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is personal
2019 CANCER PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT
Based on 2018 Outcomes
Center for Cancer &
Blood Disorders
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is personal
Relay
for life
׉	 7cassandra://tgFFgXdSyYnVZomBPrrX2hhdqEGYf8fLmLbyQJPHVe8:`K ^ &tX׉ETABLE OF CONTENTS
A Message from Leadership
2
Tumor Board and Cancer Committee
The Journey is Personal: Three Patients
Navigate Different Paths – Carol’s Journey,
Teresa’s Journey, Charles’ Journey
Analytic Cancer Case Distribution
Clinical Case Study – Primary Site:
Anal Carcinoma
The Journey is Personal: Claire’s
Journey with Hereditary Cancer
Annual Cancer Symposium
Community Outreach
3
4
8
8
10
12
13
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Kelvin Raybon, MD, FACP
In September 2017, I came to Augusta Health to be the Medical Director
for the Cancer Program and Infusion Services. In January of this year, I
was asked to be the Chair of the Cancer Committee, a position that was
previously held by Drs. Ron Turnicky and Rob Kyler. I owe both of these
men a tremendous gratitude for their leadership and engagement at
Augusta Health. Their leadership allowed tremendous growth and
success of both the medical and radiation oncology programs, and were
instrumental in integrating cancer care with radiology, pathology, surgery,
and other medical fields in our health system.
Tremendous advances have been made in recent years in understanding
the biology of cancer, and this knowledge is rapidly leading to better
but more complex oncologic care. Medical treatments may utilize very
specific drugs targeting a single mutation, or nonspecific treatments that
stimulate our immune system to recognize and fight cancer. Hormonal
and chemotherapeutic drugs remain important weapons, and using
combinations of these approaches increasingly shows promise in
producing better outcomes. With new more complex therapies come
the potential for new and unusual side effects and toxicities, increasing
the importance of on-going attention to individualized symptom
management and coordination of care in the clinic.
We are therefore fortunate to have added a third nurse navigator to help
our patients manage their way through active treatment. Along with
us providers and the members of the Cancer Committee, the leadership
at Augusta Health understands how important it is for each and every
patient to have the resources of a navigator, an advocate for the patients
and their family members, and someone to help them manage the day to
day challenges to getting the care they need.
While our focus at the Center is often on taking care of patients who
were recently diagnosed with cancer, or who are managing their
cancer as a chronic disease, our Cancer Risk Assessment Program or
“Genetics Program,” continues to grow by leaps and bounds. The
medical field has only now begun to reap the benefits from our
knowledge of human genes, how they function, how they become
dysfunctional in malignancies, and how we may be predisposed to
various degrees to all human illness, especially cancer. We believe our
program to be one of the best community cancer genetic programs
available, and it daily helps patients understand how to manage or
reduce their risk of developing cancer.
This year, we were able to pilot an electronic genetic screening
program in Fishersville Primary Care and Dr. Flather’s Gynecology
Office. During routine visits patients were offered the opportunity
to answer a series of questions about their personal and family
history of cancer. Based on those answers, the software program
can indicate whether or not the patient would benefit from further
genetic questioning, counseling and, perhaps, testing. Nearly half
of all patients screened are referred for some additional questioning
and counseling, and for those for whom testing is recommended and
positive, a strategic plan is developed to reduce risk and detect any
future problems at the earliest, most curable time. Expanding genetic
screening to other practices is certainly planned.
Oncology remains a challenging field, but advances in diagnosis and
management will continue, and we remain committed to utilizing
these advances to reduce the impact of cancer on the people of the
Shenandoah Valley.
From Leadership
2
AUGUSTA HEALTH • CANCER PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT 2019
׉	 7cassandra://SwHG9PbqbDMoyM-8jmqsFAG51aHs0zFxmaBwtiBAul48`K ^ &tX׉E2019 CANCER COMMITTEE MEMBERS
2018 TUMOR BOARD
Patient-focused weekly Tumor Board meetings provide a
forum for discussion of complex cases. Multidisciplinary
physician attendance and presentation of National
Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines contribute
toward the most appropriate management of the
disease. Clinical trial options are also discussed as
presented by physicians and the Research Coordinator.
