Sharing

Beaumont Cancer Center3577 W. Thirteen Mile

Royal Oak, MI 48073-6710248-551-8585

Speaker’s Schedule248-551-8588

♥ Our Cover Story: New Facility at Troy Beaumont ♥ Our Expert explains: Radiation Oncology - what to expect at the new center.♥ Calendar of Events

In This Issue:

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Summer 2013 A NEWSLETTER FOR BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS

with Friends

Beaumont Hospital, Troy has opened a 13,000 square-foot outpatient

radiation oncology department that completes the consolidation of the hospital’s outpatient cancer services in an expanded Cancer Center on its Sterling Heights campus. The new outpatient radiation unit is located on the first floor of a Cancer Center building in Sterling Heights across Dequindre Road from Beaumont Hospital, Troy.

The new outpatient radiation oncology unit is equipped with advanced radiation therapy technology. The $14.1 million project features the latest technology for planning and delivering radiation treatment including two new linear accelerators and a CT simulator enhancing treatment precision and reducing treatment time.

“This equipment puts us on the forefront of technology for the treatment of cancer so our physicians can provide patients with the highest quality, highest value care with the best possible outcome,” explains Gary Gustafson, M.D., chief of Radiation Oncology at Beaumont, Troy.” “With the opening of the new radiation oncology unit, we are able to offer all of the outpatient services needed by cancer patients in one convenient location to improve the patient experience,” says Eric Brown, M.D., director of Oncology Services and the Breast Care Center at Beaumont, Troy. “Convenient

access in a comfortable setting is so important for cancer patients, who make frequent visits for treatment during the course of their care.”

The new outpatient radiation oncology unit is equipped with advanced radiation therapy technology called Agility™ by Elekta. External beam radiation therapy is delivered by a device called a linear accelerator. With the Agility linear accelerator, the radiation beam can be precisely shaped to conform to the shape of the tumor. This more accurate targeting of the tumor with radiation helps to protect surrounding tissue from damage and can lower the risk of side effects.

The new equipment allows Beaumont, Troy radiation oncologists to offer the most advanced treatment options available, such as stereotactic body radiation therapy, volumetric modulated arc therapy and hypofractionation. These radiation therapies, also available at Beaumont, Royal Oak, are designed to help reduce treatment times.

“Beaumont is a national leader in cancer diagnosis, treatment and research,” says Dr. Brown. “Our focus is on meeting the needs of cancer patients in our community with technological innovation and comprehensive, coordinated care. That translates into better outcomes and quality of life for our patients.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment with a Beaumont cancer expert, call 1-877-Beat Cancer or 1-877-232-8226.

News About Breast CancerNEW RADIATION ONCOLOGY UNIT IN TROY

Greetings!Summer and warm weather is finally here! We have great programs coming up this summer. Before I highlight a few of my favorites, I would like to take a moment to talk about registering for them. Sharing & Caring is able to offer nearly all of our programs free of charge because of the thoughtful donations we receive from so many

of you. In addition to donations, the wonderful professional community that volunteers their time and expertise allows us to keep our calendar offerings free of charge. We have been blessed with talented physicians, nurses, psychologists, art therapists, Naturopaths and others who are dedicated to being a part of a program that is available to everyone. We ask participants to call and register for each of our programs. This is extremely important! If no one registers for a given lecture, we need to cancel that evening’s offering, in order to not waste a speakers’ time. We are so grateful for having our experts talk to our group, and it is simply not reasonable to expect them to volunteer their time, and show up to a lecture for which no one is present. Likewise, IF we do need to cancel a evening, we will always call you so that you don’t waste your time either. However, we can only do so if you have registered and provided a phone number. So please, please remember to call and sign up for each event you plan to attend!

