3-D mammography detects breast cancer earlierPage 2

Cancer survivor uses support program to inspire, be inspiredPage 6

From survivor to fighter, former cancer patient is healthier than everPage 7

CT lung screening detects cancer in

earliest stagesPage 10

Centegra STAR Program: Collaborative cancer care

Page 12

Physician uses personal approachPage 14

advancesIn Cancer Care

Purple Tab 2015

Reconstructive surgerieshelp patients recover

physically and emotionallyPage 9

Looking ahead to life afterbreast cancer

Page 4

At risk for lung cancer?Page 6

Precise radiation therapyprotects healthy tissues

Page 13

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Purple Tab 2015 Since 2010, Centegra Health System and the Northwest Herald have partnered to create this special Cancer Awareness issue to educate our community members. At Centegra, we call it the “Purple Tab” because purple is the color of cancer awareness, something we are dedicated to improving in McHenry County. As you read this issue you’ll learn that leading cancer detection and treatment services are available right here, close to home. The most advanced 3-D mammography equipment and Centegra’s low-dose CT lung screenings help our doctors find cancer when it’s most treatable. Our cancer team is made up of physicians and other experts who work closely together to develop treatment plans that meet each individual’s needs. We understand the words, “you have cancer” are life changing. We help you cope with the feelings and worries that arise. When the cancer is gone, the Centegra STAR Program provides rehabilitation services to help you feel like yourself again. If you need reconstructive surgery, we recently welcomed fellowship-trained plastic surgeon Dr. Saeed Chowdhry to the community to provide the most advanced surgical care available. Centegra Health System’s cancer experts bring leading treatments to our community so you can receive care close to home. We urge you to talk to your doctor about which cancer screenings are right for you.

Michael S. Eesley

Chief Executive Officer, Centegra Health System

Michael S. EesleyChief Executive Officer, Centegra Health System

Purple Means BusinessProud to be a part of the fight for a cure.

Crystal lake Huntley MCHenry WoodstoCk 381 S. Main Street • (815) 479-8600 10101 Route 47 • (847) 669-0777 1500 S. Route 31 • (815) 385-5556 1290 Lake Avenue • (815) 338-2300

amcombank.com Equal Housing Lender Member FDIC

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When an oncologist referred Janet Luken to the Centegra Survivorship Training and Rehabilitation (STAR) Program for rehabilitation services, her immediate reaction was to question the recommendation. “I don’t think I need that,” said Luken, a Crystal Lake resident and colon cancer survivor, to her husband. Months later, Luken admitted she could not have been more wrong. “Immediately following my six months of chemotherapy, which was prescribed after colon cancer spread to four of my lymph nodes, I thought I’d felt so much better than I had during my treatment or even before when I didn’t realize I was ill,” Luken said. “I guess I had forgotten what ‘normal’ felt like.” The Centegra STAR Program provides patients coordinated cancer rehabilitation by a team of certified STAR clinicians and providers. The specially trained team includes physicians, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, registered dietitians and mental health professionals. Each team member provides expertise, guidance, training and support to help cancer survivors thrive. They have been through intensive oncology training to offer

emotional and supportive care, helping cancer survivors to increase their strength and energy and feel more like themselves. In the end, Luken took her doctor’s advice and scheduled an appointment with physical therapist Maria “Jingle” Ariston. “When I met with Jingle, she was testing my arm and leg strength by putting pressure on them,” Luken said. “I couldn’t even lift my leg. I was shocked. I didn’t realize how weak I was. I would have gone through life with no muscle tone had I not gone through the STAR Program. Jingle helped me build up my strength and endurance. “With the STAR program and Jingle’s help, I was able to get stronger, be healthy and be myself again,” Luken said. The Centegra STAR Program was made possible by a generous gift from the Gavers Community Cancer Foundation to the Centegra Health System Foundation. To learn more about the comprehensive services offered through the Centegra STAR Program, call 815-759-4870 or visit centegra.org/star.

OUR GROWTH

SPREAD YOUR WINGS.

Join the Centegra Talent Community today by signing up to receive communication regarding new opportunities for our Centegra Hospital-Huntley campus, set to open summer 2016. Or to check out our current job opportunities at our existing Centegra facilities, visit careersatcentegra.com.

Join the centegra talent community TODAY: Scan the QR Code or visit centegra.org/grow-with-us.

