Oncology

What Is Oncology?

The word “cancer” creates a response unlike almost all other words. By the time we reach young adulthood, nearly everyone has known someone who has battled cancer in one form or another. Sadly, most of us will eventually lose a loved one to cancer as well. Oncologists are the doctors who specialize in treating people with cancer. They are responsible for the care of a patient from the moment of diagnosis throughout the course of the disease, and their role takes on many forms: from explaining the diagnosis and stage of cancer, to discussing treatment options, delivering care, and helping patients maintain and manage their quality of life throughout treatment.

How We Are Different

Our Oncology Department creates a strong net around our patients and their families, and provides services that bring answers, support, and much needed care. We are equipped to diagnose, treat and follow up with patients dealing with benign and severe oncologic issues across the full spectrum of cancers and hematological issues (including lung cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lymphoma, and myelodysplastic syndrome). In working with patients, we treat the whole person, not just the disease, and are here to address and support psychological needs, family issues, and the myriad of other variables that occur when dealing with cancer.

Diagnosis and treatment of cancer:

• Solid tumors
• Head and neck
• Lung
• Breast
• Upper GI
• Esophageal
• Stomach
• Pancreas
• Lower GI
• Colon
• Rectal
• Melanoma
• Liver
• Brain
• Female/reproductive organs

Prognosis, treatment options, toxicities, and follow-up care:

• Discussion of costs
• Managing clinical trials
• Alternative care and medicine options (including medical marijuana)
• Nutrition counseling
• Symptomatic management related to pain, nausea vomiting, and fatigue
• Palliative care and hospice
• Death with dignity issues and concerns
• Chemotherapy and non-chemo treatments (IV iron, IVF, and IVIG)
• Genetic counseling

Blood disorders

• Benign blood disorders involving white or red blood cells, or platelet disorders.
• Iron overload, Myeloproliferative disorders, Bleeding and clotting disorders
• Hematologic malignancies (lymphoma, acute/chronic leukemia, myeloma, MDS)

Local Resources

• Adventist Medical Center
• Knight Cancer Institute
• Legacy Health
• Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
• PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center
• Providence Cancer Center
• Susan G. Komen of Oregon and SW Washington
• Breastfriends.org

National Resources

• American Cancer Society
• American Hospice Foundation
• American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR)
• American Pain Foundation
• American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
• American Society of Hematology (ASH)
• American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO)
• Association of Cancer Online Resources
• CancerCare
• CancerEducation.com
• Cancer Hope Network
• CarePages
• CancerQuest
• CaringBridge
• Chemocare.com
• Coalition of National Cancer Cooperative Groups
• National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
• National Cancer Institute (NCI)
• National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)
• National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA)
• People Living with Cancer
• RT Answers: Answers to your Radiation Therapy Questions
• The Wellness Community

Blood and Immune System Cancers

• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
• Lymphoma Research Foundation
• Lymphoma Information Network
• Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
• International Myeloma Foundation
• National Lymphedema Network

Bone Marrow Transplant

• National Bone Marrow Transplant

Brain Cancer

• American Brain Tumor Association
• National Brain Tumor Society

Breast Cancer

• BreastCancer.org
• National Association of Breast Cancer Organizations
• FORCE – Facing our Risk of Cancer
• Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Colon Cancer

• Colon Cancer Alliance

Gynecologic Cancers

• National Cervical Cancer Coalition
• National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
• Ovarian Cancer Alliance of OR and SW Wash
• Ovarian Cancer National Alliance
• Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry
• Women’s Cancer Network
• FORCE – Facing our Risk of Cancer
• Conversations!
• EyesOnThePrize.org
• Gynecologic Cancer Foundation

Liver Cancer

• American Liver Foundation

Lung Cancer

• Lung Cancer Alliance

Oral Cancer

• Oral Cancer Foundation
• Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer

Prostate Cancer

• American Cancer Society – Prostate Cancer
• Prostate Cancer Foundation
• Skin Cancer Foundation

Caregivers Resources

• AARP
• CarePages
• The Consumer Consortium of Assisted Living (CCAL)
• Family Caregiver Alliance
• Men Against Breast Cancer
• National Alliance for Caregiving
• National Family Caregivers Association
• Well Spouse

Hospice Resources

• Aging with Dignity
• The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM)
• Americans for Better Care of the Dying (ABCD)
• American Hospice Foundation
• Caring Connections
• Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC)
• Compassion and Support at End of Life
• Hospice Foundation of America
• Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association
• National Hospice Foundation
• The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO)

Are cancer rates going up or down?

Cancer cases worldwide are predicted to increase by 70% over the next two decades, with as many as 25 million new cases per year, according to the World Health Organization. For men, lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer (16.7% of cases) and the most lethal (23.6% of deaths). For women, breast cancer is the most common diagnosis (25.2%) and causes 14.7% of deaths.

What about skin cancer? Are those rates going up too?

In the past three decades, more people have had skin cancer than all other cancers combined—and even with regulations on tanning beds and sunscreen labeling, the prevalence of the disease continues to grow. Several factors can increase a person’s risk of melanoma, including sun exposure, sunburns, how many moles he or she has, and family history. One study suggests that experiencing five or more sunburns between ages 15 and 20 may increase melanoma risk by 80%.

We’ve heard plenty about smoking and cancer, but what about drinking coffee?

For most types of cancer, coffee appears either to decrease the risk of cancer, or to have no effect on cancer risk. Even in countries that are known for high caffeine from coffee consumption, research does not support a link between coffee or caffeine and cancer risk. As of now, where coffee and caffeine are concerned, most health experts agree that they do not increase cancer risk, and may even decrease risk. Still, caffeine can negatively affect people with other health conditions, such as blood pressure or heard-related issues. So please consult with your family doctor or other specialist to find out just how much coffee and caffeine is safe for you.