Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/50993
The Power of community-based cancer care B eing diagnosed with cancer is one of the most difficult things a person can experience in life. It's a time of fear and uncertainty and making overwhelming decisions about the right physicians and treatments. From the initial diagnosis, the Cancer Center at CentraState Medical Center provides a coordinated approach by primary care physicians, nurse navigators, and cancer specialists to guide patients and their families through every step of their journey. a convEniEnT and cEnTRalizEd appRoach CentraState offers all the resources and technology necessary to diagnose cancers. Driving hours to a specialized center for a cancer diagnosis and then for subsequent frequent treatments can take a toll on the patient and add a burden during an already stressful time. According to Robert Braun, MA, MEd, RN, OCN, RT (T) (R), assistant vice president, Cancer Care Services, CentraState, for some cancer diagnoses, it can take close to one year for a patient with an initial diagnosis to receive and recover from all necessary treatment regimens. At CentraState, cancer patients can stay in their own community for treatment, saving a lot of undue stress. Because patients stay right in their community, with physicians they're familiar with, they receive an unmatched level of customized, personal care that is hard to match at a distant cancer center. "At CentraState, physicians can spend more one-on-one time with patients," Braun says. "Some academic cancer centers rush patients through and are much less convenient. There is a more conscious connection in a community-based medical center such as CentraState." CentraState physicians are well trained at leading institutions. Doctors from New York and Philadelphia have referred patients to CentraState for care. communiTy ouTREach CentraState reaches out to the community to provide cancer education and support. Cancer lectures and screenings occur on a consistent basis at CentraState's Star and Barry Tobias Health Awareness Center (HAC), where the community can learn about the prevention and early detection of nearly every type of cancer. For those worried about their risk of developing a certain type of cancer, CentraState provides the Hereditary Oncology Prevention and Evaluation (HOPE) Program, which offers genetic counseling, risk assessment, psychosocial support, and more. For people who are going through treatment or are survivors, CentraState offers numerous cancer support groups that may be attended by anyone during any stage of survivorship. Among the support groups CentraState hosts are: • Breast Cancer Support Group— Meets the first Friday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the HAC. • Colorectal Cancer Self-Help Group—Meets the second Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the HAC. • Prostate Cancer Support Group (Man to Man)—Meets the first Friday of every month at 7 p.m. at the HAC. • Support Group for Patients and Families—Held the second Monday of each month from 3–4:30 p.m. in the 4 East Oncology Family Room. Other cancers with support groups at CentraState include leukemia/lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and myelodysplasia. For more information about CentraState's cancer program, visit www.centrastate.com/cancer. Call the Star and Barry Tobias Health Awareness Center at (732) 308-0570 for more information about CentraState's cancer support groups. HD Robert Braun, MA, MEd, RN, OCN, RT (T) (R), assistant vice president, Cancer Care Services, and Sharon Lorfing, RN, MSN, CCRN, APN-C, surgical oncology nurse practitioner, ensure that the community's cancer care needs are best served through CentraState. www.centrastate.com January/February 2012 5