Cancer treatment includes rehabilitation with Centegra STAR Program

“I would have gone through life with no muscle tone had I not gone through the STAR Program.” - Janet Luken, Colon cancer survivor

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breast cancer

Each year, Jeanine Katzel, 67, faithfully calls and sets up an appointment for a mammogram. Her health is important to her, so between appointments, she performs regular breast self-exams and sees her doctor for a clinical breast exam. “Getting a mammogram isn’t my favorite thing to do, but I know that it’s important,” Katzel said. “So I grit my teeth and go. When my last mammogram was irregular, I was glad that I’d gone in.”

Fast catch In November 2014, Katzel had a 3-D mammogram at Centegra Gavers Breast Center. The scan used X-Ray technology to capture images of each layer of her breast tissue. Special software merged those images, creating three-dimensional renderings of her breasts. When Katzel’s doctors reviewed those images, they discovered a small lump. Additional tests revealed the Cary resident had cancer – a one-centimeter tumor. “It was so small I couldn’t feel it,” Katzel said. “There were

no lumps or changes in my breast tissue. I probably wouldn’t have discovered the cancer on my own for a long time. But the 3-D mammogram found it early. This technology is revolutionary.”

Road to recovery Katzel underwent presurgery chemotherapy to shrink her tumor. That was followed by a lumpectomy in April. By the time she had surgery, Katzel’s tumor was considerably smaller. She is now cancer free and following a postsurgical radiation therapy regimen to help prevent the cancer from returning. “It felt good knowing that the technology to find and treat this cancer is available here, close to my home,” Katzel said. “The medical team I worked with was helpful, caring and reassuring. I even had the same oncologist that my father used when he had cancer. It was a positive experience, and I’m optimistic about my future.”

Jeanine Katzel of Cary, second from left, is surrounded by the friends who supported her throughout her battle with breast cancer. Today, the friends are enjoying life with Katzel, who is cancer free.

“I probably wouldn’t have discovered the cancer on my own for a long time. But the 3-D mammogram found it

early. This technology is revolutionary.”

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Centegra Health System has brought enhanced 3-D mammography screening to multiple locations throughout McHenry County. Centegra Gavers Breast Center was the first in the region to offer this technology and Centegra Hospital-McHenry (CH-M) and Centegra Hospital-Woodstock (CH-W) now offer this advanced breast cancer detection imaging to women in the area. Ideal for women with dense breasts, 3-D mammography technology captures multiple images (slices) of the breast at different angles, allowing radiologists to examine each one-millimeter slice at a time, providing a 3-D reconstruction of the breast. “We are finding greater accuracy in detecting breast cancers when compared with standard 2-D mammography,” said Dr. Elissa Brebach, Centegra’s section chief of mammography. “3-D mammography benefits women because it allows us to examine breast tissue in greater detail than with standard mammography, enabling us to detect small cancers even earlier. “Since May 2013, Gavers has performed more than 7,000 mammograms

using 3-D technology,” Brebach continued. “Not only are we finding greater accuracy but we’re also finding a decrease in patient anxiety, expense and inconvenience since our patients are less likely asked to return for follow-up screenings.” A recent study involving more than 450,000 women nationwide analyzed the effectiveness of 3-D mammography. The study, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), found that 3-D mammography discovered significantly more invasive cancers than traditional mammograms. The study also indicated that callbacks for further imaging were reduced. A decrease in false positives was realized, too. Philanthropic investors of the Centegra Health System Foundation who are dedicated to women’s health funded the equipment to ensure the most advanced technology is available for the community.

Did your mammogram results show that you have dense breasts? Centegra Health System’s 3-D mammography technology helps doctors detect cancer in dense breasts during its earliest – and most treatable – stages.

Q: What are dense breasts?A: The term “dense” refers to breasts that have more connective tissue than fatty tissue. This includes collagen and supporting tissue as well as ductal tissue. Dense tissue appears white on a mammogram and fatty tissue appears gray.

Q: Should I be worried if I have dense breasts?A: In short, no. Up to 50 percent of women who receive mammograms have dense breast tissue. Although dense breasts are not abnormal, they can make it harder to find cancer on a mammogram. Some studies have shown that dense breast tissue may increase your breast cancer risk.

Q: What can I do if I have dense breasts?A: Talk to your doctor about what is right for you. Your doctor may prescribe additional screenings such as a 3-D mammogram, breast MRI or breast ultrasound. He or she may also ask you to simply keep up with annual mammograms and clinical breast exams during your yearly checkup.

