By Michelle TalsMa everson

A s a busy wife, mom and grand-

mother, Leaann Benzer already

had a lot on her plate without

having to worry about the potential of

breast cancer. But, when she found a

lump during a self exam, she quickly

booked a mammogram. With a family

history of breast cancer, she wasn’t

taking any chances.

When the results of the mammogram

came back abnormal, Banner MD

Anderson Cancer Center on the Banner

Gateway Campus, was her first choice

to investigate further.

“They [Banner MD Anderson]

called me, saying they had my records,

and I booked an appointment with

Dr. Byrum,” she explains. “The only

reason I had to wait for an appoint-

ment at the Undiagnosed Breast Clinic

was because I was the first one to go

through the clinic.”

expecT resulTsDr. Stephanie Byrum is a general

surgeon at Banner MD Anderson with

special training in the treatment of

breast diseases. She explains that the

Undiagnosed Breast Clinic, which

opened this past April, is a place where

Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center patient Leaann Benzer, with her surgeon, Dr. Stephanie Byrum.

inside2 Clinical trials3 Volunteers give back4 Genetic family history5 Ask the expert

6 Raising awareness7 Saving lives, one year later8 Events

OCTOBER 2012

creatinghopeQuick answers provide hope, relieve stressFast response makes a difference to the Undiagnosed Breast Clinic’s first patient at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center

2 OCTOBER 2012 CREATinG hOpE

women who suspect breast cancer can

expect quick answers and results.

“A patient can get imaging done,

have a biopsy performed, get results, and

meet with physicians within a 24-hour

turnaround,” Byrum says. “Whatever the

results, there is a sense of relief know-

ing that either they are okay or that they

have a treatment plan in place.”

In her experience, Benzer had a

biopsy performed in the morning and

had results by that afternoon. Unfortu-

nately, she was diagnosed with breast

cancer; luckily, it was in its early stages.

She quickly picked a surgery date

and had a lumpectomy performed.

After the surgery, she had another

procedure to remove excess tissue,

underwent several weeks of radiation,

and is now on oral pills to continue

treating the disease.

paTienT supporT“Nobody would choose to have cancer,

but as far as dealing with Banner

MD Anderson, they were wonder-

ful,” Benzer says. “They were always

friendly and up-to-date; I know that

I’ve done everything I can do to fight

this disease.”

Byrum says that Benzer’s case

went “smoothly and remarkably well”

because her disease was caught in the

early stages and the treatment took

place in such a short time.

She also notes that Benzer’s case

exemplifies one of the main missions

of the clinic: to catch any potential

cancer in the earliest possible stage

because, the earlier it’s discovered,

the more successful the treatment.

“Our goals with the Undiagnosed

Breast Clinic are to eventually have

daily operation (the clinic is currently

open one day a week), continue to have

result turnaround within 24 hours, and

to continue to serve more patients,”

Byrum says. “The quick service helps to

relieve that anxiety and provide relief.

Everything we do is about supporting

the patient.”

If a patient is confirmed to have

cancer at the Undiagnosed Breast

Clinic, Banner MD Anderson is home

to a wide variety of cutting-edge treat-

ments and experts in the field as part of

their Comprehensive Breast Program.

To schedule an appointment in

the Undiagnosed Breast Clinic, call

480-256-6444.

Clinical trials lead to new treatments

By sTephanie conner

At Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, a growing clinical trials program is help-ing patients today and in the future.

“Clinical trials are important because they provide patients with access to innovative therapies and treatments that wouldn’t be avail-able outside of research,” says Lee Seabrooke, M.A., MBA, the Center’s Director of Research.

The program currently offers drug trials that are in phases ii and iii — meaning the drugs are being tested to ensure they are effective (phase ii) and that they’re more effective than the current standard of care or as effective with fewer side effects (phase iii).

Four trials — including trials for pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer and chronic lympho-cytic leukemia — are actively enroll-ing patients who meet very specific criteria. And that’s just the beginning, which is an impressive start for the first year.

“in addition to the current trials, we have a growing pipeline of about 18 trials that will be offered in the near future,” Seabrooke says.

Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center has been officially accepted into the national Cancer institute’s (nCi) Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) and Gynecology Oncology Group (GOG) as an affiliate of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in houston, TX. The SWOG and GOG memberships rep-resent major steps for the research program at Banner MD Anderson that will provide additional access for our patients to new and innova-tive therapies within nCi sponsored clinical trials.

If you’re interested in learning more about the clinical trials offered at Banner MD Anderson, call the main line at 480-256-6444.

Leaann Benzer’s breast cancer was caught in the early stages.

BannerMDAnderson.com 3

By DeBra GelBarT

A s a volunteer at Banner MD

Anderson Cancer Center, Anna

Ortega wants to be “the person

I wish I could have met” when she was

diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer

seven years ago at 45.

Told then that the cancer had spread

to her bones and that she was considered

terminal, Ortega relied on her strong

faith, upbeat attitude and her “fantastic

doctors, who were eager to learn as much

as I was eager to live and who never

treated me like a victim.” Living in New

York City at the time, she longed to meet

a survivor of Stage 4 cancer.

She and her husband moved to the

Valley in 2009, about four years after

her diagnosis. The dry climate here

eases the achiness in her bones. They

settled in Gilbert, close to what would

soon become the newest cancer center

in Greater Phoenix bringing together

Banner Health and MD Anderson

Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.

FirsT a paTienT, Then a volunTeerSteve Playford’s journey to volunteering

began when he was a patient at Banner

MD Anderson Cancer Center. He and his

wife live just a mile away from the center.

After he was diagnosed with prostate

cancer, his urologist left town for six

weeks, so he decided to attend an open

house held at the cancer center last sum-

mer before it officially opened. He said

one of the doctors there spoke with him

for 45 minutes about his diagnosis. Play-

ford, 64, toured the new facility and was

so impressed with the level of caring he

encountered, he became a patient of one

of the urologists at Banner MD Ander-

son. After he completed his treatment,

he decided to become a volunteer. Now,

every Tuesday morning, he volunteers in

radiation oncology for four hours.

rewarDs, opporTuniTies are plenTiFulOrtega also was eager to give back and

volunteer. She, too, was assigned to the

radiation oncology department, where

she would greet patients and escort

them to their treatment. Then, she was

asked if she would like to volunteer in

the Boutique of Hope, which sells breast

prostheses, wigs and accessories for

cancer patients. Ortega jumped at the

chance to “help women get through

cancer, which tries to rob them of so

much.” She is now training to become

a certified prosthesis fitter. Without a

doubt, she said, the best part of volun-

teering is “meeting people whose eyes

light up when they find out I’m a Stage 4

survivor. I love knowing that they get

a measure of hope when we talk.”

Shelly Orona, the volunteer program

coordinator at Banner MD Anderson

Cancer Center, said Ortega and Playford

are two of about 100 volunteers at the

center. She said volunteers must be at

least 18 years old and be willing to be

interviewed, undergo a background

check, pass a health screening and

attend a volunteer orientation. Each

volunteer is asked to work a four-hour

shift each week. “The most meaning-

ful thing a volunteer can do is simply

listen when a patient wants to talk,”

Orona said. “Everyone can use a ray of

sunshine in their day and that’s what we

hope to accomplish through our volun-

teers.” Orona said volunteers can work

at the information desk, in the Boutique

of Hope, in diagnostic imaging, in the

infusion center where patients receive

chemotherapy treatments, in radiation

oncology and in the learning center.

“This couldn’t be a better place —

for volunteers and patients,” Playford

said. “It’s as leading-edge, as profes-

sional and as compassionate as you

will ever deal with.”

To become a volunteer, contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 480-256-3216.

Giving back ‘feels good’Volunteers at Banner MD Anderson try to ease patients’ way

Cancer survivor Anna Ortega gives back by volunteering at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center.

4 OCTOBER 2012 CREATinG hOpE

By Brian soDoMa

T echnology and the Internet

have helped many re-connect

with old friends and family

members. Coupled with the mapping

of the human genome people want

to reconnect with their ancestry in a

more personalized way. With genetic

family trees, one can gain great insight

into health pre-dispositions and even

hereditary cancer risk.

April O’Connor, director of the

Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center’s

Clinical Genetics Program, is a certified

genetic counselor. The genetics expert

facilitates family history discussions

with her patients and guides them

in the process of constructing their

cancer-focused genetic family tree. She

helps people look at least three genera-

tions (child, parent, grandparent, aunts/

uncles, cousins) into their family history

to enable them to better assess and un-

derstand their hereditary cancer risk.

