ANCHOR NEWS JULY-SEPT. 2019 Southern Cancer Center Patient Newsletter

GENETIC RISK EVALUATION AND TESTING PROGRAM

We Don’t Just Treat Cancer, We Manage The Risk. About 10% of all cancers are hereditary, and

there are more than 50 hereditary cancer syndromes that are associated with specific gene muta-

tions. Genetic risk evaluation and testing can help patients understand their cancer risk and make

informed decisions about lifestyle alterations, medication, screening, surgery and other preventative

measures that could reduce their risk and lead to early detection.

At Southern Cancer Center, we offer comprehensive counseling and genetic testing for patients

with a significant family and/or personal history of cancer.

ABOUT GENETIC TESTING Your genes may predict your risk of cancer, and certain genetic tests may help your doctors provide

better screening or treatment options.

WHAT IS GENETIC TESTING? Genetic testing is done using a small sample of body fluid or tissue, most commonly blood, saliva,

cheek cells or skin cells. These tests can find some cancer-related genes that may put you at a high-

er risk of getting certain cancers.

WHY IS TESTING IMPORTANT? Although genetic testing cannot predict whether you will actually develop cancer, understanding

your risk of developing the disease can help you and your doctor make informed decisions about

prevention strategies.

COUNSELING SESSION Once you decide to explore genetic testing with Southern Cancer Center, you will be scheduled to

come in and meet with one of our providers. We will review your personal and family history of can-

cer, complete a physical exam and make a recommendation regarding genetic testing.

During this session, you will learn:

• How genetics play a role in cancer

• How your personal and family medical history affects your cancer risk

GENETIC TESTING After your counseling session, you will discuss your options with your provider and decide if you

would like to have a genetic test. This is a very personal decision and you should carefully consider

the risks and benefits.

Our team is here to help you make this decision by:

• Discussing the medical, social and ethical impact of genetic testing on you and your family

• Explaining the scientific process of genetic testing in an easy-to-understand manner

• Addressing all questions and concerns that you may have

If you decide to have testing done, we will obtain the testing sample from you that day. Your results

should take two to three weeks to receive.

continued on next page…

...continued from previous page

RESULTS CONSULTATION Once we receive your results, we will schedule an appointment for you to come back for a con-

sultation. We will interpret and explain your test results. If your results indicate an increased can-

cer risk, you will likely have a lot of questions and concerns. We will thoroughly discuss all recom-

mendations and options for follow-up screenings, treatment and preventative measures, and

make sure you leave the appointment with a clear plan of action.

HEALTH INSURANCE AND GENETIC TESTING Genetic testing may be covered by your health insurance. If you do not have insurance or your

insurance company will not cover the test, financial assistance may be available to you. Some

patients are concerned about discrimination based on test results. There are federal and state

laws in place to protect patients from discrimination. These laws prevent health insurance com-

panies from charging more or denying coverage to someone because of genetic mutations.

HOW DO I KNOW IF GENETIC TESTING IS RIGHT FOR ME? Many patients are referred for genetic counseling by their primary care physician or another spe-

cialist. As a first step, you may want to discuss your personal and family health history with your

current physician to understand if you could benefit from genetic testing. However, you do not

need a referral – you can also contact our practice directly to schedule an appointment.

If you meet any of the following criteria, consider scheduling an appointment with us:

• Family member with multiple primary cancers

• Several relatives on one side of the family who have had the same type of cancer

• Several cancers in the family linked to a single gene mutation (such as breast, ovarian,

colon or pancreatic cancers)

• Family or personal history of early onset cancer (usually before age 50)

• Relatives with a rare cancer, such as breast cancer in a male, ovarian cancer or

retinoblastoma

• Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry with breast or ovarian cancer at any age

• 10-20 colon polyps removed over your lifetime

• Family members with a known genetic mutation

Congratulations to our

Nurse Practitioners

for being named as

“Notable Women”

in the July issue of

Mobile Bay Magazine.

Congratulations to chemo nurses

Laura Cotton and Belinda Hall for

being inducted into the

2019 Class of Edith Mitchell Health

Initiative Nurse Academy

of Achievers.

Nursing Achievements

Way to Go!

