Cancer care providers offer better treatment choices
The need for cancer care is greater than ever, as incidence rates continue to rise across the Dayton and Greater Miami Valley region. But cancer care providers aren’t sure whether the rise can be attributed to an actual increase in the incidence of the disease, or an increased ability to scan and detect cancers.
“Actually, it is probably a little bit of both,” says Dr. Mark Marinella, a medical oncologist with the Dayton Physicians Network, a multi-specialty network that provides comprehensive cancer and urological services in Dayton. “Clearly, there are a lot of cancers that are being picked up incidentally and a lot earlier, especially when someone is getting scanned for another reason. More breast cancers are being picked up because mammogram technology is getting better. More colon cancers are being picked up because of a decrease in the age of patient screenings as well as home monitoring kits. So, it makes it seem like there are a lot more cases, when it might just be that you are finding them earlier.”
There are notable exceptions, Marinella notes, “especially with the incidence of colorectal cancers that are happening with people in their 20s and 30s. We are also seeing an increase in melanoma and esophageal cancer, especially in men.”
Other health care organizations are also reporting an uptick in the incidence of cancer.
“Premier Health experienced a 13.4% increase in cancer-related visits from 2020 to 2022,” says Lori Scalise, system director of strategy for oncology services for Premier Health. “During the last 18 months, we have added several medical and surgical oncology providers to our team. We will continue to expand access to our multispecialty cancer program to better meet the needs of our cancer patients so they can remain close to home for their care.”
Committed to offering high quality cancer care close to home, Premier Health is Southwest Ohio’s only certified member of the MD Anderson Cancer Network, a program from the MD Anderson Cancer Care Center, which is the No. 1 ranked cancer center in the United States.
Premier Health’s cancer specialists and its hospital cancer facilities (infusion and radiation oncology services) are surveyed and reviewed for quality and use of best practices every two years. Premier Health has been successfully certified through MD Anderson since 2016.
Premier Health physicians work very closely with MD Anderson cancer specialists and have access to their nationally recognized cancer care protocols. Physicians consult and collaborate directly with MD Anderson experts on complex patient cases and develop individualized treatment plans to keep patients close to home with their support system.
Reducing the time from cancer detection to cancer treatment is obviously a very high priority for Premier Health. Indeed, it is at the foundation of its cancer care mission. Its oncology service line has partnered with the Premier Physician Network primary care and OB-GYN offices to implement a high-risk cancer assessment questionnaire, genetic screening and genetic counseling through Myriad Genetics for patients who have a family history of cancer.
A simple genetic blood test screens for 11 types of cancers and 48 specific genes to detect patients and family members who are high-risk for certain cancers, so their ongoing cancer screening surveillance can be modified and help detect cancer as soon as possible. Also, primary care physicians now offer an “at-home test” as another option for colon cancer screening through Polymedco FIT testing. If there is a positive test result, these patients are referred for a colonoscopy.
Premier Health was the first in the region to launch a system-wide Lung Nodule Evaluation Program to help identify patients with lung nodules and enter them into the program to continue to monitor their nodules proactively and help prevent or detect lung cancer in earlier stages. Since the launch of this program, more than 700 patients have enrolled.
Premier Health was the first in Ohio to implement the Monarch EBUS Robotic system, a technology that reinvents the concept of a traditional lung bronchoscope and provides a patient a less invasive lung biopsy or removal of nodules, especially in hard-to-reach places. This new technology was funded by the Miami Valley Hospital Foundation.
In September 2022, a brand new Pylarify diagnostic agent was used with positron emission tomography (PET) scans. This imaging procedure will enhance prostate treatment care planning through earlier detection of recurrence of prostate cancer due to elevated PSA levels. This procedure is now available at Upper Valley Medical Center, Atrium Medical Center and Miami Valley Hospital North and South.
“When we care for cancer patients, we take a holistic approach to their healing,” says Dr. Jim Ouellette, system clinical director of oncology services for Premier Health. “With the wonderful support of our various hospital foundations, we can continue to offer complementary integrative therapies such as cancer exercise, massage therapy and other therapies to help our cancer patients manage their symptoms of treatment and boost their overall well-being. Our patients deeply appreciate these services. It really makes a difference in their healing.
“Fighting cancer is a team effort, and our goal is to improve the survivorship of our cancer patients. We are truly grateful for the collective efforts of our multidisciplinary cancer care team: skilled physicians, nursing staff, navigators, leadership, hospital foundations and community members who are committed to walking hand-in-hand with our patients and their family during their cancer journey—with much respect, compassion and hope.”
While Premier is one of the largest cancer care organizations in Dayton and the Greater Miami Valley area, the Dayton Physicians Network offers a great alternative for cancer care, especially if you are the least bit apprehensive about dealing with a larger health care organization.
“We can offer a little more access and convenience compared to some of the larger academic centers or hospital systems,” says Marinella. “We try to get people in within three days, and if we get a call from a doctor, we might even be able to see people within a day.”
In addition, the Dayton Physicians Network may provide a savings when it comes to imaging or pharmaceuticals, according to Marinella. The network also offers plenty of locations. Based in Dayton, the network comprises highly experienced and successful specialists in the practices of medical oncology, radiation oncology, imaging and urology. With 41 physicians and mid-level providers and 350 employees on board, the Dayton Physicians Network offers immediate care across 12 practice locations from Greenville to Middletown.
The Dayton Physicians Network also works closely with other highly skilled medical specialties in the community such as gastroenterology, pulmonology, ENT, surgery, radiology and pathology. This collaboration of care allows it to provide the best local evidence based medical care.
