2021 LCRH Oncology Program Annual Report

LAKE CUMBERLAND REGIONAL HOSPITAL ONCOLOGY PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT 2021

QUALITY ONCOLOGY CARE AT LAKE CUMBERLAND REGIONAL HOSPITAL As part of its mission of Making Communities Healthier®, Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital remains dedicated to the early detection of cancer, high quality treatment for those diagnosed with cancer, and continuous collaboration with partners in cancer care throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

LCRH continues to emerge as a premier regional cancer treatment center, underscored by an increasing number of new cancer cases diagnosed and treated each year.

Our mission drives us to host a number of events each year with a primary focus of cancer prevention, education and screening. As always, the health and safety of patients, staff and community members is LCRH’s top priority and due to the ongoing global pandemic, in-person screening events were cancelled during 2021. However, several new, creative initiatives were developed in order to continue to promote prevention measures and education including those related to breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer.

Thank you for choosing us to care for you. We invite you to use this report as a resource for better understanding of cancer care, treatment, and services available to patients facing a cancer diagnosis in our region.

ROBERT PARKER, CEO

FIGHTING CANCER IS A TEAM EFFORT At Lake Cumberland, we honor life, celebrate survivors, and applaud milestones (large and small) in your cancer journey. We strive to treat the whole patient, not just the cancer by offering supportive care throughout your treatment that heals more than just your body and a long-term survivorship plan to help you live your best life after treatment ends.

Our team at the Lake Cumberland Cancer Treatment Center is led by Radiation Oncologist Dr. Amtullah Kahn and includes four dedicated radiation therapists, an oncology nurse, a nurse navigator, a medical dosimetrist, a medical pysicist, a cancer tumor registry specialist, a practice manager and an administrative assistant. With a combined 141 years of oncology experience, our team is prepared to handle any cancer diagnosis with quality, compassionate care utilizing advanced technology and the latest evidence-based protocols.

ACCREDITED BY THE COMMISSION ON CANCER Commission on Cancer (CoC) accreditation is nationally recognized by many organizations, including the National Cancer Institute, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, National Quality Forum, American Cancer Society, and The Joint Commission, as having established data-driven performance measures for the provision of quality cancer care. The CoC conducts daylong surveys of cancer programs to evaluate scope, organization, and activity.

Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital has maintained its CoC accredidation since April 9, 2007. To earn this distinction for the past 14 years, Lake Cumberland has met or exceeded 34 CoC standards annually that cover numerous aspects of patient-centered care, including cancer prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, genetic testing and counseling, supportive care, and suvivorship.

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QUALITY CARE ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH As part of our continuing focus on making communities healthier, we are a proud partner of the UK Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network, which provides our patients with enhanced access to high-quality cancer care.

The Markey Affiliate Network assists doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other medical staff at local hospitals that provide excellent care in their communities. When patients need care that is not available locally, they can be referred to the Markey Cancer Center in Lexington. When that happens, Markey doctors work with LCRH doctors and oncologists to minimize travel for patients and their families.

Markey also works with LCRH to plan and host a number of local cancer prevention events and activities, such as health fairs, cancer screening programs, and survivorship events.

ONCOLENS NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR CANCER CARE LCRH is also in the process of rolling out the OncoLens platform, aimed at offering a connected, comprehensive cancer solution for local patients in partnership with UK’s Markey Cancer Center. This new technology offers several resources for all of those involved with oncological patient care, such as: Easing the burden on Physicians by having them access a single, comprehensive patient view and the ability to leverage clinical trial matching.

Allowing Nurse Navigators the ability to improve care coordination and patient outcomes and as well as lower administrative demands in order to free up their time for more direct patient care.

Offering our Administrators time back in their day to improve the quality of our care, ensure accreditation tactics, and streamline referrals across networks.

Reducing the amount of time Cancer Registrars spend on data collection, case findings, and conference planning.

• • • •

ONCOLOGY NAVIGATION SERVICES The recently established Oncology Navigator Program at Lake Cumberland connects patients with a unique professional advocate, an Oncology Nurse Navigator to assist them with cancer related treatment, care, and support. Patients coping with a possible or confirmed cancer diagnosis can now include the navigator on their health care team from the very beginning of their cancer journey. The nurse navigator will work with patients and families to provide information, support and resources to assist with overcoming barriers to their care.

For those patients facing a possible diagnosis of breast or lung cancer or who have a confirmed breast or lung cancer diagnosis, our nurse navigator can offer a one-stop-shop for helping with next steps: • • • •

Conducting initial post-diagnosis calls with patients Answering patient questions and addressing concerns throughout the treatment process Providing education and emotional support to patients and their families Connecting patients with community services and resources in addition to medical care

JESSICA SIMPSON, BSN, RN Oncology Nurse Navigator Lake Cumberland Cancer Treatment Center Jessica.Simpson@LPNT.net 606.451.3787

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Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital

Scan here to get to know Jessica:

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

LAKE CUMBERLAND PROMOTES THE IMPORTANCE OF ANNUAL MAMMOGRAMS Each year, Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital focuses on promoting the importance of annual mammograms in the early detection of breast cancer.