Q: What is 3-D mammography?A: Centegra offers 3-D mammography to help radiologists closely view dense breast tissue. This advanced technology captures multiple images of the breast at different angles to provide a reconstructed 3-D image of the breast. 3-D mammography allows radiologists to evaluate breast tissue in one-millimeter slices and detect breast cancer in its earliest, most-treatable stages.Schedule your Centegra mammogram at a location near home. Call 815-334-5566 to pick a time that’s right for you.

Dense breasts?Choose 3-D mammography

3-D Mammography catches cancer in earliest stages

Dr. Brebach

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Centegra’s free screening finds cancer in its earliest stages A free low-dose CT lung screening at Centegra Health System may have saved Patricia Asher’s life. Shortly after her screening in 2014 the Gilberts, Ill. resident was told doctors had detected a small nodule in one of her lungs. “When I heard the news about the CT scan, I was stunned,” Patricia said. “I didn’t expect it, because I had quit smoking a number of years before.” A second screening six months later indicated growth of the nodule, and in January 2015 Asher underwent a lobectomy to remove what turned out to be stage 1 lung cancer. Today she is cancer free. “Sometimes ignorance is bliss, but in this case, it’s not,” Patricia said. “Why not have the screening? It saved my life. It could save yours.”

Are you eligible for a free low-dose CT lung screening at Centegra? A low-dose CT lung screening is recommended for people ages 55 to 80 who have smoked at least an average of one pack a day for 30 years or two packs a day for 15 years. This includes people who still smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.

What is the goal of a low-dose CT lung screening? Lung cancer is the No. 1 cause of cancer deaths in both men and women. When found because of symptoms, it is usually too late. In a very large clinical trial, low-dose CT lung screening was proven to reduce lung cancer deaths by at least 20 percent. Early detection is the goal and the only reasonable cure.

How is the exam performed? The low-dose CT lung screening is one of the easiest screening exams you can have. No medications are given and no needles are used. You can eat before and after the exam. You do not even need to get changed as long as the clothing on your chest does not contain metal. The hardest part is holding your breath for at least six seconds while the chest scan is being taken.

Do I need to have a low-dose CT lung screening every year? It is recommended you receive a yearly low-dose CT lung screening until the age of 80 if you are identified as high risk. Talk to your doctor about what is right for you.

How do I schedule my screening? Call 815-334-5566 to schedule your screening at a Centegra location that is convenient for you.

Hear Patricia’s story at

centegra.org/lungscreening-

asher

Healthy Learning, Healthy Living at McHenry County College

Visit our website for details on health and wellness programs and career training in…

Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant, and Health Information Technology degrees

Credit and noncredit culinary, nutrition, and food safety classes

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Dance, yoga, and personal enrichment classes

8900 U.S. Highway 14 | Crystal Lake, Illinois 60012 | (815) 455-3700

www.mchenry.edu/schedules

MCC is committed to supporting health and wellness in our community!

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The Freshstart program, created by the American Cancer Society and provided by Centegra Health System, is designed to help individuals quit any tobacco product. The sessions take place at Centegra Health Bridge Fitness Center, 200 E. Congress Parkway, Crystal Lake. People who attend the classes receive information about effective quitting strategies and become empowered, motivated and prepared to successfully quit. Certified facilitators trained by the American Cancer Society help people set personalized goals.

WEEK 1: Decide to Quit

WEEK 2: Plan to Quit A Centegra pharmacist will provide information about medication and nicotine replacement therapy.

WEEK 3: Your Quit Date A Centegra behavioral therapist will share stress management techniques and coping strategies.

WEEK 4: Nutrition and CT Lung Scan Screening Program A Centegra registered dietitian will give you nutrition tips to support your health and Centegra’s CT lung scan screening program will be reviewed.

WEEK 5: Fitness Education and Demonstration

WEEK 6: Stay quit Receive tips on how to maintain your new, healthy lifestyle and graduate! To register for this life-changing program, call 877-CENTEGRA (236-8347) or visit centegra.org/freshstart.

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Centegra STAR Program®

Become a Thriving survivor: To learn more about the comprehensive services offered through the Centegra STAR Program®, call 815-759-4870 or visit centegra.org/star.

As a cancer patient, you want to be well and get back to dinners with your spouse, golf days with your pals and airplane rides with your little munchkin.

