Page 17 - Calvert Health Magazine

Hance Joins Breast

FEB. 4 Center Team
IS Megan Hance, RN has
WORLD CANCER
A partnership with Johns DAY keep the cancer in check over joined the team at the
Hopkins Medicine brings Johns time.” There are many studies Sheldon E. Goldberg
Hopkins breast imagers onsite ongoing, but immunotherapy has Center for Breast Care
for diagnostic studies and procedures. been approved for treating cancers of the at CalvertHealth as a
lung, colon, bladder, head and neck, as well breast health nurse
Keeping Pace with Medical as lymphoma and metastatic melanoma. navigator. She brings
Advances These drugs offer great potential for broad experience
CalvertHealth is proud to offer full-time effectiveness and longer survival with and expertise to the
fewer side effects, even for people with
program including six
genetic counseling and testing services stage IV cancers. years as an oncology
to our community. Genetic testing can nurse with CalvertHealth Hematology &
play an important role in a patient’s Know Us Now for Cancer Care Oncology. She will join nurse navigator
personalized cancer treatment program.
A genetic counselor can help assess your in Calvert County Diana Lewis, RN, BSN, OCN, who has
risk, explain your options and address “Our cancer care program combines been working with breast and thoracic
how the results can impact your care. multidisciplinary expertise and patients since 2017.
“The field of genetic testing for dedicated support staff with state- “Working with the providers in the
hereditary cancers is rapidly evolving, of-the-art technology and evidenced- CalvertHealth Hematology & Oncology
resulting in more comprehensive based treatment protocols,” said Kasia office has given me insight as to how
information than we’ve ever had before,” Sweeney, who oversees oncology treatment plans are developed and
said Dr. Arati Patel, medical director services at CHMC. “And, as a community importance of involving patients in their
for the Sheldon E. Goldberg Center hospital, we are able to provide care in care plans,” she said. “I feel this will be
for Breast Care at CalvertHealth. a personalized way that our patients tell especially beneficial in my new role as
“This testing is having a positive impact me they really appreciate.” breast care navigator.”
on patient care and medical decision- CalvertHealthMedicine.org/CancerCare, Born and raised in Calvert, Hance
making.” a new website, was launched this year said it is important to her to be able to
She went on to add, “Although there to help patients and families navigate serve her community. “I chose oncology
are various avenues for testing, we treatment options. “We’re always because you can make a lasting impact on
strongly encourage patients to meet with looking for new ways meet the needs of a patient and their family.”
a certified genetic counselor who can help our community,” said Dr. Abbott. “Our Her office is located at Calvert
them understand the process and what patients told us they wanted an online Medical Imaging Center, next to the
steps to take based on their results.” resource, so we spent the better part dedicated women’s suite. When there
Breakthroughs in immunotherapy of a year developing new online tools is an abnormal finding, Hance is readily
are giving new hope to cancer patients to complement our clinical program.” available to provide reassurance and
through cutting edge treatments that enlist The new, 54-page website provides support. She can help lessen the
the body’s own immune system to fight the information on all cancer types treated anxiety by explaining results, answering
disease. According to Dr. Bilal Ahmed, at CalvertHealth as well as information questions and coordinating next steps.
immunotherapy is one of the most exciting on treatment options and the resources Hance graduated from the College
things to happen in cancer treatment in available.
the last 30 years.“These drugs are more “If you or a loved one has received of Southern Maryland with an associate
targeted,” he said, “which means the a cancer diagnosis, it’s natural to feel degree in nursing in 2010 and worked on
collateral damage to other parts of the overwhelmed, but you won’t take this a post-operative orthopedic unit for two
body is limited in comparison to other journey alone,” said Abbott. years before coming to CalvertHealth.
types of cancer treatment like radiation She is certified as a biotherapy/
and chemotherapy. They may also lead to Get to know the new CalvertHealth chemotherapy nurse.
a persistent immune response, helping to as we fight cancer together. Her philosophy of care is all about
patient empowerment. “I want our
patients to feel at ease and comfortable
MEET THE SPECIALISTS speaking with me,” she said. “It’s important
for them to know I am here for them. I
Drs. Abbott, Ahmed and Patel are board-certified medical oncologists with CalvertHealth want them to feel informed about their
Hematology & Oncology. The group also includes certified genetic counselor and oncology care decisions and to know they are part
nurse practitioner Sandra Cassell-Corbin, CRNP.
of the team.”

> Need a primary care doctor or specialist? Visit our website today at CalvertHealthMedicine.org for an up-to-date listing. 17