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St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers has started a new center for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer – one of the largest of its kind in Indiana.
The Colorectal Cancer Center is a center of excellence, providing a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to help patients.
St. Francis Hospital has long been recognized for its strong cancer care programs rating highly with regard to standardized outcomes measures and has achieved many "firsts" in Indiana.
- Of the 34 Commission on Cancer programs in Indiana, (accredited ACS) St. Francis ranks first in the management of stage III colorectal disease.
- St. Francis Hospital is a leader in piloting selective internal radiation therapy for colon cancer that has spread to the liver.
- St. Francis Cancer Care Services is also first to offer megavoltage cone beam imaging, providing more precise targeting of several types of cancer tumors.
Center of Excellence team
The new Colorectal Cancer Center of Excellence team includes more than 25 physician specialists including:
- gastroenterologists
- colorectal surgeons
- general surgeons
- radiation oncologists
- medical oncologists
- pathologists
- family practice physicians, and
- radiologists.
The team -- all working together to enhance outcomes and patient satisfaction – will evaluate the latest treatment options, and make recommendations for the education, screening, diagnosis, staging and surveillance of patients with colorectal cancer.
Nurse navigator program for patients
A unique offering to patients and their families served by the center is the nurse navigator. This nurse specialist assists patients in:
- coordinating diagnostic appointments and physician visits
- helping to manage symptoms
- providing education
- increasing awareness of clinical trial availability, and
- easing patient anxiety.
Clinical trials available
In addition to intensive treatment planning and coordination, the Colorectal Cancer Center offers patients the opportunity to participate in appropriate clinical research trials. There are currently 100 active trials through the St. Francis Cancer Research Foundation.
The center has also launched a public awareness campaign about the importance of colorectal cancer screening. Colon cancer is the No. 3 leading cause of cancer deaths in Indiana.
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