Join me for an evening of answers and support

Free Community Event: Living With and Beyond Cancer
May 16, 2012, 6:30-8 pm
Providence Centralia Hospital, basement classroom
Call 360.493.7247 to register or visit www.provregister.org

We are offering this program three more time this year, click here to view all our free resources >>

A diagnosis of cancer can shake your world. Coping with the disease, its treatment, and the aftermath can make you question your identity, decisions, relationships, etc.

What is "normal"? How should I be coping? Why do some people make such unhelpful comments?

Join me (pictured to the left, at a recent survivorship event in Lewis County) for an evening of support, resources and connections whether you are newly diagnosed, in the midst of treatment or a long-term survivor.

Need more information? Here’s what past participants are saying about the program:

"You provided us with hope and good materials, for which I have always been thankful."

"I want to thank you for shedding such a bright light on the emotional, feeling side of this disease. I am so much better equipped to deal with my breast cancer now that I have your information."

"Cobie, your talk was wonderful – enlightening, informative and supportive."

"Thank you for your inspiring presentation. Your comments regarding completing treatment and being pushed from the perceived safety of the infusion/hospital environment truly touched me. Moving from a state of actively treating my disease to watchful waiting is still, a year later, very difficult for me."

"Thanks again for coming to Longview to speak to our group. I have to tell you that during the sharing time they all reflected on what you said and were so grateful for the words of wisdom. You have a gift for sharing such truly remarkable insights that can benefit anyone regardless of their situation. They all loved you!"

How long should a cancer diagnosis take?

Patients are frequently frustrated by the length of time it can take to get a clear cancer diagnosis. They are left in limbo and fear since they know something is wrong, but not exactly what and therefore can have no plan of action.

Often the first signs of an abnormality are non-specific and difficult to pin down or identify:

• Cancer may present with fatigue or weakness only, which everyone experiences at one time or another.
• There may be non localized pains, a nagging cough, a small lump or other signs and symptoms that aren't pursued initially or take some time to find. It is not uncommon for weeks to elapse from initial symptoms to the start of the diagnostic work up.
• Some cancers, for example early colon cancer, can have no symptoms at all, and only be discovered incidentally or by screening (colonoscopy).

Once an abnormality is found, further laboratory tests or diagnostic imaging are usually used to further evaluate it:

• These tests often take a day or two to run (clinical lab tests), or several days to schedule and perform.
• Then a biopsy (in the case of a solid tumor) or blood sample (in the case of leukemia or lymphoma) is usually taken. A biopsy of a solid tumor such as a breast biopsy is usually performed by a radiologist or surgeon and this can take days or weeks to schedule.
• Once the biopsy is performed it goes to the Pathology laboratory for analysis to determine if it is cancer, what type exactly and what prognostic features it has. This usually takes 1-3 days of work and may entail sending the biopsy specimen to other specialized labs to detect specific features that may determine which kinds of treatment are appropriate and this could take additional days or even weeks. Every tumor in every patient is unique and some are very difficult to diagnose based on current medical science and could require the review by a pathology specialist who studies only one kind of tumor. There may only be a few of these specialists in the country and this kind of review could take additional days or weeks. For more information visit, The Pathologist's role in cancer diagnosis and care >>
• Once the diagnosis is made, evaluation by oncologists is necessary to determine the exact type of treatment necessary. These appointments can take days to schedule and more than one opinion is often necessary to get the plan solidified. Sometimes a particular treatment (eg. neutron beam radiotherapy) is only available in a few places in the country and getting into these treatment facilities can take days or weeks. For more information visit, Cancer: What's in a diagnosis?

Thus it takes quite a while to get a diagnosis and get started with the best treatment. Fortunately most cancers are quite slow growing and have often been present in the patient for years prior to diagnosis and so a few weeks delay usually has no outcome consequence, but delays are clearly associated with emotional stress and turmoil.

Although it may not feel like it, your team is working very hard to get a timely and accurate diagnosis for you. However, as with all your health care decisions, if you ever feel as though you are falling through the cracks, speak up.

You might also like:

• Scientifically speaking, what is cancer?
• Cancer: What's in a diagnosis?
• The Pathologist's role in cancer diagnosis and care

2nd Annual Cancer Survivor Celebration

Join us! If you currently have cancer or had it in the past, you and a guest are invited to attend our second annual cancer survivor celebration. This free event will feature a keynote speaker plus informative presentations about wellness, survivorship and more. Breakfast and lunch included.

2^nd annual Cancer Survivor Celebration
June 2, 2012, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Heritage Room, 604 Water Street, Olympia
Register>>

Keynote Speaker: Cancer Survivorship and Quality FOR Life: Shaken, Stirred, Movin’ On! - Brad Zebrack, PhD, MSW, MPH

Presentations and speakers

• What’s New in Diagnosis and Treatment - medical oncologist Jim Lechner, MD; radiation oncologist Jim Raymond, MD; pathologist Rich Whitten, MD
• Natural Therapies for Post-Chemo and Radiation Symptoms - Chad Aschtgen, ND, FABNO
• Family conversations about legal concerns - Jonathan Sprouffske, JD
• Living Well with Cancer – palliative care physician Gregg Vandekieft, MD; psycho-oncologist Cobie Whitten, PhD
• New! Patient Panel 

How do you deal with "unhelpful" comments from others?

Recently Providence Centralia Hospital's Director of Mission, Cathy Johnston and Providence Regional Cancer System consultant, Cobie Whitten were interviewed for an article in The Spokesman-Review titled "Offering comfort."

It's a great article, so we wanted to share. To read the article in full, click this link >>

Here's an excerpt:

Q. When I had breast cancer, several people told me about their mothers or sisters or friends who had difficult chemotherapy experiences or who died from their cancer. It was not helpful. Why do people do that?

A. “People respond out of their own fear of cancer and fear of death. Often their comments are a panic reaction,” said Cobie Whitten, a psycho-oncology consultant who works with cancer patients in Olympia.

People may be stunned to learn their friend’s news and their reactions default to what is familiar, instead of what is helpful. Many people still, wrongly, believe that a cancer diagnosis is synonymous with death, Whitten said.

And people may wonder what it means for them. Will they have to be a caregiver? Or will they lose their friend to this awful disease?

They manifest their own discomfort with inappropriate comments, instead of simply saying, “I am sorry this is happening to you.”

When Catherine Johnston confided in a colleague that she was taking several weeks off for cancer treatment, the woman replied, “I have news, too. I’m getting a new job!” Johnston stood up and left the room.

We'd love to hear from you. Do you have advice to add? Would you like to share your own story? Please feel free to leave us a note in the comments section.

7 'take charge' tips from our new breast cancer navigator, Andrea Potter, RN

Welcome breast cancer navigator Andrea Potter, RN!Many of you may already know or recognize me because I have been caring for cancer patients in the community for the past eight years. The Providence Regional Cancer System is like family to me. I began my nursing career here and know the doctors, the staff and the community.

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month, I want you to feel empowered as your own health advocate. Remember that you are not just a patient, but that you are the customer and should be made comfortable and happy. Here are some ‘take charge’ tips:

• Simplify things by keeping a journal and calendar to track symptoms and appointments.
• Be honest with your doctor about how you’ve been adhering to your treatment plan.
• It’s ok to seek a second opinion.
• Keep your own medical file and request copies of your records.
• Let me help you with practical problems that can get in the way like temporary housing, transportation or financial support.
• Take care of your emotional health by using counseling or integrative therapies.
• Keep up on changes in breast cancer research.

I am here for you throughout this journey, and the sky’s the limit to the resources I can help you access and support I can provide.