That said, let’s get to the good stuff! We kick off the summer with a very timely presentation from dermatologist, Dr. Roxanne Chapman. Could all that sun worshipping you did as

a teanager put you at risk for developing skin cancer? What about radiation therapy you may have had for your breast cancer...does that up your risk of melanoma? Please join us on July 18th for a frank discussion. July 25th brings Melissa Sargent from LocalMotionGreen, to discuss “The Conscious Kitchen”, which will give us a closer look at key words on food labels and how to avoid potential toxins. Speaking of toxins, many women would like to “detox” after cancer treatment but are unsure of how to go about it. On July 30th, Naturopathic physician, Hallie Armstrong will teach us about detoxing naturally! In September we will be heading on a field trip to the Exercise & Survivorship program in Grosse Pointe. This is a wonderful opportunity to give your exercise a jump start! We will learn about the screening process and how the appropriate level of activity is determined for each individual by trained Oncology Physical Therapists. Also in September, Dr. Ellen Janetzke a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon will be giving us an update on the breast reconstruction.

I hope to see many of you over the next few months. Have a wonderful, safe summer season! Warmly, Lorelei

Don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook, where you’ll always find the latest goings-on at Sharing & Caring!

Greetings from Lorelei

Exercise & Survivorship

Our e-mail newsletter has been getting great feedback. We’d like to “grow” our e-mail subcription list even more! With an eye towards converting from snail mail delivery of the newsletter in order to save on printing and mailing costs, we really need your

help! If you’re already receiving this newsletter via e-mail, then THANK YOU! You’re helping us to contain costs and to focus on much needed programming and special events. If you’ve not yet shared your e-mail address with us, please take a second to do so. The electronic version of “Sharing with Friends’ arrives quarterly into your in box and is in full color; bright and easy to read. In addition to the convenience of being able to enlarge the print, you’re also just a click away from additional information when websites are included in an article. On the go? We’re on your tablet as well, or you can always print it out and take us with you!Please send us an e-mail ( sharingandcaring@beaumont.edu ) requesting that

we switch you to the electronic version of Sharing with Friends. Include your full name and address so we can identify you on our mailing list.

As always, Sharing & Caring complies with all HIPAA privacy and security rules, and we will never, ever share your e-mail with anyone else!

Beaumont Radiation Oncology

Ask the Expert - Dr. Jannifer Stromberg

1. I am going to receive radiation after my surgery. My surgeon told me about the new radiation oncology center at Troy and another center closer to my home. Convenience is important to me since I work and have to fit several weeks of treatment into my schedule. Do I have to deal with the hospital parking? Can I make early morning appointments?The new Radiation Oncology Treatment Center at Troy has been designed with improved convenience for patients in mind. The Center is located in the northernmost section of the Outpatient Cancer Center on the east side of the Beaumont-Troy campus in Sterling Heights. There are reserved spots for our radiation oncology patients just outside the entrance to make parking quick, free and convenient for daily radiation appointments as well as for patient consultations, simulations and follow-up appointments. We offer radiation treatments starting at 7 a.m. in the mornings until about 4:30 p.m. in the afternoons. Additionally, the center is housed on the ground floor of the Cancer Center along with comprehensive cancer services for our breast cancer patients. The Radiation Center is right next to the Wilson Cancer Resource Center and we coordinate care in many ways. The Wilson Center offers complimentary nurse navigation services, oncology social work and counseling, nutritional counseling, transportation, survivorship services including exercise and wellness, and of course, houses Sharing and Caring offices. We provide the Look Good, Feel Better program in collaboration with the American Cancer Society there as well as other support services. There are many medical oncology physicians, surgeons, pulmonologists, urologists, health and wellness specialists, and sleep experts all housed in the Cancer Center to help increase convenience for our patients. The Ambulatory Infusion Center and Multi-Disciplinary Clinic Suite are also housed there, as well as the Genetics Clinic and Clinical Trials office. Integrative Medicine, as well as outpatient laboratory and radiology services are all also on the outpatient Sterling Heights side connected to the Cancer Center as well. The integration of all these services gives our breast cancer patients and all oncology patients access to more comprehensive, multi-disciplinary care in a state-of-the art facility designed to improve your quality of care and convenience of treatment and follow-up care.

