Five-year survival rates among patients treated by Seattle Cancer Care Alliance for eight types of cancer are higher than for patients treated at other academic medical centers, as well as large and small community cancer centers nationwide, according to data compiled by the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB).
Oncologists and researchers are discovering that when it comes to treating breast cancer, “doing less does more” for patients. This approach kills the cancer while improving cure rates and decreasing the chance of the cancer returning. It also spares patients the damaging side effects of treatment caused by toxic chemotherapy, less-precise radiation therapy, unnecessary diagnostic radiology and surgery.
The largest analysis to date comparing ultrasound and mammography to evaluate women ages 30 to 39 with symptoms of possible breast cancer concludes that ultrasound is a superior diagnostic tool and that U.S. clinical practice guidelines, which currently recommend mammography as the first evaluation in these women, should be reconsidered.
Lung cancer is the No. 1 cause of cancer deaths in the United States, despite the fact it is largely preventable. For people at high risk of developing lung cancer, such as current or former longtime smokers, screening for the disease with low-dose CT scans is now a viable option that has been shown to significantly reduce mortality rates. In conjunction with National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) wants to raise awareness about the importance of prevention and early detection for at-risk populations.
“Shine,” a cancer specialty store and neighborhood mercantile encourages people to “Shop for a Cause” this holiday season. Owned and operated by Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA), the 2,000-square-foot store includes cancer specialty items as well as kitchenware, jewelry, games and novelties for all ages.
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance’s (SCCA) Rainer Storb, MD, was honored at the American Society of Hematology’s (ASH) Annual Conference in Atlanta, Ga., yesterday with its Mentor Award for Basic Science for his continued, outstanding commitment to the training and career development of junior hematologists. ASH will inaugurate Dr. Janis Abkowitz, who runs SCCA’s Hematology Clinic, as its president tomorrow in the traditional passing of the gavel ceremony at the close of the ASH Conference.
Preventable strands of the human papilloma virus (HPV) are linked to 70 percent of all cervical cancer cases. Adolescent vaccination dramatically reduces your daughter’s risk of transmitting or contracting cancer-causing HPV in adulthood.
Prevention and early detection saves lives
Recently employees from both Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (Fred Hutch) and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) were recognized with industry awards for being leading innovators in health care.
The University of Washington and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) partnered to launch UW-OncoPlex – an advanced gene sequencing test to help clinicians treat cancer.
By the end of 2011, most of the 255 Washington residents who received a prescription for lethal medication to end their lives under the state’s Death with Dignity Act had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Of those, 40 were patients at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, part of the Pacific Northwest’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Because several states are considering similar Death with Dignity laws, and because such legislation disproportionately affects cancer patients and their families, SCCA conducted a study to describe the institution’s implementation of the Washington state law and its experience with patients who chose to participate. The study’s findings are published in the April 11, 2013 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.
Patients from ethnic minority and mixed-racial backgrounds are less likely to receive a lifesaving bone marrow transplant than Caucasian patients with the same disease due to lack of matching donors, according to the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP).
In observance of May’s Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) has provided tips for prevention and early detection.
Today the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC), the educational arm of the country’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) organization, recognized Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) and UW Medicine’s four hospitals and as “Leaders in LGBT Healthcare Equality” in the Healthcare Equality Index 2013.
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) doctors were recently honored by a judging panel of their peers for providing outstanding cancer care
Swim Across America (SAA), a non-profit dedicated to raising money for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swimming-related events, today announced its fifth-annual Swim Across America – Seattle Open Water Swim. The event will benefit Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.
Tri-Cities Cancer Center has joined the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) Network to become its ninth affiliate in the greater Northwest. The affiliation will expand local access to cancer treatment options and help foster advances in cancer care.
Following recent debate over screening among the medical community, world-renowned breast cancer experts at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) recognized the need for simple answers for women confused about detection methods. SCCA’s doctors have answered the call and developed clear guidelines to simplify recommendations from the American Cancer Society on breast cancer prevention and screening.
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately one in six men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) urologic oncologist, Dr. Jonathan Wright aims to change this grim statistic and started a local team, MoDawgs to participate in the international Movember campaign to raise awareness and funds for men’s health. As part of this effort, Dr. Wright has called on men to grow a mustache or ‘Mo’ during the month of November and has developed guidelines to simplify prostate cancer prevention and screening recommendations. The Get Smart About Your Prostate Cancer Risk infographic provides screening recommendations for each life stage and for those who believe they are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer.
Healthy for the Holidays is an educational event for cancer survivors including people currently undergoing treatment – and for those who support them – hosted by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Survivorship Program and the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Women’s Wellness Center.
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) is proud to announce the recent hiring of two expert hematologists. Dr. David A. Garcia joins SCCA as a specialist in treating thrombosis and blood disorders and will also serve as professor of hematology in the Department of Medicine /Hematology and associate medical director for Antithrombotic Therapy at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Dr. Stephen Douglas Smith joins SCCA as a medical oncologist with specific expertise in treating patients with lymphoma and is also an associate professor in the University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology. Dr. Smith will also serve as an attending physician at the University of Washington Medical Center.