Cancer treatment is often difficult and comes with side effects such as fatigue and nausea. The goal of the Centegra Survivorship Training and Rehabilitation (STAR) Program® is to minimize the side effects of cancer therapies and encourage survivors to thrive.

STAR-certified clinicians work as a team and have been through intensive oncology training to offer emotional and supportive care to help you increase your strength and energy so you can be a thriving survivor.

The Centegra STAR Program® was made possible by a generous gift from the Gavers Community Cancer Foundation to the Centegra Health System Foundation.

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When a person is diagnosed with cancer, Centegra Health System’s team has two goals: Treat the cancer and help the patient envision life beyond it. Although there are excellent treatments that are used to target cancer, at times they may also lead to disfigurement or loss of function. That’s why Centegra Physician Care is proud to welcome plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Saeed Chowdhry to the team. Chowdhry uses state-of-the-art surgical techniques including microsurgery to help patients achieve the best outcomes and feel like themselves again. “I often meet patients when they have just been diagnosed with cancer,” Chowdhry said. “Patients frequently struggle with feelings of fear and anxiety, and they’re unsure about the coming months. Often, I provide reassurance that it’s possible to remove cancer and at the same time provide optimal reconstructive results.” Patients can take comfort in the knowledge that Chowdhry applies cosmetic principles along with his reconstructive expertise to provide them the best outcomes. Chowdhry has extensive training in cancer surgery. Other surgeons frequently request that he joins them in the operating room to begin the reconstructive process at the same time as the initial cancer surgery. He values close collaboration with colleagues and keeps patients’ reconstructive goals at the center of their cancer treatment plans.

“My practice is based on the relationships I develop with my patients,” Chowdhry said. “I listen to their most intimate concerns and help them address intensely private issues.” The trust he establishes has many patients returning or referring loved ones to the practice later for other procedures or non-surgical treatments. Although relationships are an essential part of Chowdhry’s practice, he stresses the importance of choosing a plastic and reconstructive surgeon who has the best-available training. “Patients should carefully consider their surgeon’s background before scheduling a surgery,” he said. “Advanced training in microsurgery and reconstruction is important, and a surgeon should demonstrate that he or she values patients by being able to customize treatment plans for each individual.” As part of Centegra Physician Care-Surgical Associates, Crystal Lake, Chowdhry is part of a team of highly skilled surgeons who work together to help patients overcome cancer. “Facing cancer can be a challenging journey,” Chowdhry said. “There is nothing more rewarding than seeing patients successfully battle cancer, and at the end feel whole again, so they can return to living life.”

Cancer Surgery ExpertiseCentegra plastic surgeon specializes in reconstruction

Saeed A. Chowdhry, MDCentegra Physician Care-Gavers, Crystal Lake

Dr. Saeed Chowdhry received his medical degree from Rush University College of Medicine in Chicago. He completed general surgery residency at the University of Illinois at Mount Sinai. He was then accepted into the prestigious fellowship program at the University of Louisville Division of Plastic Surgery, where he completed his training. He has authored numerous publications in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery as well as in hand and microsurgery. Chowdhry has lectured at local and national scientific meetings, developed book chapters and has won multiple awards for research and teaching. He is on the faculty at Chicago Medical School.

Services Provided byDr. Chowdhry

• Pre-surgery consultation and evaluation

• General plastic surgery reconstruction

• Reconstructive surgery of defects in the head, neck, breast, torso and extremities

• Complex microsurgery reconstruction

• Reconstruction for melanoma and skin cancer patients

Schedule an appointment with Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon Saeed Chowdhry, MD.Call 815-455-2752.

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Express Is Here to Serve A generous donation from the Gavers Community Cancer Foundation to the Centegra Health System Foundation has provided two new Patient Express vans for patients who need transportation to or from Centegra facilities for cancer care and other services. The vans are part of a free service that serves patients throughout McHenry County and surrounding areas. Drivers pick up people who need to get to Centegra’s hospitals, including those who: • Do not have a driver’s license • Are being admitted or discharged from the hospital • Are undergoing treatment that prohibits driving • Do not have any other means of transportation • Other rides will be considered on an individual basis. “It’s our mission to help ensure everyone has access to high-quality cancer treatment,” said Andy Hartlieb,

vice president of the Gavers Community Cancer Foundation Board. “Our new Patient Express vans will help patients get to their medical appointments so they can focus on healing.” Patient Express vans include wheelchair lifts. Caregivers, family or friends may accompany the rider. Service animals are welcomed, and seat belts are required. Patients who would like a ride from Patient Express should notify the Centegra Associates who help them make appointments. Within two to three days, the patient will receive a call confirming the details of the ride. Patients who need walk-in services at a Centegra facility should make an appointment by calling 815-759-3456 during office hours from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Vans operate from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

let us keep you ahead of the fluProtect yourself and your family from the flu. Flu shots are available at all Centegra Immediate Care and Centegra Physician Care locations for only $30. Schedule a flu shot for you and your family today and stay ahead of the flu.

