We take the time every Dotober to promote Cancer Awareness in Diagnosis, Research and Treatment.
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Who is Dot? You’ve actually already met her… she’s been popping up on billboards, ads, flyers and even in our website address (right before the “com”…DOT com)! She loves to brighten people’s day with her quirky smile and spunky attitude! |
Week One
Early Detection in Key |
Week Two
Community Oncology |
Week Three
Resources |
Week Four
NCS Connect |
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STAY AWAY FROM TOBACCO PRODUCTSUsing tobacco or being exposed to tobacco smoke can cause cancer and other health problems. |
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GET TO A HEALTHY WEIGHTControlling your weight with healthy choices for eating and exercise can help prevent the risks for cancer. Avoid excessive weight gain and control calorie intake. |
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STAY ACTIVEAdults should strive for at least 150-300 minutes of physical activity per week. This can include walking, gardening, a game of pickleball, house cleaning, or playing with grandkids. |
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EAT HEALTHYYou’ve heard it before, and we’ll say it again, what you eat matters. Follow a pattern that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein. Avoid, sugary drinks and processed foods. |
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LIMIT ALCOHOL CONSUMPTIONIf you do drink, plan on 7 or less alcoholic beverages per week. |
What you need to know about
CANCER SCREENING TESTS
It’s important to know if you are at a higher than usual risk for breast cancer. If you are, talk to your healthcare provider about when to begin breast cancer screenings and if genetic testing is right for you. Beginning at age 40, women can began annual breast cancer screenings with mammograms.
Find out if you are at a higher than average risk for color cancer due to family history, genetic disorders or other factors. If you are at an increased risk, talk to your healthcare provider about when to begin screening and what tests are right for you. Individuals at an average risk should begin testing at age 45. Screening tests can vary, so talk with your healthcare provider about what’s right for you.
Yearly lung cancer screenings are suggested if you have a history of smoking, smoke now, or have quit smoking within the last 15 years, and you are between the ages of 50 and 80.
Beginning at age 50, men should discuss with their healthcare provider about the pros and cons of testing in order to determine the right choice for them. If a family history of prostate cancer diagnosed before the age of 65 exists, discuss with a healthcare provider starting at age 45.
At age 25, and if you have a cervix, you can have a Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) test every 5 years, or a Pap test every 3 years. If your cervix has been removed due to surgery, as long as it was for reasons not related to cervical cancer or precancer, no testing is necessary. Individuals with a history of precancer should continue testing for 25 years after diagnosis.
| There are two types of oncology practices that provide care in the outpatient setting: community oncology and hospital-based oncology.
The benefit of community oncology centers is that they have been found to provide efficient, patient-centered oncology care at lower costs to patients, health plans, and community physicians. Contact Nebraska Cancer Specialists Today |
The Value in Being Community-Based
- Independent community oncologists
- Hospital-based medical oncologists
- The primary difference
- The Cost in Cancer Care
Independent community oncologists, like the physicians at Nebraska Cancer Specialists, are in private practice and offer highly personalized and immediate care. We have regional specialists and work in collaboration with national specialists allowing the availability of second opinions if needed and access to clinical trials. Our oncologists are on the medical staff of the local hospitals and personally follow our patients when they are admitted to the hospital. Like other community oncology practices, Nebraska Cancer Specialists has the staff and resources to provide the needed treatments, in a personal, local and convenient setting. The majority of community oncologists’ time is spent in direct patient care.
Hospital-based medical oncologists work for a local health system, hospital or an academic institution. Hospital-based physicians routinely have significant non-clinical obligations in administration, research and teaching, and therefore may spend less time with patients, making it more difficult for patients to receive regular, consistent communication from them.
The primary difference between care in the independent community setting and care in the hospital setting is related to cost. Because hospital-based oncologists bill through the hospital’s contracts, the costs to your health plan through insurance claims—and to you through increased co-pay—can be higher. Recent studies show the cost for receiving the same drug and treatment, through the same process, may possibly be two to three times more expensive when obtained from a hospital outpatient-based oncologist as compared to an independent community oncologist.
The issue of cost in cancer care is not one to be taken lightly. Cancer is unfortunately an expensive disease to treat. The drugs can be very costly, as are imaging studies, lab tests and many other procedures. However, the biggest single determinant of the cost of your care, which is in your control, is your choice of oncologist – specifically, whether or not he functions as a community oncologist or as part of a hospital system or institution.
Second Opinion
A physician who is confident in their treatment recommendation will normally welcome second opinions, and be open to the request.
Occasionally, an oncologist might suggest a second opinion from a fellow colleague with exceptional experience in treating a specific tumor. Whether a patient has come to NCS for primary treatment or a second opinion, our promise is to provide compassionate and comprehensive care. It is normal to have questions regarding diagnosis and treatment options. We will answer all questions asked and provide any information requested.
We understand every cancer patient’s story is uniquely their own. That’s why, in addition to creating a personalized treatment plan designed specifically for you, we provide whole-person care before and after a diagnosis.
Proudly, we offer:
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- Occupational Therapy
- Nutrition
- Mental Health
- Genetic Counseling
- Outpatient Pharmacy
- Supportive Care Clinic
- Movement Classes
Occupational Therapy
Therapy services are designed to assist you in participating in the daily activities you find meaningful and purposeful.
