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x e s s E A LT H H u S M AT T E R S The Newsletter of the Sussex County Cancer Coalition Volume 3, Issue 3 Clinical Trials for Cancer Research Abundant in Sussex County CAN CE R T ION A LI SUSSEX CO Y NT CO U With over 20 clinical research trials currently open at Sparta Cancer Center, patients are offered an excellent opportunity to benefit from new cancer therapies sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. “It is important for patients to know about every treatment option available for the most complete care,” states Megan Frugone, RN, Clinical Research Associate. “We currently offer 25 clinical trials whose protocols contain radiation, chemotherapy, or both for many different types of cancer. These include: lung, breast, colon, prostate, glioblastoma, head and neck, brain, esophageal and more. The Center also provides supportive and observational trials.” These supportive trials may seek to improve the quality of life for cancer patients, or they may seek to find the most effective way to prevent a recurrence of cancer after treatment. Each trial has a designated Principal Investigator overseeing that particular research, and the four physicians of Sparta Cancer Center share in these roles. They are Radiation Oncologists Kathy Lo, MD, and Michael J. Gallagher, MD, medical director; Medical Oncologist Bohdan Halibey, MD, and Hematologist/Oncologist May Abdo-Matkiwsky, DO. Sparta Cancer Center’s research program was established in 2006, through an affiliation with Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (TJUH) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For the past two years, the Center has earned Jefferson’s “Outstanding Patient Accrual in Clinical Trials” award. Through the University, Sparta Cancer Center has been able to offer patients many Cooperative Group studies (RTOG, ECOG, NSABP, SWOG and CTSU). Although the acronyms can be confusing at first, the important The clinical research team at Sparta Cancer Center, pictured, includes Megan Frugone, RN; May Abdo-Matkiwsky, DO; Michael J. Gallagher, MD; Bohdan Halibey, MD; Christine L. Lyasko, RN; and Kathy Lo, MD. factor is that a Cooperative Group is a research project of the National Cancer Institute that brings together many investigators from hospitals and academic research centers throughout the United States. In addition to Cooperative Group studies, Sparta Cancer Center is a member of Accelerated Community Oncology Research Network (ACORN) based out of Memphis, Tennessee. Through ACORN, the Center participates in pharmaceutical industry trials and has access to many new chemotherapy agents that are being studied for FDA approval. For example, Sparta Cancer Center was one of the original sixty-six centers in the United States selected to participate in a highly coveted Phase III trial for triple negative breast cancer, a particularly aggressive form of the disease. Clinical Research Associate Christine Lyasko, RN, shares, “Because of Continued on page 4 Here’s What’s Inside: Clinical Trials in Sussex County, Page 1; Upcoming Events, Page 2; Hands of Hope Tobacco Awareness, Page 3; FAQs About Participating in Clinical Trials, Page 4; Some Cancers Linked to Excess Body Fat, Page 6; Choose Your Cover, Page 7; Nutrition & Fitness Workgroup Formed, Page 7; Who We Are, Page 8 Page 1 UPCOMING EVENTS! 2010 CAREGIVER EXPO Wednesday, September 15th • 3 PM – 6 PM Adam Todd Caterers • 263 Highway 206 • Andover Learn about products, services, and resources available to support your caregiving efforts. Over 40 exhibitors will offer information regarding home health services, housing options, nutrition programs including Meals on Wheels, medical and safety equipment, legal services, social services, transportation, reverse mortgages, down-sizing and more. Light refreshments will be served. This is a FREE event but registration is required. Contact Sussex County Department of Human Services, Division of Senior Services at 973-579-0555 or [email protected] for additional information or to register. SAINT CLARES NINTH ANNUAL WALK FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS Sunday, September 19th • Registration 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM • Hilton Garden Inn & Rockaway Townsquare Mall • Rockaway Walk to put breast cancer on the run at the Ninth Annual Saint Clare’s Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness. Proceeds from the event will support Cancer Care at Saint Clare’s, allowing Saint Clare’s to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Call 973-983-5300 for more information! DAVID NASTO MEMORIAL WALK FOR ORAL CANCER AWARENESS Saturday, September 25th • Perona Farms Andover • Registration begins at 8:30 AM Free oral cancer screenings, blood pressure screenings, face-painting and live music! Speakers incl. Dr. Arnold Rosenheck, Associate Professor of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, UMDNJ and oral cancer survivor Bob Unruh. JOIN US FOR TEA! Wednesday, September 29th • 2 PM - 4 PM Knoll Heights Senior Center • Sparta The Sussex County Cancer Coalition’s Breast Cancer Workgroup will be sponsoring a Women’s Tea, which will address cancers that affect women. All ages welcome. Registration is required. Call 973579-0570 ext. 1211 to register. Page 2 MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY VAN Thursday, October 7th • 10 AM - 5 PM Project