St. Francis MDs to tackle fed panel’s controversial mammogram position

INDIANAPOLIS – A panel of St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers cancer physicians will discuss how recently announced government recommendations on mammogram screenings for breast cancer may affect patients.

An informational meeting on that issue will be 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 9, at St. Francis Hospital-Indianapolis, 5255 E. Stop 11 Road, Suite 305.

The breast cancer experts include Peter Garrett, M.D., (St. Francis Cancer Center Director and radiation oncologist), Denise Johnson Miller, M.D., (surgeon, St. Francis Medical Group), Michael Fisher, M.D. (radiologist, St. Francis Breast Cancer Center of Excellence) and Subhash Sharma, M.D. (medical oncologist, St. Francis Oncology & Hematology Specialists).

The panel will focus on breast cancer detection through mammograms, the value of self-examinations and treatment options. They also will address the recent controversial recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

In a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine (Nov. 17), the group announced most women don’t need mammograms in their 40s and should get one every two years starting at 50

That recommendation was a break with the American Cancer Society’s long-standing position – and held by most physicians – that women should get screening mammograms starting at age 40.

The meeting is free to the public, but reservations are encouraged. To register, call 317-782-4422.

To learn more about the St. Francis Cancer Center, go to http://stfrancishospitals.org/cancer.

Oncology surgeon brings expertise to St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers

INDIANAPOLIS – Denise L. Johnson Miller, M.D., has joined St. Francis Medical Group and appointed director of the St. Francis Breast Surgery Program effective Dec.1.

Johnson Miller comes to her new position from the Stanford University Medical Center, Calif., where she was director of cancer outreach and the melanoma surgery programs as well as practicing at Stanford Hospital and Clinics and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.

She also was Associate Professor of Surgery at the Stanford University School of Medicine and has held other academic and administrative positions with the university. Additionally, she has served as General Surgery Section Chief at Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Johnson Miller, who specializes in breast cancer and melanoma surgery, has served as principal investigator of numerous trials, notably in the study of immunosuppression mechanisms in patients with cancer.

Board-certified in general surgery, she has amassed numerous honors and awards throughout her career. She has been listed among “America’s Top Doctors for Cancer” (Castle Connelly), was the inaugural National Medical Leadership In Education Award winner, is recognized in Women of Color in Education, Health and Technology; is a member of the New York Academy of Sciences; and received the Minority Medical Faculty Recognition Award, Stanford University.

Johnson Miller earned her medical degree at Washington University, interned in general surgery at Jewish Hospital of St. Louis, and completed her surgical residency at the University of Illinois Affiliated Hospitals (Chicago). She was a research fellow in immunology at the University of Dallas and a fellow in surgical oncology at the City of Hope National Medical Center.

Widely published in medical journals, Johnson Miller holds several memberships in professional organizations, including Association of American Women Surgeons, Society of Surgical Oncology, American College of Surgeons, Society of Black Academic Surgeons, American Association of Cancer Research, American Society of Clinical Oncology and is an associate of the National Cancer Institute.

To learn more about services at the St. Francis Cancer Center, go to www.stfrancishospitals.org/cancer.

One for the books: Cancer group offers conversation, camaraderie – and compassion

INDIANAPOLIS – A diagnosis of cancer can leave a person feeling as if he or she is walking a lonely road. But a newly formed cancer support book club helps patients learn from those who have traveled a similar path.

This newly formed cancer support book club is open to any cancer patient, caregiver or those affected by cancer. Participants of this book club choose and read books written by cancer survivors, or those who have passed.

The group meets the third Thursday of each month from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The next book club will meet Thursday, Dec. 17. Meetings are held at 911 East 86th St., Suite 40, Indianapolis, directly across the parking lot from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society offices.

Participants are asked to commit time to the reading group, as this club largely depends on participant involvement. Groups will decide which books they want to read at future meetings.

Barbra Cunningham, R.N., and Stephanie Costley, M.S.W., will lead the discussions and offer medical and emotional feedback. Ample time will be provided for participants’ questions and discussion; light refreshments are served.

Enrollment is limited to 12 persons. To register, call Claire Kammen, at 317-726-2275, extension 217.

The program is co-sponsored by the Indiana Blood and Marrow Transplantation unit at St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers and The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

More information about the Indiana Blood and Marrow Transplantion unit at St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers can be found at www.ibmtindy.com.

More youngsters in need of Operation Bright Christmas donations

BEECH GROVE, Ind. – While there has been, in recent weeks, some glimmer the economy is on a slight rebound, more families are still feeling its dim effects. That’s why St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers is stepping up its efforts in its partnering with LifeBridge Community for Operation Bright Christmas

The annual program serves families during the holidays, benefiting children living in poverty in Beech Grove and Indianapolis’ south side. St. Francis has joined with LifeBridge and is now accepting donations until Dec. 17 to help these families.

So far, the families of 525 children have requested assistance – a substantial increase over last year’s 400.

Donations being accepted: new toys, new or gently used infant clothing and items, wrapping paper, gift bags, tags, ribbon, batteries, DVDs or CDs (“G” or “PG” rating only), video and board games (“G” rating only), twin size bedding, gift cards in small denominations, faith-based items, and sports toys (balls, bats, gloves, etc.).

Donors are asked not to provide clothing, or toys that are of violent and occult nature. Toys that are broken or missing pieces also will not be accepted.

Donations are being accepted 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the Spiritual Care offices at St. Francis Hospital-Beech Grove, 1600 Albany St.; St. Francis Hospital-Indianapolis, 8111 S. Emerson Ave.; and St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville, 1201 Hadley Road.

Last year, more than 400 youngsters received gifts through Operation Bright Christmas, thanks to the many donors, volunteers and participating organizations. St. Francis filled a large truck with toy donations.

“We believe the need will be even greater this year as many are reeling from the effects the recession and the spike in unemployment,” said Julia Dearing, who is helping coordinate St. Francis’ participation in the gift-giving program.

LifeBridge Community is a faith-based ministry that seeks to instill hope in the lives of children, young adults and families through nurturing relationships and supportive services. More information about the organization is at www.lifebridge-community.org.

IU cancer pharmacy chief to discuss head, neck chemotherapies at St. Francis

INDIANAPOLIS – How does chemotherapy really work to kill cancer cells in patients where the disease has attacked their head and neck area?

That will be among the topics the clinical director of oncology pharmacy services at the IU Simon Cancer Center will tackle in a presentation before the Support for People with Oral, Head and Neck Cancer, 7 .m. to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 3.

Christopher Fausel, Pharm. D., also will discuss managing the side effects of chemotherapy and the historical evolution of drugs used for the treatment of head and neck cancer.

The meeting, which is part of a free series, will be at the St. Francis Education Center, 5935 S. Emerson Ave., Suite 100. Participants can share their experiences and learn from other cancer patients. Ample time will be provided for participants’ questions and discussion.

This monthly support group meets the first Thursday of each month and is for anyone with oral, head or neck cancer, regardless of stage or type of cancer. Caregivers are welcome.

For more information, call 317-782-4422.

To learn more about services at the St. Francis Cancer Center, go to http://www.stfrancishospitals.org/cancer.