Santa Fe PINK 2012 Cancer Support and Treatment Resource Guide

pink santa fe

2012 Cancer Support and Treatment Resource Guide

Santa Fe County SurvivorS, FriendS, FamilieS, CareGiverS and advoCateS,

You Make us

proud to “INK” pink santa fe

2012 CanCer ent Support and treatm reSourCe Guide

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2012 CanCer Support and treatment reSourCe Guide

You turn to us.

Cover Photo CouRTeSy ameRiCan CanCeR SoCieTy 2011 makinG STRideS walk Cover deSign deboRah villa owner Robin maRTin PubliSher Ginny Sohn editor Rob dean Editorial Magazine editor PaT weST-baRkeR Magazine deSigner melySSa holik advErtising advertiSing direCtor TamaRa hand, 505-986-3007 Marketing direCtor moniCa TayloR, 505-986-3888 advertiSing SaleS kayCee CanToR, 505-995-3844 mike FloReS, 505-995-3840 maRGaReT henkelS, 505-995-3820 belinda hoSChaR, 505-995-3844 CRiSTina iveRSon, 505-995-3830 STePhanie GReen, 505-995-3820 aRT TRujillo, 505-995-3820 nationalS aCCount Manager

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2012 Cancer Support and Treatment Resource Guide

inSide: Strides toward a cure: 7 making it’s more than a walk 8

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2012 CanCer Support and treatment reSourCe Guide

Comprehensive cancer care in Santa Fe: Christus St. vincent and new mexico Cancer Care associates merger offers more options to patients, physicians

10

Treating cancer: The basic options, nearby locations, clinical trials and other sources of information

14

help is close at hand: local resources for cancer patients and the people who care for them

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Getting through it all: Tips from cancer survivors

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Screening for cancer: new mexico department of health Recommendations

teChnology direCtor miChael CamPbell

oPerationS direCtor al waldRon

pink santa fe

CirCulation Manager miChael ReiChaRd diStribution Coordinator CaSey bReweR WEb digital develoPMent naTalie Guillén www.SanTaFenewmexiCan.Com addrEss oFFiCe: 202 e. maRCy ST. hourS: 8 a.m.-5 P.m. monday-FRiday advertiSing inForMation: 505-986-3082 delivery: 505-986-3010, 800-873-3372 FoR CoPieS oF ThiS maGazine, Call 428-7645 oR email CaSeyb@SFnewmexiCan.Com

proudly supports Santa Fe Pink

Santa Fe Pink: 2012 Cancer Support & Treatment Resource Guide 3

Making Strides toward a cure Society’s annual walk to raise ‘It’s more than a walk’ Cancer awareness about breast cancer and money

By Deborah Busemeyer Yvonne Delgado expects to cry during this year’s Making Strides fundraiser. The last time she participated she was two months into chemotherapy treatment and the five-mile walk was exhausting for her. This year she’s in the middle of reconstructive surgery.

“You can feel all the love for everyone there,” she said. “It’s an honor to walk it.”

Delgado thought she was too young to get breast cancer when she was 33 and found a lump that felt like a small, hard pea on her right breast. Her co-workers at the Santa Fe Sheriff ’s Department put together Team Yvonne for the first Santa Fe walk three years ago. This year, Delgado’s mother-in-law will lead a team.

Eva Maestas gets choked up when she talks about participating in the American

for breast-cancer research, local education programs and patient services.

“I’m very blessed and thankful I’m able to make the walk,” said the 63-year-old breastcancer survivor. “It’s so inspiring to see everybody out there. It just brings people together that care. The thing is every person there has been touched by cancer. Just to look at that, you know you’re not alone.”

Maestas participated in similar fundraisers in Las Cruces, where she raised her children and became a volunteer after surviving breast-cancer surgery when she was 45. She moved to Santa Fe in 2007 to be closer to two of her sons and volunteers here as well.

This year she’s putting together a team called Walking Angels. Her three sons and daughter will join her, as they have in past years.

“I think people that are willing to work

and raise money are wonderful because without them, we wouldn’t have the research, new medications and techniques,” Maestas said.

Gloria Martinez has been the community relationship manager for American Cancer Society’s Santa Fe branch for 18 years, and she is the lead organizer for the October 6 fundraiser. Managing the event may be Martinez’ job, but the work is personal too.

Her aunt had breast cancer and she’s spent time with many women coping with the disease.

Martinez describes the moment in the early morning when the music starts and the first wave of people arrive at the Villa Linda Park for the beginning of the walk along the Arroyo de los Chamisos Trail: “To me, it takes a life of its own, and it’s just generating a lot of joy and energy.”

Santa Fe’s event generated $60,000 in its first year and $65,000 in 2011 — funds that are entirely directed to breast-cancer work,

Making Strides 2012 When: Saturday, October 6 Registration begins at 8 a.m.; there is no registration fee. The walk starts at 9 a.m.

Where: Villa Linda Park, 4250 Cerrillos Road. The 5-mile walk is along the Arroyo de los Chamisos Trail. The event will be held rain or shine.

How: Register online at www. makingstrideswalk.org/santafenm or at the registration tent on the morning of the event.

Fundraising: Collecting pledges for the walk is up to each participant — it is not required to participate. Funds collected can be turned in the day of the event at the registration tent. If you are not able to attend the event but have funds to turn in, call 505-8203538 to arrange delivery.You can also make on-line donations.

For more information about Making Strides, contact Gloria Martinez at 505820-3538 or gloria.martinez@cancer. org.

COURTESY AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

Team Yvonne at the 2011 Making Strides walk in Santa Fe Santa Fe Pink: 2012 Cancer Support & Treatment Resource Guide 4

Above: Survivors wear special sashes at the 2011 Making Strides walk.

Left: Participants at the 2011 Making Strides walk in Santa Fe. photos courtesy of the american cancer society

according to Martinez. Last year there were about 1,000 participants and 85 teams in Santa Fe. Nationwide, eight million walkers have raised more than $460 million through Making Strides events since 1993, according to the American Cancer Society.

This year, the Santa Fe event is called A Call to Action, and the goal is $100,000.

“A Call to Action is a way for the community to come out and support and really show their passion for this event, for this cause,” Martinez said. “Breast cancer is a very personal thing. It’s our mothers, it’s our sisters; it’s our aunts. It’s the women we love.

It’s the foundation of our families. In a small way, it’s a way for us to feel empowered.

We’re saying we want to find a cure.