The Augusta Health Tumor Board is also supported by
Duke Health physicians who attend via video conference.
Cases presented in 2018: 234
Annual Analytical Caseload 2018: 31.49% (234/743)
Cases presented prospectively: 94% (220/234)
Average of physician attendance: 12
Average of non-physician attendance: 10
Robert Kyler, MD, Radiation Oncologist, Cancer Conference Coordinator
Naheed Velji, MD, Medical Oncologist and Center Liason Physician (CLP)
Kelvin Raybon, MD, Medical Oncologist, Program Director
Matthew Shapiro, MD, Diagnostic Radiologist
William Thompson, MD, Surgeon
John Girard, Administrative Director Cancer Services, Cancer Program Administrator
Renee Muellenbach, MSN, RN, Oncology Nursing
Leigh Anderson, LCSW, Social Worker and Psychosocial Services Coordinator
Iva Jackson, CTR, Certified Tumor Registrar
Pat Benson, MSN, RN, CMSRN, CPHQ, Quality Improvement Coordinator
Cindy Allen, MD, Pathology, Cancer Registry Quality Coordinator
Amanda Wilson, NP, Palliative Care Professional
Catherine Raines, CHES, Community Outreach Coordinator
Lisa Lenker, BS, CCRC, Clinical Research Coordinator
Donna Markey, MSN, RN, ACNP-CS, Oncology Nurse Practitioner, Genetics Prof.
Additional/Other Members
William Jones, MD, Urology
Carmen Gonzalez, MD, Pulmonology
Jared Davis, MD, Pain Management
Joe Surratt, AGACNP-BC, Gastroenterology
Mary Beth Landes, MS, RD, CSO, Registered Dietician
Clay Wilson, PharmD, BCOP, Pharmacist
Stephanie Mims, PT, DPT, MBA, Director Therapies, Rehabilitation Services
Rev. Rob Adrian, Pastoral Care Representative
Annika Dean, American Cancer Society Representative
Rader Dod, RT (R), Director, Radiology
Donna Berdeaux, RN, Breast Navigator
Megan Howell, BSN, AE Navigator
Colleen White, RT (R) (T), Chief Radiation Therapist
Mary-Kate DePriest, MSN, RN, Director of Clinical Operations
3
AUGUSTA HEALTH • CANCER PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT 2019
׉	 7cassandra://93YPC0_-cArOLZN35MPHqV5UmR1DUmlJyUfvtmQ6TUME`K ^ &tX^ &tX
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There is no typical breast cancer
patient. There is no typical lung
cancer patient. There is no typical
prostate cancer patient. There is
no standard protocol for treating
cancer. That’s because each
cancer is unique and each cancer
patient is an individual navigating
what has come their way. Like all
of us, they are each on a journey.
And for each of them, the journey
is personal.
Donna Berdeaux and Carol Cobb
is personal
CAROL’S JOURNEY
Carol Cobb was diagnosed with cancer after she
found a lump in her armpit during her monthly
self-exam. It was almost exactly on her 70th
birthday. “My first honest thought was, ‘Well
Happy Birthday to me,”’ she says. “But then, I
decided to react positively. I like to be completely
informed, both the good and the bad. I like to
have all the information possible so I can deal
with it and make decisions.”
So she began looking for resources and headed
to the Augusta Health website. The first thing
that popped up was a photo of breast cancer
navigator Donna Berdeaux, BSN. So Carol picked
up her phone and called her. Donna answered,
and said, “I was literally just picking up the phone
to call you.”
Turns out, says Carol, they were a perfect match
for each other.
“I’ve learned, as I’ve gone through the phases
of my treatment, Donna is my VIP,” says Carol. “I
can email her or call her whenever I need. She
is so completely informed on everything: side
effects, bruising, scars and what to expect next.
Reassuring me that what I’m experiencing is
normal. She has a knack for providing the perfect
amount of attention—not smothering, but just
the perfect amount of help. My husband admires
her, too. She goes out of her way to be sure
4
continued on page 5
AUGUSTA HEALTH • CANCER PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT 2019
Breast Cancer Navigator Donna Berdeaux,
BSN, guides breast cancer patients through
their journeys at Augusta Health’s Center for
Cancer and Blood Disorders.
