Author's note: This is part one of a four part story on infant nutrition misconceptions. Read part two here, part three here and part four here.
 

Bringing a new baby home raises the focus on their and mom’s well-being. Toward the top of the list: what and how the child is being fed.

Whether you choose to breastfeed or use formula, misconceptions about infant nutrition are everywhere. Xandra Anderson, an international board-certified lactation consultant at OSF HealthCare, cuts through the noise.

• My baby needs water in addition to milk or formula.
  
  It’s a common thought, Anderson says. One, adults need water, so people assume infants do, too. And two, formula can involve mixing in water, so mothers think they need to do the same with breast milk.
  
  “Really, breast milk is about 80% water,” Anderson says. “It’s there. It’s complete nutrition. You’re not missing anything.”
  
  Anderson adds it’s actually dangerous to give water to babies under six months. They can overhydrate, leading to possible kidney damage. After six months, Anderson says to talk to a health care provider about introducing water. She says one to two ounces of water per day to help wash down solid food is common.
   
• Breastfeeding will make my breasts sag.
  
  Anderson says breast changes begin during pregnancy and are not solely a result of breastfeeding. Some women will notice their breasts are larger once they are full of milk, but there are more factors at play.
  
  “[During pregnancy], your hormones are changing a lot. Your ligaments are stretching. We’re getting ready for a baby,” Anderson explains. “Then you have your baby, and your milk starts to come in. Regardless of whether you breastfeed or formula feed, you’ll see some breast changes. It was those hormonal changes in pregnancy.

“[Breast changes] can also be related to your lifestyle,” she adds. “Smoking affects your skin health, and you can see that affect the breasts. It can be related to age or a family history [of health issues such as lupus and other autoimmune diseases].”

Anderson also says research has found breastfeeding can actually promote breast health. For example, it can reduce your breast cancer risk.

• I have small breasts, so I won’t have enough breast milk to keep my child nourished.
  
  Anderson retorts with an affirmation we’ve heard since childhood: It’s what’s on the inside that counts.
  
  “Size of the breast is not a factor in being able to breastfeed. What is a factor is the amount of milk glands in your body. We all have those milk glands. Size just relates to fatty tissue,” Anderson says.
  
  The only time size may come into play, Anderson says, is if a woman gets a breast reduction where milk glands are removed. In that case, talk to a health care provider about your options.

Learn more

Read more about how to have a successful pregnancy and following years on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

Related stories

Mental health medication and pregnancy

When it comes to lowering your risk of cancer, what you add to your plate can make a meaningful difference.

Jeanna Rich, an oncology registered dietitian with OSF Cancer Support Services, says the key is nourishing the body with whole grains, colorful fruits and vegetables, fiber-rich foods and Omega-3s.

As someone who works closely with cancer patients, Rich encourages people to think of food as a daily opportunity to fuel the immune system and support long-term health.

Why fiber matters

Most Americans fall short on fiber; a nutrient vital for good gut bacteria, healthy digestion and lowering the risk of colorectal cancer.

Rich says increasing fiber can be simple. Start by working whole grains into meals: oats, wild rice, flax seed, walnuts, pumpkin seeds and chia seeds. They can easily be sprinkled onto cottage cheese, Greek yogurt or oatmeal to boost texture and nutrition.

Research backs up these benefits. A large group of researchers from 15 international cohort studies, including scientists from the American Cancer Society (ACS), analyzed data from more than 842,000 men across North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. Their findings suggest that dietary fiber may lower the risk of developing advanced and aggressive forms of prostate cancer. Additional ACS findings note that whole grains may help fight against advanced prostate cancer.

Rich offers a practical approach to building a fiber-forward breakfast.

"Another great way to add fiber is with our yogurt. A lot of us make yogurt parfaits, but here's a way to take it to the next level. Add chia seeds, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds and walnuts," Rich says. "Top them with berries, which contain a ton of fiber."

Berries – whether fresh or frozen – are packed with vitamins, antioxidants and deep pigments that signal high nutrient content. Rich recommends buying frozen berries and storing them in the fridge to thaw, making them easy to add into yogurt, cottage cheese or morning oatmeal. Frozen produce can be a cost-effective option, especially when items are out of season, Rich says. Thanks to the flash-freezing process, these foods retain their nutrients and offer the same high-quality nutrition as fresh varieties, she adds.