“Come out and support the women in Santa Fe who have been diagnosed with breast cancer,” Martinez said. “Let’s find a way for us to take some action to fight this disease. It’s more than a walk. It’s our way of showing support.”

Santa Fe Pink: 2012 Cancer Support & Treatment Resource 126 E. Palace, Sena Plaza, Santa Fe,Guide NM 5

• www.gustermansantafe.com

THe AmericAn cAncer SocieTy PhOTO: TIMOThEY RObERTS

Comprehensive cancer care in Santa Fe Christus St. Vincent and New Mexico Cancer Care Associates merger offers more options to patients, physicians

By Deborah Busemeyer People who receive cancer treatment in Santa Fe can expect more treatment options, better benefits and a new collaboration among medical providers, say physicians and administrators associated with the eight-month-old partnership between Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center and New Mexico Cancer Care Associates.

“We find ourselves much better able to provide the citizens of Northern New Mexico with one comprehensive, sophisticated, aggressive cancer center rather than concern over whether two are

operating marginally or not,” said Alex Valdez, Christus St. Vincent’s CEO. Christus St. Vincent and New Mexico Cancer Care Associates signed a five-year agreement in January 2012 to operate together at the Cancer Care Associates’ building on Zia Road in the Plaza Entrada shopping center. The new consolidated cancer center has about 50 employees and is called Christus St. Vincent Regional Cancer Center.

New Mexico Cancer Care Associates remains a private practice. Staff from both operations haven’t changed, but they work in the same building so it’s easier to consult

has relocated its resource room to the first floor of the Christus St. Vincent Regional Cancer Center, 490A Zia Road, in the Plaza Entrada Shopping Center off of Saint Francis Drive and Zia Road. Patients can get information and resources there while seeking treatment.

HourS: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Monday through Friday

oFFice pHone: 505-913-3095

Call 1-800-227-2345 to talk to a cancer information specialist 24 hours a day or visit online at www.cancer.org.

on patient care together.

“After a lot of work and creativity, we found a way to work together without losing our identity,” said Dr. Scott Herbert, medical oncologist and president of New Mexico Cancer Care Associates. “It’s a novel model of collaboration that isn’t seen almost anywhere else in the country.”

The new relationship means patients have one place to receive chemotherapy and radiation therapy, instead of going

Santa Fe Pink: 2012 Cancer Support & Treatment Resource Guide 6

to the hospital for radiation therapy and Cancer Care Associates for chemotherapy.

While the centers offered both, each center specialized in one treatment.

“The difficulty in the community was the two groups weren’t working together, and that really was not the best for the physicians, the hospital and certainly not for the patients,” Dr. Herbert said.

Treatment options can expand now that timothy roberts the two centers save money by pooling Left to right: Christa Woods, RN, Kris Gamble, RN, Scott Herbert, MD and Veronica resources and getting better deals through Kirby, RN in the new chemotherapy suite at Christus St. Vincent Regional Cancer bulk purchasing of supplies. The cancer center is looking into hosting the first bone Center in Santa Fe marrow transplant clinics in New Mexico. new linear accelerator, and can use two Vincent, wants to tap into more clinical Dr. Herbert is talking with cancer centers for treatment. Patients will have more trials that can help manage patients’ care in Dallas and Denver to establish visiting and expand the body of knowledge in how flexibility in scheduling treatment times clinics so physicians could come to Santa and won’t miss a treatment, even if one is to best treat cancer patients.

Fe once or twice a month to arrange bone broken, the physicians said.

Currently New Mexico Cancer Care marrow transplants and do follow-up care. Associates enrolls patients receiving The chemotherapy suite has been In about two months, the cancer center moved upstairs and expanded. There are chemotherapy in six open clinical trials plans to have 23 lounge chairs, separate quiet areas and through the New Mexico radioisotopes private rooms available as needed. Now Cancer Care Alliance, a delivered, a nonprofit in New Mexico. Christus St. Vincent’s laboratory is located Important treatment option next to the suite, so patients will have The consolidated cancer phone numbers: that hasn’t been access to their cancer center lab records center is checking with christus st. Vincent regional available in Santa when they are in the hospital, according to the Alliance to join medical center -- 505-913-3361 Fe before, Herbert Herbert. That wasn’t possible before. clinical trials involving christus st. Vincent regional said. These new With more resources, the cancer radiation therapy in 2013, cancer center – 505-913-5233 medicines have center is developing a palliative care and Dr. Shina said. specific types of internal quality review program as well “It’s not always clear chemotherapy tied as a survivorship program that will be the best way to manage to tiny radiation particles. That allows tied to patient navigation, Herbert said. a patient,” he said. “What’s most effective oncologists to release chemotherapy and A survivorship program helps patients is being answered through the research radiation directly into the cancer cells reintegrate back into their jobs and protocols.” without killing healthy cells, he said.

Sharing equipment is another advantage families while also addressing potential Valdez and Bruce Tassin, the hospital’s side effects of cancer treatment. for physicians and patients, according to Chief Operations Officer who worked on “Having cancer is, for a lot of people, Shina and Herbert. Both centers had one the consolidation, said they would like a life-changing event,” Dr. Herbert said. linear accelerator machine each, which to see breast-reconstructive surgery and “When they start to wonder, where do I go delivers radiation therapy. The machines lymphedema therapy to help recovering from here and how do I make the most of were old, and patients missed treatments breast-cancer patients deal with the side this time I have now, we want to be able to whenever one was temporarily broken. effect of a swollen arm or breast that can help them with that.”

The consolidated center has bought a happen after radiation or surgery.

“Our goal is to provide the overall comprehensive care within Santa Fe so patients don’t have to leave,” Tassin said.

Dr. Donald Shina, medical director of radiation oncology for Christus St. —bruCe taSSin,

Our goal is to provide the overall comprehensive “care within Santa Fe so patients don’t have to leave ”

christus st. Vincent coo

Santa Fe Pink: 2012 Cancer Support & Treatment Resource Guide 7

Treating cancer

The basic options, nearby locations, clinical trials and other sources of information

By Deborah Busemeyer Treatment for cancer typically involves chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery — or some combination of the three.

Chemotherapy WHAT iT doeS Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. The drug can be given alone or with other treatments such as radiation therapy. It can help other treatments work better.

HoW iT WorkS Chemotherapy stops or slows the growth of cancer cells, which grow and divide quickly. It can also harm healthy cells that

divide quickly, such as those that line your mouth and intestines or cause your hair to grow.

