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PCH reveals outcomes for early detection screening and prevention cancer programs
The Putnam County Hospital Cancer Center Outreach Program offers many informative and educational events in the community throughout the year and 2012 was certainly no different.
The goal of the outreach program is to serve and meet the needs of the community and, therefore, PCH has offered a variety of programs concerning some of the cancers that affect local residents.
Living in a farming community, many local residents are exposed to the sun's ultraviolet rays. These individuals are in need of education regarding the effects of sun exposure and skin cancers.
The 2012 outreach program conducted skin screenings on Aug. 6 and Nov. 7, with 66 individuals checked by dermatologist Dr. John Stephens.
The results of the bi-annual event were 19 referrals, with eight possible skin cancers found. The screening is a free service that consistently receives a great response by way of attendance.
A new project for 2012 focusing on skin cancer awareness was the sunscreen giveaway. The outreach program purchased bottles of sunscreen and gave them to community residents at PCH, the oncology clinic, county fair and local farmers' market.
More than 600 community members received sunscreen due to the generous help and funding from the Putnam County Community Foundation, the local Walmart and area CVS Drugs.
The outreach program also conducts an annual prostate screening, most recently held Nov. 6. A total of 71 participants were screened, with 13 recommendations for follow-up appointments with family physicians.
Drs. Lucio Palanca and Brien Downen volunteered their time to perform examinations for the residents in the community. The Putnam County Hospital Laboratory Department staff drew the PSA blood tests and conducted the screening tests for the participants.
In 2012, the PCH Cancer Center staff members participated in the county fair, DePauw University's Dig Pink volleyball game and the Pink Halloween 5K Run/ 1 Mile Survivor Walk.
During those events, the cancer center passed out breast cancer awareness information, as well as mammogram information, which were made available to the public thanks to the Putnam County Hospital Radiology Department.
Bottled water was also distributed to the participants of the 5K-run/mile walk, courtesy of the Putnam County Hospital Dietary Department. On Oct. 16, the cancer center held the second annual Pink Balloon Release for the community. Breast cancer awareness information was also available at this event for those who attended.
PCH Center outreach coordinator Lou Fordice, LPN, visited South Putnam High School on Nov. 14, presenting a program concerning breast self-exams to the girls in the sophomore class.
Sharing such information is one way of providing young women with the tools needed to be proactive in their breast health. Awareness greatly increases the chance of discovering cancer at a much earlier stage and, as a result, the outcome is much more favorable. The program is available to any of the local high schools.
During the month of November, colon cancer prevention information was sent out weekly to each Putnam County Hospital employee via email. Prevention tactics and information about screenings and colonoscopies were included in the email communications.
Colonoscopies are performed at Putnam County Hospital by the following physicians: Drs. Lucio Palanca, Frank Lloyd Jr., Thomas Black, Brian Black and Keith Landry.
The PCH Cancer Center recognizes that it takes many volunteers and generous funding to provide our community with so many informative and educational programs and events, Fordice said.
The cancer center gives thanks to the Putnam County Hospital employees and physicians, Putnam County Hospital Auxiliary organization, Putnam County Community Foundation, Walmart and CVS Drugs. Those individuals and businesses are always helpful and accommodating with projects.
Putnam County Hospital Cancer Center looks forward to another successful year for its outreach program in 2013, Fordice said.