FirstHealth of the Carolinas - Oncology

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Cancer Treatment Diet

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Diet and Nutrition for Cancer Patients

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Myths of Melanoma

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Summer Sun Protection

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Facts about Cancer

The first case of cancer was documented in Egypt in 1500 B.C. At that time, the believed cause of Cancer was the Gods and it was treated with a hot instrument called “the fire drill” to destroy the affected tissue. It was the Greek physician, Hippocrates, who used the Greek words carcinos and carcinoma to describe tumors, thus naming Cancer as we know it today. (Source: Cancer History by Lisa Fayed) Though he developed the name, Hippocrates believed the cause of cancer was excessive black bile in the body. It was not until the 19th Century that strides towards cancer treatments and finding the cause of cancer began.

Throughout the centuries we have been collecting research and data to help us fight the second leading cause of death in the U.S. Here are some of the most recent facts and statistics about Cancer:

Facts and Statistics:

Cancer occurs when cells in the body begin to grow out of control. (DoSomething.org)

It is estimated that 1.48 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed in 2009. (RTAnswers.org)

There are more deaths from cancer every year than deaths caused by AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined. (DoSomething.org)

Not using tobacco is the best way to prevent certain cancers such as lung, throat, mouth, pancreas, bladder, stomach, liver and kidney. (DoSomething.org)

Second hand smoke can cause lung cancer. (DoSomething.org)

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 40% of all cancers are preventable by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, and not using tobacco. (DoSomething.org)

There are more than 100 types of cancers; any part of the body can be affected. (WHO)

The 4 most prevalent cancers in the U.S. are (in order of cases): prostate, breast, lung and colorectal. (FirstHealth Cancer Report 2012)

The 4 most prevalent cancers seen at Moore Regional Hospital are (in order of cases): lung, breast, prostate and colorectal. (FirstHealth Cancer Report 2012)

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S., with over 2 million cases diagnosed every year. (Cancer Facts & Figures 2012 by American Cancer Society)

77% of all cancers are diagnosed in people over the age of 55 (RTAnswers.org)

74% of cases at Moore Regional Hospital are over 60 (FirstHealth Cancer Report 2012)

Women with no children or have their first pregnancy after the age of 30 have a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer. (Global Cancer Facts & Figures by American Cancer Society)

Overall, cancer rates are higher for whites and blacks than for Asian/Pacific Islanders. (RTAnswers.org)

Approximately 5% of cancers are hereditary. (RTAnswers.org)

Relative survival rates have risen to 66% in 2002, up from 51% in 1977. (RTAnswers.org)

About 11.1 million Americans are cancer survivors. (RTAnswers.org)

28 million survivors worldwide (Global Cancer Facts & Figures by American Cancer Society 2011)

New research and clinical trials happen all the time and facts and figures are always changing.  If you are interest in participating in a clinical trial for cancer research please call [phone].

FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital’s Comprehensive Cancer Center offers cancer treatment and support to patients and survivors in the Pinehurst, Raeford, Sanford, Lumberton, Laurinburg, Rockingham, and Troy regions of North Carolina and beyond. 

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“You gave me forever within the numbered days, and im grateful” - Hazel Grace

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A Healthy Heart Can Lower Risk of Cancer

For years, heart disease and cancer have been thought of as two separate, unrelated diseases. Could preventing one disease stop the other? The Reid Heart Center, the FirstHealth Cardiac and Vascular Institute at Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, NC, and the FirstHealth Comprehensive Cancer Center have been working to provide outstanding care to patients with the latest in technology, clinical trials and clinical methods. FirstHealth is here for treatment and preventive information for most health related issues.

The following lifestyle recommendations, according to the American Heart Association, can reduce your risk heart disease. Researchers from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago report in the journal Circulation that these lifestyle recommendations can also help reduce your risk of cancer:

Being physically active

Keeping a healthy weight

Eating a healthy diet

Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels

Keeping blood pressure down

Regulating blood sugar levels

Not smoking

These lifestyle recommendations are referred to by the American Heart Association as the Life’s Simple 7 and were implemented in 2010 to help reach the goal of reducing heart attack and stroke deaths by 20 percent by 2020.

