Cancer Services General Brochure

Cancer Services

Cancer Services A cancer diagnosis often brings with it very normal feelings of shock, helplessness, and fear. We understand.

Combining personalized care with the most technologically advanced cancer treatment in the region, the physicians and staff at Regional West’s cancer program are committed to offering best practices and compassionate care to cancer patients in western Nebraska, eastern Wyoming, and northeastern Colorado.

Our integrated, multidisciplinary approach for patients and their families has earned the Regional West Medical Center Cancer Program accreditation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, as well as the Commission on Cancer’s Outstanding Achievement Award. The award is presented only to those facilities that voluntarily commit to provide the best in diagnosis and treatment of cancer and undergo a rigorous evaluation process and performance review every three years.

Treating the whole person, personally.

Diagnosis and Treatment From the moment patients first enter the cancer program, Regional West’s staff and physicians help them face their disease with confidence and determination, providing support every step of the way.

When diagnosing cancer, the first step includes a comprehensive clinical evaluation using a wide range of diagnostic tools, which may include laboratory tests, X-ray exams, and a biopsy of the suspected abnormality. The clinical evaluation may also require the use of advanced diagnostic tools such as nuclear medicine scans, endoscopy, CT Scan, MRI, and PET Scan.

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After reviewing the diagnostic results, the program’s cancer specialists can pinpoint the extent of the cancer and suggest appropriate treatment options.

Radiation Therapy: The Radiation Oncology Department at Regional West Medical Center offers a comprehensive list of treatment options for a wide variety of cancer diagnosis.

We offer CT Simulation, 3D Conformal and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) treatment design, along with Image Guidance capabilities. We offer High Dose Rate Brachytherapy (HDR) services for breast and gynecological malignancies. We also offer Low Dose Rate Brachytherapy (LDR) through our prostate seed implant program. The Radiation Oncology Department provides outstanding individualized care from a highly trained and specialized multidisciplinary treatment team,

with one goal: “To treat the whole person, personally.”

Surgery is frequently used in combination with other forms of cancer treatment. For optimum results, our surgeons use a team approach and actively work with radiologists, pathologists, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists while utilizing the latest surgical techniques.

Chemotherapy treatment utilizes anti-cancer drugs designed to interfere with cancer cell growth and reproduction. It is often used in conjunction with surgery and/or radiation treatment. Administered in the offices of Scottsbluff Internal Medicine or on an inpatient basis, chemotherapy treatments are supervised by highly trained oncology nurses and supported by physicians and staff.

The Dorwart Cancer Care Center Located in Sidney, Neb., The Dr. C.B. and Lucille K. Dorwart Cancer Care Center provides easier access to the most advanced cancer services for the residents of southwestern Nebraska and northern Colorado.

Established in memory of longtime Sidney residents Dr. C.B. and Lucille K. Dorwart, the center allows area cancer patients the option of receiving radiation therapy services in Sidney, rather than traveling the sometimes-significant distance to other treatment centers.

In addition to radiation therapy, the Dorwart Cancer Care Center also offers access to symptom management, patient education, support groups, dietary counseling, social workers, and rehabilitation.

Outstanding Achievement Award Four iin a Row

The cancer program at Regional West Medical Center has earned four consecutive Outstanding Achievement Awards from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.

The award signifies that Regional West’s cancer program is one of an elite group of exceptional cancer programs nationwide. It recognizes outstanding effort and commitment by the entire Regional West cancer team—from administration to clinical and volunteer staff—who provide high quality cancer care to Regional West patients.

Regional West’s cancer program is evaluated on 34 program standards categorized within one of five cancer program activity areas: cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, cancer conferences, clinical services, and quality improvement. Our program is then evaluated on seven commendation standards. To be eligible, all award recipients must have received commendation ratings in all seven commendation standards, in addition to receiving a compliance rating for each of the 34 other standards.

“Part of what sets Regional West’s Cancer Program apart from the rest is its personalized approach and warm, supportive environment,” said Jeff Kriewald, Director of Regional West Cancer Services. “Our patients benefit from a customized, comprehensive care program designed by a highly skilled team of cancer specialists, including our experienced medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, and family practice physicians, as well as skilled oncology nurses and other specially trained staff.”

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Cancer Care Team Regional West’s Cancer Care team includes a number of physician specialists and subspecialists along with nurses and radiation therapists who are trained in cancer care.

