2001 Oncology Report

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Program Services

• Cancer Registry
  
     The advances in cancer treatment that have proliferated over the past few years would not have been possible without research. One important aspect of cancer research is the computerized database maintained by the tumor registries in the nation’s hospitals.
     At SRH one full time certified registrar staffs the registry. It is the registrar’s responsibility to monitor and record data for all types of cancer diagnosed or treated here at SRH. The information is used to track cancer incidence, evaluate cancer patient management, identify areas for research, provide information needed to plan for future patient care, and assist in the identification of system resources. The compiled data is submitted to the National Cancer Data Base and to the Georgia Center for Cancer Statistics, as required by the American College of Surgeons (ACOS) Commission on Cancer and Georgia state law, respectively. During 2000, the software application for cancer data reporting was upgraded to the Medical Registry Services. The goal of the registry is to provide accurate and reliable data on cancer patients diagnosed and/or treated at Sumter Regional Hospital. Documented follow up is a key to component of the registry program. The goal is not simply to determine whether the patient is alive or dead, but also to ascertain the status of the cancer. Patients must be followed at least annually. A 90% successful follow up is the standard determined by the American College of Surgeons. A successful combined rate of 94.6% for all eligible patients was achieved and a successful follow up rate of 91.1% (standard is 80%) was maintained for all living patients. Both of these exceeded the standard. All information received by the registrar is kept in strict confidence.
  
• Cancer Support Group
  
  

  The Cancer Support Group at Sumter Regional Hospital meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. These meetings are held in the private dining room of the hospital where the group members are able to enjoy a meal together and share their thoughts and knowledge.     The group consists of patients, family members, and friends who have undergone treatment in the past, as well as patients who are currently receiving some type of cancer therapy. The members share educational materials as well as personal experiences to support each other and to help each other cope with this disease that affects so many people.

  
  
• Community Outreach and Education
  
  Community outreach has become a big part of oncology/cancer education in recent years here in Sumter County. Sumter Regional Hospital supplements direct patient care with generous sponsorship of the local chapter of the American Cancer Society. Annually, SRH organizes teams to raise funds and walk in the Relay For Life, an overnight event that, to-date, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for cancer research in Sumter County alone. This past year, the event was expanded to include an educational component called Cancer SmartShop. This station allowed participants to collect informational brochures and pamphlets on all types of cancer as well as have their specific questions answered from American Cancer Society and Sumter Regional Hospital specialists.
     Moreover, SRH offers reduced cost mammograms to all women throughout the whole month of October and a free prostate screening to all men of the community during the Fall on an annual basis. As well, the hospital’s education outreach coordinator is available to give health awareness presentations to the Cancer Support Group and many other local groups and organizations. These presentations are hand-tailored to specifically meet the needs of those faced with the challenges of cancer and their families. Sumter Regional Hospital will continue to offer these services as our way of Supporting Healthy Lifestyles In Our Community!

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