Robert Burger, MD, Director, Women’s Cancer Center at Fox Chase Cancer Center

Christine M Rafferty RN, BSN, OCN Staff Nurse

Wandi Ortiz, RN Staff Nurse, surgical-telemetry unit

I’d like to introduce you to Christine and Wandi, just two of the many Fox Chase nurses who represent our outstanding nursing staff. Their compassion and dedication is what sets Fox Chase nurses apart from the rest. As a physician, I am extremely proud of our nursing staff and their deep commitment to patients.

While it is important to recognize the efforts of our nurses on a daily basis, we get a special opportunity next week when we observe the official Nurses’ Week 2012 (May 7-11) with special activities every day.

If you are a patient, caregiver or friend, we hope you will join us on Wednesday for the Nurses’ Awards Ceremony at noon in the Auditorium. In the past, this event was designed for staff, but this year the nursing staff would like to extend invitations to you – patients, caregivers and friends. If you’d like to attend, please contact Jane Edwards (jane.edwards@fccc.edu) or 215-728-4315.

Monday, May 7 – Distribution of Gifts to Nursing Staff

Tuesday, May 8 – Reiki Therapy Sessions

Wednesday, May 9 – Nurses’ Awards Ceremony and Dessert Reception (Auditorium), featuring 2012 Nurse Recognition Award, three travel scholarships, the Team Award and the Magnet Moment award.

Thursday, May 10 - Night Shift Snack Baskets

Friday, May 11 - Nurses’ Week Raffle Drawing (chances are $1 each, 6 for $5 and proceeds benefit nursing education)

I’d like to recognize the outstanding efforts of the Nurses’ Week committee for planning a special, fun-filled week. The committee includes Chris Amoroso, Marianne Bonner, Linda Coli, Deb Donahue, Aubrey Edwards, Janet Farley, Caitlin Foley, Fredy-Jo Grafman, Christine Kappler, Margie Kearns, Jessica Kelly, Lisa Ludwig, Laura Mackin, Janice Moore, Mickey Mullin, Donna Ozovek, Sarah Porzig, Monica Scanlon and Helen Schwartz.

Raffle items needed!

The Nurses’ Week Committee is collecting raffle items for next Friday’s raffle. If you would like to donate an item or two, it would be much appreciated. You can bring items to the Nurses’ Award Program on Wednesday, May 9 or contact Jane Edwards to make arrangements for drop-off. Items of particular interest include sporting event or theater tickets, as well as gift certificate for manicures/pedicures, restaurants and shops. All proceeds of the Nurses’ Week raffle will benefit nursing education.

Be well,

Bob

Robert Burger, MD, Director, Women’s Cancer Center at Fox Chase Cancer Center

Anna Jolly Sadbeck and her husband, Phillip, venture out with their baby to enjoy his first snowfall.

Once in a while, we get the opportunity to share an inspirational story about one of our patients. In this post, I have the pleasure of introducing you to a remarkable young woman, Anna Jolly, who was afraid her journey with cancer would limit her ability to become a mother.

As she shared with us the story of her experience with cervical cancer, Anna Jolly’s baby, Paul Nicholas, was gurgling in the background. While most new mothers would be thrilled to have their first child at 30, Anna is especially thankful. Less than a year after getting married in August 2007, Anna, who was 26, went for a routine gynecologic exam.  She’d just finished her master’s in education and was looking forward to starting a family.

“All of a sudden, every red flag went up,” she recalled.  The diagnosis was high-grade cervical dysplasia. The biopsy results came back positive for squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, stage 1B1.

In her mid-twenties, Anna thought she was going to die.

“The first three oncologists we saw all said I’d need a complete hysterectomy,” she recalled.  “They wouldn’t even discuss any other options.  I had no previous experience with cancer – and I really thought I was dying.”

Anna's surgeon, Mark A. Morgan, MD, FACOG, FACS

A family friend referred Anna to Dr. Mark Morgan, chief of Gynecologic Oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center.  “He said if there was a chance to preserve my fertility, Dr. Morgan would do it.”