Other high-fiber additions include quinoa, lentils and canned beans, which are paired well with salads, vegetables and hearty meals.

The power of Omega-3s

Omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in reducing inflammation and strengthening immune cells.

Some plant-based Omega-3s are found in foods like ground flax seed, but Rich notes that fish-based sources are more efficiently used by the body.

"Some Omega-3s will be found in ground flax seed. However, your body doesn't utilize it as effectively. So, you want to go for those Omega-3s, found in salmon. Keep it frozen in your freezer and choose products that are wild caught. That will have a higher concentration of Omega-3s," Rich says. "Omega-3s help decrease inflammation in our body and increases our fighter cells, so it's a wonderful way to protect from chronic disease and cancer."

Salmon can easily be added into breakfast dishes, salads or purchased as salmon patties. Canned sardines are another convenient, nutrient-dense option.

A need for more vegetables, and more variety

Despite growing awareness of the benefits of produce, Americans still struggle to get enough vegetables into their diet.

"A lot of us are not getting enough vegetables. Many Americans are getting a decent amount of fruit, but vegetables are the tricky ones. When it comes to veggies, diversity is key," Rich says. "On average, most of us only use the same 10 vegetables in our eating routine."

Rich encourages using easy steamer bags filled with multiple vegetables. These mixes often include an array of colors – a good sign you're getting a wide range of nutrients that help fight cancer and chronic disease.

The benefits of polyphenols

Colorful fruits and vegetables bring another powerful nutrient group: polyphenols.

"Polyphenols, flavonoids and lycopene are some key words you may be hearing. Those are the things that are activated in your body and helping protect you," Rich says. "Polyphenols are becoming very popular and are in studies about the gut microbiome. That is considered a source of prebiotics, as well. All these different colors can help feed that good bacteria that helps your immune system be healthy."

Lycopene – found in red and orange produce like tomatoes and peppers – is known to help protect against prostate cancer. Cooked tomatoes are especially beneficial because heat increases lycopene concentration.

Rich suggests adding tomatoes into soups, stews and chili to boost cancer-fighting potential.

What kinds of cancer can a healthy diet protect against?

According to Rich, the right dietary patterns can help protect against a wide range of cancers:

• Breast
• Ovarian
• Gynecologic
• Prostate
• Colorectal
• Gastric

Fiber, Omega-3s and polyphenols are particularly powerful against colorectal and gastric cancers.

Additionally, managing weight through a balanced diet can reduce estrogen production in adipose tissue — a factor that increases breast cancer risk.

Fiber, protein, fruits and vegetables help reduce that risk and help us live a healthier life.

Surprising ways to get more protein

Protein also plays a crucial role in prevention and is especially important for those undergoing treatment.

Rich offers several easy, creative ways to boost protein intake:

• Scrambled eggs: Whisk in cottage cheese to make them “extra fluffy and packed with more protein.”
• Greek yogurt: Blend into red tomato sauce or pasta dishes or use it to make spinach artichoke dip.
• Oatmeal: Add kefir to boost protein and probiotics, helping reduce blood sugar spikes and inflammation.

Foods and drinks to limit or avoid

To best support your health, Rich recommends minimizing:

• Ultra-processed foods
• Artificial additives
• Alcohol
• Excess red meats
• Color dyes
• Processed meats

These items contribute to inflammation and can increase the risk of several types of cancer.

To learn more about how cooking and nutrition work together to improve your health, visit the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute Teaching Kitchen's website. 

A beloved actress from one of America’s most popular TV shows has shared the story of her breast cancer journey with the world. 

Jenna Fischer, widely known as Pam from “The Office,” announced on social media she was diagnosed with Stage 1 Triple Positive breast cancer in December 2023.

The 50-year-old’s cancer journey unknowingly began after her routine mammogram in October 2023. She tells The Today Show’s Hoda Kotb that her doctor called with the results, saying they were fine, but that there were a few spots that were difficult to see. The doctor added that Fischer has very dense breast tissue.