Researchers studied the health records of 13,253 white and American-American men and women who participated in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, which tracked the seven risk factors and the patients’ health outcome for 20 years. The researchers found that 22 percent of the participants had developed cancer over the time period. Those who were diagnosed, however, tended to not follow as many of the Life’s Simple 7 behaviors than those who did not develop cancer.People who followed six of the seven health suggestions had 51 percent lower cancer risk than participants who did not meet any of the steps.

“This adds to the strong body of research suggesting that it is never late to change, and that if you make changes like quitting smoking and improving your diet, you can reduce your risk for both cardiovascular disease and cancer.” Said lead study author Laura J. Rasmussen-Torvik, an assistant professor at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in a statement.

Living a proactive lifestyle is important when trying to prevent any chronic disease especially cancer. Learn more ways to reduce your risk of cancer by visiting our Pinterest page or by going to nccancercare.org. FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital’s Comprehensive Cancer Center offers treatments and support for adult cancer patients in the Pinehurst, Raeford, Sanford, Lumberton, Laurinburg, Rockingham, and Troy regions of North Carolina.

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Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer among women causing 15,000 deaths a year.(Source: Ovarian Cancer Awareness)Ovarian cancer is difficult to detect and could often be fatal when detected too late. If diagnosed at an early stage, the five-year survival rate is more than 93 percent. The cause is unknown but there are some factors that could increase your risk. Taking oral contraceptive, giving birth and breast feeding are a few ways to reduce your risk of ovarian cancer.

Risk factors Certain risk factors may increase your risk or ovarian cancer. Having one or more of the risk factors does not mean that you will develop it, but your risk is higher than the average woman. These risk factors include the following:

Not giving birth

Giving birth at a late age

Mutations in the genes BRCA1 or BRCA2

Women who have had breast cancer or have a family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer

Women who take estrogen replacement for five or more years

Older women

Symptoms The most common symptoms for ovarian cancer are hard to classify and are often symptoms to other diseases, so by the time cancer is diagnosed the tumor has often spread. Some symptoms for ovarian cancer are as follows:

Bloating

Difficulty eating

Pelvic of lower abdominal pain

Abnormal menstrual cycles

Digestive symptoms

Constipation

Increased gas

Lack of appetite

Nausea and vomiting

Back pain

Vaginal bleeding

Weight gain or loss

Sudden urge to urinate

  If you are encountering any of these symptoms, notify your doctor as soon as possible.

Treatment Treatment for ovarian cancer usually involves a combination of surgery and chemotherapy.

Hysterectomy

Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of other ovaries and fallopian tubes

Examination, biopsy, or removal of the lymph nodes and other tissues in the pelvis and abdomen

Chemotherapy

Radiation therapy

To learn more about ovarian cancer and ovarian cancer treatments available in the mid-Carolina’s visit nccancercenter.org. The FirstHealth oncology clinic in Pinehurst specializes in ovarian cancer treatment and therapy services for patients in the Sanford, Raeford, Rockingham, Laurinburg, Lumberton, and Troy regions of North Carolina and beyond. 

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Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

zIn February 2000, President Clinton officially dedicated March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Every year, patients, survivors and advocates across the country join together to spread the word of colorectal cancer awareness. These actions include wearing blue, holding fundraising and educational events, talking to friends and family about screenings and much more.

                                               What exactly is colorectal cancer? It is cancer of the colon or rectum. Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common diagnosed cancer in both men and women. The lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is 1 in 20. The death rate from colorectal cancer has been dropping for over 20 years due to increased screenings and improvement in treatments.

When detected early, the disease is easier to cure. According to the American Cancer Society there is a 74% change of a 5-year survival rate for patients who are diagnosed in stage one of colorectal cancer. For a greater chance of early detection it is important to get screenings often and live a preventive lifestyle. Finding and removing polyps keeps some people from getting colorectal cancer.