HoW iT FeelS Each person and treatment is different, so it is not always possible to predict how you will feel. Some people feel well enough to keep their normal schedules at home or at work. Some people do not feel good right after or days after chemotherapy. The most common side effect is fatigue.

HoW long iT TAkeS How often and how long you get chemotherapy depends on a lot of factors, including your type of cancer, the type of chemotherapy and how your body reacts to the treatment. You may receive chemo

in cycles. A cycle is a period of chemo treatment followed by a period of rest. The rest period gives your body a chance to build new healthy cells. locAlly At Christus St. Vincent Regional Cancer Center, a new chemotherapy suite has 23 lounge chairs, separate quiet areas and private rooms available if needed. There are snacks and fruits as well as hand and foot massages available during treatment.

Radiation therapy WHAT iT doeS Radiation therapy uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and stop them from spreading. At low doses, radiation is used as an x-ray to see inside your body and take pictures. The radiation used in cancer treatment is the same type, but at higher doses. Radiation oncologists use radiation to treat cancer or relieve symptoms, such as pain. Radiation therapy can make primary treatment more effective, like shrinking a tumor before surgery.

HoW iT WorkS Radiation therapy damages cells. Normal cells are able to repair themselves but cancer cells cannot. There are several kinds of radiation therapy under two categories: external-beam radiation therapy, when radiation comes from a machine, and brachytherapy, when radioactive material is placed in the body near cancer cells.

HoW iT FeelS Radiation therapy doesn’t hurt during treatment, but you can have side effects that are painful or uncomfortable. Side effects vary depending on the part of the body being treated. Fatigue is common.

COURTESY ChRISTUS ST. VINCENT

The new chemotherapy suite at Christus St. Vincent Regional Cancer Center

HoW long iT TAkeS Typically, oncologists arrange treatments five days a week for several weeks so the

Santa Fe Pink: 2012 Cancer Support & Treatment Resource Guide 8

courtesy christus st. Vincent

The radiation room at the Christus St. Vincent Regional Cancer Center features a state-of-the art Varian Medical Systems Rapid Arc Machine.

patient receives enough radiation to kill the cancer while allowing healthy cells time to recover each day.

How common About 60 percent of all cancer patients receive some type of radiation therapy sometime during the course of their treatment.

LocaLLy At Christus St. Vincent Regional Cancer Center, radiation oncologists primarily use external-beam radiation therapy, including intensity modulated radiation therapy, known as IMRT, and image guided radiation therapy, known as IGRT. Both target radiation to cancer cells and protect as many surrounding healthy cells as possible.

IMRT allows oncologists to paint a dose of radiation around a complex shape.

IGRT uses high-tech treatment planning software to perfectly fuse the images of the tumor with the radiation dose.

Surgery wHat it does Surgery can diagnose, treat or help prevent

Helping to Make Every Step Count.

Team Yvonne at the 2011 Making Strides

creDit

cancer. It often offers the greatest chance for cure, especially if the cancer has not spread to other parts of the body.

HoW iT WorkS Usually a surgeon removes the tumor and some tissue around it to prevent the tumor from growing back.

HoW iT FeelS Side effects vary, depending on the size and location of the tumor, and the type of operation. The time needed to recover is different for each type of surgery and each person. It is common to feel tired or weak for a while.

HoW common Many people with cancer will have some type of surgery.

Treatment locations In Santa Fe, New Mexico Cancer Care Associates and Christus St. Vincent

Regional Medical Center work together on patient care and services through a collaborative agreement. In addition to cancer treatment, the regional cancer center offers clinical trials, social workers, oriental medicine, support groups, classes, dieticians and other resources to patients receiving treatment for cancer.

• Christus St. Vincent Regional Cancer Center provides both chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and specializes in radiation therapy.

Office: 505-913-5233; Email: cancercenter@stvin.org; Website: http://www.stvin.org/body.cfm?id=70 • New Mexico Cancer Care Associates provides both chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and specializes in chemotherapy.

Office: 505-913-8900; Website: http:// nmcancercare.com In Albuquerque, there are a number of choices of cancer centers. Some of them provide a full-range of comprehensive

treatment while others offer limited services.

• The Cancer Center at Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital: Office: 505-5596100, Website: http://www.phs.org/ phs/cancercenter/ • Hematology-Oncology Associates PC: 505-938-5858, Website: http:// www.hoanm.com/ • Lovelace Medical Center – Radiation oncology: 505-727-8240, Gamma Knife Center: 505-727-8288, Lovelace Women’s Hospital Breast Care Center: 505-727-6900, Website: http:// www.lovelace.com/content/cancercare-services • MD Anderson Radiation Treatment Center at Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital: Office: 505-559-6100, Website: http://www.phs.org/PHS/ CancerCenter/About/ • New Mexico Cancer Center: 505-8428171 (Albuquerque), Website: www. nmcancercenter.com

Lovelace Medical Center invests in new cancer equipment Albuquerque-based Lovelace Medical Center announced that it spent $11 million in 2011 on state-of-the-art equipment to make treatment more efficient and, in some cases, faster for patients. According to Lovelace, the new equipment represents the most advanced radiation oncology technology for its

patients. The purchases include two linear accelerators and four-dimensional computed tomography (4-D CT).

Clinicians use 4-D CT to take images that capture the location of a patient’s tumor, including its movement. The machine creates a virtual image that corresponds to where the tumor is located in the body at any time so it gives radiation oncologists a way to plan treatment as precisely as possible.

According to Lovelace, its TomoHD system can produce an image and treat common and complex tumors. The cancer center uses it to treat breast, prostate, lung and head and neck cancers. The system allows the radiation oncologist to deliver higher doses with less damage to surrounding tissue.

Linear accelerators can also treat tumors with the great precision and are ideal for surface tumors, such as breast and skin cancers.

For brain tumors, the Center’s Gamma Knife Perfexion machine can treat multiple tumors in one two-hour treatment.

This means patients can avoid receiving radiation to the entire brain, which can sometimes result in a loss of brain function.

Lovelace has offered gamma knife treatments since 2003 and upgraded to the Gamma Knife Perfexion in August 2011, according to Lovelace’s spokesperson, Laurie Volkin.