Self-Sufficiency will offer free mammograms to eligible women on October 7th. To participate, women must be uninsured or underinsured and over the age of 40. Mammograms will be offered by appointment only. Education about performing selfexaminations, as well as free educational materials on breast health and breast cancer will be distributed. In combination with mammograms, breast self-exams and clinical breast exams are recommended for all women after the age of 20. Funding for the mobile mammography van is provided in part by the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® North Jersey. To learn more, or to schedule an appointment, please call Pat James at Project SelfSufficiency at 973-940-3500. TELECONFERENCE: UPDATE ON METASTATIC BREAST CANCER: WHAT’S NEW? Thursday, October 14th • 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Sponsored by Cancer Care Connect: Listen in via telephone or live streaming through the internet, to this conveniently-offered and informative update. For both health professionals and lay persons. To register for this program, call 1-800-813-HOPE (4673) or online at www.cancercare.org/connect HEALTHY LIVING FESTIVAL FOR SENIORS Saturday, October 16TH • 9 AM – 12 PM Hardyston Middle School • Hamburg Influenza, Pneumococcal and Tetanus vaccines available to those eligible; FREE Brown Bag Medication Review; FREE Health Screenings including Balance, Blood Pressure, Bone Density, Cholesterol, Glucose, Hand Hygiene, Hearing, Memory, Muscle Function, Oral Cancer, Vascular, Vision, and much, much more! Contact Sussex County Department of Human Services, Division of Senior Services at 973-5790555 or [email protected] for additional information. Take Control of Your Health An Action Plan for Enhancing Wellness Ongoing Courses Cancer patients, survivors and other adults who are dealing with chronic conditions, as well their caregivers, are invited to “TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH” by participating in a six-week workshop series designed to help participants develop action plans and skills for healthy eating, exercising safely, alleviating pain and fatigue, generally feeling better, maintaining independence and getting more out life. The 2 ½ hour workshops take place once each week. “TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH” is offered at NO COST to participants and includes the book “Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions.” A suggested donation of $20 is strictly voluntary and confidential. For more information, or to locate a workshop near you, contact the Sussex County Department of Human Services, Division of Senior Services at 973-579-0555 Ext. 1281 or [email protected]. Hands of Hope Initiative Seen by Hundreds Each year since 1987 the World Health Organization has recognized May 31st as “World No Tobacco Day” across the globe. This year, the Center for Prevention and Counseling’s Community Partnership for Tobacco Free New Jersey together with REBEL, a youth lead tobacco prevention effort in the County’s schools, and the Sussex County Cancer Coalition, celebrated the event by displaying the “Hands of Hope” in the Newton Square on Thursday June 3rd from 5 pm - 7 pm. Phillip R. Crabb, Sussex County Deputy Director/ Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders attended the event and viewed the display. The Hands of Hope project was developed several years ago by Nancy Speelman, an employee of the Tobacco Dependence Program at UMDNJ, and has been promoted by the American Cancer Society as well as many other tobacco prevention groups. It has become a nationally recognized project in the effort to bring awareness to the dangers of tobacco use, both to the user and to those exposed to its use. The Sussex County Cancer Coalition began the Hands of Hope project in March, collecting nearly 1500 hands with the help of the Community Partnership, REBEL, Saint Clare’s Hospital, Newton Memorial Hospital and Sussex County Division of Senior Services. These hands were displayed on banners throughout the park and information on smoking cessation and prevention was available in the gazebo during the event. Several members of the REBEL teen group passed out rubber bracelets with the message, “Freedom from Tobacco” while they explained the project to the passersby. Approximately 400 bracelets were disseminated within two hours. The Sussex County Cancer Coalition a grant funded program from the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Office of Cancer Control and Prevention (NJDHSS- OCCP) and is sponsored in Sussex County by the Department of Environmental and Public Health Services. The program is coordinated by Helen Homeijer, RNC, BSN and focuses on the prevention of many types of cancer affecting County residents. The Community Partnership for Tobacco Free New Jersey, coordinated by Shelley Stuart and REBEL, coordinated by Cindy Meakem, are funded by the Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program, a division of NJDHSS. For more information on tobacco prevention efforts or cancer prevention and education contact Helen Homeijer at 973-579-0570 extension 1212 or Shelley Stuart at 973-383-4787. Page 3 Continued from page 1 this trial and the women’s strong desire to participate in research, many of them traveled from within the tri-state region to Sparta to access the debut of a hopeful treatment.” The benefits of patients getting involved with research