Dr. Morgan was able to surgically remove Anna’s tumor while preserving her fertility.

Anna and her husband Phillip met with Dr. Morgan in July 2008. “We’re devout believers, and we prayed our hearts out waiting for all the test results to come back,” she recalled.  “When Dr. Morgan came into the office, he seemed calm and positive. He said everything looked very contained.  He believed that a fertility preserving vaginal radical trachelectomy with lymph extraction would take care of the problem and allow us to have children.”

After the surgery, despite having a shortened cervix, Anna was told she should be able to get pregnant, with the baby delivered by caesarean section. Dr. Morgan performed the surgery August 4, 2008. “The next day, I was able to walk out of the hospital. My C-section was more traumatic than this surgery. I recovered well.”

A week later, Anna was told there were no findings of cancer anywhere, and she’d need no further treatment.  After several attempts, Anna and Phillip got pregnant in December 2010 – “the greatest Christmas gift ever.”  She carried her son to full term, and he was born by C-section in August 2011.

“Dr. Morgan is just incredible”

“Dr. Morgan reassured us with his competency from the beginning,” shared Anna. “He felt like family.  And when my son was born, the doctor who delivered him said he almost couldn’t tell that I’d had surgery, Dr. Morgan did such an amazing job. He did in four-and-a-half hours what nobody was willing to do.”

Anna and Phillip plan to have more children to keep Paul company. “The best part of the experience was going for a follow up pap smear to Dr. Morgan’s office with our three-month-old son. Dr. Morgan was overjoyed to see this long awaited baby! And I am overjoyed to be a mother.”

If you have a story to share, please write to us at social@fccc.edu.

Be well, Bob

Robert Burger, MD, Director, Women’s Cancer Center at Fox Chase Cancer Center

Here I am at the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition 5K last year, along with my wife, who showed up to support our team!

On any given weekend, you can probably find a walk or run designed to benefit a worthwhile cause (see my example to the right). But on April 28 and 29, there are two such events that are near and dear to my heart.

Both were created in memory of young women who lost their lives to gynecological cancers (ovarian and cervical) and both are set-up to benefit the Women’s Cancer Center at Fox Chase. If you’re free either day – or both – I strongly encourage you to join us for a run or walk.

If you’re planning to go to either event, let us know. And if you take pictures, please send them along to social@fccc.edu so we can post them.

Be well, Bob

Sandy Sprint: Saturday, April 28, 2012  from 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
The Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation is hosting its annual Sandy Sprint 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, April 28, 2012. Grab your running or walking shoes, and a leash (for your pup) and join the effort to raise funds to advance ovarian cancer research and spread the word about Sandy Rollman Foundation. Registration is $25 for adults ($30 after April 17), $40 for one adults and one dog, and $15 for children 12 and under ($20 after April 17). For more information or to register, visit www.sandysprint.kintera.org.

The Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation was created as a tribute to the life, character, and immense strength of Sandy Rollman. Sandy passed away from advanced ovarian cancer in May 2000. Prior to diagnosis, Sandy experienced many textbook symptoms. Her symptoms were whispering only no one was listening. The tragic result was that Sandy never had a chance against ovarian cancer.

Her sister Adriana Way and her nurse Robin Cohen decided to keep Sandy’s memory alive while trying to prevent other women from having to endure the same pain as she did. The mission of this organization is to educate both women and physicians about ovarian cancer; advocate for early diagnostic testing and more effective treatments; raise funds to advance research towards a cure; and offer support to ovarian cancer patients and their families.

Amy’s Fund: Sunday, April 29, 2012 from 7:30am until 10:30am

The 8th Annual Amy’s Fund 5K Run/Walk is in memory of a very special young woman. Shortly after she married her college sweetheart, Dave, Amy Kligge Vengels was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Amy, who was a strong athlete, wife, daughter and sister, was a fighter and tried everything to beat this disease. Amy believed in a cure and wanted to eventually raise money to support research. To ensure her legacy would live on, and in the hopes of helping others defeat this disease, Amy’s family created Amy’s Fund and organizes an annual walk/run to benefit cancer research at Fox Chase.

