Last year, Dominican Hospital launched a lung cancer screening program. “This screening is meant to find cancer in at-risk individuals who do not have symptoms of the disease yet,” said Elise Hale, Dominican’s lung cancer screening coordinator. “Lung cancer is a disease with a prognosis that is much better if the cancer is caught early.”
Diagnosing cancer early can often prove to be the difference between life and death. Given that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. – in part because it is often not diagnosed until it has reached an advanced stage – early detection becomes even more critical. Since initiation of this program, 233 persons have been screened in Santa Cruz with findings of 3 cancers all of which were in Stage I, the most curable stage.
“Annual scans can reduce lung cancer deaths by 20 percent,” says Dr. Alexander. “The scan takes five minutes. Everyone over the age of 55-77 who has smoked the equivalent of a pack per day for 30 years and is still smoking or has quit in the last 15 years is a candidate for this screening. It might save your life.”
Dominican Hospital and the Radiology Medical Group have reduced the cost of a yearly scan to only $199 to ensure that these scans are accessible to all. If a patient cannot afford the cost, donated funds for this preventive screening are available from the Dominican Hospital Foundation. Dr. Alexander and his wife Toby were one of the first to make a gift to this program.
Dominican’s Solari Center includes the Katz Cancer Resource Center, providing support services for cancer patients going through treatment. Now Katz is also launching a comprehensive program aimed at improving the quality of life for cancer survivors.
“We aim to be at the forefront of oncology treatment and services,” says Kathy Finnigan, RN, Manager of Oncology Services of Dominican. “A survivorship care plan is a key element of quality cancer care.”
Cancer patients often suffer with a loss of or decrease in mobility, strength, muscle mass, and ability to focus. If an individual is injured, physical and occupational therapy is frequently recommended. However, when a cancer patient has completed treatment, he or she is likely may not report impairments and miss the opportunity for therapy.
“Cancer treatment is often provided in isolation from other care, even though cancer patients often have multiple comorbidities and health care needs,” says Dr. Alexander.
“The survivorship plan is a vehicle that will help patients with communication and coordination of care, addressing issues, transition care, and promote a healthy lifestyle to prevent recurrence and reduce the risk for comorbid conditions.”
The Survivorship program includes psychosocial, rehabilitative, and nutritional components. The Cancer Center has begun the certification process for the STAR (Survivorship Training and Rehab) program through Oncology Rehab Partners. A team of physical, speech, and occupational therapists, oncology nurses, social workers, and dietitians at Dominican, completed 25 hours of specialized training on oncology rehabilitation. The goal of the STAR program is to provide a continuum of care with rehabilitative elements that will help patients improve their quality of life, cognitive functions, ability to enjoy their life, families and remain productive members of society.
Recently the Cancer Center has opened its doors to the very first Survivorship Program patient. The Katz Cancer Resource Center team anticipates helping 200 people or 20-40% of Dominican oncology patients a year with the program. All cancer patients at Dominican will be proactively screened to see if they would benefit from this program.
“A good candidate for the program might be a woman who goes through breast cancer treatment,” said Anne Lindberg, oncology services coordinator for Katz Cancer Resource Center, “as they may find themselves fatigued up to six months after they have completed treatment.”
Persons who think they qualify for the lung screening program should discuss this with their doctors. If one does not have a doctor, evaluation for screening and a physician referral can be made by calling Elise Hale, Lung Cancer Screening Coordinator, at 831.462.7207. For more information on Dominican’s Survivorship Program please call 831.462.7770.
Funding for our Cancer Care programs was provided through generous donations from many community members with major support from Mary Solari, California Grill and the Peixoto Family, Don Jackson, and Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Group. The Foundation is raising funds to train additional physical therapists and home health care workers in order to have an even more comprehensive program. To support these efforts, please call Dominican Hospital Foundation at 831.462.7712.