are multiple. First, patients may have access to new drugs before they are available to the public. Their health care is closely monitored by a research team which consists of doctors, nurses, clinical research coordinators and other specialists. Patients perform a more active role in their health care and may be among the first to benefit if the approach being studied is found to be helpful. It can also be a patient’s own opportunity to make a valuable contribution to cancer research. Sparta Cancer Center is a joint venture of Newton Memorial Hospital and Sussex Radiation Oncology Associates. For additional information about clinical research, these links may be helpful: www.kimmelcancercenter.org/jkccn/; www. clinicaltrials.gov; and www.acornresearch.net The Center’s clinical research associates, Megan Frugone, RN, and Christine L. Lyasko, RN, can be contacted at 973-729-8801, and research@ spartacancer.com. FAQs... ....About Participating in Clinical Trials It is important to remember that every clinical trial has its own areas of focus, protocols and desired outcomes. Before you decide whether or not a specific clinical trial is right for you, take some time to review these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the general process, the risks and the benefits. This list of FAQs has been adapted from ‘Clinical Trials.gov’, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. What is a clinical trial? Although there are many definitions of clinical trials, they are generally considered to be biomedical or health-related research studies in human beings that follow a pre-defined protocol. Interventional studies are those in which the research subjects are assigned by the investigator to a treatment or other intervention, and their outcomes are measured. Observational studies are those in which individuals are observed and their outcomes are measured by the investigators. Who can participate in a clinic trial? All clinical trials have guidelines about who can participate. Using inclusion/exclusion criteria is an important principle of medical research that helps to produce reliable results. The factors that allow someone to participate in a clinical trial are called “inclusion criteria” and those that disallow someone from participating are called “exclusion criteria”. These are based on such factors as age, gender, the type and stage of a disease, previous treatment history, and other medical conditions. Before joining a clinical trial, a participant must qualify for the study. Some research studies seek participants with illnesses or conditions to be studied in the clinical trial, while others need healthy participants. What happens during a clinical trial? The clinical trial process depends on the kind of trial being conducted. The clinical trial team includes doctors and nurses as well as social workers and other health care professionals. They check the health of the participant at the beginning of the trial, give specific instructions for participating in the trial, monitor the participant carefully during the trial, and stay in touch after the trial is completed. Page 4 What is informed consent? Informed consent is the process of learning the key facts about a clinical trial before deciding whether or not to participate. To help someone decide whether or not to participate, the doctors and nurses involved in the trial explain the details of the study. Then the research team provides an informed consent document that includes details about the study, such as its purpose, duration, required procedures, and key contacts. Risks and potential benefits Participants in are explained in the informed consent document. The participant then decides clinical trials can play whether or not to sign the document. Informed consent is not a contract, and a more active role in the participant may withdraw from the trial at any time. their own health care, gain access to new What are the benefits and risks of participating in a clinical trial? research treatments Benefits before they are widely Clinical trials that are well-designed and well-executed may be the best available, approach for eligible participants to: and help others • Play an active role in her or his own health care. by contributing to • Gain access to new research treatments before they are widely medical research. available. • Obtain expert medical care at leading health care facilities during the trial. • Help others by contributing to medical research. Risks It is important to be aware that there are risks to clinical trials. For example: • There may be unpleasant, serious or even life-threatening side effects to experimental treatment. • The experimental treatment may not be effective for the participant. • The protocol may require more of their time and attention than would a non-protocol treatment, including trips to the study site, more treatments, hospital stays or complex dosage requirements. What should you consider before participating in a trial? You should know as much as possible about the clinical trial including the care expected while in a trial, and the cost of the trial. The following questions might be helpful for the participant to discuss with the health care team. Some of the answers to these questions are found in the informed consent document. • What is the purpose of the study? Who is going to be in the study? • Why do researchers believe the experimental treatment