Join Amy’s family on April 29 to run, walk, enjoy music, face painting and a fun bus! Registration is $25 for adults, $15 for children under 12. Adults who pre-register before April 15 save $5. Selected t-shirt sizes are guaranteed to all who pre-register before April 15. Adult XL will be provided to all other registered walkers. To register and for more information, visit www.amysfund.org, call 215-632-1663 or email cervicalcancer@amysfund.org.

Robert Burger, MD, Director, Women’s Cancer Center at Fox Chase Cancer Center

Bonnie Miller

At the Women’s Cancer Center, we often say that we strive to treat the whole woman, and not just her disease. Our Nurse Navigators are essential to this aim because they help patients deal with the host of different issues that a cancer diagnosis can bring up. You may have heard of this service, which we launched nearly two years ago—but are you aware of what exactly your Nurse Navigator can help you with?

To tell you more, I am pleased to bring in Bonnie J. Miller, RN, BSN, OCN, FAAMA, Administrative Director of the Women’s Cancer Center & Clinical Nurse Navigation, who has been instrumental in bringing this crucial resource to Fox Chase patients.

Be Well, Bob

After launching in April 2010 with two breast navigators, Fox Chase now has six full-time navigators, including three in the Women’s Cancer Center: two breast and one in gynecologic oncology. Our women’s cancer Nurse Navigators have helped over 3,000 breast cancer patients and 1,100 gynecologic cancer patients to date. We are continually working on ways to expand the program so that even more patients can benefit from linking with a Nurse Navigator.

That said, you might wonder: what exactly do Nurse Navigators do? There’s more to having cancer than treatment. There are a whole host of other issues—emotional, logistical, financial—that can arise, making it difficult for patients to focus on their treatment and return to health. Nurse Navigators are here to help patients deal with these complex issues. No one wishes to get cancer, but if it does happen to you or your loved one, a Fox Chase Nurse Navigator will be there to ease the journey. Read further to learn what these special people do, meet the Fox Chase Women’s Cancer Center Nurse Navigators, and hear what patients have to say that have linked with this team.

Eight Things Your Nurse Navigator Can Do For You

Nurse Navigation Team: (left to right) Jessie Schol, Caryn Vadseth, Tracey Newhall, Joanne Stein, Rebecca Loss, Carol Cherry.

1. Prepare you for your visit before you even arrive on campus.

After you call Fox Chase to schedule an appointment, a Nurse Navigator will connect with you within 24 hours. Based on the clinical information surrounding your diagnosis, she will make sure you are scheduled for the appropriate type of appointment. She will make sure you are aware of what you will need to bring or send ahead prior to your visit, and answer any questions you may have about coming to Fox Chase. If you need slides, scans or records to be delivered from another institution, your Nurse Navigator will direct you on how to have your information sent to Fox Chase prior to your appointment and explain why this is so important in your clinical visit and decision making.

2. Help you understand your diagnosis and answer your clinical questions—from the very first call.

All of our Nurse Navigators are experienced, oncology-certified nurses with a high degree of clinical expertise. Because they are your first point of contact after you schedule your appointment, you can begin asking clinical questions you may be concerned about right away. Nurse Navigators are equipped with knowledge to help you better understand your diagnosis and treatment options, which can help reduce anxiety.

3. Expedite your care, where possible.

Nurse navigators will work within clinicians’ schedules in order to secure you an appropriate, timely appointment.  Often, they can help coordinate your schedule so you can take care of multiple appointments and tests in the same day.

4. Greet you and introduce you to your care team.

When you arrive on campus, your Nurse Navigator will greet you in person and introduce you to your team of medical specialists, who will tailor an individualized, comprehensive treatment plan for you based on your diagnosis.