Though in-person events like the annual Breast Cancer Symposium, “Mammos for Moms,” and “Mamm & Glam” were unable to be scheduled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, other creative initiatives were implemented which included: •

“Mugs for Mammos” Campaign| May 2021 All women who completed a mammogram in May 2021 received a free “Hello Gorgeous” travel mug.

•

“Breathe Easy” Mammo Campaign | October 2021 All women who completed a mammogram in October 2021 received a free “Pink Sugar” air freshener.

•

Reminder post-cards | Started November 2021 Postcards are sent to previous patients as a reminder to schedule their annual mammograms.

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CASSANDRA HURST, PATIENT

“IF SHE CARES THAT MUCH, I NEED TO LISTEN TO HER”

LOCAL BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR SHARES HER EXPERIENCE WITH THE LAKE CUMBERLAND CANCER TREATMENT CENTER Cassandra Hurst has been making jewelry in Somerset for over eight years. After taking a class at Somerset Community College she formed a group with a few other locals to meet monthly and play with beads.

After a cancer diagnosis of Stage 1A breast cancer, she imagined she’d have less time for her favorite hobby because she’d be too busy travelling back and forth to Lexington for appointments - until one of her Markey Cancer Center doctors recommend she seek radiation treatment at Lake Cumberland Cancer Treatment Center with Dr. Amtullah Kahn.

Cassandra shared: “They told me when I went in for the preliminary introduction, the preliminary meeting, exactly what would be going on with my treatment. She [Dr. Kahn] said ‘You’re large busted. You’re going to have problems.’ When the problems presented themselves, exactly as

she said they would, they took care of them.

Her staff was very caring, but you could tell it all stems for Dr. Khan. I thought, ‘If she cares that much, I need to listen to her.’”

Cassandra describes that her treatment only took 30 minutes a day for 33 days, and how difficult it would have been for her to travel all the way to and from Lexington during those days to have radiation. She even had time to share her love of beading with Dr. Kahn and has fixed a number of necklaces for the physician.

“The last three years I’ve been cancer free.”

Cassandra describes. “I was very fortunate. I had good doctors. I had good treatment. I had good family and friends for support. I was just remarkably fortunate.”

Scan here to watch Cassandra’s Story:

“When I walked in [to the Lake Cumberland Cancer Treatment Center] I felt at home. They answered questions, and they’d ask about my family, and you know, what was going in my life other than the radiation.”

CASSANDRA HURST 6

Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital

COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS LAKE CUMBERLAND URGES COMMUNITY TO SCHEDULE COLONOSCOPY SCREENINGS

In 2021, Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital partnered with local restuarants to distribute “Bottoms Up!” coasters that help spread the message of scheduling an annual colonoscopy during the month of March.

In Kentucky, colorectal cancer is the 2nd most common cause of cancer related death. Over 2,500 cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed in the Commonwealth each year.*

Six local restaurants participated and distributed coasters to customers throughout the month: • • • • • • •

Mellow Mushroom Somerset Buffalo Wings & Rings The Mole Hole Texas Roadhouse Reno’s Old Town Grill Tap on Main

This grassroots effort helped to spread a a message about the importance of screening in a new, creative way.

COLONOSCOPY 101 A colonoscopy is a screening test in which a thin, flexible tube with a light and a video camera on its tip is placed in the colon. The doctor can carefully examine the colon for any pre-cancerous polyps (abnormal growths) that could potentially turn into cancer.

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommends regular colonoscopy screenings, beginning at age 50, but for those with a family history of colorectal cancer or other risk factors, screening should begin much earlier.

Some of the reasons a colonoscopy may be performed include but are not limited to: • • • • • •

screening for colon cancer changes in bowel habits abdominal pain bleeding from the anus unexplained weight loss a family history of colon cancer

Fortunately, colonoscopy screenings are extremely effective in catching colon disease early. LCRH urges community members aged 50 and older to schedule a colonoscopy annually.

*American Cancer Society

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ASHLEY LOUDERMILK, PATIENT

NOT TOO YOUNG FOR COLON CANCER

LOCAL COLON CANCER SURVIVOR SPREADS MESSAGE OF AWARENESS When Ashley Loudermilk, a 37-year-old mom of three from Somerset, started experiencing extreme fatigue in early 2019, she was not overly concerned. She considered herself a hard-working, active adult who stayed busy with work, social activities and her kids. Her responsibilities and hobbies kept her busy, so feeling tired was not necessarily out of the norm. However, when more sleep and other interventions were not helping her situation, she started to wonder what else could be going on.

A few weeks later, Ashley noticed blood in her stool. It only happened a few times and she didn’t associate it with any of her other symptoms. She simply wrote it off as hemorrhoids and assumed it would take care of itself.

“After about two months of feeling run down, others in my family began to notice that I

didn’t feel or look well and was losing quite a bit of weight,” said Ashley. “They urged me to go see my doctor and I’m thankful I made the decision to do so at that time.”