–Deborah buSemeyer

Santa Fe Pink: 2012 Cancer Support & Treatment Resource Guide 10

The American Cancer Society resource room is now on the first floor of Christus St. Vincent Regional Cancer Center. courtesy american cancer society

• New Mexico Veterans Administration Health Care System: 505-265-1711 or 1-800-465-8262, Website: http://www. albuquerque.va.gov/ • Southwest Gynecologic Oncology Associates, Inc.: 505-843-7813, No website • University of New Mexico Cancer Center: New patients: 505-272-2839, Established patients: 505-272-6337, Website: http://cancer.unm.edu • Women’s Cancer and Surgical Care, P.C.: 505-559-4495, http://www. wcscnm.com

Treatment resources To order free copies of informational pamphlets detailing cancer treatment

information, call 1-800-422-6237 (1-8004-CANCER) or visit www.cancer.gov.

Christus St. Vincent Regional Cancer Center’s Amber Reynolds, DOM, recommends the Memorial Sloan-Kettering website as a resource for information on complementary medicine for health and wellness during cancer treatment.

The website has a database of herbs and supplements with historical and researchbased information (http://www.mskcc.org/ cancer-care/integrative-medicine).

Dr. Scott Herbert, medical oncologist and director of New Mexico Cancer Care Associates, recommends the following reputable websites for cancer information.

• National Cancer Institute: www.cancer. gov or 1-800-4-CANCER • National Comprehensive Cancer

Network: http://www.nccn.org/ or 215690-0300 • American Society of Clinical Oncology: http://www.cancer.net/ or 1-888-651-3038 • Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: www.lls.org or 1-800-955-4572 (blood cancers)

Clinical trials Clinical trials are research studies that test the best ways to treat and prevent cancer.

All of today’s standard cancer treatments are a result of clinical trials. Lung, breast, prostate and colon cancers have the highest number of clinical trials, representing more than 40 percent of the total number of trials, according to the National Cancer

Del Norte Pharmacy supports the American Cancer Society’s fight against breast cancer.

Join the fight, sign up and find the Making Strides walk near you at makingstrideswalk.org

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Institute. More than 25,000 patients enroll each year in clinical trials through the National Cancer Institute. Many more enroll in trials sponsored by other groups.

New Mexico Cancer Care Associates in Santa Fe is enrolling patients in six clinical trials that are studying treatments

and support for breast, lung, prostate and colorectal cancer patients through the New Mexico Cancer Care Alliance, a nonprofit that offers New Mexico cancer patients and physicians access to the most up-todate clinical research studies in cancer treatment.

TIMOThY RObERTS

By 2013, Christus St. Vincent would like to enroll patients in clinical trails through the Alliance that involve radiation therapy, according to Dr. Donald Shina, medical director of Christus St. Vincent Regional Cancer Center.

Other cancer centers in New Mexico also use the Alliance for clinical trials, including UNM, Presbyterian Medical Group, Lovelace Women’s Hospital, New Mexico Veteran’s Affairs Health Care System and Hematology Oncology Associates.

For information about health-insurance coverage of clinical trials, log onto http:// www.nmcca.org/patients/documents/ SB0042finalversion.pdf. New Mexico legislation calls for health insurance coverage to be provided for “routine patient care costs incurred as a result of the patient’s participation in a cancer clinical trial,” according to an amended section of the New Mexico Health Care Purchasing Act. Sources: The American Cancer Society, New Mexico Cancer Care Alliance, Christus St. Vincent Regional Cancer Center, New Mexico Cancer Care Associates and National Cancer Institute

Donald Shina, MD, is medical director of radiology for Christus St. Vincent.

Santa Fe Pink: 2012 Cancer Support & Treatment Resource Guide 12

timothy roberts

Tenchie Overcash staffs the American Cancer Society’s Santa Fe resource room at Christus St. Vincent Regional Cancer Center.

Help is close at hand

Local resources for cancer patients and the people who care for them Classes The following patient and caregiver classes and groups — located at Christus St. Vincent Regional Cancer Center, 490A Zia Road, Room 1516 — are free unless otherwise noted. For more information about any of these programs, call Marla Nowak at 505-913-5731. knitting cLass All skill levels are welcome; instruction is available. Potential projects include prayer shawls, scarves for the homeless and family gifts. weLLness Program Designed for those who have finished their cancer treatment, this program consists of a series of classes that address healthy

cooking, spirituality, creativity, alternative medicine and exercise. yoga movement thursdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Practice a safe and restorative method of exercise which incorporates yoga and fitness and is designed to improve strength, flexibility and balance. You will need your doctor’s approval to attend and space is limited. Lisa Gulotta, yoga instructor and cancer fitness specialist, leads the class. For more information, contact Marla Nowak at 505-913-5731. nutrition, Herbs and cancer 3 to 4:30 p.m. oct. 17 (will likely begin meeting monthly)

A dietician from Christus St. Vincent

Santa Fe Pink: 2012 Cancer Support & Treatment Resource Guide 13

santa fe new mexican file photo

COURTESY CANCER SERVICES OF NEw MExICO

Participants in the 2011 Family Cancer Retreat sponsored by Cancer Services of New Mexico

Regional Cancer Center talks about nutrition during cancer treatments, how to deal with treatment side effects and how to modify your eating when food doesn’t taste good. A doctor of oriental medicine from Christus St. Vincent gives information on herbs that are helpful when you’re going through cancer treatment.

prAyer & mediTATion Wednesdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The Spiritual Care Coordinator at Christus St. Vincent leads a non-denominational form of meditation and centering that opens the heart and mind, providing opportunities for patients and caregivers to develop and deepen their spiritual connections. For more information, contact Susan Rush at 505-470-0364.

cAre For cAregiverS Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Support Groups

Caregivers meet weekly to receive support and encouragement as they cope with the demands of taking care of loved ones at various stages of cancer and treatment. The group, facilitated by Susan Rush, Spiritual Care Coordinator, is not specific to cancer and other caregivers are welcome.

BreAST reconSTrucTion AFTer A mASTecTomy Time and date to be announced

cAncer SurvivorS If you’re interested in forming a new group, contact Marla Nowak at 505-913-5731. cAregiver SupporT ServiceS 11 to 12:30 p.m. Thursdays

COURTESY jOhN VOLLERTSEN

How do you prepare for surgery and have a successful recovery? Attend this class to learn about different reconstructive procedures and explore the pros and cons of each.

cooking clASS WiTH cHeF JoHnny v Customized cooking classes for caregivers and patients. Time and date to be arranged, $35 per person.