2. Okay, so the center is easy to get to. But I have heard there is a difference in the actual radiation equipment. What makes your equipment better than any other? You are correct! Not only is the new cutting edge radiation equipment able to deliver better treatments than most other institutions, but the actual physics support imaging capabilities to document high quality treatment delivery and staffing support is much better than most facilities. There are two new Agility machines made by Elekta used clinically in the new Center. The leaves up in the head of the machines move quicker than previously and allow for more conformal radiation treatments. This allows us to deliver higher doses to our target area of radiation and minimize doses to nearby normal tissues as much as possible. There is less leakage of radiation to nearby normal tissues with these machines as well. There are also increased positioning capabilities and we do use the Active Breathing Control method for left-sided breast cancer patients when it looks like there is an advantage to do so during the treatment planning process. There is a complete staff of physicists, dosimetrists and trained therapists who actually calibrate the machines and deliver the daily treatments with quality assurance checks which surpass those required by the various radiation safety organizations. These new machines, coupled with all these safety checks help ensure not only the highest quality treatment planning for our patients, but also the highest possible actual treatment delivery on a daily basis.

3. I prefer to go to a woman physician since I have breast cancer. Are there female radiation oncologists at the Troy center?There are several female radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and breast surgeons who see our breast cancer patients at Beaumont-Troy. If this is a personal preference of yours to be evaluated and treated primarily by female physicians, then let your primary care or referring physician know and this can be arranged. continued on page 6...

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July, August & September

ALL Sharing & Caring events are RESERVATIONS REQUIRED! Please call 248-551-8585 and let us know you plan to attend. If no one is available to take your call, a message with your name, phone

number and which program you want to attend will complete your registration.

Breast Cancer Support - There’s something just right for you!

Breast Cancer Support Group: Mondays, August 19th, September 23rd 10:30am Troy BeaumontReceiving a cancer diagnosis can be a complete derailment to life. The sudden and unexpected upheaval is very stressful. This group provides an opportunity to discuss your diagnosis and treatment with others who are going through the same experience. Feel free to attend one or all meetings. You are welcome to share your story, or simply sit back and listen. Facilitated by Oncology social worker Laurel Martinez, LMSW, LCSW, OSW-C. We will meet in the Wilson Cancer

Resource Center, located in the Professional Building, 44344 Dequindre Road, first floor conference room. The building is located across the pedestrian bridge from Troy Beaumont.

STAGE 4 - A Group for Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer: Tuesdays, July 16th, August 20th, September 24th 7pm Royal Oak Beaumont This group provides an opportunity for survivors who have metastatic breast cancer to discuss the unique challenges and issues they face. Women with stage four breast cancer often feel unable to talk about their cancer. This format provides a safe arena to converse about what is on your mind and in your heart. You are welcome to attend one or all meetings. We will be meeting in the Resource Center on the first floor of the Rose Cancer Center, Royal Oak. This meeting will be facilitated by Psychologist Dr. Sally Smolen of Mercy Works in Farmington Hills and Jennifer Martens, Oncology Nurse Clinician.

Other Programs of Interest

Lympyhedema: Signs, Symptoms & Management: Thursday, July 11th, 7pm Royal Oak BeaumontSome women will experience the build up of excess lymph fluid that can occur during or after treatment for breast cancer. Find out if you are at risk. Dr. Justin Riutta, Director of the Lymphedema Clinic will present the latest information, along with some tips on daily living with lymphedema. During this program, we will delve into what lymphedema is, what you should watch for, how you may prevent its development and how to manage lymphedema should it occur. Dr. Riutta will be happy to answer all of your questions, and Cynthia Tan, PT, will demonstrate some simple wrapping techniques that you can do at home. Meets in the Royal Oak Cancer Center first floor classroom.

Skin Cancer: What Every Breast Cancer Survivor Needs to Know: Thursday, July 18th, 7pm Royal Oak Beaumont Let’s face it, if you are over the age of 40, you probably baked and roasted your skin as a teenager/young adult. Additionally, many breast cancer survivors have had radiation therapy. Does this put us at high risk for developing Melanoma? Chief of Dermatology at Royal Oak Beaumont, Dr. Roxana Chapman will teach us about skin cancer as well as what to look for when checking our skin for sun damage, and potential areas of concern. Meets in the Royal Oak Cancer Center first floor classroom.

