Cancer Center sees improved survival rates
Posted: Friday, March 24, 2006
Earlier detection and more advanced treatments have helped reduce death rates for breast cancer and colorectal cancer in Woodbury County, according to specialists at the June E. Nylen Cancer Center.
The most common cancers nationally -- lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer -- are also the most common in Woodbury County and neighboring counties, said Dr. Jack Michalak, cancer center medical director. Iowa's cancer survival rates are documented by the State Health Registry office of the University of Iowa.
The average number of overall cancer deaths in Woodbury County has dropped in the last five years, according to the state registry office. There were 1,123 deaths between 1993 and 1997, compared to 1,026 deaths from 1998 to 2002.
The positive local news mirrors national results. Nationally, the number of overall cancer deaths totaled 556,902 in 2003, a decrease from 557,271 the year before. It was the first time in more than 70 years that annual cancer deaths in the country have fallen.
In Woodbury County, the number of women who died of breast cancer in 2003 was 10, down from 19 deaths in 2002 and the lowest number of deaths since 1973 when there were 28 deaths. Colorectal cancer deaths in the county since 1993 average 22 a year, while between 1973 and 1982 the average was 30.
Lung and prostate cancer dropped for the first time on a national level, but not in Woodbury County. Deaths from lung cancer, the number one local cancer killer totaled 65 in 2003. In the previous 10 years, deaths fluctuated between 51 and 77. Area prostate cancer deaths in 2003 totaled 11, down just slightly from an earlier decade.
Michalak said he believes drops in local cancer deaths reflect the success of earlier detection, people's increased awareness to live healthier and undergo screenings and advances in research and treatment.
"At the cancer center, we also work to provide our patients with the most current treatments available through involvement in research with groups," said Michalak, one of five medical oncologists with Siouxland Hematology Oncology at the cancer center. "Our involvement in research trials helps our patients live longer and better and strengthens our understanding of cancer."
A research staff of 10 full-time employees is treating or actively following more than 750 patients who have been placed on treatment trials through four national cancer research groups.
The cancer center also has taken aggressive steps to advance its state of the art technology for radiation treatment, said Karen Van De Steeg, executive director. The center has invested more than $2 million in technology in the last year, including a 24-slice spiral CT scanner, a new linear accelerator to destroy tumors with Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy and an Eclipse treatment planning system which helps determine the exact area where radiation will be directed.
"We see people with cancer living longer and healthier lives," said Van De Steeg. "We believe our new state-of-the-art radiation therapy technology, coupled with advanced chemotherapy treatments from our medical oncologists provide hope and healing and the promise of more positive outcomes for our patients."
The most common cancers nationally -- lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer -- are also the most common in Woodbury County and neighboring counties, said Dr. Jack Michalak, cancer center medical director. Iowa's cancer survival rates are documented by the State Health Registry office of the University of Iowa.
The average number of overall cancer deaths in Woodbury County has dropped in the last five years, according to the state registry office. There were 1,123 deaths between 1993 and 1997, compared to 1,026 deaths from 1998 to 2002.
The positive local news mirrors national results. Nationally, the number of overall cancer deaths totaled 556,902 in 2003, a decrease from 557,271 the year before. It was the first time in more than 70 years that annual cancer deaths in the country have fallen.
In Woodbury County, the number of women who died of breast cancer in 2003 was 10, down from 19 deaths in 2002 and the lowest number of deaths since 1973 when there were 28 deaths. Colorectal cancer deaths in the county since 1993 average 22 a year, while between 1973 and 1982 the average was 30.
Lung and prostate cancer dropped for the first time on a national level, but not in Woodbury County. Deaths from lung cancer, the number one local cancer killer totaled 65 in 2003. In the previous 10 years, deaths fluctuated between 51 and 77. Area prostate cancer deaths in 2003 totaled 11, down just slightly from an earlier decade.
Michalak said he believes drops in local cancer deaths reflect the success of earlier detection, people's increased awareness to live healthier and undergo screenings and advances in research and treatment.
"At the cancer center, we also work to provide our patients with the most current treatments available through involvement in research with groups," said Michalak, one of five medical oncologists with Siouxland Hematology Oncology at the cancer center. "Our involvement in research trials helps our patients live longer and better and strengthens our understanding of cancer."
A research staff of 10 full-time employees is treating or actively following more than 750 patients who have been placed on treatment trials through four national cancer research groups.
The cancer center also has taken aggressive steps to advance its state of the art technology for radiation treatment, said Karen Van De Steeg, executive director. The center has invested more than $2 million in technology in the last year, including a 24-slice spiral CT scanner, a new linear accelerator to destroy tumors with Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy and an Eclipse treatment planning system which helps determine the exact area where radiation will be directed.
"We see people with cancer living longer and healthier lives," said Van De Steeg. "We believe our new state-of-the-art radiation therapy technology, coupled with advanced chemotherapy treatments from our medical oncologists provide hope and healing and the promise of more positive outcomes for our patients."
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