being tested may be effective? Has it been tested before? • What kinds of tests and experimental treatments are involved? • How do the possible risks, side effects, and benefits in the study compare with my current treatment? How might this trial affect my daily life? How long will the trial last? • Will hospitalization be required? Who will pay for the experimental treatment? • Will I be reimbursed for other expenses? What type of long-term follow up care is part of this study? • How will I know that the experimental treatment is working? Will results of the trials be provided to me? Who will be in charge of my care? The decision about whether or not to participate in a clinical trial must be carefully considered, with all aspects being thoroughly reviewed. Speak to your healthcare providers, and your family, before beginning. More detailed responses to these and many other important questions about clinical trials can be found at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/info/understand. Page 5 Report: Over 100,000 Cancers Linked to Excess Body Fat More than 100,000 cancers in the US each year are linked to excess body fat, according to data released in late 2009 from the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR). Researchers have known for some time that being overweight puts people at an increased risk of some types of cancer – AICR’s data highlights the extent of the problem. The estimates show that excess body fat is linked to: •49% of endometrial cancers (20,700 cases/year) •35% of esophageal cancers (5,800 cases/year) •28% of pancreatic cancers (11,900 cases/year) •24% of kidney cancers (13,900 cases/year) •21% of gallbladder cancers (2,000 cases/year) •17% of breast cancers (33,000 cases/year) and •9% of colorectal cancers (13,200 cases/year). “The evidence is clear: If people sustain a normal body weight and remain physically active throughout life, it will have a major impact on cancer incidence,” said Laurence N. Kolonel, MD, PhD, Deputy Director of the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii and a member of the expert panel. AICR’s figures are based on combining US cancer incidence data with conclusions from a February 2009 AICR and World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) report that looked at the relationship between cancer and risk factors such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, and excess weight. AICR researchers will continue to update these numbers as more data becomes available. Several mechanisms are thought to be at work that may cause a person to be more susceptible to cancer when they are overweight. For example, excess body fat appears to increase the amount of hormones like estrogen circulating in the body, and it can also disrupt how the body processes insulin. Both of those factors have been linked to an increased cancer risk. In addition, Kolonel says, “being overweight creates low-grade inflammation in the body, and there’s a lot of research going on right now that links chronic inflammation to cancer.” Reducing your risk Half of all Americans aren’t aware of the role obesity plays in cancer risk, according to a risk assessment study by AICR. “Public awareness of the link between obesity and cancer risk is alarmingly low,” said Alice Bender, MS, RD, Nutrition Communications Manager at AICR. “We are working towards a day when obesity is right up there with tobacco in the public eye.” To reduce your risk, the American Cancer Society recommends balancing calorie intake with physical activity. Eat at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables every day, choose whole grains over processed grains, and limit red meat. Adults should engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity 5 days a week or more. “The bottom line for people concerned about this issue is to try to balance the calories you take in with those your body expends every day,” says Michael J. Thun, MD, MS, American Cancer Society Vice President Emeritus, Epidemiology and Nature of the link According to a 2003 American Cancer Society Surveillance Research. To learn more about this report, from both study of more than 900,000 men and women, the the AICR and the American Cancer Society, visit heaviest men had death rates from all cancers http://www.aicr.org and http://www.cancer.org. combined that were 52% higher than the rates among normal-weight men. The study found that the heaviest women had cancer death rates 62% higher than normal-weight women. Page 6 “Choose Your Cover” Provides Education and Skin Cancer Screenings for Parkgoers On Saturday, July 17th, the Sussex County Cancer Coalition held a beachside skin cancer screening at Swartswood Lake State Park, as part of a statewide initiative called “Choose Your Cover,” which provided free skin cancer screenings at beaches, swimming pools and recreational areas throughout NJ. Fifty-four individuals were screened at the Swartswood State Park, with even more receiving educational materials about how to reduce the risks associated with over-exposure to the sun. Many volunteers from the coalition donated time and energy to assist in set up, registration, education efforts and the screening process, making this a very successful outreach effort! Nutrition and Fitness is the Focus of New Coalition Work Group Nutrition and Fitness has emerged as an important group in the Sussex County Cancer Coalition. While other groups focus on