Additionally, pain management specialists, a cancer patient navigator, nurses, radiation therapists, social workers, dieticians, and a wide range of other health care professionals meet regularly to discuss medical care and support for our cancer patients. Our team includes specialists in the following areas of cancer treatment: Radiologists Radiologists determine the extent of the cancer using mammography, ultrasound, and CT scans. They may also perform a biopsy.

Pathologists Pathologists work in a medical laboratory, where they examine tissue samples, cells, and body fluids for traces of cancer.

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Medical Oncologists Medical oncologists are the main providers of care during your cancer treatment. Together with you and your family, they will determine the course of treatment.

They also prescribe chemotherapy and other cancer-fighting drugs.

Surgeons Surgeons remove breast lumps and tumors during surgery with a lumpectomy or mastectomy.

Radiation Oncologist The radiation oncologist utilizes radiation therapy during treatment to stop the growth of cancer cells.

Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon If the patient chooses to have breast reconstruction after a mastectomy, a plastic surgeon performs the reconstructive surgery.

Cancer Patient Navigator Cancer Services provides the services of a cancer patient navigator, who guides patients through each step so that the treatment process is seamless.

He or she also works with the multi-disciplinary team to provide for the educational, emotional, and social needs of a patient and their family in coping with the cancer diagnosis.

Social Worker An oncology social worker offers educational and psychological support to people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. He or she recommends educational programs related to breast cancer and provides assistance in meeting the complex and often difficult emotional needs involved with breast cancer treatment and recovery.

Clinical trial opportunities are now available at Regional West Medical Center.

Through a partnership with the Missouri Valley Cancer Consortium, Regional West Medical Center Cancer Services now offers opportunities to participate in clinical trials that previously could not be offered locally. This program is an exciting way for Regional West Medical Center and our cancer patients to participate in cancer research projects.

Michele Lambert, Clinical Trials Coordinator at Regional West Medical Center, works closely with the Missouri Valley Cancer Consortium and Regional West Medical Center providers to offer clinical trials covering a number of disease sites. We encourage cancer patients to contact their physician or Michele at either 308.630.2429 or 775.224.1824 with any questions regarding potential study qualifications or enrollment.

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Events, Support, and Education Regional West’s Cancer Treatment Center and The Dorwart Cancer Care Center offer support programs and activities for cancer survivors and their loved ones.

Cancer Support Groups Support groups are held on a monthly basis and are facilitated by our Oncology social worker. Request more information about groups and events by calling Regional West’s Cancer Treatment Center at 308.630.1348 or the Dorwart Cancer Care Center at 308.254.9192.

Look Good Feel Better This program, co-sponsored by the American Cancer Society, helps women cope with cancer treatment side effects. Look Good Feel Better offers free workshops, literature, and practical information on skin care, makeup, hair loss, and nail care. For more information, contact the Cancer Treatment Center at 308.630.1348 or the Dorwart Cancer Care Center at 308.254.9192.

Emma’s Closet Regional West Cancer Services offers wigs, hats, breast prosthesis, and information at no cost to cancer patients. For more information, contact the Cancer Treatment Center at 308.630.1348.

Cancer Survivors’ Day This annual event allows cancer survivors, physicians, staff, family members, and friends to gather to celebrate cancer survivors and their personal victories.

The day involves food, fellowship, entertainment, and fun. For more information, contact the Cancer Treatment Center at 308.630.1348.

Camp Hope Camp Hope is an annual weekend retreat for adult cancer survivors and their support person. The weekend centers on enhancing skills for adapting to lifestyle changes related to cancer. The camp includes times of quiet reflection, time for listening and sharing, and time for discovering creative outlets through art therapy. For more information, contact the Cancer Treatment Center at 308.630.1348.

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A Time To Heal Regional West Cancer Services offers post-treatment survivorship support through “A Time to Heal.” This is a free 12-week holistic survivorship program designed to help women regain their physical, emotional, and spiritual health following breast cancer treatment. The group meets for approximately two to three hours every week for 12 weeks.

Weekly instruction includes topics such as building resilience, focus on healing, nutrition, facing our fears, regaining and maintaining strength, and how to survive after treatment.

For more information or to enroll in “A Time to Heal,” contact the Cancer Treatment Center at 308.630.1348 or the Dorwart Cancer Care Center at 308.254.9192.

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CANCER SERVICES 3911 Avenue B | Scottsbluff, NE 69361 | 308.630.1348 | www.rwhs.org