Located in Doctors’ Park, the Breast Care and Diagnostic Center provides advanced breast health services which include digital mammography for both screening and diagnostic purposes. Immediate interpretation of studies performed at this center is available as well as immediate streamlined referral for medical, surgical and radiation treatment.
The Center also offers bone density screening, hereditary cancer risk assessment and risk reduction as well as a resource library for patients. Additionally, stereotactic or ultrasound guided biopsies with wire or needle localization, including sentinel node biopsies, are available at the Center.
In February, 2006 an important advancement in the treatment of prostate cancer was made available at Southeast with the DaVinci® Surgical System. This system features robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy and other laparoscopic procedures. |
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Joseph P. Miller, M.D.
Director, Radiation Oncology
Chairman, Cancer Committee
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The system allows surgeons to remove the prostate gland with a magnified threedimensional view of the prostate with more detail than is possible with the human eye alone. This significant technological advance is proving to be of tremendous benefit to patients in our region.
Our Cancer Program has participated in the St. Louis-Cape Girardeau CCOP for a number of years. We are pleased to report that through this CCOP, Southeast Missouri Hospital and the Regional Cancer Center are now members of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG). Important studies involving radiation therapy for patients with cancer are now available through our institution. Patient enrollment into these clinical trials will result in improvements in the care of cancer patients in years to come.
The Cancer Program at Southeast Missouri Hospital was surveyed by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer in May, 2005. Our program received approval with commendation as a result of that survey. This accomplishment reflects the significant professionalism and dedication provided by the entire staff of Southeast and the Regional Cancer Center in providing the best cancer treatment available for our patients.
Our Tumor Registry is staffed by Sally Thurlkill, CTR, and Connie Hess, CTR. I congratulate both of them for their excellent work in helping our program earn the Commission on Cancer’s commendation and for their ongoing efforts to maintain accurate results of our cancer patients and their treatment.
We Can Weekend is a retreat for cancer patients and their families and is provided at no cost to patients. This unique and popular program held at the YMCA lodge near Potosi, MO, is made possible through funds raised from the annual Pennies From Heaven Auction sponsored by the Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation and a grant through the American Cancer Society. Many individuals associated with Southeast deserve our gratitude for the work that goes into making We Can Weekend a significant event in the lives of our patients. I am extremely grateful for all of the effort put into this program by our staff.
Ongoing programs at Southeast Missouri Hospital include the annual Prostate Screening Program held every September in cooperation with Cape Girardeau Urology Associates. This program offers digital rectal exams and PSA screenings at no charge for several hundred men. Early detection of prostate cancer continues to be important so that men may have options for longterm control of their disease.
Also, the Fall Cancer Symposium was held in October and focused on cancer management for the primary care physician. Additionally, our annual Cancer Update for nurses provided nurses from throughout the region with the latest information on cancer treatment options.
With this report I want to reaffirm the commitment of Southeast Missouri Hospital and the Regional Cancer Center to provide quality care for those patients with cancer whom we are privileged to serve. Our mission remains the same: the provision of comprehensive and advanced treatment delivered by a caring and compassionate staff.
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