eHealth Connection | Cooper University Hospital

By Wendy Topeka, BSN, RN, OCN
Clinical Nurse Manager, Gynecologic Oncology Outpatient Infusion Unit, Cooper Cancer Institute

Today, women should be able to maintain an active lifestyle throughout the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer.

When a woman hears the words “you have ovarian cancer,” it is from that very moment that a partnership begins between the woman, her family, and the doctors and nurses caring for her. This partnership is a key element in the treatment and management of ovarian cancer. It is this relationship that will help her tackle any side effect or challenge she may face related to this diagnosis.

The treatment and management of ovarian cancer in the 21st century is revolutionary. Multiple chemotherapeutic agents are being used, along with new and current research looking at medications that target ovarian cancer and have fewer side effects. This research is laying the foundation for healthcare professionals to have the ability to tailor a treatment plan specifically to each woman’s body and individual needs.

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Many people have someone in their family who has had cancer, but some families have a hereditary or genetic factor that can greatly increase their chances of developing the disease. Identifying these genetic factors and following appropriate screening, risk reduction, and prevention recommendations can significantly reduce the risk for breast, colorectal, endometrial [uterine], and ovarian cancers.

“Knowing what your risk is allows us to help you start to reduce that risk,” said Dana Farengo Clark, M.S., a board-certified genetic counselor at the Cooper Cancer Institute. Clark works closely with medical oncologists Generosa Grana, M.D., and Robert A. Somer, M.D., to direct Cooper’s Cancer Genetics Program. Read the full story

April is Cancer Control Month, a time to stop and think about how our lifestyle choices could be putting us at risk for developing the disease.

Research now shows that like tobacco and alcohol use, many cancer-risk factors are within our control, namely, our weight, the foods we eat, and our level of physical activity.

Experts say that, by keeping off the extra pounds, eating the right foods and exercising daily, we can cut our chances of developing several types of cancer.

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On a scale of one to ten, Elaine, of South Jersey, described her pain as a 23. A stage IV metastatic breast cancer patient, the 46-year-old mother of three couldn’t move her arm, couldn’t sleep and couldn’t hug her children because the pain was overwhelming.

To help her ease the pain, Elaine’s oncologist, breast cancer specialist Generosa Grana, M.D., Director of the Cooper Cancer Institute, referred her to the Palliative Care Program at Cooper University Hospital. Today, Elaine not only is embracing her children again but has gained a renewed strength in fighting the disease. With medication, she now rates her shoulder pain as a two or a three.

“To finally find someone who could actually understand the type of pain I was in, and treat it while working with my oncologist so as not to interfere with any of my chemotherapy or radiation treatments, has truly been wonderful,” Elaine said. She was referring to Mark Angelo, M.D., Director of Cooper’s Palliative Care Program.

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If breast cancer survivor Janet Knowles had to sum up in one sentence her sentiments for her doctors and nurses at the Cooper Cancer Institute, she said it would be this: “Thank you for giving me back the joy of living.”

Today, nine years after her modified radical mastectomy and aggressive chemotherapy, Mrs. Knowles’ joy for life includes family, friends, work, art and a commitment to helping other South Jersey cancer patients fight the disease.

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