Anderson Hospital - Mercy Health

COLORECTAL CANCERDetection of colorectal cancer at an early stageleads to less extensive and more successfultreatment. Screening colonoscopy is the mostrecommended exam to detect cancers in the colonand rectum. Beginning at age 50, men and womenwho are at average risk for developing colorectalcancer should begin screening, following one ofthe testing schedules recommended by theAmerican Cancer Society or other nationallyrecognizedorganizations. Colorectal screeningcan result in detection of polyps that may becomecancerous along with early detection of existingcolorectal cancers.• Colorectal Cancer Awareness Monthwas promotedOutcome: Mercy Health — Anderson Hospitalsponsored colorectal cancer screening eventhad 100 visitors; 5 hemoccult packets givenout; no positive findings• The Endoscopy units at Mercy Health hospitalsoffer screening sigmoidoscopies andcolonoscopies performed by board-certifiedgastroenterologists and surgeons.• Nationally-recognized screening guidelines arepromoted for follow-up colorectal screening• A wide range of Imaging and Endoscopyservices to detect colon cancers are availableat Mercy Health.LUNG CANCERLung cancer has been difficult to diagnose at anearly stage. Recent results from a clinical trialshowed that annual screening chest x-rays did notreduce lung cancer mortality. Recently low doseCT scans and molecular markers in sputum haveproduced promising results in detecting lungcancer at an earlier stage in high-risk patients.The National Lung Screening Trial results showed20% fewer lung cancer deaths among current andformer heavy smokers who were screened withlow dose spiral CT scan. Formal guidelines havenot been developed for screening high-riskpatients for lung cancer.• “Live Long, Breathe Easier:” informative seminaron smoking cessation strategies, cancerprevention and the latest advances in surgicaltreatment for lung cancer. Lyn Sontag, PsyD,board-certified Clinical Psychologist, and S.Russell Vester, MD, board-certified thoracicsurgeon, were the key presenters at this event.Dr. Sontag has helped patients quit smokingusing proven smoking cessation techniques andDr. Vester has 20 years of experience treatinglung cancer using minimally-invasive techniques.• Mercy Health provides a wide array of stateof the art diagnostic and imaging services toaid in the early detection of cancers. Servicesavailable include:• Computerized Tomography (CT) Scans• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) / OpenHigh Field MRI featuring CinemaVision• Nuclear Medicine• PET/CT• Ultrasound• X-Ray and Fluoroscopic Procedures• Lung cancer awareness is promoted annuallythrough Lung Cancer Awareness Monthactivities such as “The Great AmericanSmokeout” in November2012 Outcomes Report Cancer Prevention and Screening 7

PROSTATE CANCER• “Your Prostate Health” was held at MercyHealth — Anderson Hospital, as part of nationalMen’s Health Week. Board Certified UrologistAaron Bey, MD, from the Urology Group wasthe guest speaker. Free prostate exams andPSA testing were done, along with counselingon options to treat prostate cancer andinformation on men’s health.MELANOMA/SKIN CANCERMore that 2 million skin cancers are diagnosedannually; these could be prevented by protectingthe skin from sun exposure and avoidance ofindoor tanning.• “Melanoma Know More,” was held at MercyHealth — Anderson Hospital to promote skincancer awareness, prevention and early detection.Outcome: 66 people were screened and 33 hadabnormal findings. Of these, 5 were referred forfollow-up with a dermatologist and 28 werereferred for biopsy.• Mercy Health promotes awareness of skincancer prevention at community health fairs andthrough partnership with community agencies.Summary of Outcomes• The major cancer sites seen in our communities,lung, breast and colorectal, are reflective ofthose seen nationally• The majority of lung and colon cancers presentin late stage (stage 3 and stage 4)• Several prevention and screening programs wereoffered through sponsorship or in collaborationwith other agencies, for breast, colorectal andlung cancer, as well as melanoma.• Activities to promote screening and preventionshould be focused on improving the highnumbers of late-stage disease at diagnosis7500 State RoadCincinnati, Ohio 45255513-624-3200www.e-mercy.com8 Mercy Health — Anderson Hospital