Here, O’Connor shares some

important questions she asks of her

patients when constructing cancer-

focused genetic family trees:

• Age? What is a family member’s age,

and if they developed cancer, how

old were they at diagnosis? If an

individual was under 50, that can

be a red flag for hereditary cancer,

O’Connor says.

• Cancer Type? Was it a rare form of

cancer, like ovarian or male breast

cancer? Was it a recurrence or a new

primary? What type of cancer was

it? For example, if it was thyroid

cancer, was it medullary, papillary

or follicular?

• in Breast Cancer: It is important to

know if the cancer occurred in one

breast or both breasts at the same

time. Bilateral (both breasts) breast

cancer is more concerning for the

possibility of a hereditary predis-

position to cancer, the genetic

counselor says.

• Two cancers? Is the family history

significant for individuals who had

two separate primary cancers of a

different type? Colon and endome-

trial cancer or breast and ovarian

cancer in the same individual, for

example, can be associated with

a hereditary cancer syndrome,

O’Connor explains.

• How Many? How many people in

the family had a certain type of can-

cer? If there are many relatives with

the same type of cancer, particularly

on one side of a family, the fam-

ily history is more suspicious for a

hereditary cancer syndrome.

• ethnic Background? Individuals

of Ashkenazi Jewish decent, for

example, have an increased risk

for hereditary breast and ovarian

cancer, O’Connor adds. There are

parallels associated with other

ethnicities as well.

• Prophylactic surgery? It’s important

to ask family members if they’ve

had prophylactic surgeries such

as a hysterectomy and oophorec-

tomy. A family history may not look

suspicious for a hereditary cancer

syndrome because of a lack of

that cancer type in relatives due

to these surgeries removing the

at-risk organs.

Learn more about family histories on our website at www.bannermdanderson.com. For appointments with the Clinical Cancer Genetics program, please call 480-256-6444.

Climbing the genetic family treeBig questions when looking at your family’s cancer history

BannerMDAnderson.com 5

possibly including a blood test for

prostate specific antigen (PSA) and

digital rectal examination. The PSA test

is a blood test drawn by taking a blood

sample from a vein, and the digital

rectal examination is performed in a

physician’s office to feel for abnormali-

ties of the prostate.

Patients may experience some pres-

sure and a sensation of urgency to uri-

nate. There may be some discomfort if

the prostate gland is irritated or swollen,

or if there are nearby fissures or sores.

There may be a small risk of bleeding,

for example, if there are hemorrhoids.

Does everyone need to undergo screening?

A: There is still controversy about

whether screening is warranted,

as debate remains as to how much

benefit is derived from screening pop-

ulations, as well as recognizing issues

including potential for overdiagnosis,

complications of treatment, and im-

pact on quality of life. Different groups

such as the American Urologic Associa-

tion (AUA), American Cancer Society

(ACS), and United States Preventive

Services Task Force (USPSTF) may have

differing opinions. The decision to

screen for prostate cancer should in-

volve a discussion between the patient

and health care provider regarding the

benefits and risks of screening.

When should men start getting prostate exams?

A: When the decision is made to

screen, recommendations for

timing may vary between groups. For

example, the ACS suggests screening

to begin at age 50 in patients with life

expectancy felt to be more than 10 years.

For patients felt to be at higher risk, such

as African Americans, patients with a

family history of prostate cancer, and

the presence of some genetic predispo-

sitions, consideration may be given to

screen perhaps five to ten years earlier.

askthe expertBryan Wong, MD, phD, an oncologist from Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Gilbert, discusses the importance of prostate screenings for early detection of prostate cancer

By alison sTanTon

This year, Wong said, prostate

cancer will be diagnosed in

approximately 240,000 patients

and is the most common form of cancer

in men in the United States after non-

melanoma skin cancers.

It is the second most common cause

of cancer related-death, after lung cancer,

with around 28,000 men predicted to die

in 2012 in the U.S. from the disease.

“For men in the U.S., the overall

estimated lifetime risk of being diag-

nosed with prostate cancer is approxi-

mately one in six, with risk of death

approximately one in 34,” he said.