Christus St. Vincent Regional Cancer Center, 490A West Zia Road. The facilitator is Susan Rush: 505-913-5240. pATienT SupporT 1 to 2:30 pm Tuesdays; drop in or call caroline, 505-955-7931 x3

The group, which meets on the second

Santa Fe Pink: 2012 Cancer Support & Treatment Resource Guide 14

floor of Cancer Foundation of New Mexico, services incLude: • Rides to treatment — Cancer patients 490A West Zia Road, is open to anyone who need a ride to their cancer with a cancer diagnosis. treatment can receive help through the Road to Recovery Program. friends and famiLy • Information — A cancer information 5 to 6 p.m. the first wednesday of every specialist can help you understand your month. Please call 505-955-7931 x3 cancer and treatment options, find help before attending. with insurance, and find programs in This support group for people providing your area for people with cancer. emotional and physical care for a loved one • Free lodging for cancer patients with cancer meets at Cancer Foundation traveling long distance for treatment or of New Mexico, 490A West Zia Road, 2nd treatment in Santa Fe floor.

• Hair-loss and mastectomy products • Fuel Assistance – Gas cards are Living witH cancer available to cancer patients traveling by This group for those living with the car to treatment and needing assistance challenges of later stage or recurrent with gas. cancer diagnoses meets weekly at Cancer • Emotional Support — Women who are Foundation of New Mexico, 490A West Zia newly diagnosed with breast cancer can Road, 2nd floor. Please contact Caroline at talk with a trained Reach To Recovery 505-955-7931 x 3 or caroline@cffnm.org volunteer who is a breast cancer for further information and meeting times. survivor.

• Online Community — Share stories, retreat blog and talk online with other patients Cancer Services of New Mexico sponsors and survivors at www.cancer.org/csn. a fall 2012 Family Cancer Retreat from November 2 to 4 at the Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown Hotel, 2600 Louisiana NE. The free program for adult cancer patients, survivors and their families features educational sessions on a variety of topics, including treatments and clinical trials, genetic testing, talking to kids about cancer, pain management, hospice and insurance. To request an application packet, call 505-239-4239 or visit www.cancerservicesnm.org.

cancer foundation for new mexico 490A West Zia Rd. For more information, call 505-955-7931.

A nonprofit organization, the local foundation provides services to ease the financial, physiological and emotional needs of cancer patients and their families in Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico. All money raised is spent locally. For patients who meet financial eligibility, services include: • Mileage reimbursement • Hotel accommodations • Grocery vouchers • Weekly support groups and one-on-one support • Spanish-speaking volunteers to interpret during diagnostic exams and treatment • Nutritious snacks for patients and families during treatment • Information on available community resources

Cancer organizations american cancer society’s cancer resource center offers a variety of free information, support, programs and services for patients and their caregivers. Call 1-800-227-2345 to talk to a cancer information specialist 24 hours a day or visit online at www.cancer. org. 490A West Zia Rd. in Santa Fe.

timothy roberts

Left to right: Judith Kiersky, LCSW, PhD, James DeGroot and Carol Hallmark participate in a cancer support group.

Santa Fe Pink: 2012 Cancer Support & Treatment Resource Guide 15

SANTA FE NEw MExICAN FILE PhOTO

neW mexico cAncer cenTer FoundATion in AlBuquerque Through the Patient Grant Program, patients may request help with rent or a mortgage payment, child care, transportation, groceries and other daily expenses. Funds also help rural patients pay for lodging or transportation costs to get treatment in Albuquerque or at another cancer center in New Mexico. Funds go exclusively toward non-medical expenses and are paid directly to a third-party payee (mortgage company, landlord, utility company, etc.).

For more information, visit http:// nmcancercenterfoundation.org/index.html or call 505-828-3789.

Community resources AlTernATive cAre: Some patients have found that complementary therapies can enhance their overall quality of life, including helping them manage side effects from cancer treatments. Christus St. Vincent Regional Cancer Center offers

oriental medicine and herbs to patients.

Other programs in the Santa Fe community provide a holistic and integrative approach to helping people feel as well as possible during and after treatment.

• Acupuncture & Naturopathy — Amber Reynolds, DOM, at Christus St. Vincent Regional Cancer Center. Call 505-913-5233.

• Center for Life Integrative Medicine Specialty Clinic at UNM School of Medicine in Albuquerque — Clinic offers massage therapy, hypnotherapy, psychology, comprehensive stress reduction evaluation and myofascial trigger point needling and release.

Classes include Mindful Eating and Living, tai chi, feldenkrais and qui gong. All patients seen by doctors and DOMs need to be referred by a provider involved with their care. Call 505-925-7464 or visit http://hsc.unm. edu/som/cfl.

• Massage by Obie — John “Obie”

Oberhausen, LMT, provides massage therapy for people living with cancer.

He also offers manual lymph drainage to help activate the lymph system after radiation or surgery. Oncology massage training addresses the physical consequences of cancer, side effects of various treatments and the psychosocial and emotional response to cancer. Visit www.massagebyobie.com or call 505-690-7462.

• Oriental medicine, acupuncture and oncology massage — Sandra and David Canzone, doctors of oriental medicine, provide oncology massage, nutritional supplements, dietary recommendations, gentle acupuncture, Eastern and Western herbs and oriental medicine. They can help with common side effects: pain, neuropathy, nausea, vomiting, appetite changes, fatigue, insomnia and menopausal symptoms. Call 505-989-7418 for more information.

Santa Fe Pink: 2012 Cancer Support & Treatment Resource Guide 16

• Dawn Carter is a certified clinical oncology esthetician who helps patients care for skin that may be challenged by cancer treatments. For more information, call 505-819-7210 or visit www.eldoradoskincare.com. ` caregiving suPPort: It can be emotionally, physically and financially tiring to be the sole caregiver of a person with cancer. These resources can help you care for yourself and get rest when needed.

• Caring Can Be Shared — Participants of the Southwestern College Grief Counseling Program assist families, friends and neighbors in organizing volunteer care-sharing groups to alleviate some of the stressors often experienced when caring for a loved one. For information, contact Janet Schreiber at 505-467-6803 or send an email to ccbs@swc.edu.

Independent practitioner Judith E. Kiersky, LCSW, PhD, has extensive experience working with cancer patients, survivors and their families. To learn more about her services and fees, call 505-4666858 or send an email to jkiersky111@ yahoo.com. financiaL/food assistance: Even if you have insurance, cancer treatments can be expensive. Community agencies can help you get food or the other financial assistance when needed. The grocery/ restaurant delivery services listed here are offered at their regular price, but can be helpful when you’re too busy or sick to get food for your family.