At the age of 50, both men and women are at average risk for developing colorectal cancer and should use one of the following screening tests:

Tests that find polyps and cancer

                  Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years

                  Colonoscopy every 10 years

                  Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years

                  CT colongraphy every 5 years

Tests that mainly find cancer

                  Fecal occult blood test every year

                  Fecal immunochemical test every year

For people who are considered high risk of colorectal cancer, you should begin screenings before the age of 50 and/or be screened more often. The following conditions could place you at a higher risk for colorectal cancer:

A personal history of colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps

A personal history or inflammatory bowel disease

A strong family history of colorectal cancer or polyps

FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital offers colorectal cancer treatments, clinical trials and support for patients with colon cancer in the Pinehurst, Raeford, Sanford, Lumberton, Laurinburg, Rockingham, and Troy regions of North Carolina and beyond. FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital is conducting a prevention study for people who have recently been treated for colon cancer, titled “P-5: Statin Polyp Prevention Trial in Patients with Resected Colon Cancer.” People recently diagnosed or treated for Stage 0, I, II or III colon cancer and interested in the Moore Regional study should call the Clinical Trial Office at [phone].

*For more information on this clinical trial and other clinical trials available at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital please visit www.firsthealth.org/clinicaltrials.*

Located in NC, let our oncology specialists provide you with more information about colorectal cancer treatments and therapy options. Find out more about our colon cancer treatment services by calling [phone] or visiting us at nccancercare.org. 

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Run for the Ribbons

The Foundation of FirstHealth’s Cancer CARE Fund provides assistance to local cancer patients and their families during difficult times. Since 2000, the Cancer CARE Fund has contributed more than $800,000 to support cancer patients in our community. The Cancer CARE Fund is hosting a Run for the Ribbons 5k and Family fun 1k in conjunction with the 62nd Stoneybrook Steeplechase.

Support

The Run for the Ribbons 5k and Family Fun 1k is a colorful day of spirited competition, cancer awareness, and survivor celebration. Instead of an event honoring one specific type of cancer, this event is an opportunity for all cancer supporters and survivors to come together.  Runners and walkers in each event participate in honor or memory of friends and family, and all proceeds benefit The Foundation of FirstHealth’s Cancer CARE Fund.

Event details

The Run for the Ribbons 5k begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday April 6, 2013. The award ceremony will follow the race at 10 a.m. The Family Fun 1k begins promptly after at 10:30 a.m. All participants will receive a General Admissions ticket and parking pass to the Stoneybrook Steeplechase as a part of registration.

Starting on the grassy, steeplechase track the 5k is a professionally timed cross-country trail race that is a part of the Sandhills Race Series. During the 3.1 miles the runners will leave the track entering a scenic route through the woods. The course will be marked by mile markers and volunteers. 

Registration

Through March 31, 2013 the 5k registration fee is $25 and the 1k fee is $15. After March 31 the 5k fee will be $30 and the 1k fee will be $20. To download a registration form for either event click here.

Race information packets will be available for all participants to pick up on Friday April 5, 2013 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the FirstHealth Center for Health & Fitness – Pinehurst, 170 Memorial Drive. Packets may also be picked up the day of the race when registration begins at 7 a.m. at the registration tent.

The Run for the Ribbons 5k is a wonderful annual event that give the opportunity to commemorate loved ones who have battled cancer while raising funds for a wonderful and generous foundation, the FirstHealth Cancer CARE Fund. To learn more about donating or to sponsor a 5k participant please visit the Run for the Ribbons Fundraising Page.

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Cancer Technology

The word technology refers to the usage of tools, machines, or techniques, in order to solve a problem or improve a preexisting problem. There are new advances in technology every day that are helping people solve their problems and are creating new opportunities all around the world including Pinehurst, North Carolina.