SUMMER MEAL FOR NAUSEA

If you are feeling weary from cancer treatment and are looking for something tasty yet soothing,

this dish is it. The vegetables are diced small, about the same size as the peas, cooked separate-

ly and stirred in at the very end so that they keep their color and bite. Although you can make

risotto the old fashioned way with elbow grease and stirring, a pressure cooker will make short

work of risotto, a boon during cancer treatment when less work is definitely better.

Serving size: 6 Prep time: 15 mins Total time: 35 mins

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable stock 2 shallots divided

2 teaspoons olive oil 1 1/3 cups Arborio rice

1/3 cup dry white wine 1 tablespoon butter divided

2 medium carrots in a small dice 4 small zucchini, seeds removed, cut in small dice

1/4 cup frozen peas 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest sea salt

Preparation

1. In a small pot, bring the stock to a boil over a

high flame. Cover and turn the heat off. Set

aside.

2. Meanwhile in a pressure cooker, over a medi-

um high flame heat the olive oil. When it starts

to ripple, add ½ the shallots and sprinkle with

salt. Cook stirring until they turn transparent.

3. Add the rice and cook stirring until it starts to

get translucent round the edges. Add the

white wine and cook stirring until it is ab-

sorbed. Add all the warm stock. Stir to mix.

Place the lid on the pressure cooker and lock.

Once the pressure comes up, lower the heat

to medium and cook 6 minutes.

4. Once the rice has cooked under pressure for 6 minutes, take it off the stove and immediately run

under cold water over the lid to release the pressure. It will give a big sigh when it does this. Turn

off the water and open the cooker. You will have a soupy looking risotto with rice that is chewy

and barely al dente.

5. While the rice is cooking, melt 1 teaspoon of the butter in a small sauté pan. When it foams, add

the remaining shallots and cook stirring until they are transparent, about 1 minute. Add the car-

rots and zucchini and sprinkle with salt. Sauté until they start to soften and become tender,

about 5 minutes. By this time the rice should be ready.

6. Take the risotto back to the stove and quickly bring to a simmer over a medium-high flame. Stir

the sautéed carrots and zucchini, then the frozen peas and cook 1 minute. Turn off the heat and

vigorously stir in the remaining butter, the Parmesan and the lemon zest. Cover. Let sit for 5

minutes. The risotto will now be creamy looking instead of soupy, and the rice al dente. Taste for

salt. Serve with extra grated cheese if desired.

- Recipes found at www.cookforyourlife.org. Enjoy! -

The physicians and employees of Southern Cancer Center, P.C. are dedicated to finding and providing

the best care and treatment options for our patients in the communities we serve. We approach caring

for our patients as a team. Taking care of oncology patients is our life’s work and our passion.

Rebirth, New Beginnings and Growth

Like Us on Facebook

SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

Sista Strut On April 20th, SCC was honored to be the Survivor Lounge

sponsor for iHeart Media’s inaugural “Sista Strut” Breast

Cancer Walk held in Cathedral Square in downtown Mo-

bile. The goal of this 3k walk and event was to start the con-

versation and promotion of breast cancer awareness

among African American women.

Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast On Thursday, May 2nd, the National Day of Prayer,

SCC sponsored this Eastern Shore Chamber of

Commerce event, attended by over 400 local

community members. Mayors from Spanish Fort,

Daphne and Fairhope kicked off the morning with

brief messages, followed by a key note speaker

from the Council on Substance Abuse.

Final BayBears Game On Friday, June 21st, Southern Cancer Center hosted its last

“Survivor Celebration Night” with the Mobile BayBears minor

league baseball team at Hank Aaron Stadium. Attendees

enjoyed a great night of baseball, free SCC promotional

giveaways, a photo booth, fireworks, plus a home team win!

SCC chemo nurse and cancer survivor, Sharon Williams,

threw out the first pitch of the game!

Camp Blue Bird SCC was proud to again support Providence Hospital Foun-

dation’s “Camp Bluebird” with a fun, theme night photo

booth on Thursday, April 11th. Thank you to our staff who vol-

unteered their time for this incredible camp, offering a unique

experience for adult cancer patients.