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Stephen Hazelrigg, MD
Professor and At SIU we have remained at the forefront of surgi-
Chairman, cal advances for lung cancer. We perform the most
Cardiothoracic
thoracoscopic lobectomies in the state. We are
working with our radiation therapy colleagues in of-
surgery fering a combined procedure where we remove the
cancer and use Radioactive Seeds to help minimize
the risk of recurrence. This allows us to extend the
CONTEMPORARY TREATMENT
option of resection even to patients with poor lung
OF LUNG CANCER
function.
The expertise available in our region is substantial
and with a multi-disciplinary approach to cancer,
we hope to achieve the best possible results for our
L
ung cancer remains a common type of malig- patients in central and southern Illinois.
nancy. This year there will be over 200,000 new For more information about radon and the health
cases of lung cancer diagnosed in the USA and risk associated with this radioactive gas, log onto
over 160,000 deaths related to lung cancer. It is the www.radon.illinois.gov or call the toll free number
number one cause of cancer related deaths. at 1-800-325-1245.
Smoking remains the most prevalent cause of lung Think healthy, think safe and be radon ready!
cancer; however, there are other potential causes
that include asbestos, radon gas, and a few other
chemical products. Radon gas comes from the nat-
ural radioactive decay of radium and uranium found
in the soil. This gas is colorless and odorless and this
gas may seep into the house or make its way into
well water. There are ways to measure radon in your
home.
There have been some recent advances in the treat-
ment of lung cancer. Advances in chemotherapy
have improved survival by roughly 5% in many
stages. Surgery is done in more minimally inva-
sive ways that allow removal of the cancer in most
patients. Lung cancers identified early (Stage I) can
enjoy a 70-80% five year survival. One of the keys is
early detection and there is a great deal of interest
in lung cancer screening.
1
217 545-6000 / www.siumed.edu/cancer
Director’s
Message disease and every successful outcome is a true victory. Our
K. Thomas Robbins, MD capable team offers hope for many patients who face this
burden but we have so much more to learn before the majority
of patients can be cured.
I
held back from writing this
message in anticipation that we As we progress through this time of winter when nature
would finally have the go ahead becomes dormant, cancer does not take a break and we
to move into our new building. continue to manage record numbers of patients with all types
Although we are close, the funding is not yet in hand! So, we of malignancies. For those who come to SimmonsCooper
will continue to follow our mantra of not letting what cannot Cancer Institute, most will have the opportunity to receive a
be done stand in the way of what we can do (John Wooden, comprehensive evaluation by one of our eight cancer care
UCLA basketball coach). teams. We believe that this is the best way to help our patients
decide upon the best treatment plan.
One great example of what we are doing is featured in this
newsletter: the lung cancer care team. Dr Hazelrigg and his As we continue to serve the cancer care needs of the citizens
team have been highly active in providing an outstanding of central and southern Illinois, please join with us as we make
program in thoracic oncology for the downstate region, for strides forward to discover better ways defeat cancer in our
which they are to be commended. Lung cancer is a terrible communities.
BE Radon ready--get that comes from the radioactive decay of uranium in the soil.
Radon enters through openings between the slab and the soil
your test kit today and differences in air pressure between the inside and outside
A
Radon Test Kit in a holiday stocking for just $10 is an of the house can act as draw to pull radon in. High radon con-
easy gift for a family, co-worker or friend this holiday centrations have been found throughout the state of Illinois
season. Testing a home for radon and following up with and the only way to know if you have a problem is to test.
mitigation if needed is a great way to reduce the risk of radon
induced lung cancer through preventative methods. You may order a radon test kit in a stocking for this holiday
season from the American Lung Association of Illinois. The kits
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) are provided by the American Lung Association with a recom-
shares that radon is the leading cause of lung cancer for non- mended donation of $10.00. The donation is kit is considered
smokers. They estimate that radon causes about 21,000 lung a taxable donation to the ALA. Contact Cathy Byus at 217-787-
cancer deaths per year. The Illinois Emergency Management 5864 if you would like to order a stocking radon test kit.
Agency Radon Program and the USEPA estimate that as many
as 1,160 Illinois citizens are at risk of developing radon related For more information about radon and the health risk as-
lung cancer each year. sociated with this radioactive gas, log onto www.radon.
illinois.gov or call the toll free number at 1-800-325-1245.
Radon is a colorless odorless radioactive indoor air pollutant Think healthy, think safe and be radon ready!
Research Symposium PhD, Sophia Ran, PhD, Randolph Elble, PhD, Deliang Cao,
PhD, Daiotai Nie, PhD and Theresa Casson.
S
immonsCooper Cancer Institute recently hosted a
research symposium on October 17th, “Prevention,
Research, Treatment, Cure” that featured guest
speakers from University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer
Center in Houston; Medical University of South Carolina,
Hollings Cancer Center in Charleston; University of
Nebraska, Eppley Cancer Center in Omaha; and University
of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center in Ann Arbor.
The day-long conference, welcomed by K. Thomas Robbins,
MD, Director of SCCI, was chaired by Subhas Chakrabarty,
PhD. Organizing committee members were Yin-Yuan Mo,
2
217 545-6000 / www.siumed.edu/cancer
SIU Breast center receives National Accreditation
T
he Breast Center at Southern Illinois University School of Dunnington, director of the Breast Center and professor and chair
Medicine, a program of SimmonsCooper Cancer Institute of surgery at SIU.
at SIU, recently received a full three-year accreditation
from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers SIU’s Breast Center had 100 percent compliance on all 27 stan-
(NAPBC), a program administered by the American College dards for the accreditation process used by NAPBC to measure
of Surgeons. SIU’s center is now one of 23 centers in the U.S. the most efficient and effective care available for patients with
that has successfully completed a new rigorous evaluation and breast disease. Accredited centers like SIU’s must offer a com-
review process. plete range of state-of-the-art services and equipment; a multi-
disciplinary team approach for coordination of care; information
“We are proud to be one of the first breast centers in the about ongoing cancer clinical trials and new treatment options;
country to receive this accreditation which signals that SIU’s access to prevention and early detection programs, cancer educa-
Breast Center is able to offer this kind of ‘gold standard care’ tion, and support services; and ongoing monitoring and improve-
to the women of central and southern Illinois,” said Dr. Gary
ments in cancer care.
Denim and Diamonds 2009
W
e thank the Simmons Law Firm on behalf of the Denim & Diamonds committee, the insti-
tute and the many residents of downstate Illinois. Simmons Law Firm is the first present-
ing sponsor in the event’s history. The Simmons Firm’s community work and philanthropy
continues to resonate throughout our region.
3
Save the date ~ Denim and Diamonds, October 2, 2010
2009 SCCI Retreat
T
he 2009 SimmonsCooper Cancer Institute Annual Retreat
was held at the Chiara Center northeast of Springfield.
Approximately 100 SCCI members and staff participated
in the full-day event. We also welcomed visitors from Southern
Illinois Healthcare, representing its three hospitals in Carbon-
dale, Herrin and Murphysboro. Updates were given by eight
of our Cancer Care Teams as well as SIH. Special presentation
were provided by Dr. Laura Rogers, Sandra Puczynski, PhD, Dr.
David Steward, Morris Cooper, PhD and Dr. John Godwin.
Register for SCCI’s new E News at
www.siumed.edu/cancer
Look for first E-update in December
217 545-6000 / www.siumed.edu/cancer
4
Save the date ~ Denim and Diamonds, October 2, 2010
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