Advances in cancer technology have come leaps and bounds in the last few decades creating new opportunities for cancer patients.  A recent technological development out of Massachusetts General Hospital has created new opportunities to detect the spread of cancer. The CTC (circulating tumor cell) Chip has been shown to identify bloodstream cancer cells accurately in patients with advanced cancer of the lung, prostate, pancreas, breast cancer, or colon. (Source: New York Times)

New technologies in cancer come in more ways than diagnosis. Development in new cancer treatments have also been important among the years. Advances in cancer treatments is what has led to a decreasing number of cancer deaths, according to the report published in the CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. The FirstHealth Comprehensive Cancer Center has a new cancer treatment available called Stereotactic Radiosurgery. This new technology is a form of non-invasive radiation therapy that offers patients new options and hope in the fight against cancer and other abnormalities of the brain and spine.

With new treatment and surgery options continuously arising, the FirstHealth Cancer Center is at the top of cancer innovation offering the best cancer treatment in mid-North Carolina. FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital’s Comprehensive Cancer Center treats cancer patients in the Pinehurst, Raeford, Sanford, Lumberton, Laurinburg, Rockingham, and Troy regions of North Carolina and beyond. 

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Cancer Wellness

Being diagnosed with cancer can leave a sense of uncertainty in patients even after you have started treatment. Aside from the uncertainty, treatments can cause side effects that can leave you feeling a little less than normal.

To try and help with this, FirstHealth of the Carolinas offers a Cancer Wellness program for cancer patients and survivors. The goals of the program are to:

Ease the transition between treatment and daily life

Enhance the lives of participants through exercise, education and group support

Educate participants on how to successfully make and continue lifestyle changes that make a positive impact on their well-being

Introduce participants to the many tools available through FirstHealth and other community programs that may assist them in remaining well as they continue their fight against cancer

Establish relationships with others who have similar experiences

The FirstHealth Cancer Wellness program is a seven-week program conducted at the FirstHealthCenter for Health & Fitness – Southern Pines. The program consists of three 90-minute sessions per week. Each session includes both exercise and education, and explains the role each play in improving quality of life.

Diet and exercise are an important part of cancer wellness. A proper diet can help combat treatment side effects that leave you feeling sick or weak. Read more about proper diets for cancer patients in our blog Importance of a Healthy Diet for Cancer Patients. As for exercise, not only will it help you become fitter and stronger but exercise can also:

Improve mood

Boost self-confidence

Reduce fatigue

Lower risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes

Aside from providing knowledge on how to improve your quality of life, the Cancer Wellness program also offers an array of support groups and other cancer management services to support patients and caregivers during and after cancer treatments.

To learn more about cancer support groups in your area please visit ncancercare.org. FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital offers cancer treatment and support to patients in the Pinehurst, Raeford, Sanford, Lumberton, Laurinburg, Rockingham, and Troy regions of North Carolina and beyond. 

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World Cancer Day

What did you do on February 4, 2013? Go to work? School? What about making strides for cancer? That is what hundreds of thousands of people across the world did on February 4, 2013 for World Cancer Day.

World Cancer Day is an annual day of advocacy observed on February 4th with events, campaigns and messages to raise awareness, educate the public and to raise funds to find a cure.

Not only is World Cancer Day about spreading awareness of the disease but it’s also about helping the World Health Organization (WHO) reach their goal to reduce premature deaths due to non-communicable diseases by 25% by 2025 and dispelling common myths of cancer.

The Union of International Cancer Control (UICC) and its members were urging the public to speak out against damaging myths and misconceptions of cancer. The four most common myths about cancer are:

Myth: Cancer is just a health issue.

Truth: Cancer is not just a health issue. It has wide reaching social, economic, development and human rights implications.

Myth: Cancer is a disease of the wealthy, elderly and developed countries

Truth: Cancer is a global epidemic, affecting all ages and socio-economic groups, with developing countries bearing a disproportionate burden.

Myth: Cancer is a death sentence.

Truth: Many cancers that were once considered fatal can now be cured and for many people their cancer can now be treated effectively.

Myth: Cancer is my fate.

Truth: With the right strategies, at least 30% of cancer cases can be prevented based on current knowledge.