“A cancer diagnosis is scary, and patients
are understandably nervous,” says Donna.
“So are their families. Everyone reacts a bit
differently,but they are all facing the unknown
and all looking for information. So one of
my key roles is to alleviate the initial anxiety,
and often that’s done by providing accurate
information. Looking on the internet about
a cancer diagnosis can be terrifying. There’s
a large amount of information on the web,
and trying to find the right information can be
overwhelming. I can become their resource.”
“Everyone has different needs and everyone
will have different treatments, depending on
their pathology. They also have experiences
and emotions that are unique,” she explains.
“My patients aren’t their disease; they aren’t
‘Carol, who has breast cancer.’ She’s Carol,
who loves knowledge and teaching, who is a
very involved grandmother and who, just like
me, likes rocks and geology. She is a whole
person, and that’s how I treat her.”
׉	 7cassandra://vV6vrkgEg_vDzn2x0Ft2tt53_QP4bcIndhT1yi9ll6w=`K ^ &tX׉Ehe’s comfortable with all that’s happening, too. I can’t
imagine how others go through the cancer experience
without a navigator like Donna.”
Carol wants to move as quickly as possible through her
treatments, so sometimes schedules many appointments
on the same day. She appreciates the responsiveness
of all her providers and the scheduling staff. She’s had a
port implanted, and began infusion. Her infusion “recipe”
was a bit strong for someone of her age, but she chose to
do all treatments in a row.
“Dr. (Kelvin) Raybon, my oncologist, has also been
wonderful,” Carol adds. “He explains everything and has
answered all my questions, even those I didn’t know to
ask. He teased me about doing a ‘young lady’s dose’
of chemo, but said I would see great results. And I did.
When I had my lumpectomy, they found nothing—the
breast tumor was gone and all lymph nodes back to
normal size. That’s important. Just a few years ago, my
type of cancer would have been really dismal news, but
Herceptin and Monoclonal Antibodies have changed
everything about survival rate.”
So has her positive attitude.
Carol explains, “Two weeks before I started treatment,
I went to the Breast Cancer Support Group meeting at
Augusta Health. As I sat in that meeting and looked
around the room at all those beautiful ladies, all doing
well, I realized, “I can do this. If they can do this, I can do
this.”
The Support Group members, especially those who have
finished treatment, have become her ‘mentors’. They
are another source of information and encouragement,
especially with tips about dealing with symptoms and
side effects such as fatigue. The Support Group has also
become an active social network. Their activities include
planning a fund-raising Tea to support breast cancer
in a way voted on by the group, field trips to places
like the lab to see how pathologists diagnose cancer
and even longer “fun” trips. Next up, they’re headed to
Williamsburg.
Carol is still in active treatment. She finished six infusions,
and was quite excited to ‘ring the bell’ as she passed the
milestone. Her friends and family attended, and the
nurses and staff staged a special parade complete with
gold pompoms. Next, she begins six weeks of radiation
treatments.
As she faces the next phase of treatment, she remains
positive. “I can do this,” Carol says. “I know I can do this.”
Megan Howell, RN, BSN, is Teresa Layne’s nurse navigator.
“I love my role as an oncology nurse navigator,” say Megan. “I get to work with patients during a difficult time in their lives. Hearing the
words you have cancer is extremely scary and I am present to be their support and advocate. Cancer does not discriminate; I get to meet
patients from all walks of life with different backgrounds. My goal is to get to know each of my patients so I can help make their diagnosis
and treatment transitions as smooth as possible.”
“I have worked with Teresa over the last few years. She is such a wonderful inspiration to me and to everyone who has the pleasure of being
in her presence,” adds Megan. “Teresa has taken a diagnosis of stage IV lung cancer in stride and continues to smile and maintain a positive
attitude. I enjoy conversations with Teresa about vacations, Halloween costumes, and her wild cat. She is more to me than just a patient.
Teresa knows the importance of lung cancer screening and awareness and promotes this to help others. I feel blessed to be Teresa’s nurse
navigator and feel that we learn so much from one another.”
5
AUGUSTA HEALTH • CANCER PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT 2019
Megan Howell, Teresa Layne and Amanda Layne
TERESA’S JOURNEY
In a way, Teresa’s journey began on another path. After a
series of urinary tract infections, her physician decided to
have a CT scan of the bladder to see if he could determine
a cause. The CT of the bladder incidentally included part
of her lung. In her lung, there was a mass.