Our specially-trained practitioners develop custom treatment plans to help you manage the potential effects of treatment.
Prehabilitation Program
NCS is dedicated to helping our patients prepare physically and mentally before surgery, chemotherapy, and other treatment.
Our occupational therapy team has developed a state-of-the-art prehabilitation program to benefit breast cancer patients that includes education, exercise and a personalized treatment plan designed for you throughout your course of care.
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Nutrition
At Nebraska Cancer Specialists we understand it can be challenging at times getting the appropriate amount of nutrients and hydration during cancer treatment. Our complimentary nutrition services provided by a Registered Oncology Dietitian ensure you remain healthy during and after treatment.
Personalized nutrition education includes:
- Dietary measures to manage side effects throughout treatment such as diarrhea, nausea, and poor appetite
- Guidance on use of herbal, vitamin, and mineral supplementation
- Blood Glucose Management
- Heart Health
- Kidney Disease
- Weight Management
- Food intolerances and/or allergies
- Nutrition support management (tube feeding or parenteral nutrition)
- Nutrition classes
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Mental Health
Wellness of our minds and emotions are an important part of the cancer journey. Your Nebraska Cancer Specialists team offers individualized integrative strategies to help you be the strongest YOU in your journey with cancer.
Meeting with our therapists will offer you a “safe place” to nurture your spirit and begin to heal the challenging emotional effect of the cancer journey by focusing on healing and emotional wellness.
Some of the tools we offer include:
- Emotional Support
- Hypnosis
- Progressive Relaxation
- Guided Imagery
- Meditation
- Mindfulness Techniques
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Genetic Counseling
A genetic risk evaluation may help you and your family understand inherited cancer risks which can be passed from parent to child. At NCS, our team of Genetics Professionals explain available genetic tests and what they mean. They also provide information about cancer screenings, prevention, treatment options, and provide support.
NCS Genetics Professionals can provide advice on:
- Your risk of developing specific types of cancer based on your family history
- Genetic tests that can give you more information about your risk
- The testing process and the limitations and accuracy of genetic tests
- Emotional and psychological consequences of knowing the test results
- Cancer screening, prevention, and monitoring options
- Diagnostic and treatment options
- How to talk with your family members about cancer risk
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Outpatient Pharmacy
NCS Outpatient pharmacy is a convenient way to access medications during treatment. Oral chemotherapy options along with select supportive medications such as anti-nausea, blood thinners, and antibiotics can be filled and picked up at the Midwest Cancer Center – Legacy. The pharmacy team can assist with confirming prescription benefits coverage and investigate co-pay assistance to ensure you receive medication quickly and cost-effectively.
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Supportive Care Clinic
Supportive care is patient-focused and addresses physical and emotional needs of patients and their families.
The Supportive Care Clinic works to optimize your outcomes in partnership with your oncologist, primary care provider, and any other specialized physicians who are currently treating you.
The supportive care clinic is like an extra layer of care and includes:
- Your medical oncologist
- A supportive care physician or nurse practitioner
- A supportive care nurse case manager
Depending upon your goals of care, the supportive care team may also include a social worker, occupational therapist, mental health provider, dietitian, chaplain, treatment nurses or other specialists.
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Movement for Longevity
These classes focus on low-impact, slow, gentle movements and are intended for individuals at all stages of life, regardless of fitness level.
A variety of these classes are available at specific times throughout the year and require pre-registration.
Some of the classes include:
- Tai-Chi For Healthy Living
- Tai-Chi for Better Balance
- Balance and Strength
- Movement for Everyone
- Yoga
NCS Connects is a peer mentoring program designed to empower newly diagnosed cancer patients by partnering them with current or former cancer patients who can provide insight on their own cancer experience.
Peer Mentors are volunteer role models who may provide understanding and encouragement, compassionate listening, suggestions of questions for the medical team, and serve as a source for reasoning out decisions. Participants are matched based on several factors, including, cancer type, treatment, gender requests, language needs, and communication preference.
NCS Connects members are asked to agree with the following:
Introductory Pairing Phone Call. After a match has been made, the Peer Mentor will contact the newly diagnosed cancer patient, referred to as the Peer Mentee, within three days for an introductory phone call.
Post-Introductory Pairing Phone Call Evaluation. After the first phone call is made, each Peer Mentee completes a brief phone evaluation of the pairing. If the introduction went well, future meetings between the Peer Mentor and Peer Mentee, which are encouraged but not required, will be made at the pair’s discretion, including dates, times, and locations of meetings. If the introduction did not meet the Peer Mentee’s expectations, the Peer Mentee may select to have another Peer Mentor or opt not to have another Peer Mentor assignment.
Confidentiality. Participants in NCS Connects agree to maintain strict confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations, which is addressed in the enrollment questionnaires in the tabs to the left.
If you are looking to connect with a peer mentor, please complete the following information and we will be in touch.
Click here to complete application
Please complete the following questionnaire to register your interest and obtain information to match you with the most suitable Peer Mentee. An NCS Connects team member will contact you once a connection has been made and confirm your participation.
Click here to complete application
The NCS Connects team is excited to assist in developing peer mentoring relationships. If you have additional questions or would like more information, please email out NCS team at NCSConnects@nebraskacancer.com.