Cancer is a serious issue across the globe but you can begin helping in your community by volunteering or donating to your local cancer charities. The Foundation of FirstHealth’s Cancer CARE Fund helps FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital lead the fight against cancer in the mid-Carolinas. For more information on the Foundation of FirstHealth or to learn how you can help please call [phone].

FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital’s Comprehensive Cancer Center offers treatment and support to cancer patients and survivors in the Pinehurst, Raeford, Sanford, Lumberton, Laurinburg, Rockingham, and Troy regions of North Carolina and beyond.

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NC Cancer Survivorship Summit (by CHARLES KIMBROUGH) This year's summit is March 14-15th. http://www.nccancercare.org/blog/the-6th-annual-cancer-survivorship-summit/ 

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Cancer and cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation, can take a toll on the body often leaving patients feeling sick or weak. That is why it is more important than ever to transition to a healthy diet. There are many foods out there that are packed full of cancer fighting antioxidants as well as cook books with recipes designed specifically for chemotherapy and radiation side effects such as nausea and fatigue.

Foods Proper foods provide extra vitamins and nutrients important for cancer patients to regain strength and health. Some food categories that are important in a cancer patient’s diet are:

Protein

Keeps the immune system healthy and it facilitates growth.

It also helps repair body tissues such as skin, bone and muscles.

Fruits and vegetables

A great source of vitamins, nutrients and carbohydrates.

It’s important for patients with neutropenia to only consume fully cooked fruits or vegetables, as raw fruits and vegetables may have some bacteria that may cause problems because of the compromised immune system associated with it.

Moderate whole grains

Whole grains are a great source of carbs that give the body energy.

Cancer patients should stay away from bakery breads or any food prepared in a store or deli due to the risk of certain bacteria’s.

Low-fat dairy

Hard cheeses, low-fat pasteurized milk, and low-fat yogurt at the best choices for dairy consumption.

Imported cheeses, Mexican cheese, Cheese sliced in a deli or moldy cheeses like brie or feta, are not good choices for cancer patients due to increased bacteria.

Recipes When someone you know is going through cancer treatment, naturally you want help. Many times support comes in the form of comfort food. But for patients suffering from treatment side effects such as nausea, upset stomach or diarrhea heavy food is far from comforting.  There are recipes and cookbooks out there designed specifically for cancer patients and side effects they may be having. For example, cookbooks like Betty Crocker’s Living With Cancer Cookbook and American Cancer Society’s What to Eat During Cancer Treatment: 100 Great-Tasting, Family-Friendly Recipes to Help You Cope have several recipes all categorized by common symptoms to help patients and caregivers with symptom management.

If you or someone you know is being treated for cancer, keep those cookbooks in mind and for more information regarding nutrition and diets for cancer patients please visit our Pinterest page or call [phone]. FirstHealth’s Comprehensive Cancer Center treats patients in the Pinehurst, Raeford, Sanford, Laurinburg, Lumberton, Rockingham, and Troy regions of North Carolina and beyond. 

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Important Vitamins for Cancer Patients

The last article we wrote focused on the importance of a healthy diet when it comes to cancer patients. On top of consuming the proper types of foods, it is also important to be taking the proper vitamins to say strong during cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation. The following is a list of vitamins that are important and the types of foods they can be found in.

Vitamin C Protects cell and can help prevent certain cancers.

Red cabbage

Kiwi

Oranges

Red bell peppers

Potatoes

Strawberries

Tangerines and mandarins

Vitamin E neutralizes call damage.

Almonds

Avocados

Brazil nuts

Broccoli

Mangoes

Peanuts

Sunflower seeds

Vitamin D is a preventative.

Salmon

Tuna

Carotenoids may inhibit growth of cancer cells. Research shows that cancer patients respond very well to vitamin A.

