Breast cancer patient navigator achieves nationwide status

Andrea receives her certification at the NCBC Conference as a breast navigator in Imaging and Cancer Care. Pictured with Karry Trout of Mason General Hospital, who is the Diagnostic Imaging Breast Navigator and who also received her certification.Editor's Note: We are excited to announce that Andrea Potter, our breast cancer patient navigator, has earned certification through the National Consortium of Breast Centers in the fields of Imaging and Cancer Care.

The Breast Patient Navigator Certification Program is a certification that has been developed by a peer review team of the National Consortium of Breast Centers (NCBC). The purpose of this certification is to set standards of achievement and the professional's role; enhance patient safety, quality of care and delivery of services; and recognize professionals who advance beyond basic knowledge in a field of specialty.

What does that mean for me, the patient?
Moving a patient through a breast care/cancer continuum is a complex and highly individualized process. The complexity is significantly reduced with the assistance of an individual who is trained to navigate a patient through the processes of care, often referred to as a breast patient navigator. However, just as the breast care/cancer diagnosis and treatment process may differ from facility to facility, so do the definitions, activities, knowledge and job descriptions of a breast patient navigator. These disparities can adversely affect the breast care/cancer treatment provided to women across the nation and around the world. In an effort to minimize and eventually eliminate the variances in a breast patient's continuum of care and the definition/function of a breast patient navigator providing care within that continuum, the NCBC created this program.

In plain terms:

• I was able to network directly with Breast Navigators all over the country meaning I learned about new information for Breast Cancer patients. From radiology equipment, lab testing, treatments, and more!
• New information brought back from the conference has allowed me to build and re-outline my program so that I may be able to navigate more patients than previously done so that less women may "fall through the cracks".
• I am now a member of the NCBC which will allow me to continue networking with other navigators from a distance.

If you would like to get in touch with me, please call at 360.493.4746.

Professor, researcher, 26-year cancer survivor

Dr. Brad Zebrack is Associate Professor at the University of Michigan, School of Social Work, where he teaches and conducts research on cancer survivorship and quality of life. His professional interest in cancer research comes from personal experience.

Brad is a 26-year survivor of Hodgkin’s disease, diagnosed in 1985 at the age of 25. He will share his story as part of the keynote presentation, “Cancer Survivorship and Quality of Life: Shaken, Stirred, Movin’ On,” at Providence Regional Cancer System’s 2^nd annual Survivor Celebration.

He is especially interested in the impact of cancer on teens and young adults, and his research has been funded over the past thirteen years by the National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, Lymphoma Research Foundation, Lance Armstrong Foundation, and HopeLab, Inc.

We are very fortunate and excited to have Brad join us on June 2! Won’t you come, too? Register>>

Study: Veggies may impact cancer recurrence

Chad Aschtgen, N.D., FABNO will be one of the presenters at the 2nd Annual Cancer Survivor Celebration. For more details on the event click here >> Registration is free for you and a guest.

Fear of recurrence is real, and something we spend a lot of time talking about with our patients.

Dr. Cobie Whitten has explored this topic in two posts:

• Understanding the fear your cancer will come back
• Five strategies for coping with fear of recurrence

Recently new research was presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2012. One study followed 1,807 cancer survivors for more than 18 years. Here are the facts:

• 1,807 cancer survivors followed for 18.2 years
• Over the course of the 18 year study, 776 individuals passed away, but only 51% of these individuals died from cancer. The other 49% died from other causes. Source.

So what does this mean?
As a cancer survivor it’s still important to pay attention to your overall health. How? A recent study at Vanderbilt University found modest results in decreasing recurrence among breast cancer survivors:

• Those who ate one or two servings a day of cruciferous vegetables were attributed a 21 percent decrease in recurrence risk.
• Those who ate more than two servings a day of cruciferous vegetables were attributed a 35 percent decrease in recurrence risk. Source.

Cruciferous vegetables include greens, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli. However, there’s more to eating correctly than just adding in more green vegetables. If you are looking to improve your personal eating habits take a look at these other articles:

• A few guiding principles around food...
• Understanding whole foods

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 

New support group for people with cancer

A diagnosis of cancer is life-transforming. It can make you feel frightened and isolated. Enhancing Life through the Cancer Journey is a new support group for people with all types of cancer.

“This support group will be a safe place to talk about those feelings that may be difficult to discuss with family and friends,” says Cobie Whitten, PhD, psycho-oncologist and a facilitator of the support group. “Sharing your journey with other cancer patients at a meaningful level has been proven to decrease anxiety and depression while maximizing quality of life.”

Beginning this summer, the group will meet twice each month on Thursdays, 6-8:30 p.m. in the lobby of Providence Regional Cancer System located at 4525 Third Ave. SE, Suite 200 in Lacey.

Space is limited and registration is required. To register or for more information, contact Cobie Whitten, PhD, at 360.789.7576 or cobwhitten@yahoo.com.