Fischer went in for a follow-up breast ultrasound and received the news on her patient portal while on a hike by herself.

“I checked the portal on the hike, and that’s when I saw words like ‘invasive,’ ‘ductal,’ ‘carcinoma,’ ‘malignant,’” Fisher told Kotb. “And I was like, ‘Those words sound like cancer words.’”

Nearly one year later, Fischer announced that she completed surgery, chemotherapy and radiation and is now cancer free. She hopes by sharing her story, she can provide comfort and hope to other women receiving similar diagnoses.

Jamin Addae, MD, is a breast surgeon with OSF HealthCare. He says having dense breast tissue does not necessarily mean you have breast cancer, but it does indicate that you have a higher chance of developing the disease.

Different types of breast tissue

"Dense breast tissue is absolutely normal. Like everything else in life, there are variations of things. You don't have one thing being the same in everybody. Breasts are made of different tissues and some of them we call fatty tissues, which are plain fat. Then we have glandular tissue which is the tissue that forms all the glands that produce milk," Dr. Addae says. “Then you also have the fibrous tissue that supports the breast itself.”

Dr. Addae says seeing the combination of the three types of tissue helps determine how dense the breasts are. He recommends getting routine breast screenings once you reach the age of 40, which is recommended by the American Cancer Society.

That way if you end up having dense breast tissue, your physician may recommend additional imaging to better assess the breast if the needs should arise. Fischer’s story is a perfect example of this.

“Knowing that you have dense breast tissue makes you aware that you have a slightly increased risk than someone who doesn't have dense breast tissue," Dr. Addae says. “It also makes you aware that it's more challenging to read your mammograms, compared to somebody who just has fatty tissue or fatty breasts.”

Technology advances helping survival rates, quality of life

Dr. Addae says the number one technology helping breast surgeons do what they do are what are called localization devices.

“If it's a small, five-millimeter area of calcification, you should be able to get that area out without taking the whole breast off. But that's a big challenge and I think the localization devices have made it possible for us to have a little clip placed in that area. So, in the operating room, we're able to go exactly where the five-millimeter tumor is, only take out that area and conserve the rest of the breast,” Dr. Addae says. “There's also a lot of improvements we're having in treatments. We have better chemotherapy and immunotherapy, which we consider systemic therapy. Radiation is also improving. These have all translated into much better survival rates and quality of life for our patients, compared to 20 or 30 years ago.”

Dr. Addae adds that oncoplastic surgery, which includes combining plastic surgery techniques that improve cosmetic appearance in breast cancer surgery have also led to an improvement in aesthetic outcomes and quality of life of breast cancer survivors.

Ways to decrease the risk of breast cancer

-          Stop smoking

-          Decrease the amount of alcohol you drink

-          Maintain a healthy weight

-          Eat healthy

-          Be physically active

-          Breastfeed

-          Know your family history

-          Avoid hormone replacement therapy

Factors that increase the risk of breast cancer

-          Female at birth

-          Older age

-          Immediate family member has or has had breast cancer

-          Genetic mutations

-          Hormone replacement therapy

-          Early onset of menstrual cycle (before 12 years old)

-          Late menopause (menopause after 55 years)

-          Dense breast tissue

-          Smoking

-          Alcohol

-          Post menopausal obesity

-          Physical inactivity

-          Never breast-fed

-          No full-term pregnancies

-          Radiation treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Video Interview Clips

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States, says Heather Thompson. And she would know. Thompson is a breast health navigator at OSF HealthCare, helping patients navigate appointments, insurance and more. And Thompson is, herself, a breast cancer survivor.

But what many in the cancer space might not realize, Thompson says, is that breast cancer can affect men. It’s rare, with 1% of men statistically getting it, Thompson says. But it’s worth knowing how to spot, prevent and treat it.

“There can be severe cases. A lot of times, men don’t notice things or worry about things like women might,” Thompson says. “The cancer is there longer and has a chance to metastasize [spread] and get into their lymph nodes. A lot of times, men will get gynecomastia. That can cause swelling in the breast tissue and a mass.” Those gynecomastia masses can limit a man’s ability to feel a cancerous lump, delaying care.