Acorn squash

Apricots

Carrots

Collard greens

Fresh corn

Sweet peppers

Spinach

Sweet potatoes

Selenium is a powerful antioxidant

Brazil nuts

Chicken

Eggs

Brown rice

Shrimp

Sunflower seeds

Tuna

Wheat

Folic Acid is essential for proper synthesis and repair of the DNA.

Asparagus

Avocados

Dried beans

Beets

Bok Choy

Broccoli

Brussels sprouts

Savoy cabbage

Chickpeas

Lentils

Oranges

Fresh peas

Soybeans

Spinach

Turkey

Lycopene inhibits prostate cancer

Grapefruit

Guava

Tomatoes

Fish oils reduce inflammation.

Cod

Crab

Herring

Mackerel

Oysters

Salmon

Sardines

Trout

Tuna

Flaxseed Oil reduces Inflammation.

Flavonoids help stimulate enzymes in the body that combat cancer cell growth.

Apples

Blueberries

Broccoli

Carrots

White Grapefruit

Lemons

Limes

Onions

Oranges

Pomegranates

Soybeans

Tomatoes

Catechin neutralizes free radicals

Grapes

Green tea

Calcium reduces the irritant effects of bile acids and fatty acids in the colon.

Amaranth

Dried beans

Bok Choy

Broccoli

Kale

Salmon

Soybeans

Tofu

Our patient’s health is a top priority to the staff of the FirstHealth Comprehensive Cancer Center. FirstHealth has a fulltime registered dietitian on staff to help with your diet needs. For more nutritional information please call [phone]. For healthy cooking tips and cancer specific recipes please visit our Pinterest page. FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital offers treatment and support to cancer patients in the Pinehurst, Raeford, Sanford, Lumberton, Laurinburg, Rockingham, and Troy regions of North Carolina and beyond. 

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Meet the Team

This past year FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital was ranked fifth best hospital in North Carolina.  The rankings were based off of various criteria and FirstHealth was strong enough to place fifth in not just one service line, but nine. Moore Regional was recognized as a high performer in cardiology and heart surgery, diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology, neurology and neurosurgery, geriatrics and cancer just to name a few.

As one of the top cancer programs in the state, FirstHealth’s Comprehensive Cancer Center treats over 20 different types of cancer and has the latest surgical technology. Having the latest technology is great but having an excellent staff is what makes it remarkable. Let’s take a moment to introduce the staff members that make the cancer program what it is.

Physicians

Jeffery Acker, M.D., Radiation Oncologist: Dr. Acker graduated from Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H., with a B.S. in engineering sciences and earned his M.D. from the Duke University School of Medicine. He completed his residency program at Duke in 1994, serving as chief resident from 1993 to 1994. Dr. Acker has been affiliated with FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital since 1999 and with Duke University Medical Center since 1990. He is medical director of the Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center at Moore Regional.

Stephen King, M.D. Radiation Oncologist: Dr. King received a B.S. from Davidson College in Davidson, N.C. He graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and completed his residency in radiation oncology at Duke University School of Medicine, serving as chief resident from 1992 to 1993. Since 1994, Dr. King has been an adjunct clinical assistant professor in the Radiation Oncology Department at Duke University. He serves as medical director of Radiation Oncology at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital.

Charles S, Kuzma, M.D., Hematologist/Medical Oncologist: Board certified in hematology, medical oncology and internal medicine, Dr. Kuzma earned a B.S. degree in chemistry summa cum laude from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and received his medical degree from Philadelphia’s Temple University School of Medicine. After joining the U.S. Navy, he completed a residency in internal medicine at the Naval Hospital of Oakland (Calif.) and a fellowship in hematology and oncology at the Naval Medical Center of San Diego/University of Southern California.

Todd A. Moore, M.D., Hematologist/Medical Oncologist: Board certified in hematology and medical oncology, Dr. Moore is a native of Galveston, Texas. He earned a B.S. degree from Mississippi College in Clinton, Miss., and his M.D. from the University of Mississippi in Jackson. He completed an internship at the University of Texas in Dallas and his residency in internal medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. He specialized in hematology/oncology during a three-year fellowship at Brown University in Providence, R.I.

