Cancer Education Forum

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A public service from The Cancer Center at Willamette Valley Medical Center

Phone: 503.435.6592

Do you have a question? This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we’ll have our experts at the Cancer Center respond to you within 48 hours (during normal working hours), and we may post it on our forum.

I have a co-worker currently going through cancer treatments. She’s had to cut back on her hours and I know she’s having a tough time making ends meet. I am trying to help with food baskets, but is there any help through the Cancer Foundation for people in her situation?

She’s fortunate to have a concerned co-worker like you. Battling cancer can put a strain on patients, their families and their finances, at a time when their focus needs to be on regaining their health. Navigating the complex insurance system can add to the burden. The community- based Willamette Valley Cancer Foundation helps patients and their families shoulder the burden through an individualized grant program that provides support for their unique situations. Your co-worker can contact the Foundation by calling 503.435.6592.

I have a family member who has recently been diagnosed with cancer and we are all overwhelmed by how quickly things will happen – first surgery and then follow-up treatments. Are there resources to help us get a handle on what we need to do to support her as she continues her treatments?

Undergoing treatments for cancer can impact many different areas of our patients' lives. We are delighted to have a Medical Social Worker, Dawn Yelk, MSW, LCSW, on our staff who brings her expertise to focus on the non-medical needs of our cancer patients. Dawn earned her master's degree in social work from Portland State University and her bachelor's of science degree in human and behavior science from Linfield College. Her education and experience is a great benefit to all of us. Please encourage your family member to schedule a meeting with her. She can be reached by calling 503.435.6590.

I know a local cancer center is more convenient, but can I expect the same results that I would get at the larger research institutions in the city?

The simple answer is “yes!” Data from the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) has shown that our small center with a well-trained staff and advanced technological equipment can achieve outcomes comparable to those of major academic and research centers. More than 95% of the cancers diagnosed in our community can be treated with the same equipment, drugs, and techniques that you will find in larger cancer centers. At the Cancer Center at Willamette Valley Medical Center, breast cancer is the most frequently treated malignancy. The chart shows that our survival rates favorably compare to those published by NCDB for other cancer centers.

breast-cancer-survival-rates

I know smoking can cause cancer. Are there any resources for tobacco prevention?

Yes, we have resources available through the community-based Willamette Valley Cancer Foundation, and we also offer school-based programs for elementary students. You can contact the Foundation by calling 503.435.6592.