Northwest Health | SUMMER 2009 By Julia Vouri

Nobody wants a cancer diagnosis. But if it happens, Group Health medical centers offer the expertise and support you need. You'll benefit from collaboration between personal physicians and specialists, the latest diagnostic and treatment tools, and — perhaps most important of all — compassionate care from a dedicated team.

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Take Group Health member Andrew Dimas from Gig Harbor as an example. When he had routine surgery in 2003 for what he thought was an inguinal hernia, he awoke afterwards to a shocking surprise: His surgeon had found what turned out to be a malignant tumor.

"I was scared to death, and life became truly surreal as I went through all sorts of tests and radiation treatment. But my doctors helped me through the maze of care, and were wonderful to me throughout two months of five-day-a-week treatments. Thanks to the incredible care I received, I'm still alive six years later, and I have nothing but praise for my Group Health doctors."

Detection Starts With Your Personal Physician

Group Health medical centers devote tremendous resources to providing personalized attention to patients following a diagnosis. But since we're an integrated medical practice with both specialists and family physicians, our Cancer Care Program really starts with the ongoing relationship you have with your primary care physician.

Also see: Survival Rates Rise With Early Detection

That bond, based on trust and continuity of care, makes for more successful outcomes, says Jim Bergman, MD, who sees patients at Factoria Medical Center. "The better we know our patients, the better they do. We listen to them, educate them, answer their questions, and address their concerns. We discuss all the options, and their personal preferences, and make decisions together."

If you and your doctor think that your personal and family history suggest an inherited cancer risk, you may be referred to Group Health's Medical Genetics Department, which provides evaluation and testing when appropriate. Knowing that you have genetic susceptibility to cancer may help you avoid the disease — or catch it in its earliest and most treatable stage.

Your personal physician will serve as your team leader if cancer is suspected and will refer you to specialists for diagnosis and, if necessary, treatment. Starette Canada appreciated this continuity after going to her personal physician, Timothy Whiteley, MD, at Group Health Everett Medical Center, with a cough that had lingered for months.

"Dr. Whiteley was persistent in finding the cause of my seemingly innocent cough," she says. "He referred me to an internist, who referred me to a surgeon, who did a biopsy and called to tell me I had lymphoma," says Canada. "I had no clue what that was, but later that evening Dr. Whiteley called me and explained in plain English — not medical speak — what was going on, and what the treatment would be. One year later I'm cancer-free, and Dr. Whiteley continues to show confidence, patience, and compassion during my post-treatment care."

In addition to your primary care doctor referring you to Group Health cancer care specialists, those specialists may refer you to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle — or even institutions in California or Minnesota — for highly specialized surgeries and other procedures.

Also see: Member Options Beyond Group Health Medical Centers

Team Members Will Help Every Step of the Way

Following a diagnosis, as many as 20 staff members may become involved in your cancer care at Group Health, ranging from patient care representatives and pharmacy technicians to oncology specialists, surgeons, and mental health experts.

Amy Harper, MD, a surgeon who specializes in thyroid cancer treatment at the Capitol Hill Campus, says, "Our patients benefit from the expertise of specialists from General Surgery, Otolaryngology, Endocrinology, Nuclear Medicine, Interventional Radiology, and Pathology, all working together to provide the best possible care. There's also a team of nurses who coordinate follow-up care."

Electronic medical records at Group Health medical centers allow your personal physician and specialists to share information and consult with each other from various locations while viewing your records online. "Electronic medical records help us avoid unnecessary duplication of tests, and keep us from missing important points as we transfer care back and forth from one clinician to another," says Oncology/Hematology Service Line Chief Eric Feldman, MD.

A breast cancer survivor recently got some follow-up care she needed as a result of Group Health's electronic medical records system. "When the patient came in for a mammogram, the nurse noticed on the electronic medical record that the patient was overdue to see her oncologist," says Tien Bao Chao, MD, breast cancer surgeon. "She was able to contact the patient, make a notation in the medical record, and alert the patient's personal physician."

Readily accessible medical records also come in handy at our six infusion centers where chemotherapy is administered, says infusion nurse Julie Jensen, RN. "We can look at the doctor's notes, and see what treatments were given if the patient received care at another Group Health Infusion Center. That information is very helpful."

Our electronic picture archiving and communication system (PACS) allows physicians to view digital images of your X-rays and scans online, anywhere, including during office visits. "One of the great advantages of PACS is that I can put up an image in the exam room and give the patient a visual explanation of the medical issue," says Dr. Feldman.

The ability to exchange secure e-mails with all your providers at Group Health medical centers helps with questions and concerns that don't require a visit. The Group Health Resource Line assists patients in learning about cancer support groups in the area, and the Healthwise® Knowledgebase offers reliable information on tests, diagnoses, and medications.

Oncology Nurses at the Heart of Care

All our clinicians are dedicated to guiding patients through this stressful and often confusing time. But Dr. Feldman can't say enough about our oncology nurses. "Most have been providing cancer care for 20 or 30 years, and they're probably the single most important reason our care is so successful," he says.

From the time you're diagnosed, nurses oversee your journey, educating you about your diagnosis and treatment, and helping you understand what to expect during treatment, as well as what to watch for after treatment.

"Patients can call us anytime they have concerns, or just need some reassurance," says Lynn Flaherty, RN, an oncology nurse at the Capitol Hill Campus. "We're here for them, throughout treatment and beyond."

Follow up can last for years. For example, Flaherty first got to know an 8-year-old leukemia patient when she was administering chemotherapy in Pediatrics. Over the years, she guided the young woman through side effects from drugs, cardiac problems, and eventually family planning. She even attended her patient's wedding and later sent congratulations when the woman had children.

Even with all the fear and discomfort associated with chemotherapy, Group Health Infusion Center nurses receive rave reviews. "I couldn't have made it through my treatment without my chemotherapy nurses," says Rebecca Puls, who had 13 months of chemo as part of her cancer treatment. "They were so positive, and made me feel safe when I was scared. I always felt like I was in good hands with them."

The admiration is mutual, according to Jensen. "I'm always amazed to see how our patients and their families rise to become their best when under such stress."

Treating You With Respect and Dignity

Research from the Group Health Center for Health Studies shows that patients who take an active role in their health care, and share in decision making, experience better results.

"We'll work with you to arrive at treatment decisions that fit your own unique situation, philosophy, and needs," says oncologist Janet Chestnut, MD, at Riverfront Medical Center. Dr. Bergman adds: "We're fully committed to providing individualized care that's proactive, appropriate, and compassionate. We understand your fears, we empathize, and we're here for you."

Patients find that support reassuring. As cancer survivor Jean Brown puts it, "They cared for me as a whole person — not only my body, but my mind, heart, and dignity. It was a miraculous two months in my life."