THE NEXT PHASE IN CANCER CARE
Cancer is a complex disease and the varied malignancies are among the biggest
challenges that medicine faces. That’s why Jupiter Medical Center
has prioritized creation of many disease-specific cancer programs as a
central component of our visionary, far-ranging strategic plan. Already
in development are programs for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer and
Women’s Lung Health Program.
HEPATOBILIARY AND PANCREATIC CANCER PROGRAM
A Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer Program will serve patients with
liver and pancreatic diseases, including disorders of the liver, bile
ducts, gallbladder and pancreas. Surgical procedures for these diseases
are usually advanced and complicated. Special training and skill is required
to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients. This program, once
developed, will be multidisciplinary and include the latest technological
advancements. The recent recruitment of Dr. Shanel Bhagwandin, Medical
Director for the Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology Program, has spotlighted
the use of the most recent advances in technology to diagnose and treat
benign conditions and cancers. He has already performed the Hyperthermic
Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) procedure at Jupiter Medical Center
for patients with cancer that had spread to various areas in the abdomen.
Before HIPEC is administered, the surgeon, using standard surgical methods,
will remove all visible tumors that can be removed throughout the peritoneal
cavity. This is known as cytoreductive surgery. Following cytoreductive
surgery, while still in the operative setting, the surgeon will administer
the HIPEC treatment. Jupiter Medical Center is the first medical center
on the east coast of Florida, and the only one in Palm Beach County, to
use the HIPEC procedure to treat and potentially save the lives of patients
with stage 4 cancers.
WOMEN’S LUNG HEALTH PROGRAM
Despite the fact that more and more women in the United States are affected
by lung disease, women frequently do not receive the appropriate care.
The Women’s Lung Health Program at Jupiter Medical Center will be
a unique resource dedicated to the care of female patients with lung disease.
Women’s lung health is a focus for many reasons: Women have a higher
rate of asthma than men; in the United States women with COPD outnumber
men, and the incidence of lung cancer in women continues to increase while
declining in men. More women die from lung cancer than breast cancer—and
two thirds of them never smoked.
Studies have shown that women with lung disease are less likely to receive
appropriate medical tests, such as pulmonary function testing. Women with
COPD are more likely to be misdiagnosed as having asthma. And women are
less likely to receive referrals to specialists who thoroughly understand
their diseases. Developed in conjunction with the Thoracic Surgery &
Lung Center of Excellence, the Women’s Lung Health Program will
be designed to optimize care across their lifespan for women with lung
conditions and diseases.
EXPANDED GENETIC TESTING
Under the guidance of Dr. Nancy Taft, Medical Director of Comprehensive
Breast Program; Dr. Orna Hadar, Breast Imaging Specialist at the Margaret
W. Neidland Breast Center and Genetics Counselor, Cathy Marinak, ARPN,
MSN, AOCN, Jupiter Medical Center’s goal is to expand its existing
genetics screening into a comprehensive Genetics Screening Clinic to support
current recommendations by the American College of Radiology and the Society
of Breast Imaging. This clinic will be the first of its kind in the United
States, changing the way physicians diagnose cancer in younger patients.
It will also serve as a valuable care resource to the primary care physician
community that is often unsure when to recommend these important screenings
to patients, and have limited knowledge on advising patients on where
to have it done and how to have it covered by insurance.
The proposed model starts with individuals who will work with a nurse navigator
to begin the screening process, utilizing corporate genetic partners.
The test will be reviewed by a genetics counselor at Jupiter Medical Center,
identifying areas of possible risk. Those identified as what we call “previvors,”
meaning they’re at increased risk due to their genes, will receive
additional assistance from a medical specialist, as well as wellness support
and counseling.
SURVIVORSHIP PROGRAM
As a disease, cancer can affect an individual’s entire well-being—from
physical to psychological, social, and even spiritual wellness. The cancer
survivor population must navigate a complex, constantly evolving field
to conquer and recover from their disease. To address the unmet needs
of the cancer survivorship community, the Oncology Program at Jupiter
Medical Center is working to create a high-quality, patient-centered Cancer
Survivorship Program. A board-certified medical oncologist will lead this
program under the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines
for survivorship, screening, evaluation and treatment.
Integral to a patient’s recovery will also be an expanded Oncology
Health and Wellness Program housed within the Anderson Family Cancer Institute.
The program will provide an array of services such as massage therapy,
reiki, nutritional counseling, acupuncture and meditation, as well as
an on-site boutique to provide professional assistance with wig selection
and fitting to support patients, families and caregivers at every step—from
innovative “prehab” (prehabilitation) to palliative care counseling.
CLINICAL RESEARCH
Clinical research is another integral component to our multidisciplinary
approach. Clinical trials are one of the most important weapons in the
continuing fight against disease and in the advancement of medicine. These
studies may offer patients the opportunity to receive new or potentially
more effective therapies, as well as state-of-the-art approaches to treatment.
Jupiter Medical Center participates in clinical studies and affiliates
with national research organizations to deliver clinical trials to our
local community. Our affiliations allow access to National Cancer Institute-sponsored
clinical trials. Patients have access to research that addresses many
aspects of cancer care, including new forms of treatment, methods of prevention,
ways of screening for cancer, and ways to improve comfort and quality
of life for cancer patients. Jupiter Medical Center also participates
in trials addressing general medicine, surgical outcomes and biosciences.
MEETING THE CHALLENGES
To meet the needs of the region, Jupiter Medical Center’s Comprehensive
Cancer Program will have the ability to fully serve patients from diagnosis
through treatment. Additional, philanthropic support is essential to fully
realize Jupiter Medical Center’s evolution from a high-quality community
hospital to a worldclass regional resource, while maintaining our strong
community orientation and independence.