Sushma M. Patel, M.D. Radiation Oncologist: Dr. Patel is board certified in radiation oncology by the American Board of Radiology. A native of Philadelphia, Pa., she earned a B.A. degree in chemistry from Bryn Mawr College and received her medical degree from the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine in Hershey. She completed an internship year and then her residency in radiation oncology at the University of Cincinnati. She has been treating patients at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital since 2003.

Robert A. Pohlmeyer, M.D., Hematologist/Medical Oncologist: Dr. Pohlmeyer received a B.S. degree in biology summa cum laude from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, and his medical degree from Wright State University School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio. He completed his internship and a residency in internal medicine at Wake Forest University Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, N.C., where he was chief fellow while completing a fellowship in hematology and oncology. He is board certified in medical oncology, hematology and internal medicine.

Ellen Willard, M.D., Hematologist/Medical Oncologist: Dr. Willard is board certified in internal medicine, hematology, medical oncology, and hospice and palliative medicine. A native of High Point, N.C., she earned a B.S. degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her medical degree from the Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C. She completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in hematology and medical oncology at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. She has practiced in Pinehurst since 1991.

Nurses

Susan Bazinet, MSN, OCN, C-FNP, Oncology Nurse Practitioner: Susan Bazinet is a certified family nurse practitioner and an oncology-certified nurse. She earned a B.S. degree in nursing summa cum laude from the University of Arizona and an M.S. degree in nursing, also summa cum laude, with the Family Nurse Practitioner Option from the University of Arizona. Certified as a family nurse practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, she has practiced as an advance practice nurse in both Massachusetts and Texas.

Susan Beaty, R.N., BSN, Director, FirstHealth Outpatient Cancer Center: Susan Beaty earned her associate degree in nursing from Clinton Community College in Plattsburgh, N.Y., and her B.S. in nursing from SUNY College of Technology in Utica, N.Y. She began her nursing career at Duke University Medical Center as a staff nurse and then director in the Bone Marrow Transplant Clinic, and has worked in various leadership roles at Scotland Memorial Hospital, FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital and FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital. She is ONS chemotherapy/biotherapy certified.

Margie Thomas, BSRT, (R)(T), Director, Radiation Oncology: A nationally registered radiation therapist, Margie Thomas received a B.S. degree in radiological technology from Northwestern Louisiana University and did her post-graduate work in radiation therapy at the Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute in Little Rock. She spent two years working in Mississippi and seven years in Tennessee before she joined FirstHealth of the Carolinas in 2003. She is a member of the Society for Radiation Oncology Administrators.

Lynn Lanier Agee, R.N., BSN, Oncology Patient Navigator: Lynn Agee earned her B.S. in Nursing from UNC-Charlotte and is currently enrolled as a graduate student in UNC-Charlotte’s MSN program with an emphasis on Community and Public Health Nursing. She is a registered nurse with nearly 25 years of experience in various FirstHealth services.  In 2011, she completed the Guided Care Nurse training from Johns Hopkins Hospital and University and received a Certificate in Guided Care Nursing through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). She is a member of the National Coalition of Oncology Nurse Navigators (NCONN).

Accompanying the physicians and nurses is an outstanding group of individuals who make up the oncology support staff at FirstHealth Moore Regional, Gayla Comer R.D., LDN Dietitian, Beth Dietrich, MSW, LCSW, Cancer Support Services Program, Polly H. King, Cancer Care Coordinator, Outpatient Oncology Care, and Laura Kuzma, CARE-Net Coordinator. The top treatment presented at FirstHealth Moore Regional’s Comprehensive Cancer Center would not be possible without the combined talent and hard work from all of these individuals.

FirstHealth offers cancer treatment and support to patients and their loved ones in the Pinehurst, Raeford, Sanford, Lumberton, Laurinburg, Rockingham, and Troy regions of North Carolina and beyond. To learn more about the services that the FirstHealth Comprehensive Cancer Center provides, please visit nccancercare.org.