Breast cancer basics

Genetics (i.e. a family history of cancer), alcohol use and smoking all put you at a higher risk for breast cancer.

So do men need to do monthly self-checks and get mammograms like women are told to? Not always, Thompson says. You should talk with your primary care provider about a plan, especially if you have a family history of breast cancer. That plan could involve genetic testing or blood work to check estrogen levels (since estrogen feeds cancer cells). But day to day, Thompson says to just keep an eye on your breasts. Look for inverted nipples, lumps, redness or achiness.

“Men really do not require regular screening or imaging for breast tissue. That is not in the American Cancer Society guidelines or any other guidelines,” Thompson says. “However, men should monitor their bodies for anything irregular. Then, get it addressed right away. Don’t wait. You might be in that 1%.” Thompson adds that if any type of cancer spreads, it can be fatal.

Treatment for male breast cancer typically involves a mastectomy, or the removal of breast tissue, Thompson says. This could be after cancer is found. Or it could be preventive if you’re at high risk, like the case of actress Angelina Jolie.

“There’s not much tissue that a man has,” Thompson points out, allaying fears that your chest will look significantly different. She says you won’t have a nipple, and your chest will be flat. But that’s about it. “We will still test those lymph nodes during surgery to make sure the cancer hasn’t spread.

“After that, there’s special testing called oncotype,” she adds. This looks at the likelihood of cancer returning. “If it’s a high score, those people sometimes have to have chemotherapy or radiation.”

Changing minds

Thompson knows men can be apprehensive about seeing a doctor in general. But when breast cancer enters the conversation? She’s heard things like “I’m not a woman. I don’t need to worry about that.”

At OSF Moeller Cancer Center in Alton, Illinois, where Thompson works, she sees one to two men per month come in for imaging. Most, she says, are cases of gynecomastia that can be managed by the person’s primary care provider. But some do hear the words “It’s cancer.”

“I tell them they’re not alone,” Thompson says. “Other men have gone through this. We have a roadmap to treat it.”

Learn more

Read more about cancer care, specifically breast cancer care, on the OSF HealthCare website. Cancer care at OSF includes the OSF Cancer Institute in Peoria, Illinois.

Interview clips

Related stories

Read other breast cancer stories on the OSF Newsroom
Read breast cancer stories on the OSF blog

A federal panel recently advised women get a mammogram every other year starting at age 40, rather than 50.

And the American Cancer Society estimates that in 2023, nearly 300,000 women in the United States will learn they have breast cancer. About 43,700 women will lose their life due to the disease.

The headlines are reminders to know your breast cancer risks. While many risks are out of your control, there’s just as much you can control, says Heather Thompson, a breast health navigator at OSF HealthCare.

Major risks you can control

• Active lifestyle and healthy eating: Thompson puts it plainly. If you eat junk, you’ll feel like junk. And any exercise will give you more energy and burn fat. Fat produces estrogen, which feeds cancer cells.

“You want to make sure you’re well-maintained with your weight, even after menopause,” Thompson says.

• Taking hormones: This impacts your ovaries, reducing or adding estrogen. Whether you’re at a routine appointment or you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, talk to your provider about what hormones you’re taking.

“We don’t encourage people who are having menopause symptoms [like hot flashes] to take hormones,” Thompson lists as an example. “We encourage other things to help treat those. It eliminates those estrogen cells increasing.”

• Alcohol and smoking: They are a risk for any type of cancer. But Thompson says one drink per day can increase a woman’s breast cancer risk by 12%. Alcohol is sugary, and that’s a fuel for estrogen.
   
• Night shift work: Thompson says our body expects to sleep when the sun goes down. Night work throws that off.

                “You’re getting artificial light all night. That changes the melatonin that the body naturally makes,” Thompson explains. “When your melatonin is off, it increases estrogen.”

                If you don’t work the traditional day job, see if you can work different shifts so you are not up all night all the time.

Risks you can’t control

• Age: Thompson says women generally develop breast cancer at age 50 and above. 
   
• Family history and genetic mutations: A family history of breast cancer puts you at a higher risk. Thompson says the higher risk is often seen on the person’s mother’s side of the family. For example, your mother and her sister (your aunt) may have breast cancer, and so you’d need to talk to your provider about your risk.