5. Help you “connect the dots.”

The treatment journey has many steps, which can lead you to different locations and specialists throughout the Center. To help you transition, your Nurse Navigator will make sure you know what the various phases of your treatment will be, who you will meet, and where you will need to go.

6. Help you overcome various barriers to care by educating and referring you to other services you may need.

In seeking treatment, patients may come across various barriers which make it difficult to navigate the healthcare system. Issues related to transportation, finances, insurance, language, communication, fear, anxiety, or family support may come up. You may need additional services outside of your medical treatment to help you cope with these issues. Your Nurse Navigator is aware of the resources available to you, and can refer you to the services you may need—many of which are available in-house, right at Fox Chase, or in the nearby community. Often, based on a patient’s needs, the Nurse Navigator can begin to coordinate the necessary resources before the patient even arrives at the Center.

7. Follow your care through the cancer continuum—from diagnosis, to treatment, to survivorship.

The medical personnel you see will change as you move through the different phases of your treatment. From your first phone call to the conclusion of your treatment to follow-up visits, your Nurse Navigator will be a resource to you throughout your journey.

8. Act as your advocate, educator, and go-to person.

Above all, Nurse Navigators seek to be champions for their patients, making sure they get what they need—for treatment and otherwise—whenever possible. They will answer or resolve your questions, concerns and issues—or find someone who can. As your journey evolves, your Nurse Navigator will remain a constant.

Meet the Women’s Cancer Center Nurse Navigators

Carol Cherry

Tracey Newhall

Jessie Schol

“I enjoy that the bulk of my role as a Nurse Navigator involves direct contact with patients. The connection I make with patients is the most gratifying part of my job.”

Carol began at Fox Chase thirteen years ago as a genetics nurse & project manager in the Margaret Dyson Family Risk Assessment Program, where her work focused on families affected by ovarian and breast cancer.  She became the Center’s first Gynecologic Oncology Nurse Navigator in October 2011.

Tracey Newhall, RN, BS, OCN – Breast Nurse Navigator

“I have a great interest in providing support and information to help women with the difficulties they face with a diagnosis of cancer. From the first call, I’m here to help.”

Tracey has been an oncology nurse for more than 20 years, working in a variety of settings, including inpatient medical oncology, ambulatory care, infusion room, and Nursing Research. Most recently, she became a Breast Nurse Navigator in March 2011.

Jessie Schol, RN, BSN, OCN – Breast Nurse Navigator

“Advocacy and education are the hallmarks of good nursing. Advocating for and educating patients is what I love about being a Nurse Navigator. The various professional opportunities which I experienced at Fox Chase have laid the strong foundation on which I stand to perform this job.”

Jessie has 22 years’ experience as a nurse, first as a Fox Chase nurse extern (a Fox Chase educational and clinical program for nursing students with an interest in oncology nursing), then as a staff RN on the clinical trial unit and next as a home infusion RN. Aftter that, Jessie was a clinical trials coordinator, an outpatient RN with an emphasis on lung cancer and finally landed in navigation.  She became the Center’s first Breast Nurse Navigator in April 2010.

Testimonials

“A great big thank you to Tracey for helping me get set up at Fox Chase this past summer. Fox Chase has allowed me to continue on life’s journey CANCER FREE!”

–Jackie D.

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer 4 years ago. I will never forget the first day I visited FCCC and met my nurse navigator, Jessie. I was so scared, but she was by my side. I left my appointment with a plan and knew she would be with me every step of the way. She was my angel and continues to be my angel. Thank you Jessie and FCCC. You are the best.”

–Kathy R.

“Jessie rocks! She was awesome in my initial days. So helpful to navigate through a very scary time.”

–MaryAlice T.

Robert Burger, MD, Director, Women’s Cancer Center at Fox Chase Cancer Center

Senior Girl Scouts at Council Rock South High School hand delivered their pillows and cases. Pictured (left to right) are Fox Chase clinical nurse specialist, Deena Dell, Jaime Swank, Monica Willson, Maggie Blackmon, Caroline Willson and Fox Chase clinical nurse specialist, Carolyn Weaver. (Not pictured: Angela Healy, Lauren Gross, Allyson DiRenzi, Karishma Pinto, Melissa Cook and troop leaders Janette Swank and Deborah Willson)

At Fox Chase, our breast surgery patients are given special gifts at discharge to help ease their recovery. The gifts are hand-made with love by some very special volunteers, including the local Girls Scouts.