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) and its specialty gift and oncology services store, Shine, were recently recognized by the South Lake Union Chamber of Commerce for their contributions to the community. SCCA was honored as Non-Profit of the Year for offering outstanding benefits and contributions to the community and for providing a much-needed service with a measurable outcome of results. Shine was recognized as Retailer of the Year for being a local South Lake Union retail store that demonstrated excellence in service, products, substantial growth, and community involvement. Additionally, the Chamber presented Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center with the Excellence in Business award in the large business category. Established in 2008, the annual SLU Chamber Awards are an opportunity for the Chamber of Commerce to recognize outstanding individuals, organizations and companies that have significantly contributed to both the Chamber and the South Lake Union neighborhood.
Lung cancer steals more lives each year than colorectal, breast and prostate cancers combined, according to the American Cancer Society. Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) experts are dedicated to reducing this alarming statistic by developing and offering breakthrough diagnostic tests and treatment options to patients through clinical trials. Patients are currently benefitting from SCCA’s next- generation genetic testing and revolutionary immunotherapy treatments, leading to improved cure rates while decreasing damaging side effects from traditional treatments. Both anti-PDL-1 and UW-OncoPlex are changing the way doctors treat lung cancer, bringing renewed hope to patients fighting this challenging disease.
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) and UW Medicine are pleased to announce that UW Physician Dr. William P. Hammond will join the SCCA oncology program based on UW Medicine’s Northwest Hospital & Medical Center campus. A nationally recognized oncologist with more than 35 years of experience, Dr. Hammond joins UW as a clinical professor of hematology and medical oncology. He will be responsible for developing the SCCA practice of general hematology and medical oncology as well as establishing a clinical training program for fellow and residents at Northwest Hospital.
Alarmingly, more than 200,000 Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year and nearly 160,000 people will die of the disease. In fact, according to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer takes more lives each year than colorectal, breast and prostate cancers combined. Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) experts are committed to reducing these lethal statistics and have developed tools to simplify lung cancer prevention and screening recommendations. The Breath of Fresh Air infographic offers guidance on smoking cessation and the Breaking News infographic provides risk factors and screening recommendations for those who believe they are at a higher risk of developing lung cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, the death rate from cancer in the U.S. has declined steadily over the past two decades. This decline translates into more than 1.3 million lives saved. Despite these encouraging gains, approximately 1.66 million Americans be diagnosed with cancer and more than 585,000 will die from the disease in 2014. Experts at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) are committed to reducing these statistics further through advanced prevention tactics. In recognition of National Cancer Prevention Month, SCCA has developed tips to reduce the risk of cancer and is also creating a microsite – SCCADoOneThing.org – focused on engaging the public in a dialogue about healthy behaviors and the latest in cancer prevention and screening, which will launch in April.
The Fred Hutchinson Bone Marrow Transplant Program at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) was recently recognized by the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) for outperforming its expected one-year survival rate for allogeneic transplant patients. The results published by the CIBMTR, analyzed the National Marrow Donor Program’s (NMDP) registry of 168 U.S. transplant centers over a three-year period for its 2013 Transplant Center-Specific Survival Report.
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) experts are committed to reducing the number of colon cancer deaths each year and have developed a helpful tool to simplify colon cancer prevention and screening guidelines. The ‘This One Thing Could Save Your Life’ infographic provides risk factors and screening recommendations, as well as information to help reduce the fear associated with colonoscopies.
On Wednesday, March 26, leaders from the Alliance of Dedicated Cancer Centers will gather in Washington D.C. to discuss the war against cancer in a panel discussion led by ABC News political commentator and NPR Morning Edition contributor, Cokie Roberts. Panelists will include cancer treatment and research leaders from Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Moffitt Cancer Center. Members of the media are welcome to attend.
Bend Memorial Clinic (BMC) has joined the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) Network to become its tenth affiliate in the greater Northwest. The affiliation will expand local access to cancer treatment options and help foster advances in cancer care.
It only takes a few bad sunburns or trips to the tanning bed to put someone at risk for melanoma. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States and when left untreated, melanoma is the most dangerous and aggressive form. It accounts for more than 9,000 of the 12,000-plus skin cancer deaths each year. In observance of May’s Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) is focusing on helping teens keep their skin safe this spring with a new infographic.
According to the American Cancer Society, 50 percent of cancer is completely preventable and about 90 percent is curable if detected early. To help people adopt healthier habits that can reduce their risk of developing cancer, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) launched a new mobile app and website, SCCA DoOne Thing.org. The campaign encourages people to start by picking one healthy change and doing it every day until it becomes a habit. The Do One Thing website includes information about diet, exercise, and prevention as well as expert advice from doctors at SCCA and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Once a person has decided what they’d like to change, they can use the Do One Thing app to set daily reminders, track their progress, and more. The app has been downloaded by more than 16,000 people.
