PCH Cancer Center Outreach Program educates, assists local community

The Putnam County Hospital Cancer Center Outreach Program, under the direction of Casey Hendrixson, RN, has provided many opportunities for community members to prevent or find cancer early, when the treatment is the most optimal.

In March 2015, its Colon Cancer Prevention Education Program began with educational e-mails to 393 PCH staff members and a Colon Cancer Educational In-Service provided by Dr. Jaime Ayon, which was attended by 15 staff members.

The PCH Skin Cancer Education Program involved sending weekly educational e-mails to 393 PCH personnel. The Cancer Center staff also passed out a total of 331 tubes of sunscreen to the Greencastle Parks and Recreation Center, 4-H Fair attendees, Relay for Life participants, PCH employees and patients of the Cancer Center.

In September, it promoted smoking cessation with information that was sent as e-mails to 410 PCH staff members.

The colon cancer, skin cancer and smoking cessation information was also made available to PCH employees and visitors with an educational table set up in the hospital lobby during March, April, May and September.

The Cancer Center Outreach Program provided free screening opportunities for skin and prostate. In May, a total of 34 participants attended the skin screening; eight had biopsies recommended with three suspicious for Squamous Cell Carcinoma, four with possible Basal Cell Cancer, and one with a lesion suspicious for Melanoma. Dr. John Stephens of Dermatology Inc. volunteered to perform the exams during the screening day. The prostate screening was held in November and had 63 participants with seven who had positive findings. Dr. Sameer Ahmed, Dr. Mahesh Sreedasyam,and Dr. Robert Heavin volunteered to do free exams on that day.

The PCH Laboratory made arrangements for the PSA lab test to be performed for a reduced fee of $10 and provided a phlebotomist to draw the test.

Thirty-eight lung screenings have taken place in the Radiology Department this year, with five cases that were recommended to have a six-month follow-up and one case that needed further imaging immediately.

In 2015, screening mammograms were performed for 1,422 patients. Thirty-seven mammograms were positive, requiring biopsies, and of these cases, 17 were positive for breast cancer, with four awaiting results.

The Putnam County Hospital Surgical Department performed 373 screening colonoscopies in 2015. These tests were performed by local physicians Dr. L.G Palanca and Dr. Frank Lloyd Jr. of Putnam Surgical Specialties, and local family physicians Dr. Thomas Black, Dr. Brian Black and Dr. Keith Landry.

Colonoscopies can help prevent colon cancer by finding polyps before they turn into cancer.

October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Cancer Center was busy educating the community. A table with educational literature, giveaways and the Cancer Center staff were present at the First Friday event, which took place at the downtown Greencastle Square.

The PCH Cancer Center also sponsored a Pink Balloon Release in honor of those diagnosed with breast cancer.

Tables with information were set up in the Cancer Clinic lobby and PCH lobby during the month so that both staff members and visitors would have access to breast cancer education. PCH Lead mammographer Cindy Mason visited a high school class at South Putnam and provided education concerning self-breast exams during the month with 48 students attending.

Reaching out to the residents of Putnam and the surrounding counties is vital in the fight against cancer, PCH officials want to make sure that individuals are armed with the information and have access to programs that prevent or find cancer at the earliest stages, when it can be most easily treated or cured.

While the Cancer Center is here to treat those with cancer and blood disorders, its goal is to also educate the community on how to have the best defense against cancer through screenings and preventative measures.

It takes many hours and a financial commitment to ensure that these programs are available. The Putnam County Hospital Cancer Center appreciates the extra hours that many of its dedicated oncology team members, Radiology Department, Lab Department, Surgery Department and Marketing Department members have worked to ensure that these programs are available to our residents.

It would not have been possible without those individuals, businesses and churches who have volunteered, made financial contributions, donated items or helped in any way so that we can make a difference in the lives of local residents.

Persons who have any questions or would like more information about the PCH Cancer Center, and the services and care offered close to home, may contact Becky Hutcheson at 655-2581 or bhutcheson@pchosp.org.