With these sobering statistics in

mind, Wong answered several questions

about prostate screening exams:

Why are prostate exams important?

A: The idea behind screening is

to identify patients so that we

may intervene early and reduce mor-

bidity and mortality from this disease.

Outcome correlates with a variety of

factors, especially with the extent of

disease at the time of diagnosis.

What does the procedure entail? About how long does

it take, and is it painful?

A: Screening for prostate cancer

may involve one or more tests,

For more information about prostate cancer, visit bannermdanderson.com.

Q:

Q:

Q:

Q:

6 OCTOBER 2012 CREATinG hOpE

As the largest nonprofit health

care system in Arizona, Banner

Health relies on the generous

support of individuals, corporations

and foundations to deliver on its

promise to provide the best patient

care. Patients deserve a highly inte-

grated experience, and many of the

programs and services made possible

through philanthropy are an enor-

mous part of that experience.

The Bashas’ family of stores is one

of many corporations that are helping

build a stronger, healthier community.

During the month of October, Bashas’

asks you to Join Our Team in the Fight

Against Breast Cancer. Banner Health

has partnered with Bashas’ for an

exciting in-store promotion to benefit

breast cancer programs at Banner MD

Anderson Cancer Center.

Throughout October, all Arizona

Bashas’ and Food City stores will sell

special pink icons for $1 each, with

all proceeds benefitting breast cancer

programs and services at Banner MD

Anderson. In addition, beginning

October 1 and continuing through

the end of the year, 10 cents from

each case of Bashas’ pink-labeled

bottled water sold will support the

cancer center.

Bashas’ and Food City locations

in the Phoenix Metro area will also be

collecting donations at checkout and

will sell specially marked pink items

in recognition of Breast Cancer Aware-

ness Month. All of these proceeds will

be donated to Banner MD Anderson.

Once patients meet with a

physician in the Undiag-

nosed Breast Clinic, they take

a short walk to the Women’s Imaging

Center for appropriate testing. From

diagnostic mammography and MRI

to ultrasound and image-guided

biopsies, this imaging center is

second to none.

The center is now designated as a

Breast Imaging Center of Excellence

by the American College of Radiology

(ACR). This designation is awarded to

breast imaging centers that achieve

excellence in all of the ACR’s volun-

tary breast-imaging accreditation

programs.

The accreditation certifies that

Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center

has achieved high practice standards

in image quality, personnel qualifica-

tions, facility equipment, quality

control procedures, and quality

assurance programs.

Banner MD Anderson Cancer

Center’s Breast Center is now fully

accredited in mammography, stereo-

tactic breast biopsy, breast ultrasound

and ultrasound-guided breast biopsy.

Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center

is proud to be the first Banner Health

facility in Arizona to acquire the Breast

Imaging Center of Excellence accredi-

tation and is proud to be among an

A Center of Excellence

Banner Health and Bashas’ partner to raise awareness, fundsfor Banner MD Anderson

for more info:

Follow us on Facebook: Facebook.com/bannermdanderson

BAnner MD AnDerSOn CAnCer CenterOn the campus of Banner Gateway Medical CenterU.S. 60 and higley Road in Gilbert

Schedule an appointment: (480) 256-6444Check out our website bannermdanderson.com

elite group of breast imaging centers

that have achieved this designation.

The Breast Imaging Center of Excel-

lence designation reflects the impor-

tance we place on providing the high-

est quality of care to our patients.

To make an appointment at the Women’s imaging Center, please call 480-543-6900.

BannerMDAnderson.com 7

By sTephanie conner

When Linda Deutsch had her

regular screening mammo-

gram last year, the radiologist

decided to biopsy a lump in her breast.

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer on

a Friday,” Deutsch, 62, recalls. “And Banner

MD Anderson opened on Monday.”

It’s a year later, and she’s just one

of the more than 3,500 people helped

by Banner MD Anderson Cancer Cen-

ter in Gilbert.

“I was in such a stupor when I found

out, but everyone I talked to said to go

to Banner MD Anderson,” she says, and

when she met with the doctors and staff,

she knew it was a good decision. “I liked

everyone I met with. … I had a good feel-

ing. I felt comfortable.”

our approachWith a lot of diseases, diagnosis and treat-

ment are straightforward, says Edgardo

Rivera, M.D., the Cancer Center’s medical

director. But cancer isn’t like that.