County get access to health care through a network of services: 505-7952356 • Santa Fe County Indigent Fund: 505-992-9850 • Kitchen Angels delivers dinners for homebound cancer patients younger than 60: 505-471-7780 • Meals on Wheels provides meals for seniors: 505-955-4748 • Food stamps: 505-827-1932 • For assistance with lodging, gas vouchers, food and community referrals, call Caroline Owens, MSW: 505-955-7956

• Aging and disability resources: 800432-2080

• Legal, insurance and paperwork assistance: 505-999-9764

• Santa Fe Project Access helps uninsured individuals in Santa Fe

• Go Shop for Me, a grocery delivery service, charges 20 percent of total

• City of Santa Fe Family respite care and non-medical personal care — Call 505-955-4745 for more information. counseLing/suPPort: Having a major disease can take a toll on you and your family. There are places to turn to when you need additional support.

• Outpatient services (medication and evaluations): 505-913-3056 • Counseling services for individuals, family and couples: Marla Nowak, LISW, 505-913-5731 • Spiritual care/meditation classes: Susan Rush, 505-913-5240 • End of life care: Sister Rochelle Perry, MSC, Chaplain, 505-913-5233 • Support group: Surviving Sisters Cancer Support Group is open to all women dealing with cancer and its treatments. The group meets from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. Call 505-5771032 for location and directions.

santa fe new mexican file photo

Packing meals for homebound patients at Kitchen Angels Santa Fe Pink: 2012 Cancer Support & Treatment Resource Guide 17

SANTA FE NEw MExICAN FILE PhOTO

The Santa Fe Ride program can be helpful to cancer patients.

grocery bill. For more information, visit https://goshopforme.com or call 505814-1760.

• Dashing Delivery delivers food from several Santa Fe restaurants with a 15 percent delivery charge. For more information, log onto http://www. dashingdelivery.com or call 505-9833274.

Home HeAlTH cAre: Home healthcare agencies can provide health care in your home as well as help with daily living routines — preparing meals, cleaning the house, running errands and helping you bathe, dress and eat. Many can tailor services to your specific needs.

• For homemaker, home health, hospice

and caregiver services, Marla Nowak, a social worker at Christus St. Vincent Regional Cancer Center, can facilitate referrals to community agencies: 505913-5731.

• A Nurse in the Family offers companion and aide services, nursing, physical, speech and occupation therapies, skilled medical care, pet care, shopping and more: 505-954-1435 or http://www. anurseinthefamilyhomecare.com/.

• Comfort Keepers is locally owned and operated by Leslie Van Pelt. The Santa Fe-based company provides companionship services that include meal preparation, grocery shopping, 24-hour care and home safety solutions

such as video monitoring, around-theclock emergency monitoring station and medication management solutions: 505-982-1298.

• Coming Home Connection volunteers provide personal care and in-home support to people who have fallen through the gap of health-care services: 505-988-2468 or http://www. cominghomeconnection.org/.

• Home Instead Senior Care Services is a national chain that provides home helper, companionship, personal care and respite services: 505-471-2777 or http://www.homeinstead.com.

• Mi Casa Home Health Care/Guardian Angels is an Albuquerque-based company that provides home health

Santa Fe Pink: 2012 Cancer Support & Treatment Resource Guide 18

care: 505-205-1047 or 505-466-3500 or www.micasahomehealth.com.

HosPice: Hospice services — including palliative care, nursing, patient and family support, respite care and bereavement counseling — can be provided when a physician certifies that someone has a maximum of six months to live. Medicare, Medicaid in most states, the Department of Veterans Affairs, most private insurances plans, HMOs and other managed care organizations pay for all or part of hospice care. Hospice care agencies providing care in Santa Fe County include: • Amber Care (a national company): 505-982-4098 or http://www. ambercare.com/ • Del Corazon (a local company): 505-988-2049 or http://www. delcorazonhospice.com/ • Hospice Center, a local nonprofit that provides hospice services as well as free bereavement counseling: 505-988-2211 • Vista Care (a national company): 505988-5331 or http://www.vistacare.com/ transPortation: If you cannot drive or need a ride to medical appointments or cancer treatment, there are a variety of transportation options available to you. In some cases, you need a physician to certify that you have a disability that prevents you from walking far.

• Santa Fe Ride Paratransit Program is a public transportation system for people of all ages with disabilities who

courtesy american cancer society

American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program helps patients get to appointments.

cannot used the fixed route bus system.

Santa Fe Ride is a request-response public transportation system that provides door-to-door public transit service for $2 a ride. Call 505-4734444 and ask for information or an application, or print the application from www.santafenm.gov. (Click on Santa Fe Trails public transportation button.)

• Seniors can get free door-to-door rides from the senior van: 505-955-4700 • Saferide (available to people on Medicaid only): 1-800-797-7433 • To apply for a handicapped parking placard, download a form from the

New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division’s website — http://www.mvd.newmexico. gov/Pages/Fill-Print-and-Go-Forms. aspx#parking — and mail in the completed form. To qualify, you will need a physician to certify that you cannot walk 100 feet without stopping to rest; cannot walk without the use of some support; are restricted by lung disease; use portable oxygen; have a severe cardiac condition; and/or are severely limited in the ability to walk.

For more information, call 1-888-6834636.

—deborah buSeMeyer

Women’s Healthcare of New Mexico Dr. Barbara Van Eeckhout MD, F.A.C.O.G., Board Certified OB/GYN Eileen Kerem, C.N.P.

New Patients Welcome

NOW OFFERING

• Breast exams • Infertility screening and treatment • Primary Care for women • Treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding • Permanent birth control (Essure)

531 Harkle Ave., ste. D, Santa Fe, NM 505-982-4200 • Toll Free 877-236-7027 www.nm-obgyn.com Santa Fe Pink: 2012 Cancer Support & Treatment Resource Guide 19

CANCER FOUNDATION FOR NEW MEXICO

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S AT U R DAY, F E B RUA RY 9 T H , 2 0 1 3 , 5 P M S A N TA F E C O N V E N T I O N C E N T E R , $ 4 5 P E R P E R S O N

Dinner Buffet & Cash Bar • Silent & Live Auctions Dream Vacation Raffle! Visit cffnm.org for details.

