Did you miss an important cancer screening test because of COVID-19?
If so, you’re not alone. Some studies have shown that screenings for the most common forms of cancer fell by as much as 80 percent in the early days of the pandemic and were roughly 40 percent below normal throughout the third quarter of 2020.
The good news is that screening numbers have rebounded as 2021 has progressed, according to cancer specialists at Houston Methodist Cancer Center at Sugar Land. If you missed a screening, there’s no time like now to catch up.
“Screenings are important because today, many cancers can be successfully treated when caught early,” said Joan Burnham, MSN, RN, OCN, MEDSURG-BC, nurse navigator who supports patients undergoing treatment for thoracic, gastrointestinal and genitourinary cancers at Houston Methodist Cancer Center. “Patients who are regularly screened for common cancers such as lung, colon, breast and prostate cancer give themselves a much better chance of a positive outcome. And if a patient needs care, it can all be done right here, close to home – reducing the stress and expense of ongoing treatment.”
Early diagnosis is an important part of the comprehensive oncology services offered at Houston Methodist Sugar Land – Fort Bend County’s only hospital with American College of Surgeons – Commission on Cancer (CoC) accreditation.
From screenings and state-of-the-art diagnostics to innovative treatments such as immunotherapy, advanced surgery and the latest, most targeted radiation therapies, the Houston Methodist Cancer Center at Sugar Land is leading the way in fighting cancer in Fort Bend. High-quality, specialized services such as genetic testing and counseling; clinical trials featuring emerging therapies and procedures; and patient support, including survivorship classes – all offered virtually or onsite at the hospital’s campus in Sugar Land – ensure that patients have convenient access to needed resources and information.
The Cancer Center’s team of specialists – including medical, radiation and gynecologic oncologists, hematologists and surgeons – routinely collaborates to ensure each patient receives the best possible care. This partnership draws on each team member’s expertise to help patients fight cancer in a compassionate, caring and supportive environment.
The Cancer Center’s physicians are supported by oncology-certified nurses, nutritionists, social workers and the nurse navigators, who provide ongoing information and support throughout the treatment process.
“Our patients really benefit from our ‘whole team’ approach to care,’ says Amalia “Rose” Gonzales, MSN, RN, OCN, CBCN, nurse navigator for patients undergoing treatment for breast and gynecological cancers. “Facing a cancer diagnosis is never easy, but it helps to have a team of specialists on your side who are there with you, every step of the way. As nurse navigators, we work with patients and family members to guide them toward the customized care, support and resources they need – from the day of diagnosis throughout the continuum of care.”
The Cancer Center also offers high-risk lung and breast cancer programs designed to help patients prevent the disease with nutrition, education, genetic counseling and disease surveillance.
Having access to comprehensive care close to home can make a significant difference in treatment and recovery, doctors say.
“We offer everything a patient needs right here at one location,” said Jorge Darcourt, M.D., board-certified oncologist and hematologist at Houston Methodist Cancer Center at Sugar Land. “Because cancer treatment is often lengthy and requires regular visits, being close to home eliminates many of the logistical challenges that patients face. Here, patients have a dedicated team that works together closely, and their treatments are accessible and convenient. That’s important because patients deserve every advantage in their fight against cancer.”
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