“Cancer is not like any other disease,”

he says. “With a few exceptions, cancer

essentially has become a multi-modality

type of disease…you might need feed-

back from a medical oncologist, radia-

tion oncologist and surgeon. You need

support services like pharmacy, psychol-

ogy, physical therapy, genetics.”

As it’s developed over the past year,

Banner MD Anderson has made it a

point to focus on not just the treatment

of cancer, but also on prevention and

survivorship services.

“For a cancer patient,” Rivera says, “it’s

also about what happens on their journey

even once they finish treatment.”

As the Cancer Center commemo-

rates its first anniversary, there is much

to celebrate, including the opening of the

building itself, the hiring of nationally

and internationally known experts, the

development of a clinical trial program

and more. But perhaps most important

is people like Deutsch and Manny Fim-

bres — people who have fought cancer

inside these walls.

BeaTinG cancerIn November, Deutsch underwent

a surgery, called a lumpectomy, to

remove the lump in her breast. Eight

days later, after an examination of

the lymph nodes showed the can-

cer had spread, she had surgery to

remove the lymph nodes under the

arm. That was followed by six months

of chemotherapy and then two

months of radiation treatment.

“The people I worked with were all

terrific,” she says. “They really took care

of me and made me feel safe.”

When Fimbres, 43, was looking for an

oncologist, he and his wife struggled to

find a doctor they liked — until a friend

recommended Banner MD Anderson.

“We went to the building to do a tour.

We were sold by their attitude and their

demeanor,” he remembers. “They were so

nice. You were a person, not just another

number on a medical record. … There was

no doubt I was getting treatment there.”

Treating Fimbres’ anal cancer

involved a very aggressive six weeks of bi-

weekly chemotherapy and daily (Monday

through Friday) radiation therapy. Today,

the cancer is in remission, and Fimbres’

doctor is monitoring him closely.

“Luckily enough, my cancer was not

that fully developed,” he says. “I got there

just in time to get treated.”

For Deutsch, while she’s continued

to work and enjoy activities such as bike

riding through her treatments, one thing

she hasn’t been able to do is travel. With

cancer treatment behind her, she’s look-

ing forward to traveling to Boston to visit

her daughter and grandkids — which is

just the beginning.

“I look forward to having my life

back,” she says.

‘Everyone said … go to Banner Md Anderson’ One year later, Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center has saved lives, made a difference in battle against cancer

Linda Deutsch is one of hundreds of patients who have benefited by coming to Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center in the hospital’s first year.

To schedule an appointment, call 480-256-6444

livinG anD copinG wiTh cancer supporT Group5:30 p.m., Third Tuesday of each monthA therapeutic support group led by licensed social workers to encourage hope and healing for all cancer survivors. Support is welcome to attend but please no children under 16 years of age.

Journey To wellness Group4 p.m., Third Wednesday of each monthA wellness education group led by a registered dietitian and exercise physiologist that promotes healthy lifestyles. A different topic is discussed every month. October – beginning a backyard Organic Gardennovember – Cancelled due to holidayDecember – having a healthy holiday (nutrition and Exercise)

nuTriTion DurinG cancer TreaTMenT9 a.m., First Tuesday of each monthA registered dietician will discuss optimal nutrition for cancer patients. You will learn how to preserve lead body mass, decrease risk of infection, maintain physical strength and improve your tolerance to cancer treatment.

Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center offers a

variety of classes and support groups to assist

cancer survivors and their support teams.

These classes are free and open to the public. Classes

are held at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center,

2946 E. Banner Gateway Drive, Gilbert, AZ, 85234.

Events and Classes

For questions, contact the Health and Wellness Coordinator at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center at 480-256-4141.

PRESORTED STD

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

LONG BEACH, CA

PERMIT NO.1677

cheMoTherapy class3 p.m., First and Third Thursdays of each monthpatients and caregivers are encouraged to attend this introductory class to cancer, chemotherapy and side effect management. Our nursing and pharmacy staff will help you better understand how chemotherapy works and offer helpful tips for managing common side effects such as low blood counts, nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, and much more.