              Some women diagnosed with breast cancer and who have a family history may undergo a genetic test.

“Those tests can tell us if this is something being passed down from generation to generation,” Thompson says.

• Reproductive history: Young women who develop menstruation before age 12 and women who go through menopause after age 55 have an increased risk.

“That gives them a longer time with their ovaries working. They’re producing estrogen,” Thompson says.

• Dense breast: More tissue and less fat mean a dense breast and an increased cancer risk, Thompson says. Usually, the younger you are, the denser your breast is. The density of your breast is something that will be noted on every mammogram result. Thompson says mammogram technology is getting better at finding cancer in dense tissue. An early diagnosis may mean a better outcome.

Takeaways

Make sure your health care provider knows about your circumstances so they can decide on the best preventive care, like a different schedule for mammograms. Some of the information to have handy: a family history of cancer and any physical change you noticed during your monthly breast self-check.

Learn more about breast health and breast cancer care on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

Previous coverage

A breast cancer survivor's toolkit
Say yes ma'am to the mammogram
FDA dense breast rule promotes earlier cancer detection
A woman's battle with breast cancer
Prevention of breast cancer starts with awareness

“I found a lump.”

It’s the unsettling phrase providers sometimes hear from women when they are performing their monthly breast self-check for cancer signs.

But lumps are not the only thing to watch for, says Heather Thompson, an OSF HealthCare breast health navigator who is herself a breast cancer survivor.

Signs to know

Each month, keep these in mind.

• Lumps, the most talked about sign.

“A lot of women, especially younger women, have very dense breasts. Sometimes it feels like a bag of rice with little bumps. That’s just the tissue,” Thompson says. “When you feel a hard nodule, fixed in place or sometimes mobile, you definitely want to get that reviewed.”

• Skin changes. This could be an orange peel skin appearance, flaky skin, irritation or a new dimple.
   
• Unexpected release of fluid or blood from the nipple. For example, if you are not breastfeeding, a nipple discharge would be unexpected.
   
• Unexpected inversion of a nipple.
   
• One breast larger than the other, or generally, any unexpected change to breast size.
   
• Any new pain in breast area.
   
• Tenderness, swelling, pain or lumps under your armpit. This is one some women may overlook since it doesn’t deal with the breasts.

“Your lymphatic system drains to armpits,” Thompson explains. “So, if there’s anything going on in the breast, it’s going to show up in your armpit eventually.”

When and how

Thompson recommends women pick a date each month for a self-check and stick with it. The first of each month, for example. This way, you can put it on your calendar, and it’s easy to remember. And, she says the feel of your breasts will change as days go by. But, choosing the same time each month gives you a baseline feel and helps avoid false positives. Thompson also advises making your chosen date a week after your menstrual cycle ends.

Thompson says many women find it convenient to examine themselves in the shower. Regardless of where, she says a good technique is to move your fingertips in a circle from the outside to the center of the breast, pressing down and feeling for abnormalities. Then, do the same under each armpit. And also, glance in the mirror for a good look at visual signs, such as one breast larger than the other.

Some women have a trusted adult, like a spouse, also feel their breast for a second opinion. Others may take photos during their self-check to show their provider. Both ideas are acceptable, Thompson says.

“When you go to the doctor, they can look at the picture. If the abnormality has changed or gone back to normal, then we know it’s nothing to really worry about. But if the issue has increased in size or looks worse, it’s something to be concerned about,” she says.

What happens next

If you find something concerning in a self-check, call your primary care provider or OB/GYN right away and explain what you found. Thompson says the provider will likely order a diagnostic mammogram, an outpatient procedure at a doctor’s office. The radiologist should read the results on the spot. If a closer look is needed, you may undergo an ultrasound, another way to image the breast, or a biopsy, which takes a tissue sample for testing.

It's important not to panic, Thompson stresses. If you have severe pain or an abscess, you should go to the emergency department. But for abnormal findings on a self-check, that’s not necessary.

“If you go to the emergency department with a lump, they’re going to send you home, and you’re going to have to go through the process of calling your provider.