Carolyn Weaver, RN, MSN, AOCN, clinical nurse specialist, is here to tell you more about these special items and the talented volunteers who create them.

Be well, Bob

For many years, volunteers have been putting their talents to use to make life easier for breast surgery patients sent home with drainage tubes. Soft pillows, pillow cases and hand-sewn pouches provide the necessary comfort and convenience these women appreciate. I thought it was about time we acknowledged their efforts publicly.

The pillows have personal notes attached, such as “Thinking of You and Hope You Recover Fast” Girl Scout Troops 2273 and 21174

The Friends of the Hospital of Fox Chase Cancer Center provide small pillows for patients to elevate their arms following surgery in order to decrease swelling and offer comfort. There are a few groups of volunteers who make beautiful cases for these pillows, along with small pillows (pictured left) which offer a personal touch that patients enjoy. Patients use the smaller pillows to place on their chest, under a seatbelt while riding in a car, to protect the incision site. The Friends also offer stress balls that help to facilitate circulation and decrease swelling in their arm.

Pouches (pictured below) are designed to hold the fluid collection end of the drain and some of the tubing. The patients tie the ribbon around their neck or waist. The pouch particularly comes in handy if the patient is allowed to shower with the drain in place. Wearing the pouch in the shower prevents the patient from having to hold the drain and from having it hang or pull while getting bathed (i.e., keeps the patient hands-free).

Each pouch is hand-sewn using soft fabric with a ribbon tie.

There are several nurses at Fox Chase with connections to seamstresses who have been making these wonderful treasures – Pam Jakubek’s (her daughter’s Girl Scout troop), Lisa Conrad (her mother, Sarah Masser, and her friends Lois Hook and Karen Nicholas), and Caroline McIntyre (her friends lead a Girl Scout troop in Bucks County).

When Caroline underwent breast cancer surgery herself, she was the recipient of a pillow and thought they were a wonderful idea and very helpful after her surgery. “Some of the girls who made the pillows were actually scouts that had been in my troop at one time or another,” shared Caroline. “It was very heartwarming to me to learn of their project. Many people go their whole lives not knowing how many people care about them. Having cancer provided that opportunity to me. I am so grateful.”

Fox Chase nurse, Pam Jakubek, brought the pillow making idea to her daughter's Girl Scout troop, who quickly began to sew! Thanks to (left to right) Kendall Versfeld, Amanda Kurtz, Janine Jakubek, Sarah Merchant, Ellie Beekman, Julianna Tosti, Mary Brookshaw. (Not pictured: Annalyn Runquist and Ellie Cautilli)

About 13 years ago, Fox Chase social worker, Coleen Boyd, met Joy Ozer and Rita Burnstein at a quilting club where they made drainage pouches as a service project. When the “official” project was complete, Joy and Rita continued to make more than 300 pouches a year for Fox Chase.

My colleague, Deena Dell, a breast cancer survivor herself, and I see all breast surgery patients before they are discharged from the hospital. The visit is typically focused on self-care at home. This is also the time we have the honor of giving them the pillows, cases and pouches. It is so rewarding because every patient is truly touched that someone hand-made the pouch or pillow just for them.

One patient just wrote a thank you note to the Girl Scout troop with her heartfelt gratitude. She said it made her smile. It makes Deena and me smile, too, as it is so uplifting to witness the spirit of giving present in so many people … and then to see the look of appreciation on the faces of our patients.

If you are interested in making pillow cases to donate to breast cancer patients, please contact me (Carolyn Weaver) and I would be happy to provide additional information. Thank you to all of these wonderful volunteers—you are truly special treasures!