call today: To schedule your flu shot call 815-338-6600.

stay ahead ofthe flu

The Gavers Community Cancer Foundation Executive Board got a close-up look at one of the vans it purchased to help patients have access to medical care at Centegra Health System.

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When Crystal Lake’s Brad Schomas was diagnosed in 2007 with stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, his wife, Carol Schomas, admits she is not sure what the family would have done if Centegra Health System was not there to provide support. “Our family did not have the capacity to understand the changes that would be happening to us on our own,” Schomas said. “Personalized care,” “compassion,” “emotional support” and “treated with dignity” are terms often used by health systems. Many times it’s just that—verbally communicated. For Centegra Health System, however, the terms are more than lip service. Centegra Oncology Counselor Marianna Wolfmeyer plays an instrumental role ensuring cancer patients and their families receive the support they need to face whatever challenges come their way, before, during and after cancer treatments. “Marianna walked beside me, Brad and my young children, ages 7 and 9, and supported us in every decision we had to make, including difficult parenting, treatment, life support and even DNR decisions,” Schomas said. “We feel like she is ‘our’ Marianna, the Schomas’, but I have no doubt other patients and families she works with feel the exact same way.” Wolfmeyer, also a chaplain and a certified bereavement facilitator, provides a mixture of support groups from a six-week cancer survivor’s group whose members finished treatment within the last two years to a monthly group specifically designed for couples navigating the cancer experience. Wolfmeyer also provides counseling for adults who are grieving the death of a loved one. Schomas said she continued to see Wolfmeyer regularly for grief support and attended one of Centegra’s grief groups at the Centegra Sage Cancer Center after Brad lost his two-year treatment battle in 2009. “The ongoing spiritual and emotional support Centegra offered us made every difference in our lives, in his death and in our healing,” she said. “I spent a great deal of time at Centegra during Brad’s illness, and I watched as person after person was treated with dignity, respect, care and

compassion, and I am so very grateful that we chose Centegra,” Schomas said. “Because of our care here, his two-year battle was filled with memorable family moments that will remain forever as treasured time and memories in our hearts.” “I remember the family specifically,” Wolfmeyer said. “You wouldn’t see one family member without the other. They were an extremely close-knit family.” Beyond the services Wolfmeyer provides at Centegra, there are many other support groups led by different counselors who provide the same level of compassionate care. For example, Centegra recognizes caregivers face struggles and realizes their need to connect with others who understand the unique experience of being in that role. In addition to “Caring for the Caregiver,” a “Creating Expressions” group is a monthly expressive arts program that links art with psycho-education and support. The best thing about the group is no art experience is required and all materials are provided at no cost. A special yearly event, Cancer Survivors Day, takes place every June to celebrate those affected by cancer, including survivors and their loved ones. Participants enjoy light snacks, a live band, testimonials and activities as well as a chance to remember and reflect. Children are welcome to attend. Schomas said Centegra inspired her to live a life filled with gratitude. She wanted to be someone like Wolfmeyer and other Centegra staff members and make a difference in people’s lives. Motivated to return to school, Schomas earned a master’s degree in public health in hopes of helping people make excellent choices for their health care needs. “Today, our family is stronger than we’ve ever been, smarter than we ever were, healthier than ever and looking optimistically ahead to paying it forward, making a difference in other people’s lives the way that being a part of the Centegra community made a difference in ours,” Schomas said. Community members looking for oncology support can call 815-759-4459. To register for specific programs, call 815-344-8000.

Centegra oncology counselor Marianna Wolfmeyer, left, helped Carol Schomas, right, and her family members make special memories as they coped with the cancer diagnosis and eventual passing of Carol’s husband, Brad Schomas.

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Visit centegra.org for more information.

