2017 Winter Edition
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Laurence J Heifetz, MD, FACP
Welcome to our Winter 2017 edition of Tahoe Cancer News. In this issue we are offering you an overview of some creative programs here at the Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center. It’s loaded with useful information, so hold on to it!
Thomas Semrad, MD, MAS, FACP, Medical Oncology and Hematology
Cancer treatment has changed a lot in the last few years. One of the major changes is the development of targeted cancer therapies. These medications treat cancer in a different way from traditional chemotherapy. Chemotherapy typically acts to kill rapidly dividing cancerous and normal cells.
Holistic Care to Live the Best Life Possible
Cathey Bervid, FNP, AOCNP, Nurse Practitioner
Palliative Care is not a new concept, but has recently become more defined and standardized. The definition of Palliative Care is to provide multi-disciplinary care to patients giving relief to physical, mental, psychosocial and spiritual symptoms.
Lynelle Tyler, PSYD, Clinical Psychologist
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to create new connections. New connections are capable of being formed from birth to death and come about when we learn something new. Our brains are constantly updating information in an effort to help us survive more effectively.
The cost of cancer care can cause financial stress, especially in patients with private insurance. Most patients with Medicare have a supplement and therefore have 100% coverage, and patients who qualify for MediCal do not have to pay anything towards the cost of their care.
Your Cancer Friend
Ann Ajari, LCSW, Medical Social Worker
About 3 weeks after your breast cancer diagnosis, you should expect a phone call from Ann Ajari, inviting you to the WeCARE!â„¢ Peer Navigator program. She will explain how you can be matched with a breast cancer survivor who will give you personal, friendly, one-to-one support.
In June of 2012, we opened the doors to the Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center and launched the Community for Cancer Care Endowment. Since that time, over $1.2 million has been raised to support the endowment.