Carolyn Weaver RN, MSN, AOCN
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Patient Education Coordinator

Robert Burger, MD, Director, Women’s Cancer Center at Fox Chase Cancer Center

The first 500 guests to donate a book at the Special Tea will receive a free mug.

If you’re in the neighborhood next Tuesday, February 28 at 3:30, we invite you to join us at a special tea and book drive presented by Love Versus Cancer (in the Fox Chase cafeteria).

We are collecting new and gently used books for patients and visitors. Donations of new word puzzle, Sudoku and other activity books are also encouraged.

The first 500 book donors will receive a Love Versus Cancer mug. Also on the menu: the preview of a new video and remarks from a caregiver who will talk about the importance of complimentary reading materials in treatment and waiting areas.

If you can’t join us, but have a book to donate, our Volunteer Office is open Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (located on the 3rd floor of the hospital) and will gladly take your donations. In addition to books, the Volunteer Office would appreciate playing cards, individually wrapped candy (mints are great!),  pencils, activity books and reading glasses.

Hope to see you next week!

Be well,

Bob

Robert Burger, MD, Director, Women’s Cancer Center at Fox Chase Cancer Center

On Monday, January 30 at 3:30pm, Fox Chase Cancer Center will unveil its brand new mural, called Pathways, in our renovated cafeteria. Joining us will be the accomplished mural artists Meg Saligman and Emilie Ledieu, along with Jane Golden, Executive Director, City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program. If you are in the area, I hope you can join us for what will prove to be a moving and meaningful dedication.

A portion of the mural shown in early January during installation.

The mural is the result of a partnership between Fox Chase and the Mural Arts Program, who designed and produced a mural that portrays Fox Chase’s three main focuses—bold science, breakthrough medicine, and personal touch.  The 250-square-foot mural is a multimedia work incorporating paint, glass mosaic, sculptural elements, collage and back-lit layers of painted glass.

The team at Fox Chase has enjoyed the unique opportunity to work with the Mural Arts Program, an organization with a long-standing history of creating inspirational artwork that engages communities all over the city of Philadelphia by giving them a voice to tell their individual and collective stories.  This experience has been no different at Fox Chase, where our staff, patients, and volunteers have had the opportunity to come together and tell our story.

One of Meg Saligman's murals, The Evolving Face of Nursing, features Fox Chase nurse practitioner Agnes Masny.

Meg Saligman and Emilie Ledieu conducted an extensive series of meetings at Fox Chase and held hands-on creative activities with staff and patients.  Objects collected from the Fox Chase community were included in the finished mosaic portion of the new mural, including painted eyes of significant members—both past and present.

If you’ve spent any time in Philadelphia, you’ve likely seen several of Meg Saligman’s murals – including Common Threads, Passing Through or Philadelphia Muses. Gifted glass mosaic artist Emilie Ledieu’s work includes Under the Clothespin, which be unveiled early this year.

I’d like to acknowledge Fox Chase board member, Ed Glickman, who helped designate funds for the mural. Mr. Glickman serves as president of the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT), generous supporters of the Mural Arts Program.

I look forward to seeing you on Monday afternoon.

Be well, Bob

About The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program
The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program is the largest mural program in the nation. Since 1984, Mural Arts has created over 3,300 murals and works of public art, earning Philadelphia international recognition as the “City of Murals.” Visit muralarts.org to learn more.

Robert Burger, MD, Director, Women’s Cancer Center at Fox Chase Cancer Center

Robert Burger, MD, Director, Women's Cancer Center

Happy New Year! Today, I have the pleasure of sharing results of my study that was published in the December 29, 2011 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine. It was one of two major studies published in the Journal that day. And based on the results, this approach can be looked upon as a third component of treatment for ovarian cancer and related malignancies.

Targeted drugs, which block or disrupt particular molecules involved in the growth of tumors, have been shown to be effective treatments against many types of cancer.