“I was in a bit of a daze,” Teresa says. “My mother had
continued on page 6
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`׉	 7cassandra://iBXc06CNSpU5J7fRX3udUB1WV-4GbMjEQrvVvEMWAuY`m׉	 7cassandra://pCzT08S2DOrZRhKG7J5H6MyugEphGn4CSrvL5WJciMo74`K ׉	 7cassandra://Jius4WBB4IF_DvNShShRmRtYWPooq3BERxtGVMMEues=͠^ &tX׉E+just passed away the week before, and the last thing you
expect from a visit to the urologist is to learn you might
have lung cancer. And it was about 5 pm on a Friday
afternoon.”
She had a long weekend ahead of her. But within
two hours, on Friday evening, she’d been contacted
by thoracic surgery. She was in the office on Monday
morning. A navigational bronchoscopy quickly
confirmed she did have cancer, and she was referred to an
oncologist.
“My oncologist was Dr. Judson, who had been my
mother’s oncologist,” Teresa explains. “When he walked
into the appointment, I think he was surprised to see me
as a patient.”
Her journey began in 2016. Since then, she’s had several
types of chemotherapy, some more productive and some
better tolerated. A diagnosis of Stage IV lung cancer
is difficult, but she keeps moving forward and taking
whatever steps needed to keep moving forward.
One constant throughout her treatments has been her
daughter, Amanda, who has worked in Information
Technology at Augusta Health and has been with her
mother at most of her treatments.
many good websites for information. She’s been to every
chemo treatment, even if it’s just been to pop in and say,
‘Hey, how are you?’”
Teresa’s also kept a positive attitude throughout her
treatment, and she believes she’s been able to do
that because of her rapport with the nurses. They all
encourage each other with appropriate humor, which is
possibly best illustrated by “the hats”.
When Teresa began losing her hair, a dear friend
crocheted some hats for her. Not just any hats, but silly
hats—one that looked like Helga the Viking and one that
looked like she was wearing pink sponge curlers. At that
point, the hats became the thing. Each chemo session
was a different hat. Friends gave her funny hats. She and
her family would search for hats. “If we found something
outrageous, we just had to buy it,” says Amanda. “We had
pilot goggles, mouse ears, one for every holiday.” The
collection grew to almost 50 hats.
In fact, she actually
helped build the computer system modules used in
the Cancer Center. “I have a personal investment in the
system,” says Amanda.
“I also have tremendous support from my husband,
children, grandchildren and so many other friends and
family,” adds Teresa, “and my faith keeps me encouraged.
It keeps me centered on what is truly important.”
In addition to having Amanda at her treatments, her
‘other family’—the Cancer Center staff, especially the
nurses—have been with her, too. Her navigator, Megan
Howell, has become her single point of contact.
6
“Megan’s awesome,” says Teresa. “I think the best word
to describe her is that she’s an expediter. If I’m having
trouble connecting somewhere, she can do that for me
and get me where I need to go. She’s referred me to
She also dressed for each Halloween. Last year, she went
as Uncle Fester from the Addams’ Family, complete with
a lightbulb that lit when she put it in her mouth. “It’s
important to keep your
spirits up, and the
nurses really help me
do that,” says Teresa.
Teresa’s on a ‘chemo
break’ for a while to get
some dental work done.
She’s had another scan
and her new oncologist,
Dr. Naheed Velji, says
things are working,
so…so far, so good.
What’s next in the
journey?
“I’m going to Disney
World,” says Teresa. And
Amanda confirms that
plans are in the works
AUGUSTA HEALTH • CANCER PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT 2019
for the entire family to make the trip in 2021.
“I don’t ask about end times,” adds Teresa. “As long as I’m
living well and feeling well, I’m good.”
CHARLES’ JOURNEY
Charles Meeks, a retired middle school language teacher
from Covington, has always been a pretty healthy guy.
So he was surprised in February, when test results from
a regular visit to his primary care physician in Bath
County showed an elevated PSA. Because his PSA has
always been normal, and his prostate looked normal, his
physician prescribed an antibiotic first, to take care of
any possible infection.