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The Conscious Kitchen: Thursday, July 25th 7pm Royal Oak Beaumont This evening is presented by LocalMotionGreen’s Executive Director, Melissa Sargent. The correlation between food and health is an easy one to identify. Learn ways to eat naturally on a budget, what “organic” means (and if it is really necessary), learn what the key words on a food label are, and the best way to avoid potential toxins, as well as food storage and heating. Come join us and listen to Melissa’s presentation as she always packs her talk full of easy to use tips! Meets in the Royal Oak Cancer Center first floor classroom.

Detox Your Body Naturally After Cancer Treatment: Tuesday, July 30th, 7pm Royal Oak Beaumont Dr. Hallie Armstrong, one of our Naturopathic Physicians from Beaumont’s Integrative Medicine Department will teach us about detox after cancer treatment. Detox programs are wonderful for cancer survivors AFTER treatment is finished to help restore and replenish the body. It is NOT SUITABLE for patients who are currently going through chemotherapy or radiation. In addition to learning simple methods for detoxing, we will also learn about Integrative Medicine’s comprehensive program at Beaumont. Meets in the Royal Oak Cancer Center first floor classroom. Field Trip!!! Whole Foods Market - What is a GMO Food?: Tuesday August 6th, 3pm Are GMO’s really that bad? Join us for a tour of Whole foods Market, given by Dawn Danhausen, Community & Marketing Relations. Dawn will walk us through Whole foods and teach us a bit about Genetically Modified Foods. She can explain what GMO foods really contain and the potential hazards to our health. She will also spotlight the foods most frequently genetically modified and how to avoid them. This tour is always packed full of great information and is a ton of fun! We will meet in the book area of the store, located at 2880 West Maple Road, Troy, MI

Coffee, Chocolate & Chat: Newly Diagnosed Meeting: Thursday August 8th, 7pm Royal Oak BeaumontThere is no “How-to” guide when dealing with breast cancer. There are always so many questions to ask, and at times we all feel we don’t even know what to ask! This is a low key evening to discuss the emotional roller coaster ride receiving a breast cancer diagnosis can bring. If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer in the last year and would like to meet others who share the same experience, please join us. Psychologist Dr. Debra Luria will be helping us navigate this roller coaster. Meets in the Royal Oak Cancer Center first floor classroom.

Exercise and Wellness in Survivorship: Tuesday, September 10th, 7pm St. Clair Shores The Beaumont Health System Exercise & Survivorship program is designed by physical therapists who are experts in cancer rehabilitation. Have you wanted to start an exercise program post-surgery but have no idea where to begin? Then this is your opportunity! Come tour the St. Clair Shores facility and learn mmore about the connection between exercise and breast cancer wellness. Physical Therapist, Mary Alice Hewelt will discuss the screening process to determine the appropriate level of activity and show exercises that are performed during the supervised program available at the Center. Join us at Beaumont Health System Rehabilitation Service Oncology and Lymphedema Services, 23715 Little Mack, Suite 200, St. CLair Shores, MI 48080 Options in Breast Reconstruction: Thursday, September 19th, 7pm Royal Oak BeaumontPlastic Surgeon, Dr. Ellen Janetzke, or as she is better known, “Dr. Ellen”, will be teaching us about the newest breast reconstruction options. This is a great evening to learn about all the benefits and potential drawbacks of various surgical options, and to get all your questions answered. Meets in the Royal Oak Cancer Center first floor classroom.