In my new phase 3 clinical trial conducted in partnership with the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG), we learned that a targeted therapy called bevacizumab (Avastin) effectively delayed the progression of advanced ovarian cancer by almost four months. Patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer now typically undergo surgery and chemotherapy, but the new research suggests an additional avenue of treatment.

We’ve had the combination of surgical management and cytotoxic chemotherapy for many years, but we haven’t really seen anything else in terms of a fundamental class of treatment. This represents a new way for us to control the disease.

The drug, known generically as bevacizumab, has not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat ovarian cancer in the U.S.  But the study results suggest that treatment for ovarian cancer could improve for the first time in 15 years.

Karen Orloff Kaplan, chief executive of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, shared her thoughts with the Washington Post. “While we are looking for that silver bullet, this is a gift that shouldn’t be overlooked.”

If you’d like to read more, here is a link to the Fox Chase Cancer Center news release. In addition, there was quite a bit of news coverage, including the Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, HealthDay, WebMD, and CNN.

The results have left many people wondering about the efficacy of bevacizumab. If you have any questions, please ask them here and I’d be more than happy to respond.

Be well,

Bob

Robert Burger, MD, Director, Women’s Cancer Center at Fox Chase Cancer Center

In the midst of this holiday season, I wanted to take this opportunity to wish you all the best in 2012. And as you set your New Year’s Resolutions, don’t forget to include one to take care of yourself.

In addition to eating a nutritious diet and exercising, please consider scheduling your annual health screenings, including a mammogram.

Why Choose Fox Chase for Digital Mammography?

Mammography is an X-ray of the breast that is most commonly used to detect breast cancer. Fox Chase has installed the LORAD Selenia™, providing full-field digital mammography — one of the world’s most sophisticated systems.

In addition to producing exceptional digital breast images, Selenia offers Fox Chase the ability to offer breast tomosynthesis – an extraordinary innovation poised to revolutionize how breast cancer is detected today.

Digital mammography offers women several advantages over film mammography:

• Better screening for women under age 50 or those with dense breasts
• Improvement in image storage and transmission (can be sent electronically)
• Fewer false positive results
• Uses less radiation
• Selenia features the largest detector available-imaging almost any breast without requiring multiple exposures
• Software is used to help radiologists interpret digital mammograms

Accurate & Early Diagnosis is Key to Successful Treatment

Kathryn Evers, MD, Director, Mammography

As a national breast cancer research center, Fox Chase has radiologists with specific expertise in breast cancer treatment and diagnosis.

Fox Chase is a leader in defining the role of stereotactic biopsy in diagnosing breast cancer. Our diagnostic radiologists, led by Kathryn Evers, MD, provide state-of-the-art breast imaging techniques.

To schedule a mammography appointment, call 215-728-2646 or 2631.

On behalf of the Women’s Cancer Center at Fox Chase, I would like to extend our best wishes for a happy, healthy and peaceful holiday season!

Be well,

Bob

Robert Burger, MD, Director, Women’s Cancer Center at Fox Chase Cancer Center

Later this week, Fox Chase Cancer welcomes breast cancer survivor, Kelly Corrigan, New York Times bestselling author of “The Middle Place” and “Lift.” The authors’ event takes place on Thursday, November 17 at 7 p.m. with a book signing and catered reception.

Corrigan lives deep within what she calls the Middle Place— “that sliver of time when parenthood and childhood overlap”—comfortably wedged between her adult duties and her parents’ care. But she’s abruptly shoved into a coming-of-age when she finds a lump in her breast and gets the diagnosis no one wants to hear. And so Kelly’s journey to full-blown adulthood begins. When her father, George, learns he has late-stage cancer, it is Kelly’s turn to take care of the man who had always taken care of her — and show us a woman as she finally takes the leap and grows up.

The book signing event will take place in the Fox Chase auditorium. There is no cost, but seating is limited, so registration is required. To register, send an email to authors@fccc.edu, call 215-214-3954 or go to www.foxchase.org/authors.

Be well,

Bob

Directions to Fox Chase can be found here: www.foxchase.org/information/directions/index.html