About a month later, he saw urologist Dr. Sam Graham
and the PSA was even higher. Dr. Graham changed
the antibiotic, but because the PSA was still elevated,
ordered an MRI. The MRI did reveal a spot, so Dr. Graham
performed a biopsy. The biopsy confirmed cancer.
continued on page 7
Charles Meeks and Angie Shy
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is personal
“I was a bit shaken,” says Charles. “You never think cancer
will happen to you. Dr. Graham also explained that
my Gleason score was on the high end, above 9, which
means an aggressive cancer. Before I left the office, Dr.
Graham was on the phone with Dr. (Robert) Kyler to set
up an appointment.” Dr. Kyler is a radiation oncologist
in the Augusta Health Center for Cancer and Blood
Disorders.
Charles was understandably anxious about his diagnosis.
“My first appointment with Dr. Kyler was a week later,” he
explains. “I really couldn’t eat or sleep, and I was losing
weight. Then, while checking in for my appointment,
Angie came up and introduced herself to me.”
Angie Shy, RN, is Charles’ navigator.
“Angie gave me a good feeling right away. She was
positive and encouraging, and she gave me the
impression that we were going to lick this thing,” says
Charles. “She went with me to my appointment with Dr.
Kyler and took very detailed notes. And thank goodness
she was there. I couldn’t remember much of what Dr.
Kyler said, but her notes laid everything out clearly.”
He left the appointment feeling encouraged. A bone
scan was ordered to be sure the cancer was contained
within the prostate. Angie helped make arrangements
for the scan and even showed up to be support during
the imaging procedure. Since Dr. Graham had retired,
Charles was now a patient of urologist Dr. Brian Stisser.
Angie would also accompany him to those appointments
to take notes.
“No matter how long the process or appointment, and
some were two hours long, she was always there. She
was always upbeat and she was always positive,” says
Charles. “I can tell Angie really loves what she does, and
that she really does care about me.”
Charles began radiation treatments on September 9. He
was initially scheduled for 40 treatments, but after the
second week, the number of treatments was reduced to
28 because more intense, exact radiation could be used.
He appreciated that because the journey from Covington
to Fishersville for treatments is 80 miles one-way, a four
hour drive for a 15 minute radiation treatment. The last
radiation treatment was October 16.
“I really haven’t been to too many hospitals,” says Charles,
“But I don’t see how the care could be better anywhere
else.”
After a two month wait, as the year comes to an end,
Charles will repeat his blood work. If his PSA is below 1,
he will have licked this thing.
AUGUSTA HEALTH • CANCER PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT 2019
Angie Shy, RN, is Charles’ navigator. “It
takes time for many of us to understand
and process new information, and
the word cancer can cause someone
to completely shut down,” says Angie.
“Having a navigator in the room
during appointments can be really
vital for a lot of people experiencing a
new cancer diagnosis because we as
navigators already have a foundation of
knowledge about the cancer diagnosis
and treatment. We also take notes
and are available through a phone
call or email with any other questions
or clarifications that come up. It is
important as a navigator to understand
how our patients are feeling and how
they are processing. Navigators can be
a single point person for the patient and
the other staff members involved in their
treatment.”
Angie explains, “I like to enter the room
before meeting a new patient a few
minutes before the doctor and get to
know the person I am meeting a little
more. This helps me to understand their
personal background and empower
them to ask questions that are pertinent
to their lifestyle. Every experience is
different for cancer patients. I enjoy
personalizing the patient’s experience
so that they don’t completely dread the
process and give them the confidence to
see the journey through.”
7
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with Evidence-Based Guidelines
Prepared by:
Kelvin Raybon, MD, FACP,
Medical Director,
Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders
important features. Along with cervical and oropharyngeal carcinomas, it is one
of the malignancies associated with infection with the Human Papilloma Virus
(HPV), and is expected be amenable to eradiation by means of vaccination of
young unexposed people to HPV. Another important feature is its curability; anal
carcinomas can be successfully cured in a majority of patients by a combination of
radiation and cytotoxic chemotherapy, making appropriate evaluation and therapy
imperative.
