St. Francis Cancer Center

The Hereditary Cancer Service at St. Francis Cancer Center provides cancer risk assessment, genetic counseling, and testing services for individuals and families with concerns about inherited cancer predispositions. Our genetic counselors are a team of cancer professionals who educate individuals about inherited cancer risks, identifying possible inherited predispositions, ordering appropriate tests, and interpreting results so that you and your doctor can make informed decisions regarding your medical care.  

Opening soon, the donation-based Ingram Guest House will serve patients being treated at St. Frances Cancer Center, who live 30 miles or more outside of Colorado Springs. Ask a cancer center associate for more information. 

Hearing the words "you have cancer" is a very overwhelming time in the life of any patient and family dealing with this complex and difficult disease. Cancer care can be very confusing in that multiple health care providers are involved from the screening process, to diagnosis, testing, treatment, and survivorship. Penrose Cancer Center has established a nurse navigator program to assist patients and families with this journey.

An oncology nurse navigator (ONN) is a professional registered nurse with oncology-specific clinical knowledge who offers assistance to patients, families, and caregivers to help overcome healthcare system barriers. An ONN also provides education and resources to facilitate informed decision making and timely access to quality health and psychosocial care throughout all phases of the cancer continuum.

Research has shown that when nurse navigators become involved early enough after a person has received a cancer diagnosis, they can help steer patients and their families to appropriate care and timely treatment that could dramatically improve patients' chances of living with cancer as a manageable disease.

Penrose and St. Francis Cancer Centers currently offer the following oncology nurse navigation support:

• Breast cancer navigation
• Gastrointestinal cancer navigation
• Gynecologic cancer navigation
• Head & neck cancer navigation
• Lung nodule navigation
• Prostate cancer navigation
• Thoracic cancer navigation

Living with cancer, whether you’re the patient or the caregiver, is difficult and affects all areas of life. Oncology Social Workers can support you with any emotional, social, spiritual, and practical concerns. 

How can an Oncology Social Worker help? 

• Cancer-specific counseling with patients, survivors, and primary caregivers, to help reflect on quality of life, sexual health concerns, role changes, and any emotional concerns, including grief and loss 
• Community resources to address practical needs such as finances, insurance, and transportation

Oncology-trained registered dietitians can assist you with cancer-specific nutritional assessments and individualized plans during any stage of your cancer journey. This includes strategies to address challenges with appetite, weight loss, side-effects, digestive concerns, tube feedings, and more. If you have specific questions related to your diet, let your treatment team know you would like to speak to a dietitian. 

Provided by Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) certified lymphedema therapists (CLTs) Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4 pm.  

• Lymphedema program

  A blend of lymphedema drainage techniques, compression, exercise, and patient education for trunk, head and neck, and extremity management of edema completed by a LANA CLT.  

• Cancer rehabilitation

  Our individualized oncology rehab program prevents and treats conditions resulting from radiation, chemotherapy, or surgical interventions, including edema, fatigue, neuropathy, pain, weakness, and endurance deficits.  

Provides patients access to the most innovative studies related to cancer prevention, early detection and treatment. The research team has information about current trials that may be available to patients based on their individual case.

A screening mammogram is the single most effective method for early detection since it can identify breast cancer several years before a lump can be felt or before other symptoms are present. The Center for Women’s Imaging offers the latest in breast cancer screening with 3D digital mammography, which produces a clearer image to help detect early signs of breast cancer. 
 
Who should get a screening mammogram? The American Cancer Society and the American Colleges of OB-GYN, Surgery, and Radiology recommend the following breast screening guidelines: Yearly mammograms starting at age 40 and continuing every year for as long as a woman is in good health. Women should perform a breast self-exam (BSE) monthly to know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any change or abnormality to their health care provider. 

Some women, because of their family history, a genetic tendency, or certain other factors, may need mammograms at an earlier age, automated breast ultrasound screening (ABUS) or breast MRI in addition to mammograms. If you are concerned about an increased risk of hereditary breast cancer based on your family history, talk with your health care provider.  

The Center for Women’s Imaging performs general, gynecological and vascular ultrasound. Our dynamic group of sonographers is registered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, which means that all our technologists have received top-notch education and are board certified in multiple specialties. Commonly ordered ultrasound tests for women include: 

• Abdominal ultrasound 

• Automated breast ultrasound screening (ABUS) 

• Breast ultrasound 

• Carotid duplex 

• Pelvic ultrasound 

• Renal ultrasound 

• Renal doppler 

• Thyroid/neck ultrasound 

• Venous duplex 

• Ultrasound-guided breast biopsy 

Bone density scanning, also called dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) or bone densitometry, is an enhanced form of x-ray technology that is used to measure bone loss or the presence of osteoporosis.  

DXA is today's established standard for measuring bone mineral density (BMD). DXA is most often performed on the lower spine and hips. DXA bone density scans are recommended if for women older than age 65 and men older than age 70 or women younger than age 65 and men ages 50 to 70 who have risk factors such as: 

• A fracture in any man or woman older than age 50 

• Chronic rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney disease, eating disorders 

• Early menopause, either from natural causes or surgery 

• History of hormone treatment for prostate cancer or breast cancer 

• Significant loss of height (compression fractures of the back) 

• Smoking 

• Strong family history of osteoporosis 

• Taking corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone or methylprednisolone, every day for more than 3 months 

• Three or more drinks of alcohol per day on most days

A biopsy is done when mammograms, other imaging tests, or a physical exam shows a breast change that may be cancer. A biopsy is the only way to know for sure whether tissue is cancerous. During a biopsy, a tiny sample of the suspicious area is removed using a needle and examined under a microscope to determine a diagnosis. 

During a stereotactic breast biopsy, your breast will be gently compressed between two plates. A digital mammogram is used to produce stereo images (images of the same area from different angles) to determine the exact location for the biopsy. Using computer coordinates, the radiologist inserts the needle through the skin, advances it into the lesion, and removes tissue samples.