Today, the Building Trades National Medical Screening Program (BTMed) and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) expanded their early lung cancer detection program (ELCD) for high risk construction workers in Western Washington. The BTMed program provides CT scans to help screen for early stage lung cancer in people who may have been exposed to hazardous substances while working at the nation's nuclear defense sites. The existing program, which has served at-risk workers in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and Eastern Washington, has already made a meaningful impact through the early detection and timely treatment of several individuals.
Spokane Valley Cancer Center joined the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) Network to become its 12th Member in the Northwest this month. This relationship will expand access to cancer treatment options and help foster advances in cancer care in the greater Spokane community.
Patients in north Seattle and north King County communities can receive expert cancer care closer to home from Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) at UW Medicine’s Northwest Hospital & Medical Center campus. The new clinic joins SCCA Radiation Oncology, which has provided services at Northwest Hospital for the past several years.
Today, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) and the YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish helped support the educational and career advancement of young women of color through a visit to the SCCA campus.
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) doctors were recently recognized by their colleagues for providing exceptional cancer and patient care. In the annual Top Doctors lists announced by Seattle Magazine and Seattle Met, 64 SCCA physicians were recognized as outstanding medical practitioners in the Greater Seattle Area. Seattle Met recognized 46 SCCA physicians in their August “Top Doctors and Nurses” issue, while Seattle Magazine honored 18 doctors in their July Top Doctors issue.
Swim Across America (SAA), a non-profit dedicated to raising money for cancer research, prevention, and treatment through swimming-related events, will host its sixth annual Seattle Open Water Swim on Saturday, September 6. All proceeds from the event will benefit Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) and its mission to turn cancer patients into cancer survivors. Swimmers of all levels are able to participate in two-mile or half-mile swims. Children age 11 and under are also welcome to participate in a 50 meter freestyle open-water Kids’ splash. Additionally, participants will have the exciting opportunity to swim alongside several local Olympians including Mary Wayte, Camille Thompson, Chris Chalmers and Rick Colella.
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) is proud to announce the addition of Angelique L. Richard, PhD, RN. She joins SCCA as Chief Nurse Executive and Vice President of Clinical Operations, bringing nearly 30 years of experience as a registered nurse. In her new role, she will lead patient care delivery, ensure staff accountability for providing a patient-centered clinical practice environment, and oversee general clinical quality and patient safety.
Dr. Larisa Korde, a breast oncology expert from SCCA, is available to discuss screening guidelines, breast health, and what women can do to lower their breast cancer risk.
5th Annual Healthy for the Holidays is an educational event for cancer patients and survivors as well as caregivers, friends, family and health care professionals. The program is hosted by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Survivorship Program and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Women’s Wellness Center.
Today Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) was recognized as a ‘Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality’ by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation in its 2014 Healthcare Equality Index. The annual survey encourages equal care for LGBT Americans, and recognizes health care institutions doing the best work. SCCA earned top marks in meeting non-discrimination and training criteria that demonstrate its commitment to equitable, inclusive care for LGBT patients and their families, who can face significant challenges in securing the quality health care and respect they deserve.
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) is participating in the Seattle/King County Clinic with Remote Area Medical (RAM). The team will be offering free mammogram and cancer screening services with instantaneous results. More than 50 health, human service, and civic organizations from across the State of Washington are joining together to produce a giant free health clinic. In partnership with the humanitarian organization Remote Area Medical (RAM), the four-day volunteer-driven clinic provides a full range of free dental, vision, and medical care to undeserved and vulnerable populations in the region.
As of October 2014, 19 states have enacted laws requiring women to be directly informed if they have dense breasts and would benefit from supplemental screening. However, the recommended type of supplemental screening for women with dense breasts remains unclear. With 15 additional states considering similar laws and federal legislation introduced, physician scientists at the University of Washington and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) investigated the potential impact of supplemental screening for women with dense breast tissue. The study’s findings are published this month online in the journal Radiology.
Katmai Oncology Group has joined the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) Network to become its eleventh affiliate in the greater Northwest. The affiliation will expand local access to cancer treatment options and help foster advances in cancer care.
Inspired by its Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) 2012-2015 report, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) recently launched a health improvement grant program. The new community program addresses specific cancer screening, early detection, and prevention needs for at risk populations in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties. Designed to build sustainable collaborations with Washington communities, SCCA selected seven local nonprofit organizations to receive funds. The SCCA Community Health Improvement Grant program awarded funds up to $7,500 to grantees.
The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Bone Marrow Transplant Program at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) was recently recognized for outperforming its anticipated one-year survival rate for allogeneic transplant patients. The new performance results were calculated by the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) and published in the 2014 Transplant Center-Specific Survival Report. The annual report is designed to provide potential stem cell transplant recipients, their families, and the public with comparative survival rates among transplant centers. This is the second consecutive year the Fred Hutch Bone Marrow Transplant Program at SCCA has achieved higher than expected one-year survival rates, an accomplishment that only 12 other institutions have achieved.
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance/University of Washington Medical Center has been named as one of the top five Best Hospitals in the Nation for Adult Cancer Treatment by U.S. News & World Report for 2015-2016.
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