Jean Moseley Joins Center as New Patient Advocate
The Tuality/OHSU Cancer Center is pleased to announce the addition of Jean R. Moseley, RN, MN, as the center’s new “patient advocate.” In this role, she helps patients and their families manage many life-issues impacted by cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Jean provides guidance and assistance with counseling, education, advocacy, home-care planning, referrals to community resources, and much more.
“I really work to establish trusting relationships and help people find the right path during a very difficult time,” said Jean, who is a breast cancer survivor herself. “I am someone who can acknowledge what’s going on for them and help them make sense of it.”
Jean brings expansive and varied experience in cancer care and research to the role. Prior to stepping aside from nursing in 2005, she served as the nurse coordinator for developing and implementing the Legacy Breast Health Centers at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital and Legacy Meridian Park Hospital.
Beginning in the early 1970s, she served in many oncology-related positions with organizations such as Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, Oregon Health & Science University Hospital, and the University of Washington School of Nursing.
In her role at the Tuality/OHSU Cancer Center, she begins by getting to know the patients and their families, and finding out if they comprehend the diagnosis and the implications of how the illness and treatment may impact their lives.
“Cancer happens in addition to everything else in life,” Jean said. “People still have to pay their taxes, pick up their kids from school, get dinner on the table and go to work. I’m here to help smooth out the wrinkles. But sometimes those wrinkles become hurdles.”
She said these hurdles might include depression or other psychological challenges, financial and insurance difficulties, end-of-life planning, and even transportation and lodging situations for people who must travel long distances for daily radiation treatments.
Tina Dickerson, director, Tuality/OHSU Cancer Center, said that in addition to Jean’s clinical experience, she brings a vast understanding of the resources and programs available to assist patients and their families during this time.
“Her experience is perfect for this position,” said Tina. “Our staff feels very fortunate to have her here. And our patients and families are receiving a level of guidance that Jean is uniquely suited to provide.”
A charter member of the national Oncology Nursing Society, Jean said that after more than 30 years working on the treatment-team side, she finds the change and variety of challenges in the advocacy role personally fulfilling.
“No two patients are alike and no two days are alike,” she said. “What I love about working at this center is that everyone believes in the same philosophy, and that’s doing what is best for the patients.”
[May 5, 2008]
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'Seed Implant Brachytherapy' Reduces
Side Effects for Prostate Cancer Patients
The Tuality/OHSU Cancer Center, Westside Urology Associates LLP, and Tuality Healthcare have combined efforts to begin offering a newer "internal" radiation therapy that produces fewer side effects when treating certain men with prostate cancer.
Called "seed implant brachytherapy," the procedure involves the permanent implantation of a number of "I-125 radioactive seeds," which are about the size of a small grain of rice, into the prostate gland.
Since the seeds are placed in such close proximity to the cancer cells, the therapy ensures that a relatively large amount of radiation is delivered to a very small area. This can reduce typical side effects by diminishing radiation damage to healthy tissues located close to the prostate.
"Many patients with prostate cancer are candidates for this curative procedure," said Charlotte Dai Kubicky, M.D., Ph.D., medical director, Tuality/OHSU Cancer Center. "Unlike conventional external-beam radiation that requires daily treatment for up to eight weeks, permanent prostate implant is a one-time treatment. Most patients can go home on the same day, and therefore have fewer interruptions in their lives."
Seed implant brachytherapy is one of several radiation techniques used to treat prostate cancer, a serious health threat for men. The American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 220,000 men in the United States were diagnosed with the condition in 2007, and it has or will prove fatal for about 27,000 of them. These statistics make prostate cancer the second leading cause of cancer death in men behind lung cancer.
"This new procedure helps to expand available prostate cancer care options in western Washington County," said Tina Dickerson, director, Tuality/OHSU Cancer Center. "We are very pleased to add this proven and effective weapon to our cancer-treatment arsenal."
With this outpatient procedure, a radiation oncologist and urologist work together using ultrasound imaging to implant the seeds directly into the prostate. The seeds usually number between 40 and 100.
Because the seeds are so small, their presence causes little discomfort. They continue to give off low doses of radiation for weeks or months, and will lose all radioactivity within a year. Side effects may include sexual, urinary and rectal problems, appetite loss and fatigue.
[Feb 28, 2008]
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The 2008 Breast Cancer Issues™ Conference
Organized by Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Oregon and SW Washington
Saturday, March 8
8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Oregon Convention Center, Portland.
Local and national experts will lead sessions on diverse topics, including nutrition and exercise, risk reduction strategies, heredity issues, hormone replacement therapy, treatment side effects, inspiring stories of survival, and much more. The conference provides a rich learning and sharing opportunity for healthcare professionals, cancer survivors, support individuals and others. Pre-registration deadline is Friday, Feb. 29, and cost is $40 per person or $60 for those wishing to earn CEU credits. A limited number of scholarships may be available. To register of for more information, go to www.komenoregon.org, or call 503-552-9160.
[Feb 6, 2008]
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