T O P U R C H A S E E V E N T A N D R A F F L E T I C K E T S, O R T O B E C O M E A S P O N S O R , V I S I T W W W. C F F N M . O R G , O R C A L L 5 0 5 - 9 5 5 - 7 9 3 1 E X T. 1

Generously supported by: New Mexico Cancer Care Associates, X-Ray Associates of New Mexico, Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center, Merrill Lynch, and Beaver Toyota

HEALTH SCREENING

BREAST CANCER SCREENING Saturday, October 27, 2012 • 9:00 am—1:00 pm by appointment only at SANTA FE IMAGING, 1640 Hospital Dr. This screening includes:

A free manual breast exam performed by a medical provider Free breast cancer education

A low-cost digital mammogram performed the same day, if indicated for women age 40 and above

Funding programs available for those who qualify Accupressure Nutrition Education Blood Pressure Check

Meet Margaret Gallegos, MD, new digital mammography radiologist with Santa Fe Imaging, and Melody Paulishak, DO, new Fellowship Trained Breast Surgeon from CHRISTUS St. Vincent Breast Institute.

To Make An Appointment: Please call (505) 983-9350 weekdays between 9:00 am – 5:00 pm to request your appointment.

Thank you to our generous contributors: The Plaza Café, Santa Fe Sports & Images, and Starbucks Coffee Company

NEW MEXICO D E PA RT M E N T O F

HEALTH

timothy roberts

Marla Novak, oncology social worker at Christus St. Vincent Regional Cancer Center, has been courtesy working with cancer society american patientAmerican Vangie Chavez Santa FeLook sinceGood, January CancerofSociety’s Feel2012.

Better class helps patients look their best during and after treatment. her medical appointments, so her husband went to every appointment with her, took notes and made a list of questions before the appointment so they could discuss these with the doctors.

Getting through it all Tips from cancer survivors

By Deborah Busemeyer

Cancer survivors in New Mexico share some of the things that helped them through their experience with cancer.

On advice Don’t give any advice to patients. If you’re going through treatment, don’t listen to too many cancer stories. Everyone is different, and everyone’s cancer treatment and experience is different.

On relationships Don’t be upset with family or friends who keep their distance. They love you but don’t know what to say and don’t want to hurt you.

On appearance

One breast-cancer survivor recommends American Cancer Society’s Look Good, Feel Better class. She learned how to take care of her skin, which became dry and flaky with chemotherapy, and to apply makeup so it wasn’t obvious that she no longer had eyebrows and eyelashes.

On practical On foodsupport

FamiliesWhen and friends have brought home-made chemotherapy treatments cooked meals for patients’ families, cleaned one woman sick to her stomach, she drank houses, transported children to their lots of water and ate cold fruit to help her activities, encouraged thatthe their stomach settlechildren and relieve metallic taste parents will bemouth.

OK, bought expensive wigs in her for patients and held fundraisers. One survivor said every little thing others did On post-treatment was amazing for her.

On emotional support Beth Carlozzi, nurse and clinical manager at Christus St. Vincent Regional Cancer Treat someone going through cancer the On attitude Center, wants patients to know the cancer same as you always have — but be there for One volunteer and cancer survivor advises is there for them throughout them if they need you. The best thing to say patients center and families to stay in the present their entire experience with cancer — is, “I’m here when you need me.” Respect time. Don’t overwhelm yourself worrying including after treatment is finished. The their wishes and their need for privacy. about what’s coming next.

You can maydirect want people center’s social workers answers to now, but you’re not going to community resources, andget the center’s On helping them. developing survivorship program can help For patients, accept help when it’s offered. guide patients in their recovery.

Tell people what you need, including time On doctor appointments The center also is developing a buddy list to yourself. so patients can One cancer patient saidcall shesurvivors wouldn’t when they need information medical always remember what wasthat being said atofficials

Santa Pink: 2012Support Cancer&Support & Treatment Santa Fe Pink:Fe2012 Cancer Treatment Resource Resource Guide Guide 22 21

COURTESY AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

American Cancer Society’s Look Good, Feel Better class helps patients look their best during and after treatment. her medical appointments, so her husband went to every appointment with her, took notes and made a list of questions before the appointment so they could discuss these with the doctors.

On food When chemotherapy treatments made one woman sick to her stomach, she drank lots of water and ate cold fruit to help her stomach settle and relieve the metallic taste in her mouth.

On post-treatment

SANTA FE NEw MExICAN FILE PhOTO

Lisa Gulotta leads an exercise class for cancer survivors at Genoveva Chavez Community Center.

Beth Carlozzi, nurse and clinical manager at Christus St. Vincent Regional Cancer Center, wants patients to know the cancer center is there for them throughout their entire experience with cancer — including after treatment is finished. The center’s social workers can direct people to community resources, and the center’s developing survivorship program can help guide patients in their recovery.

The center also is developing a buddy list so patients can call survivors when they need information that medical officials

Santa Fe Pink: 2012 Cancer Support & Treatment Resource Guide 22

cannot provide because they haven’t had the same experiences as patients. “Let us help you, take advantage of all the resources, and call a buddy,” Carlozzi said.

“The identification of someone else who has been there and is now prospering and doing well is invaluable for patients.”

After treatment, exercise is an important way to regain strength, Carlozzi said.

Cancer survivor Nancy Hewitt participated in a yoga movement class for recovering cancer patients at Genoveva Chavez Center. Because she found it so valuable, she produced an exercise DVD for cancer survivors with the instructor, Lisa Gulotta. For more information on the DVD, visit www.exerciseafterbreastcancer. com or send an email to nancy@ exerciseafterbreastcancer.com.

A Movement for Cancer Survivors exercise class is offered at Genoveva Chavez Community Center at 12:15 p.m. on Tuesdays. Call the fitness center for more information: 505-955-4009.

For family and friends

Patients

• Limit your visiting time to 15 to 30 minutes so you don’t tire out the patient. Ask if there’s anything specific you can do — for example, take out the trash or do the laundry.

• If you’re the caregiver, seek support for yourself when you need it.

Remember to get adequate rest and eat well. Talk to your cancer center’s social worker if you need help.

• Work with other friends and family members to deliver meals, help with childcare and household duties.

• Attend clinic visits as much as you can to better understand your loved one’s diagnosis, treatment and progress.

• Listen to what the patient says he or she wants. Give them space and privacy if that’s what they need.

• Help with financial resources if you can — ask if you can contribute to wigs, rides, child activities or meals.

• Some people might want to talk about their cancer — others might want to talk about anything else to get their mind off their condition and/or treatment.

• Be aware of your rights as a caregiver: Most employers are required to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for family members who need time off to care for a loved one through the federal Family and Medical Leave Act.