Centegra offers state-of-the-art radiation therapy to treat cancer

The experienced doctors and Associates at Centegra Sage Cancer Center provide state-of-the-art cancer treatments so patients can receive the best care right here in McHenry County. There’s no need to travel for treatment when leading experts are close to home. When a person receives a cancer diagnosis, Centegra’s oncologists and professionals work together to develop a personalized care plan. Treatment plans can include surgery, radiation therapy, infusion therapy (including chemotherapy) and integrative medicine. The Centegra STAR Program is also available to address the side effects of cancer treatments. At Centegra Sage Cancer Center, radiation oncologists specialize in the use of energy to treat cancer. Centegra uses sophisticated computer programs to target cancerous tumors and protect healthy tissues.

External beam radiation therapy- Centegra is one of the only health systems in the region to offer TomoTherapy HDA in addition to conventional 3-D therapy. TomoTherapy HDA is highly regarded as one of the

best ways to target radiation as a cancer treatment and protect surrounding healthy tissue. Advanced treatments including Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) pinpoint the location of tumors with sub-millimeter accuracy.

Internal radiation therapy- Doctors use this type of treatment to treat cancer from inside the body. One way Centegra provides internal radiation therapy is through an applicator such as the SAVI Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation device. This device is placed inside the breast to deliver radiation treatment where it’s needed the most in as little as five days. Also known as breast brachytherapy, this protects healthy breast tissue and reduces complications. Centegra also uses high dose rate brachytherapy to treat some breast, vaginal, cervical, endometrial and prostate cancers. To hear radiation oncologist Dr. Terrence Bugno describe how doctors use radiation therapy to treat cancer, visit centegra.org/video/radiation-therapy-for-cancer-treatment/.

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Dr. Joe McMahon, chief medical radiation physicist at the Centegra Sage Cancer Center, carefully studies the screen as he determines the radiation dose for a patient who has lung cancer. As radiation therapy manager, McMahon works with state-of-the-art technology to treat patients from across northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. The technology, called TomoTherapy HDA, precisely targets cancer and at the same time protects healthy tissues by using a combination of computed tomography (CT)

imaging and intensity modulated radiation. “The TomoTherapy HDA is the most advanced radiation treatment available in the region,” McMahon said. “Centegra made the significant investment in this technology so community members can receive the best cancer therapies close to home.” When radiation oncologists prescribe TomoTherapy for a patient, 3-D images help the team create a treatment plan to treat tumors layer by layer. They adjust the treatment every day to target the tumor as it changes and prevent the side effects that can occur when healthy tissues are exposed to radiation. TomoTherapy is so advanced that the intensity and direction of the radiation beams can even be adjusted during treatment. “Our patients are always surprised that we can provide this advanced cancer treatment in such little time,” McMahon said. “They come to the cancer center for their care and in as little as 15 to 30 minutes they’re on their way to work or to the golf course. We understand that they want to enjoy full lives while they’re receiving treatment. By offering such advanced services here, our patients benefit from peace of mind knowing they’re getting the best care available without having to leave their community.”

Precise radiation therapy protects healthy tissues

Quick TomoTherapy FactsTomoTherapy combines a CT scanner and advanced radiation technology all in one machine.

Daily images help Centegra’s team adjust treatment based on the smallest changes in your anatomy.

TomoTherapy can be used to treat small and large tumors as well as many areas throughout the body during the same treatment session or course of treatment.

Highly precise radiation can come from 360 degrees around you, which helps doctors target cancer and protect surrounding healthy tissues and organs.

CHECK YOUR Lung healthLung cancer is the primary cause of death in McHenry County and the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Centegra Health System is leading the way in early detection of lung cancer by offering a state-of-the-art CT Lung Screening. Recommended for those age 55-80 who are former or current heavy smokers, this low-dose screening detects small abnormalities in the lungs often missed by basic chest X-rays.

SCHEDULE A FREE SCREENING:Call 815-334-5566 to see if you qualify for a FREE CT Lung Screening, a savings of $299. For more information, visit centegra.org/lungscreening.

