICINE
Louisiana State University
School of Medicine,
Shreveport, LA
BOARD CERTIFIED
American Board of Internal Medicine
• Medical Oncology
• Internal Medicine
Became a
grandmother for
the first time on
December 26.
Physician Assistant: Natalie Deshotels, PA-C
Salman Malad, M.D., Medical Oncology and Hematology
DOCTOR OF MEDICINE
Kigezi International
School of Medicine,
Cambridge, UK
BOARD CERTIFIED
American Board of Internal Medicine
• Medical Oncology
• Internal Medicine
• Hematology
Nurse Practitioner: Markell Ayo, ANP, AOCNP
Enjoys training in
close quarters
combat martial arts
and used to train in
mixed martial arts
for fun.
Victoria E. Panelli, M.D., Medical Oncology and Hematology
DOCTOR OF MEDICINE
Ponce School of Medicine,
Ponce, Puerto Rico
BOARD CERTIFIED
American Board of Internal Medicine
• Medical Oncology
• Internal Medicine
• Hospice and Palliative Care
Nurse Practitioner: Natalie Chastant, APRN, ANP-BC
Is a Lieutenant
Colonel in the
Army.
William J. Roy, Jr., M.D., Gynecologic Oncology and Advanced Pelvic Surgery
DOCTOR OF MEDICINE
Frank R. Sherred Memorial
Scholarship Winner,
University of Alabama
School of Medicine,
Birmingham, AL
BOARD CERTIFIED
American Board of Obstetrics &
Gynecology
• Gynecologic Oncology
• Obstetrics
• Gynecology
Flies a restored
WWII fighter
plane at airshows.
Molly Thomas, M.D., Medical Oncology and Hematology
DOCTOR OF MEDICINE
Louisiana State University
Health Sciences Center
Shreveport, LA
BOARD CERTIFIED
American Board of Internal Medicine
• Medical Oncology
• Internal Medicine
• Hematology
Enjoys singing —
has been known
to sing for
church events
and loves karaoke.
INHERITED
CANCER
Are you at risk?
Cancer is thought
to be the result of
many factors, such
as inheritance,
environmental
exposure and lifestyle. Although the
majority of cancers are not inherited,
research says there is more cancer in
certain families due to an abnormal gene
passed from generation to generation.
There are known “red flags” that
indicate a possible inherited cancer in a
family. These include:
• cancer in the family occurring at an early
age, such as before 50 years of age
• several family members with the same
type of cancer
• one relative with more than one type
of cancer
• a rare cancer, such as ovarian cancer or
male breast cancer, in the family
• Eastern European Jewish ancestry
If you have any one of these red flags,
you are a candidate for cancer genetic
counseling to determine if you are a
candidate for genetic testing.
Rebecca Donohue, Ph.D, is
specifically trained and considered an
expert in cancer genetic counseling
and offers her services through Cancer
Center of Acadiana. She has many years
of experience in genetic counseling and
will work directly with you and your
family. Dr. Donohue is the only advanced
practice nurse in Acadiana certified
in genetics currently performing this
service.
Why cancer genetic counseling?
This may relieve the uncertainty and
anxiety with which you and your family
have been living. If you are at an increased
risk for cancer, genetic counseling could
help you and your healthcare provider
manage your care better. In most
cases, options are available to either
reduce your risk of cancer or detect the
disease early, while it is still curable.
Endometrial Cancer
by William Roy, Jr., M.D.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimated
approximately 94,990 women would be diagnosed with an
invasive gynecologic cancer in 2014. Gynecologic cancers
affect the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix, vagina, vulva
or placenta. While uterine, ovarian and cervical cancer are quite common,
endometrial cancer is the most common of gynecologic cancers, with an
estimated 52,630 cases diagnosed in 2014.
Endometrial cancer affects primarily postmenopausal women,
although 25% of cases are seen in premenopausal women, with 5% of
these under age 40. Risk factors include obesity (women 30-50 pounds
overweight), late or heavy menopause, taking estrogen without also
taking progesterone, high blood pressure, diabetes and a pre-cancerous
overgrowth of the endometrium known as hyperplasia.
Symptoms often seen with endometrial cancer include
postmenopausal or heavy/irregular premenopausal bleeding, pelvic pain or
a foul vaginal discharge. Bleeding abnormalities are seen in approximately
90% of patients with this type of cancer, and very early in the development
of the disease.