• Take advantage of programs that connect you to survivors. Sometimes it’s easier knowing what to expect or talking with others who know what you’re going through.

• Rely on your treatment team and follow advice for nutrition, exercise and medicine.

• Tell your loved ones if you need time to yourself or if you’d like company.

• Write down questions when they arise so you can bring them to your next medical appointment.

• Ask for and accept help when you need it — your friends and family want to support you.

• If you feel up to it, and your doctor agrees that you’re ready, start a mild exercise program such as walking, yoga, swimming or stretching.

Exercise can help you feel better.

Santa Fe Pink: 2012 Cancer Support & Treatment Resource Guide 23

Screening for cancer New Mexico Department of Health recommendations

By Deborah Busemeyer Research shows that getting regular screening tests can help prevent some cancers. The New Mexico Department of Health emphasizes the importance of screening for cervical and colorectal cancer because tests can find cellular changes before cancer develops, said Gena Love, who leads the department’s Cancer Prevention and Control Section.

Cervical cancer Federal guidelines for cervical cancer have recently changed as researchers have learned how to space out screening over a longer period and still effectively prevent cancer, according to Love. Cervical cancer is a relatively slow growing disease so it can take a long time between being exposed to the HPV virus and seeing cellular changes, she said. cervicAl cAncer guidelineS • Starting at age 21, women should get a pap smear every three years to screen for cervical cancer.

• At age 30, women who have had a negative HPV test can get a pap smear every five years.

• Women should get screened with pap smears through age 65.

Colorectal cancer There are a variety of tests that the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommends for colorectal cancer. The New Mexico Department of Health

encourages everyone to get screened between age 50 and 75. colorecTAl cAncer Screening opTionS • Fecal occult blood test: You smear samples of a bowel movement on chemically treated cards provided by your doctor. A laboratory will determine if there’s blood in the sample. If it’s positive, you’ll need more testing. It’s the least invasive test with no risk or doctor appointment required. You do this test every year.

• Sigmoidoscopy: A flexible tube is inserted in your rectum to look at part of your colon. This test is more invasive, requires some prep (likely an enema) and there’s a slight risk involved. You do this test every five years with a fecal occult blood test in the interim.

• Colonoscopy: A flexible tube is inserted in your rectum to look at your entire colon. If something abnormal is found, the doctor can remove it without another appointment.

It’s the most invasive test, requires anesthesia and extensive prep with slight risk involved. You do this test every 10 years.

The Department of Health’s Colorectal Cancer

Program provides free colorectal cancer screening and/or diagnostic service for eligible people in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Alamogordo. Eligibility depends on age, income, insurance and an assessment of your risk. Call the program’s bilingual, toll-free information line (1-877-852-2585) to find out if you’re eligible and to find the nearest screening provider in your area.

Skin cancer Another cancer that can be prevented is skin cancer. There isn’t sufficient evidence to support an annual exam in which someone looks for skin cancer, so it’s important for you to protect yourself from the sun, Love said. She recommends preventing sunburns and paying attention to changes to your skin.

“The majority of the damage to our skin occurs when we’re young so we’re working with schools so children engage in sun safety behaviors — wearing hats and long sleeves or playing in the shade,” she said.

Caring for your health

The New Mexico Department of health encourages you to talk to your doctor to determine the best tests and timing for you.

In general, there is growing evidence that suggests some cancers can be attributed to obesity and lack of exercise, Love said. A healthy diet and adequate exercise can reduce risk of cancer and other chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

If you stop smoking, you can reduce your risk of getting

The Department of health’s breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program provides breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services to eligible low-income women statewide.

Call the bilingual, toll-free information line 1-877-852-2585 to find out if you are eligible and to find the nearest medical provider.

Santa Fe Pink: 2012 Cancer Support & Treatment Resource Guide 24

lung cancer as well.

“Anything an individual can do to make more healthy choices or that we as a community can do to create an environment where people can make more healthy choices will be helpful in reducing cancer rates in New Mexico,” she said.

Breast cancer There isn’t an effective way to prevent breast cancer, but there is a way to find the disease early enough to increase your chances of surviving.

The national recommendations for mammography screenings changed this year, so you should talk to your doctor if you have any questions about what’s best for you. You also should pay attention to any changes in your breasts. A malignant breast lump will have an irregular shape (not round) with a pebbly surface, somewhat like a golf ball. It will be very hard, like a slice of raw carrot.

breast cancer screening recommendations Between ages 40 and 49, talk to your doctor about whether you should be screened. The same is true if you are older than 74.

You should get a mammogram at least every two years between ages 50 to 74.

The Department of Health’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program provides breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services to eligible low-income women statewide. Call the bilingual, toll-free information line (1-877852-2585) to find out if you are eligible and to find the nearest medical provider.

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Santa Fe Pink: 2012 Cancer Support & Treatment Resource Guide 26

PAINT THE COUNTY PINK We Hold the Key to the Cure!

Go Pink with Santa Fe County and Join The Fight Against Breast Cancer!

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Innovative Care for Women

The CHRISTUS St. Vincent Breast Institute is a comprehensive breast center delivering state-of-theart diagnosis and treatment. The Breast Institute cares for both benign and malignant breast disease.

A multidisciplinary team of highly trained caregivers specializing in breast cancer will be involved in your care.

We are pleased to welcome Melody Paulishak, DO, Fellowship-Trained Breast Surgeon, to the Breast Institute. Prior to joining CHRISTUS St. Vincent Dr. Paulishak served as a Breast Surgeon for Memorial Breast Surgery Specialists in Colorado Springs, CO and was voted one of the city’s "Top Docs" in 2011.

We have added a Plastic Surgeon, Dr. William Dougherty who performs reconstruction procedures such as implants or expanders, delayed augmentations, breast reductions and lifts.

In addition we offer flaps and nipple-sparing mastectomies.

The Breast Institute provides a patient navigator to ensure efficient delivery of the clinical care plan. The patient navigator serves as your advocate by providing support and acting as a liaison between you and the health care system.

Introducing our new providers

Melody Paulishak, DO Breast Surgeon

William Dougherty, MD Plastic Surgeon

Accepting all insurances Our providers Melody Paulishak, DO William Dougherty, MD Diane Paolazzi, NP Gloria Alvarez, RN Elizabeth Markwiese, LMSW

To schedule an appointment with one of our specialists please call

(505) 913-3101

Invested in YOU.

465 St. Michael’s Drive, Suite 204 | Santa Fe, NM 87505 | www.stvin.org