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When a person is receiving cancer treatment, doctors use “stages” to describe how advanced the cancer has become. Doctors use laboratory tests and analysis, physical exams, medical imaging and biopsies to determine cancer stages and develop a patient’s treatment plan. One important aspect of cancer staging is to determine if cancer cells have spread to regional lymph nodes. “If cancer cells are detected in the lymph nodes, it is more likely that cancer has also spread to other parts of the body,” said Dr. Wendy Ward, an independent pathologist on the medical staff at Centegra Health System. “Cancer cells look different from healthy cells under the microscope. They are often larger and darker than healthy cells with extra DNA enlarging the nucleus, and they often display many atypical mitotic figures, which are cell divisions.” Ward said tumor cells have lost control of their growth and division, and haphazardly grow into surrounding tissues causing serious damage. “Tumor cells can also spread through the body by traveling through lymphatic vessels, blood vessels or along nerves,” she said. Ward added that when cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body it is called “metastatic.” One of the most commonly used cancer staging systems is the TNM system. This system is based on the size of the primary tumor (T), the number of involved lymph nodes (N), and distant metastases (M) in other

parts of the body. TNM staging helps doctors determine the clinical stage of a person’s cancer, for example: - Stage 0 refers to cancers that are only present in the layer of cells where it started. This is also called “in-situ carcinoma.” - Stage I, II, and II cancers refer to cancers that are either: • Local- cancer has nor spread beyond the organ where it started • Regional- cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or nearby organs - Stage IV cancers have spread to distant tissues, organs or to the bone marrow. - The unknown stage means that not enough information is available to determine the stage of the cancer. Although most cancers have TNM designations, some do not. Examples of cancers that use different staging systems are cancers of blood or bone marrow (leukemia/lymphoma) and cancers of the brain and spinal cord. Doctors may re-stage a cancer after treatment, to document how well the cancer has responded. Re-staging is also required sometimes when cancer recurs and requires further treatment. For more information about cancer staging or about cancer treatment close to you, call the Centegra Sage Cancer Center at 815-344-8000 or visit centegra.org/cancer. Visit Centegra.org/video/stages-of-cancer/ to see a video of Ward talking about the stages of cancer.

Decoding the Stages of Cancer

Centegra.org/HUNTLEY

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15Patients Receive Support From Expert Cancer Team Centegra Health System’s Cancer Committee is a group of doctors, nurses and other clinicians who gather together monthly to discuss the treatment plans for people who have been diagnosed with cancer. Their collaborative work ensures that every patient has the best-available plan and access to the services he or she needs. Members of the committee include surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, nurses, dietitians, technologists and other cancer treatment experts at Centegra. They review patients’ medical charts as a group and recommend the best course of action according to each individual’s situation. Centegra’s experts also provide second opinions for patients who received diagnoses from other physicians. To connect with Centegra’s cancer team or to learn more about the Centegra Sage Cancer Center, call the cancer outreach coordinator at 815-344-8000 or visit centegra.org/cancer-outreach/ to submit your questions. Want more information about how to stay ahead of cancer and other illnesses? Follow Centegra Health System on Facebook to hear patients’ stories and learn from our doctors and Associates.

Centegra Hip & Knee Replacement Center atcentegra hospital-mchenryThe Centegra Hip & Knee Replacement Center provides more than joint replacement surgery. Our joint navigators walk you through your entire experience, coordinating everything from pre-surgical paperwork, labs and doctors’ appointments to your after-surgery home equipment needs and rehabilitation. They make sure you are well informed about the process and help you prepare for surgery.

Led by highly respected local surgeons, our dedicated orthopedic team develops a care plan that is unique to your needs. You will rest comfortably in renovated private rooms in a unit that cares exclusively for joint surgery patients. The Centegra Hip & Knee Replacement Center is dedicated to providing ongoing support every step of the way.

Centegra walksyou through IT

TAKE A QUIZ: Visit centegra.org/hipandknee to find out if joint replacement surgery is right for you or call 877-CENTEGRA (236-8347) for more information.

The time has come TO STAY AHEAD OF BREAST CANCERAs a busy woman, you are often pressed for time. But taking the time to maintain your breast health with a yearly mammogram is something the American Cancer Society recommends for women 40 and older. It is a proven way to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages.

A typical mammogram only takes 15-30 minutes and Centegra offers screening mammography at four convenient locations throughout McHenry County so you don’t have to travel across town.

Is it time for your mammogram?

Centegra Imaging facilities: Centegra Gavers Breast Center • 360 N. Terra Cotta Rd., Crystal LakeCentegra Hospital-McHenry • 4201 Medical Center Dr., McHenryCentegra Health Center-Huntley • 10350 Haligus Rd., HuntleyCentegra Hospital-Woodstock • 3701 Doty Rd., Woodstock

TIME For your mammo

No time like the present: Call 815-334-5566 to schedule your mammogram. Learn more about Centegra’s commitment to breast health at centegra.org/mammo.