Introduction
Anal carcinoma is an uncommon disease. In 2019 there will be an estimated
8300 new cases in the United States, with an estimated 1280 deaths (American
Cancer Society website, October 2019). Despite its relative rarity, it has several
2018 Analytic Cancer Case Distribution (N=727)
MALE GENITAL
12%
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
18%
Anal carcinomas are squamous cell cancers, and typically present with pain or
bleeding with defecation; they are often initially mistaken for hemorrhoids. Risk
factors for anal cancer include genital warts, increased number of sexual partners,
infection with HIV, and smoking. Incidence is twice as common in women than
men. Diagnosis is made by examination and biopsy; staging includes imaging
with CT scans, supplemented with MRI or PET/CT if needed. Prognosis depends on
clinical staging, and worsens with local nodal spread and increasing size of tumor.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
20%
Treatment historically was surgical, with the morbidity of a permanent colostomy
and an overall cure rate of about 50%. However, neoadjuvant treatments with
radiation and chemotherapy during the 1980’s led to the realization that anal
cancer can be cured with radiation and chemotherapy only, reserving surgery
only for salvage (J Natl Cancer Inst 1989; 81:850-56). Attempts to improve on a
combination of mitomycin and 5-flourouracil given with radiation (Cancer 1983;
51:1826-29) have largely been unsuccessful (J Clin Oncol 2012; 30:4344-51), and this
combination remains standard of care (Curr Opin Oncol 2007; 19:396-400). The
expected cure rate with combined modality therapy is 70-80%, with an overall 5
year survival of greater than 65%.
BREAST
20%
BLOOD & BONE MARROW
6%
Monitoring Compliance with Evidence-Based Guidelines
BRAIN
3%
Other/Ill-defined
0%
ORAL CAVITY
1%
SKIN
1%
ENDOCRINE
1%
CONNECTIVE/SOFT TISSUE
1%
8
AUGUSTA HEALTH • CANCER PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT 2019
FEMALE GENITAL
2%
UNK PRIMARY
1%
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
3%
URINARY BLADDER
11%
Current standard of care guideline used for this review is National Comprehensive
Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines Version 1.2019, most recently updated
04/25/2019.
Methods
All cases of anal cancer diagnosed at Augusta Health in 2018 were identified
through tumor registry and chart review. Data was individually extracted and
reviewed for compliance with standards per NCCN guidelines as noted.
continued on page 9
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Results
Individual patient data and evaluation of compliance is presented in the table
below:
Treatment consisted of external beam radiation
combined with mitomycin and 5-fluorouracil in all
4 cases (100%) treated at Augusta Health. Three of
the four cases employed an oral pro-drug
of 5-fluorouracil (capecitabine) to avoid
prolonged outpatient intravenous infusions, a
practiced endorsed and consistent with NCCN
guideline treatment recommendations.
Recommendations
Recommendations to improve the diagnosis,
staging, therapy, and outcome of anal
carcinoma in the future include:
1. Greater attention to cervical cancer
screening with exam and PAP smear in
females diagnosed with anal cancer
2. Encouragement of HPV vaccination in
appropriate young persons (children
ages 11-12, or all females 13-26 and
males 13-21 not previously vaccinated
– CDC website October 2019) by the
Augusta Health system
Discussion
Patient evaluation and treatment of anal carcinoma generally complied closely
to NCCN guidelines. Five patients (1 male, 4 female) were diagnosed and
staged at Augusta Health in 2018; one patient was treated elsewhere, and could
not be assessed for therapy. Notable findings included appropriate digital
rectal examination in all cases (100%), documented lack of inguinal nodes by
examination in 4 of 5 cases (80%), appropriate radiology staging studies in all
cases (100%), and exclusion of HIV by serologic testing in 4 of 5 (80%) of cases. A
notable deficiency was lack of documentation of cervical cancer screening in the 4
female cases (0%); this is a reasonable guideline recommendation considering the
association of both cervical and anal carcinoma to HPV.
Summary
Anal carcinoma is an uncommon but important
cancer associated with HPV that can be cured in a
majority of patients with a combination of radiation
and chemotherapy, with avoidance of morbid surgery.
Efforts to closely adhere to curative evaluation and
treatment should continue, and efforts to prevent by
HPV vaccination should increase.