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Nutritional Nuggets

These websites provide reliable information for those seeking to improve their nutritional status. Thanks Deb Martz, RD, for passing these along!

www.aicr.org www.eattodefeat.org www.forksoverknives.com

Ask the Expert...continued from page 34. May I make an appointment to see the facility too? I am a bit nervous and would like to be more comfortable with where I am going. We understand that patients can be nervous regarding radiation treatments prior to starting their treatments and during their treatment course. Prior to starting radiation, you will first have a detailed consultation with a radiation oncology physician and the nursing staff to learn more about radiation in general and what to expect with your particular radiation course. These consultations are held in our radiation department so you can start getting accustomed to the department and you are given both verbal and written information that day regarding what to expect. We have an extensive array of support services available to help with anxiety and nervousness and learn more about radiation as well. Prior to starting radiation, you will have a simulation session where we prepare you more about what to expect during radiation and initiate the treatment planning process. At that time, we show you around the department and where to change, what to wear, what the machines look like, etc. We often show you a video about your specific site of radiation treatments and how we do the markings and what to expect with side effects and supportive care as well. We want to make sure all your questions are answered prior to starting the treatments and at any time during the treatment process. We want you to feel comfortable both with the proposed radiation treatments and during the treatment process. In our experience, patients do better overall if they feel comfortable with their care team and the facility where they are receiving care. We see our patients every day as they come in for treatment and you will be monitored regularly for side effects and given supportive care to address these side effects. We are here to help lighten the burden for you at every step of the way before, during and after your treatments.

SPECIAL THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED!

The 14th Annual Symposium, “Facts, Fitness & Food” is now just a wonderful memory! The day was chillier than we all would’ve expected for May, but then, we live in Michigan, so I suppose we’re used to odd weather trends! However, from the continental breakfast, to the luncheon complete with scrumptious, decadent cupcakes, we managed to fit in some important, timely information about all the tools you need for survivorship. We were very fortunate to have Drs. Zakalik, Meininger and Sheth who generously donated their time and expertise to bring us the latest news about triple negative breast cancer, reconstruction and surgical treatment. We apologize for running over and making you late for lunch, but the doctors had so much to say, and we certainly wouldn’t want to have edited anything. The atmosphere during the luncheon was one of sisterhood, support and understanding, and we have received wonderful feedback from many of our guests as to how welcome they felt. The afternoon was rounded out with Deb Martz, RD, who provided great tips on using our diet to help control our risk of recurrence, and the speakers from Exercise & Wellness, Tammy DeMeere, DPT, CLT, Cynthia Marsili, PT, CLT, and Traci Daniels, PTA, CLT, who got us up on our feet and helped us to understand the huge impact that exercise has on our quality of life! Again, we thank these experts for agreeing to volunteer their time and knowledge.Such a successful day would not have been at all possible had it not been for all of our behind-the-scenes help. From the Sharing & Caring Board Members who worked tirelessly to drum up donations for our silent auction (which raised over $1700, thank you all!) to the ladies who showed up at the crack of dawn to help us set everything up and be ready to welcome our guests, to our wonderful Sue Hasse, the talented jewlery maker who provided everyone with an awareness bracelet. Thank you all, we truly mean it when we say, we couldn’t have done it without you.

We can’t forget why we work so hard to bring you the Sharing & Caring symposium. It is for the incredible women who took time from their busy schedules to spend the day with us, to learn a little more about their diagnosis and treatment, and ultimately, survivorship, and to allow us to help make a difference in their lives.

We were honored to have had you as our guests.

14th Annual Breast Cancer Symposium

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Sharing & Caring ProfileLet me preface by saying that after hearingthat dreaded ‘C’ word we’re all afraid of, Iam doing absolutely fine!

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2012, had surgery in December 2012 then met with Dr. Stromberg for radiation consultation in January 2013. Thirty-three daily external beam treatments, Monday through Friday were prescribed. After two planning sessions in the West facility, I was convinced my husband would be my daily chauffeur due to the difficult parking situation. Nothing makes a person feel vulnerable like having to depend on someone else for transportation. Lucky for me, I was one of the first groups of patients that would be treated in the new facility across the street from the main campus. I was able to drive myself everyday; parking was a breeze - right outside the door. It took me longer to drive from my home; park and walk in than the actual time it took to do the treatment. Every one of the radiation technicians was very pleasant, informative and professional. Talk about respecting the patients’ time, only one time did I wait and that was due to inclement weather and the previous patients running late. More often than not, I was taken earlier than my scheduled appointment time. In and out to then enjoy my day.