“Breast cancer is not going to change that drastically in three to four weeks,” Thompson adds. “It’s not going to make that big of a difference. However, you want to get yourself scheduled and be proactive. Don’t say ‘Oh let me watch it for a few months and see if it changes.’”

But do keep track of any changes between when you make the appointment and appointment day.

Why it’s important

Thompson says a monthly self-check goes hand-in-hand with regularly scheduled mammograms as the most important ways to prevent breast cancer. You should talk to your primary care provider or OB/GYN about what mammogram schedule is right for you.

“Typically, we do a mammogram every year to get the breast image,” Thompson says. “But during the year, things can develop that you don’t notice. Some things can develop very quickly.

“By doing a monthly exam, you learn your body. You know how it feels,” she adds. “Each month you may say ‘Well I didn’t remember that there last month.’ So you can address it right away.”

Early detection is key for a better outcome. Conversely, unchecked breast cancer is a major killer in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates about 43,700 women will lose their life to the disease in 2023.

Learn more

Read more about breast health and breast cancer on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

B-roll

Related stories

OSF HealthCare Newsroom breast cancer stories
OSF HealthCare Blog breast cancer stories

A significant amount of these cases is due to genetic mutations from parents passing defective genes down to their children.

"We inherit DNA material from our parents, both mother and father, and sometimes these genes can have a defect," says Jamin Addae, MD, a breast surgeon with OSF HealthCare. "This means the gene would not work very well, like a normal gene would." 

A significant family history of breast cancer is found in about 25% of patients with the disease. Up to 10% of all persons with a new diagnosis of breast cancer will have an “identifiable genetic mutation” that caused or increased the risk of developing breast cancer, Dr. Addae says.

"For women with male relatives who have prostate cancer, these women in the family may have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. The gene mutation could increase the risk of several types of cancer, for instance in the case of BRCA 1 mutation, it increases the risk of breast, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate cancers,” Dr. Addae says. “Males in the family may not develop any cancers ("silent carriers) or may develop prostate cancer if they have the gene mutation. They can then pass this defective gene to their daughters who would later develop breast cancer. The disease itself is not what is passed down to the child, it is the defective gene that increases the risk of breast cancer that is passed down"

Several gene mutations can be passed down from parent to child.

• BRCA 1: Angelina Jolie carries this mutation, which she has spoken publicly about. This increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
• BRCA 2: Increases the risk of breast, prostate and other cancers.
• PTEN mutation, which can lead to PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome (PHTS). PHTS increases risk for breast, endometrial, thyroid, and colon cancers.
• TP53 mutation
• STK11 mutation: Linked to Peutz-Jegher's syndrome
• PALB2 mutation: Very rare. Linked to a higher risk of breast cancer and hereditary pancreatic cancer.
• CD81 mutation

These gene mutations can increase your risk of developing breast cancer significantly over an 85-year lifespan, Dr. Addae says.

So how do you know if you have a gene mutation? Most of the time, you wouldn’t.

"With BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, you might have people in your family with prostate cancer, breast cancer or ovarian cancer. With this combination of cancers and young people developing these cancers, that serves as a red flag, which tells you with this strong family history, there might be something going on,” he adds.

To qualify for genetic testing, Dr. Addae says medical professionals must follow specific guidelines first. 

• You don't have breast cancer, but you come to your oncology team with a strong family history of cancers. 
• There are people with known mutations in your family.
• You come with a diagnosis of breast cancer under the age of 50 (some guidelines say 65).
• You have triple-negative breast cancer.
• You have Stage 4 breast cancer. Genetic testing might show your cancer team certain types of helpful treatment that are only available for people with that type of gene mutation.
• You have other family members with breast, prostate or ovarian cancer, and you develop breast cancer. 

Additionally, Dr. Addae says there are modifiable risk factors, or things we can control, that increase the risk of breast cancer. 

• Waiting longer to have a child
• Taking oral contraception
• Post-menopausal women receiving hormone replacement therapy
• Radiation for certain cancers (like lymphoma): Dr. Addae notes that if the medical team deems radiation for lymphoma necessary, it’s important to receive the treatment
• Post-menopausal weight gain

There are proactive things you can do to decrease your risk of breast cancer as well

• Cut out smoking
• Decrease the amount of alcohol you drink
• Know your family history

Making an appointment with your doctor for a screening, along with self-examination of your breasts, are good ways to keep an eye on things, Dr. Addae adds.