9
AUGUSTA HEALTH • CANCER PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT 2019
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`׉	 7cassandra://KwJd2cYAKUxR5o77UeubRYdjzTQm40oUjgUCi5rO5c4ޙ`m׉	 7cassandra://mEOMkZAPolrbWZFpS8slz5inw8EkZWKQmdt2pB2EAmUC`K ׉	 7cassandra://vx4dtNaOs6NAa3dMWptCX5YNR_kya8dxt5X4X1Q8SHQ ܑ͠^ &tXנ^ &tX h9ׁH  mailto:dmarkey@augustahealth.comׁׁЈ׉EThe Journey
was hereditary, and my first thoughts were of my children
and grandchildren. It’s one thing to deal with the illness
yourself, but an entirely different emotional scenario to
think your kids might be impacted, too.”
Donna Markey and Claire deBrun
Claire deBrun’s cancer journey is not one that she is taking
on her own; she is walking the journey with her family.
Claire has Lynch Syndrome, which is among the most
common hereditary cancer syndromes—according to
Cancer.Net, as many as one in every 300 people may be
carriers of an alteration in a gene associated with Lynch
Syndrome. People with Lynch Syndrome have a higher
risk of certain types of cancer and also are at an increased
risk of developing multiple cancers in their lifetimes.
There are clues to whether there is Lynch Syndrome in a
family. They include multiple relatives with cancer on one
side of the family, especially if the cancers are diagnosed
at a young age. Claire had the markers: She had uterine
cancer at age 50, an adenoma on her thyroid later and
some pre-cancerous skin ‘spots’ that were removed; her
mother had uterine cancer at age 30 and then bladder
cancer later; a cousin died of cancer at age 54.
Still, she was unsuspecting until her dermatologist, on a
hunch, did some deeper investigation when removing
a second benign lesion. She sent the sample for
diagnosis and it was positive for Lynch Syndrome. The
10
AUGUSTA HEALTH • CANCER PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT 2019
dermatologist, ironically named Dr. Jane Lynch, referred
Claire to Donna Markey, RN, MSN, ACNP-cs. Donna
is Augusta Health’s Medical Oncology and Genetics
Professional.
“In truth, while cancer might ‘run in families’, only about
10% of all cancers are hereditary,” says Donna. “Hereditary
means a gene mutation causes the cancer. For people
with hereditary cancer, though, the risk of developing
cancer is much higher than the general population.”
So Claire began her journey by setting up a genetic
cancer screening with Donna. After the blood work, they
met in person—not a phone call—to discuss the results.
“I’m a person who likes face-to-face contact, not phone
conversations, and Donna was the type to insist on a
personal meeting, too,” says Claire. “She also laid out all
the information, which is exactly what I wanted.
If I don’t know the information, I can’t understand what’s
happening.”
“Donna is a good listener with thoughtful responses,”
adds Claire. “Still, it hit me hard to find out the cancer
Throughout the process, Claire’s mantra became
something one of her children said to her: You’re OK until
you’re not OK. And the corollary: And when you’re not
OK, we’ll do something.
“At first, I thought it was kind of flip, but I came to realize
it’s actually brilliant. And it’s how we’ve handled things
since that day;” explains Claire.
Donna Markey’s counseling and guidance have kept
Claire at Augusta Health’s Center for Cancer and Blood
Disorders. Claire says, “She’s very professional and very
caring. Along with Dr. Velji, my oncologist, I’ve had
nothing but a positive experience” as she’s completed the
multiple screenings and procedures that have become
her surveillance program. “It’s a community hospital here,
and I’m so comfortable with everyone I’ve worked with. I
know that we’re connected and that they always put my
needs and concerns first, to be sure we’re headed in the
direction that I am most comfortable with.”
Because of her concerns for her family, Claire appreciates
that Invitae, the partner Augusta Health uses for genetic
screening testing, provides free screening for her close
relatives. Her siblings were tested and were negative.
Her cousins have not been tested yet. Her children were
tested, and some were positive.
continued on page 11
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CLAIRE’S JOURNEY
“That’s been the most difficult part, the part with grief and sadness. To realize some of my
children have inherited this,” says Claire. “But my kids have truly been amazing. And Donna
has been with me through the serious discussions and a lot of tears. I worry about my
kids and my grandchildren, but I’m confident that there will be advances in medicine and
immunotherapy for them. I understand how vulnerable I am, but I’m 70 years old and I’ve
had a wonderful life. I choose to be positive. I feel grateful and blessed.”