I decided to wear my own easily removable top thus avoiding the dreaded blue patient gown. I was after all, feeling great and not at all like a patient. I brought my clothing for the day and after my treatment I changed then enjoyed my day. I was able to continue to work throughout the entire process without difficulty. I experienced minimal side effects that did not interfere with my daily routine whatsoever.

Everyone I encountered, from the receptionist, the techs, students, nurses and of course Dr. Stromberg were very pleasant, courteous, respectful and professional. Post radiation now, I was left with virtually no side effects. Immediately after my last treatment my family and I celebrated by taking off for Disney World.

The only negative aspect I can think of has to be being at the same place at the same time everyday Monday- Friday for six and a half weeks.

The new facility is beautiful and very conducive to maintaining ones’ independence! Dr. Stromberg and her entire staff should be very proud.

Wendy Jaeger

‘Promise me you’ll always remember...You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.’ Christopher Robin, to Pooh Bear

Words of Wisdom !

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Look Good Feel Better: This program is presented in conjunction with the American Cancer Society to help women who are currently undergoing cancer treatment to improve their appearance and self image by teaching them hands-on beauty techniques to overcome the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatments. We will also learn how to tie head scarves, get tips on choosing the right wig, and even bring home a beautiful kit filled with new makeup. Reservations for LGFB for both Troy (10 am meeting time) and Royal Oak (6 pm meeting time) must be made by calling the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345. Meeting dates are Mondays: July 8th, August 12th and September 9th.

Nutrition for Cancer Survivorship: Thursdays, July 11th and September 12th, 7 - 8:30pm - Learn how diet influences cancer! Recipes are provided along with food samples! There is no fee, but you MUST register! Held at the Rehabilitation & Dialysis Center, 2nd Floor Staff Lounge, 44300 Dequindre, across from Troy Beaumont. Call the Wilson Cancer Center at 248-964-3430 to register.

Nutrition During Cancer Treatment: Thursdays, June 13th, August 15th and October 10th, 7 - 8:30pm Learn how diet influences cancer! Recipes are provided along with food samples! There is no fee, but you MUST register! Held at the Rehabilitation & Dialysis Center, 2nd Floor Staff Lounge, 44300 Dequindre, across from Troy Beaumont. Call the Wilson Cancer Center at 248-964-3430 to register.

Silver Linings: Silver Linings teaches meditation (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction), gentle yoga, mindful eating, and mindful communication skills to women who have completed cancer treatment. Research shows that the program improves quality of life and post-cancer symptoms. The program is taught by Ruth Lerman M.D., an experienced teacher of meditation and yoga, specialist in breast disease and three-time breast cancer survivor. Summer 2013 is for any woman cancer survivor. Information/registration sessions are June 18 and 25 at 6:30 pm. The course meets weekly on Tuesday evenings in July and August (no class Aug. 13). Participants receive four CDs to facilitate their home practice. Space is limited and registration is required. For more information including location (at the Royal Oak campus), or to register, call Pam Jablonski at 248-551-4645 or e-mail her at pjablonski@beaumonthospitals.com. If you aren’t able to make it to the summer workshops, there will be a new series starting in the fall.

Beaumont Health System’s 8th Annual Breast Health Fairs: Royal Oak: Tuesday, October 1st, Suite 100 Hallway, 1st floor, South Hospital. Troy: Tuesday, October 8th, 2nd Floor Atrium, Main Hospital. Great information on breast cancer treatment, cancer genetics, lymphedema, diet and more! Please look for our Autumn issue of Sharing with Friends for more information.

Respite Retreat Weekend: For women and their caregivers who have been touched by cancer: Fall retreat is this October 11, 12 & 13 at the Lake Huron Retreat Center in Burtchville, MI. This retreat is intended for women in the beginning, middle or end of treatments for cancewr. There is a scholarship fund for those in need of financial assistance. For information, please call 313-884-7109 or go to www.respitecenterforwomen.org

Additional Programs and Events of Interest...

The information in this newsletter is not intended as a replacement for medical care. The advice of your physician should take precedence in your health care matters.

Confronting breast cancer with knowledge, support and hope...