After Ashley’s cancer diagnosis, her care team quickly developed a treatment plan for her to receive the lifesaving surgery, radiation and chemotherapy that she needed.

While Ashley’s surgery was performed in Lexington and she received chemo at Commonwealth Cancer Center in Somerset, she returned to Lake Cumberland’s Cancer Treatment Center and radiation-oncologist Dr. Amtullah Kahn for her radiation treatments.

Scan here to read Ashley’s Story:

“When I received my results, I was in complete shock! I could not believe what I was being told. I was diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma. I had stage 3 colorectal cancer. And at that moment I knew my life would never be the same.”

ASHLEY LOUDERMILK

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Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital

LUNG CANCER AWARENESS

LAKE CUMBERLAND FOCUSES ON SCREENINGS & EARLY DETECTION Kentucky has the highest rate of new lung cancer cases in the US with an incidence rate of 92.6 out of 100,000 people. The national rate is 59.6. Kentucky also has one of the lowest 5-year survival rates at 17.6%. According to the American Lung Association, part of the reason lung cancer is so deadly is because most cases are diagnosed at a later stage after the disease has spread, but the Lake Cumberland Cancer Treatment Center is taking strides to reduce death rates from Lung Cancer with dramatic increases in Low Dose CT Scan rates year over year.

The only recommended screening test for lung cancer is low-dose computed tomography (also called a low-dose CT scan, or LDCT).

During an LDCT scan, an X-ray machine uses a low dose (amount) of radiation to make detailed images of the lungs. The scan only takes a few minutes and is not painful.

To be eligible for a lung cancer screening, patients must be: • •

• •

50 years or older Have smoked at least: 1 pack per day for 20 years; 2 packs per day for 10 years; or, 3-4 packs per day for 5 years.

Must be a current or former smoker.

Those who have quit in the past 15 years may still qualify.

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KICKING THE HABIT & CATCHING CANCER EARLY In 2021, Lake Cumberland participated in the Return to Cancer Screening PDSA Clinical Study focused on lungs.

This study included evidence-based interventions that were implemented with the goal of increasing cancer screening from the community.

Interventions included: • • •

• • • • •

Patient reminders (phone calls, texts, letters, etc.)

Patient education events Educational information discributed to patients across the hospital system and at community sites and events (brochures, flyers, website, banners/posters, etc.)

Social media implementation Collaboration with local TV/radio/news channels Provider awareness & education Provider reminders Provider assessment & feedback

PLAN TO BE TOBACCO FREE

LCRH AND KY CANCER PROGRAM HOST EDUCATION EVENT AT LOCAL WOMEN’S RECOVERY CENTER In May 2021, Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital partnered with the Kentucky Cancer Program to present the “Plan to be Tobacco Free” event. This special program hosted approximately 47 women of the SkyHope Recovery Center.

SkyHope provides hope to homeless women suffering from alcoholism and drug addiction. The inpatient program promotes overall wellness and recovery for the individual, family, and community.

Attendees were provided with tools, resources and education about quitting smoking, as well as information about the importance of screenings for the early detection of cancer.

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Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital

2021 CANCER COMMITTEE MEMBERS MEMBER Hossein Fallahzadeh, MD Joseph Eid, MD Amtullah Khan, MD Jennifer Smith, MD William Baker, MD N. Mullai, MD Michelle Hook, RN Kendra Denham, RN Paige Jones, CSW Kerri Helms, CTR Nathan Bennett, Director Radiology Services Rachel Manning, RN, CPPS Micahel Citak, MD Kathy Monroe, RHIA Mandy Prather Dianna Maybrier, MS, RD, LD Kylie Flores, MS, RD, LD Kevin Crabtree, PharmD Amanda Ferebee, PharmD Euretha McQueary Lydia Moore, RN Brooke Whitis Julie Waters Tracy Walker, BSN, RN Deborah Carey, CSW

POSITION Cancer Committe Chair, Surgery Cancer Liaison Physician, Surgery Radiation Oncology Diagnostic Radiology Diagnostic Radiology Med Oncology/Clinical Research Oncology Nursing Oncology Nursing Social Worker Cancer Tumor Registry Performance Improvement/QI Performance Improvement/QI Cancer Program Administrator Cancer Program Administrator Community Outreach, Public Reporting Nutrition Nutrition Pharmacy Pharmacy Hospice Hospice American Cancer Society American Cancer Society Cancer Tumor Registry UK Markey Affiliation

Cancer is a complex, complicated condition. When you have a cancer diagnosis, you want as many people as possible working together to offer multidisiplinary opinions in order to ensure you recieve quality care, the right treatment, and the best outcomes.

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Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital 305 Langdon Street | Somerset, KY | 42503 Lake Cumberland Cancer Treatment Center 112 Trade Park Drive | Somerset, KY | 42503 Lake Cumberland Imaging Center 45 Tower Circle | Somerset, KY | 42503 To make a referral: 606.451.3755 LakeCumberlandHospital.com

To find a healthcare provider: 800.424.3627 Facebook.com/LakeCumberlandHospital

Front cover image by John Fitzwater, FitzPicz