She adds, “The role my Christian faith and family have played in this journey has made
the destination worth the trip. God has sustained me and given me peace. My church
community has supported and encouraged me with their consistent prayers, concern and
outreach. My husband, adult children and their spouses, sisters, and friends have been active
listeners, kind and helpful in their responses, and loving, thoughtful encouragers. God,
family, friends and the Augusta Cancer Center medical team have each separately and all
together walked with me on this journey to acceptance, restoration and peace.”
Claire finishes, “I’m OK until I’m not OK.”
You are a candidate for and should consider screening
for genetic cancer testing if you have:
• Breast, colorectal or uterine cancer diagnosed
before the age of 50.
• More than one type of cancer.
• Cancer in both of a set of paired organs
(for example, both kidneys or both breasts)
• Certain rare cancers (ovarian, male breast cancer
or 10+ gastrointestinal polyps)
• Two or more diagnoses of cancer on the same
side of the family (for example, both on your
mother’s side).
Many insurance companies will cover genetic testing
for those who meet the testing criteria. For more
information on the cancer genetic screening program
at Augusta Health, or to be screened to discover if you
are a candidate for in-depth genetic cancer testing,
contact Donna Markey, RN, MSN, ACNP-cs at the
Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, 540.245.7145
or dmarkey@augustahealth.com.
11
AUGUSTA HEALTH • CANCER PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT 2019
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Managing the Health of your Patients with Cancer:
Oncology Issues in Primary Care
Those who care for patients with cancer extend far beyond the walls of the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. Primary care
providers continue to treat patients with cancer—as do other medical professionals pharmacists, pulmonologists, therapists, nurse
practitioners and physician assistants.
To provide current information and vigorous discussion for all providers who care for those with cancer, Augusta Health’s Center for
Cancer and Blood Disorders, in collaboration with Duke Health, presents an annual educational symposium. This year’s symposium,
Managing the Health of your Patients with Cancer: Oncology Issues in Primary Care, was held October 17. The symposium was
accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and the
Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).
The well-attended session included a robust agenda for primary caregivers from all disciplines:
• Smoking Cessation: It’s Not Just a Hotline
James Davis, MD
• When Obesity Hinders Cancer Care
Kelvin Raybon, MD (pictured below)
• Factoring Family History into Screening for Cancer
Donna Markey, ANCP-cs
• What’s Up with Elevated PSAs
William Jones, III, MD
Cancer Symposium presenters
• Incidental Lung Nodules: Is it a Mountain or a Mole Hill?
Rebecca Dameron, MD (pictured at left)
• Non-Surgical Management of Common Skin Cancers
Robert Kyler, MD
• Managing Cancer Pain in the Face of an Opioid Crisis
Naheed Velji, MD
12
AUGUSTA HEALTH • CANCER PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT 2019
׉	 7cassandra://OvOdDIG88NDaEUqwFVc4YkFWPPMXW8XF_MiuSlIyofg?`K ^ &tX׉ECommunity Outreach
Screenings and Preventative
Activities throughout 2019:
• Mamm & Glam Breast Cancer Screening
o January 8 and June 13
o Partnership with Every Woman’s Life program
o 13 patients screened
o 3 call-backs
• Prostate Cancer Prevention Screening
o August 20
o Augusta Health Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders
o 47 attendees
• Medical Monday Health Education and
Prevention Series
o Education and Prevention segments on WHSV’s News
at Noon
o Segments on Colon Cancer, Breast Cancer, and Lung
Cancer and low dose screening education
o 15,000 viewing audience per segment
• Lunch and Learn Health Education and
Prevention Series
o Education and Prevention Lecture Series
o Lectures on Genetic testing and counseling, diagnosis
and treatment of colorectal cancer, and the effect of
obesity on cancer.
o 192 attendees
• Relay for Life
o Raised more than $128,000
o 500 registered participants, 800 in attendance
o Team Augusta Health: 84 registered
participants
13
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Blood Disorders
540-322-5960
www.augustahealth.com
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P, !Cancer Program Annual Report 2019^ Az"