Cancer Site Analysis: Lung Cancer

Contents:

• Cancer Program review
• Cancer site distribution for 2006
• Cancer Registry data summary for 2006
• 2006 Lung Cancer Study by John T. Peters, DO, MSPH
• Explanation of a cancer registry

The Oncology Committee of Manatee Memorial Hospital (MMH) is pleased to present this brief overview of the MMH Cancer Program.  The MMH Cancer Program is approved by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC) as a Community Hospital Cancer Program (CHCP). Approved hospitals must demonstrate availability of all major modalities of cancer treatment and meet rigorous requirements for multidisciplinary medical and hospital staff interaction, patient support services, community outreach activities, quality improvement and outcomes analyses.

In 2007 the MMH Cancer Program actively sponsored and supported cancer patient services and activities including the following:

• Support groups and individual counseling
• Cancer topics at Monthly Updates open to the community
• Tobacco awareness activity directed at high school students
• Breast cancer awareness activity
• Implementing breast mammogram and digital mammography
• Breast cancer imaging topic at educational conference
• Process to facilitate access to cancer therapy drugs for indigent patients

MMH frequently collaborates with the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, the Manatee County Health Department and the Wellness Community to provide cancer support and educational services to its cancer patient population.

A total of 709 new cancer patients were treated at MMH during 2006. Of these, 497 (70%) were analytic (newly diagnosed) and 212 (30%) were non-analytic (diagnosed and completed first-course therapy elsewhere). “Cancer” patients is a slight misnomer. Since January 1, 2004, cancer registries have been required by federal and state legislation to also collect and report benign brain tumors.

The demographic distributions of our patient population are important.  They demonstrate how well MMH is reaching the community as a whole and help identify increasing areas of our population that may need additional services.  In 2006, the total cancer patient population was divided equally with 50% men and 50% women. The racial distribution was 90% white, 8% black and 2% other races. Of the analytic patient population, 60% were 65 years old or older. Age of analytic patients is reviewed because the age at diagnosis is equivalent to the age when they first presented at the hospital. Age at presentation is helpful information for hospital administrators who plan cancer services for their patient population.