trends in specific types of cancer research, treatment and advocacy; Health and Fitness takes a holistic approach in the prevention of all types of cancer. An excellent area to begin Nutrition and Fitness focus is in employee wellness programs. These programs do not only cover nutrition and fitness, but also overall wellness of the staff employed in a variety of workplaces. Stress has been linked to compromised health and a good program offers its employees such services as mental health services, cancer prevention, staff development or continuing education opportunities, walking groups, healthy weight loss programs and many others. The Sussex County Nutrition and Fitness workgroup will begin with a project that will assist the Coordinated School Health Program, a project funded by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services’ Child and Adolescent Health Program being coordinated through the Center for Prevention & Counseling. This grant will work with Newton High School as well as the three sending middle schools, Halsted in Newton, Green Hills in Green Township and Long Pond in Andover Township on a comprehensive school wellness initiative created with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standards. School employee wellness will be an important component of the overall program, with the focus that all healthy school employees a valuable asset to our youth. The project will begin its kick off this fall by creating teams of wellness professionals at each of the schools, both from the schools’ own resources and from the communities in which they reside. If you provide wellness services and would like to participate in this project, please speak to Shelley Stuart (Coalition Workgroup Facilitator), CHES and School Health Specialist at the Center for Prevention & Counseling at 973-383-4787. Page 7 Barbara Adolphe, Center for Prevention and Counseling Kerry Armillay, Sparta Cancer Center Jamie Bachman, Saint Clare’s Cancer Center Fran Baldi, RN, Sussex County Office of Public Health Nursing Gail Bolte, Regional Oral Health Program Cheryl Buxton, RN, Sussex County Office of Public Health Nursing Cathy Cabrera, Saint Clare’s Hospital Jo Ellen Carlucci, Sparta Cancer Center Sharon Chamberlain, Community Member Margaret Chiodo, Newton Memorial Hospital Maureen Cianci, RN, Newton Memorial Hospital Kathy Conn, Saint Clare’s Cancer Center Ralph D’Aries, MA, Sussex County Department of Environmental & Public Health Services Kathy Dickson, RN, SCARC Nursing Supervisor Michael Gallagher, MD Sparta Cancer Center Pam Geiger, NJCEED, Saint Clare’s Hospital Bohdan E. Halibey, MD Sparta Cancer Center Min-Yen Han, MD Deborah Ann Johnson , UMDNJ Helen Homeijer, RN, Sussex County Department of Environmental & Public Health Services Patricia James, CHES, Project Self Sufficiency Mary Lou Klem, RD Sparta Cancer Center Kathy Lo, M.D., Sparta Cancer Center Rosamond Dee Lockwood, RN, BC, CDE, Newton Memorial Hospital Cindy Meakem, CHES, Center for Prevention and Counseling May Matkiwsky, OD Sparta Cancer Center Ginny Montella, R.N. Compassionate Care Hospice Kathy Nugent, Cancer Care Brian Newman, MD Surgical Associates of Sussex County, PA Michelle O’Shea, MD Summit Breast Care Ellen Phelps, RN, Director, Sussex County Office of Public Health Nursing Betty Pluymers, Parish Nurse, First Presbyterian Church of Sussex Barbara Reed, Newton Memorial Hospital Marge Rojewski, NJ CEED Michele Roth, RN, Sussex County Office of Public Health Nursing Pamela Banks Johnson, American Cancer Society Susan Sanna, NJDHSS/OCCP Susan Settineri, LPN, Sussex County Office of Public Health Nursing Mary Lou Schnurr, Sussex County Division of Senior Services Tracy Storms, CHES, Sussex County Department of Environmental & Public Health Services Sharon St. Angelo, ANP New Perspectives Health Care Shelley Stuart, CHES, Center for Prevention and Counseling Beth Sylvester, RN, Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice Kathy Trethaway, Cancer Care Susan Wilinski, Freelance Writer Sandy Winters, Saint Clare’s Hospital Herbert Yardley, MA, REHS Sussex County Department of Environmental & Public Health Services THANK YOU for your comittment! WHO WE ARE C an C alition ou Se x C Co Su S er The Sussex County Cancer Coalition is a diverse partnership of community members and resource agencies developed to encourage Sussex County residents to adopt cancerpreventive behaviors while reducing the incidence of morbidity/mortality through early illness detection. The Coalition focuses on public education with a positive tone, increasing awareness that healthier lifestyle choices combined with appropriate and timely medical screening can reduce the burden of cancer illness in Sussex County. Learn more about the Cancer Coalition and our partners at http://www.sussexagainstcancer.org or by calling 973-579-0570 x 1212. y nt The Sussex County Cancer Coalition is made possible by a grant to the Sussex County Department of Environmental and Public Health Services and from the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services’ Office of Cancer Control and Prevention. The mission of the Sussex County Cancer Coalition is to implement the New Jersey Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan in Sussex County. For more information on Comprehensive Cancer Control in New Jersey, please visit: www.njcancer.gov. “Working Together to Reduce the Burden of Cancer in New Jersey” Page 8