Cancer conference offers hope and resources

Recent research has found that Washington County has some of the highest rates of cancer diagnosis in Maine, yet the nearest oncologist is over two hours away in Brewer.
On October 7 cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and service providers gathered at the fourth annual cancer conference titled "Cancer: There is Hope Here in Washington County." Several organizations, including the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center, Down East Hospice and the Regional Medical Center at Lubec, collaborated to organize the conference, which was made possible by a grant from the Maine Cancer Foundation.
Through a full program of panel discussions by patients, caregivers and heath care professionals, the conference presented the current resources available to those living with cancer in Washington County, as well as highlighted some of the current challenges and how they can be overcome.
The numbers alone can be daunting. According to the National Cancer Institute, between the years of 2004 and 2008 the annual incidence rate of cancer in Washington County was 559.6 out of 100,000 residents. In comparison, the annual incidence rate for the state of Maine during the same time period was 520.3, and for the entire United States the rate was 465.0.
Behind the numbers lie more challenges.
"The cancer is only one part of what they're fighting," said Regina Rooney, a community outreach manager at the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation of Maine. She cites transportation as a major obstacle for cancer patients in Washington County. Most treatment regimens require daily trips to Brewer or beyond, five days a week, for six weeks or more. This amount of travel can be exhausting, particularly if one is feeling ill.
"When I was driving here today I realized just how far it is," said Dr. Sarah Sinclair, an oncologist from the Bangor area and one of the panelists. Dr. Sinclair explained how the distance can affect a patient's choices in the treatment they receive. As a physician, she has seen many women opt for a total mastectomy, or a complete breast removal, as opposed to other, less dramatic treatments that would require them to travel long distances.
In addition, other panelists who had served as caregivers or had survived cancer themselves mentioned other obstacles that were linked to transportation, including the difficulty of getting second opinions from medical professionals and receiving test results in a timely fashion—two factors that can impact treatment.
Several organizations are working to address transportation for those living with cancer. The Beth C. Wright Center, one of the organizers of the conference, has been working to provide gas cards and free hotel rooms to those traveling long distances to and from treatments. Both the Washington County Cancer Action Group and the American Cancer Society also recruit local volunteers to serve as drivers for cancer patients.
Some local hospitals are also looking into telemedicine programs, which would allow patients to meet with faraway physicians through video calls, which would limit some of the need for frequent travel.
Cheryl Zwingman Bagley of Calais Regional Hospital mentioned that some forms of chemotherapy are now available in Calais and that the hospital is working to add new medical equipment, including a new CT scanner.
It is also important to build a relationship with local primary care physicians. Dr. Aziz Masaad of Machias emphasized regularly seeing a general practitioner and discussing cancer at each visit. The Maine Cancer Foundation has set aside $220,000 in grants for education and training, including for primary care physicians and early detection, one of the most effective means of treating cancer.

Finally, simple acts of kindness can help.
Katherine Cassidy of Machias, a full-time caregiver to her husband, told of how they had returned home from a long day of treatments and travel to find a meal waiting for them at home, prepared by a kind volunteer. "I never knew this community could be so good to people in need," said Cassidy.
Other panelists told of kind friends who listened to them when they needed support or of loved ones who helped with household chores.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Ben Thompson, a local physician and cancer survivor, emphasized the important role of family and friendship when going through cancer. "People came out of the woodwork to help me," he said. In his speech, he also emphasized a unique coping strategy: humor. He recalled telling friends to send jokes, humorous books and anecdotes when he was undergoing treatment. "The whole experience is humiliating, and humor helps," he said. "Go with an attitude of 'I'm going to nail this cancer and I have more important things to do in my life.'"
Similarly, Pat Oftedal of the Washington County Cancer Action Group reminded patients that they are in control of their own experience. In her "10 Tips for Cancer Patients" she says, "You are not a statistic, and there is no expiration date stamped on the bottom of your foot!"