Cancer Care

Hancock Health is changing the way cancer is found and treated. Using advanced technology, we can catch cancer earlier and improve patient outcomes.

Here are a few common types of cancer screenings:

• Mammograms: An image that can help doctors see if there are abnormalities that could be a sign of breast cancer.
• Pap Smear: Checks cells from the cervix to find cervical cancer.
• Colonoscopy: A test for your colon or large intestine where doctors use a tiny camera to find any signs of colon cancer.
• Skin Check: An exam of your skin to find any unusual spots or moles that might be signs of skin cancer.
• Blood Tests: A small sample of your blood is used to look for signs that something might be going wrong in your body, like certain types of cancer.
• Lung screening: An image of the lungs to identify any potential signs of lung cancer.

We also offer testing to see if you have any mutations in your genes that could increase your risk of developing common cancers, including colorectal, pancreatic, prostate, ovarian, uterine, stomach and breast cancer. This type of genetic testing is done through a blood or saliva sample. It typically takes about three weeks after the sample is collected for results to be shared with your Hancock Health provider.

At Hancock Health, you’ll have world-class oncologists and nurse navigators on your care team who are experienced in treating a wide range of cancers. We regularly participate in innovative clinical trials that, depending on your condition, could give you access to breakthrough cancer-fighting practices. Some of the commonly occurring diagnoses our physicians treat include:

• Breast
• Cervical
• Prostate
• Lung
• Colon
• Bladder

The goal of this form of cancer treatment is to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Most of your body’s healthy cells recover from radiation treatment. At Hancock Health, we protect these cells by limiting radiation dosage and spreading treatment over time. We shield as much of your body as possible while targeting the cancer.

External radiation therapy: We direct painless beams of high-energy radiation to the affected area using our state-of-the art linear accelerator. You get treatments once a day over a period of weeks. The area for radiation therapy is often marked with a tiny tattoo, smaller than a freckle, so that the treatment site is consistent throughout the therapy sessions.

Internal radiation therapy: Sometimes called brachytherapy, this treatment directs small amounts of radioactive material into the tissue where the cancer has been detected. We may use seeds, wires, or radioactive material placed into a body cavity to deliver these doses of radiation. Brachytherapy occurs over a shorter period because the radiation stays in a small area near the cancerous tissue.

When medicine is used to fight cancer, we call it chemotherapy or medical oncology. Patients receive chemotherapy differently depending on their cancer, their treatment plan, and the drugs they’ve been prescribed. Some medications can be taken at home, but other medications require an infusion in a controlled setting.

Our world-class surgeons are at the ready should a procedure other than radiation therapy or chemotherapy be recommended in your treatment plan. Surgeries commonly conducted in association with cancer diagnoses include:

• Basal cell carcinoma removal
• Colon resection
• Mastectomy
• Breast reconstruction

Our Sue Ann Wortman Cancer Center is more like home than a hospital. Our infusion bay offers 10 treatment bays overlooking our garden, moveable privacy panels, private TVs, and a room for family and friends. Patients can receive chemotherapy on our outside patio. We offer onsite radiation therapy, a note-taking service during consultations, help with scheduling, nutritional counseling, complimentary lunch on the day of treatment, after-treatment support group, art therapy, yoga classes, and a boutique gift shop.

The Sue Ann Wortman Cancer Center at Hancock Regional Hospital has been granted three-year accreditation from the Commission on Cancer (CoC), a quality program of the American College of Surgeons. To earn the CoC accreditation, our program had to meet 34 quality standards, including patient service, well-being, quality of care, and cancer outcomes, as well as maintain levels of excellence in comprehensive, patient-centered care.

Coping with the body changes a patient may experience when fighting cancer can be difficult. Often, the prospect of wearing a wig or using prosthetics can leave a person feeling overwhelmed. Hancock Regional Boutique is here for you to make you feel healthy and beautiful.

The primary purpose of the Hancock Regional Boutique is to provide personalized and private fittings for bras and breast forms, but we are so much more than that. Along with these services, the Hancock Regional Boutique exists as a health and specialty shop. Some of our many offerings include:

• Mastectomy bras (billable to insurance)
• Prostheses (billable to insurance)
• A broad selection of wigs, featuring the Envy® brand
• A beautiful variety of hats, caps and scarves
• A gorgeous collection of undergarments
• Women’s tops, ranging from whimsical t-shirts to elegant blouses and vallettas
• Swimsuits by Amoena® and Jodee®
• Medi® brand compression items
• Jewelry, including “support” bracelets, as well as a number of contemporary and fashionable items
• Willow Tree® figurines
• A full line of Ambre Blends®
• And much more!

We are a resource for accurate information; don’t be afraid to ask questions! We are dedicated to offering kindness and compassion to each individual customer and provide a place to shop with dignity. We are ACHC accredited, which means you can have peace of mind knowing that Hancock Regional Boutique adheres to best practices to serve our clients. To make things simpler and more convenient for you, we bill Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial insurances.

Fittings are by appointment only. If you have any questions or to schedule your visit, please call us at (317) 325-2610.