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The Newsletter of the Sussex County Cancer Coalition
Volume 3, Issue 3
Clinical Trials for Cancer Research
Abundant in Sussex County
CAN
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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