A diagnosis of endometrial cancer is made by performing a biopsy or a
D & C in the OB/GYN’s office. Once the diagnosis is made, the patient is
referred to a gynecologic oncologist, a doctor with extensive specialty training
in the management of endometrial and all other gynecologic cancers.
Surgery not only helps determine the “stage” or spread of the disease
but, by removing the tumor, may also be curative. In simple terms, cancer
confined to the uterus is Stage I, cervical involvement Stage II, local spread
outside the uterus Stage III and cancer involving the bladder, rectum or
further spread is Stage IV. After surgery, the need for additional treatment
is dependent on the advancement of the cancer and may include radiation,
chemotherapy or a combination of both.
As in the case of most cancers, the earlier the diagnosis, the higher the
survival rate. If you experience any of the symptoms of endometrial cancer,
especially abnormal bleeding, report them to your doctor immediately.
Eat Right to
FIGHT Cancer
When you or a loved one receives a cancer diagnosis, questions about nutrition
are common: Will I need to change what I eat during treatment? What side
effects can I expect and will they affect my ability to eat? What foods will
help me fight cancer? Cancer Center of Acadiana’s registered dietitian, Hilary
Hill, helps patients with all of their nutritional concerns. As a Board Certified
Specialist in Oncology Nutrition, she can help you with:
• proper diet for cancer treatment
• special diets for diseases like diabetes, heart
or kidney disease
• assessing calories and nutrient requirements
• dealing with side effects from treatment
• questions about supplements, drinks and
vitamins
• managing home tube feedings or IV nutrition
• food safety information
To schedule an
appointment with
Hilary, call CCA at
(337) 289-8400,
or she can be
reached at
(337) 289-8423.
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Letters from Patients
“Although my cancer is
gone, I must receive
regular treatments at th
e Cancer Center.
Instead of being an inc
onvenience, I look at
my visits to Cancer Cente
r as an opportunity
to visit with dear friend
s! The staff provides
everyone in their care wi
th the best possible
medical care. The facilit
y is con venient,
pleasant, and the staff
makes me feel at
home. When I’m there
I get to visit with
other patients who have
similar problems.
We share our stories,
and it’s like having a
support group. I feel
fortunate to be able
to get this excellent ca
re without having to
leave Lafayette!”
- Breast cancer survivor
Cancer Center of Acadiana’s Advanced
Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Theresa
Bodker, spends her time providing patients
comprehensive information throughout their
journey with cancer. During an orientation
session, Theresa provides the patient, family
members and significant others all the
information pertaining to the patient’s case
– from diagnosis details and a treatment
schedule to potential side effects and how to
manage them.
Patients are given an organizational
notebook, complete with CCA contact
information, formatted to help them keep
track of appointments, treatment regimens,
medications and more.
Theresa can be reached at (337) 289-8559.
CCA CONTACT CENTER
Your care, a quick phone call away
Test for Life
Have a question about your health or your
next appointment? Maybe you just need
some general information about a certain
cancer. Patients can now call Cancer Center of
Acadiana’s Contact Center, which replaces the
previous automated system with a professional
whom you can speak to about whatever you
need. Simply dial (337) 289-8400, between
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, for immediate
assistance and support.
During Colon Cancer Awareness Month
March 1-31
Don’t let fear of a colonoscopy stop you
from being tested for the second leading
cause of cancer death among men and
women in the U.S. Lafayette General
Endoscopy Center has an easy solution.
pick up your
An easy, hands-free
home test that detects the
risks of colorectal cancer.
Call 1-800-854-3002
for test assistance.
FREE SCREENING KIT
at any of the 18 Acadiana
LGEC.net
Employee of the Month
Cancer Center of Acadiana began an Employee of the Month program to recognize exceptional employees. The individual chosen
each month ALWAYS exhibits outstanding supportiveness, etiquette, respect, vibrancy, integrity, communication and excellence in
service delivery and patient care. Cancer Center of Acadiana is so proud and fortunate to employ such amazing people!
Renay
Lucie
Debra
Morrison
Licensed
Practical
Nurse
August
Sandra
Bergeron
Registered
Nurse
September
Elizabeth
Sonnier
Medical
Office
Assistant
October
Medical
Assistant
November