For more information on breast cancer and programs and services available, head to the OSF HealthCare website.

Video Interview Clips

“My world was turned upside down.”

These are the words of 36-year-old Amanda Wlezen, from Poplar Grove, Illinois, who just found out she has a Stage 1 breast cancer known as invasive ductal carcinoma.

"Being so young, it was something I was not expecting. I honestly went in and thought I would get a full clean bill of health, like 'you're good to go,' but that was not the case," Wlezen says.

Aside from battling the disease, Wlezen is now also faced with another challenge. The potential of hair loss.

"(Your hair is) your identity. It's how you approach people and feel confident,” Wlezen adds.

Thanks to a generous donation by breast cancer survivor Patricia Cutilletta, chemotherapy patients now have an extra tool to help keep their hair during treatment. It’s known as scalp cooling and is offered across the OSF HealthCare Ministry at all six OSF cancer centers.

“The cooling cap can give you your confidence back, so I feel like that's going to help others," Wlezen says.

Scalp cooling allows the patient’s temperature to be brought down to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, which then reduces the amount of chemo that is absorbed by hair follicles. This, in turn, helps decrease the amount of hair loss. A cooling cap is used and personalized for the individual patient. It’s fitted to their head and is not reused.

While scalp cooling has been around for some time, the new equipment is much more user-friendly and accessible.

"The old machines are very large and cumbersome. You had to have someone bring dry ice. You almost had to have another person with you to make that successful," says Leah Goforth, manager of gynecological oncology at OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute in Peoria, Illinois. "This company we've partnered with, and the new designs, have made it more accessible and portable.”

Wlezen says this opportunity has given her a lot of reassurance during a difficult time.

"I honestly thought I was going to lose all my hair and that I didn't have an option. So, I am very grateful for this innovative product, and for giving it a shot and helping me to maintain these beautiful locks," Wlezen laughs.

This is a real challenge seen in many patients, says Julie Cline, manager of oncology services at OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois.

"We have had some patients in the past ask if we were able to offer this, and we, at that time, were not. We have had some patients bring in their own supplies, which is way more costly for them to do,” Cline says. “So, this provides them with a tool to help lessen their anxiety and protect their self-image."

Michelle Rowland, MD, is a gynecologic oncologist at OSF Cancer Institute. She says scalp cooling can offer several benefits for the patient.

"It is important for the patient in terms of self-esteem and being able to continue doing things like their job, that they don't have to explain to everyone why their hair is falling out," Dr. Rowland says. "For some people, it's a level of comfort and confidence that they can carry through chemotherapy. That overall, I think, helps them tolerate it better."

Dr. Rowland says not all chemotherapy treatments cause hair loss, so it’s important for the patient and doctor to discuss if scalp cooling is the right option.

"For some of our treatments, it might only be effective for 30% of patients. For others, it might be much higher at 80%," Dr. Rowland says.

Aside from the emotional and mental benefit scalp cooling can provide, there can also be a physical benefit, Dr. Rowland adds.

"Losing your hair, oftentimes, is irritating to the scalp. We do have patients that have complications of losing their hair. It's not as simple as 'my hair fell out,' but you may have folliculitis (infection) across the scalp," Dr. Rowland says. "Keeping the scalp healthy and doing things for the scalp can help them avoid some of those complications."

Goforth says during a time when you feel like you don’t have much control, this technology changes that.

"It's that sense of empowerment,” Goforth agrees. “That was one of the big things that Pat (Cutilletta) has been very vocal about. It's not about vanity; it's about empowerment back to the patient during a very powerless-feeling time in their journey.”

Cline says her greatest satisfaction is giving the patients some power over their cancer.

"Patients come in here all the time, very teary eyed, very sad, because they have no control. They feel like cancer is controlling their life, so this just gives them that hope of having something that I can control. It helps lessen that anxiety, sometimes even helps them stay on their treatment plan and stay compliant with it,” Cline says.

Cline explains that the scalp cooling process starts 30 minutes before chemotherapy infusions. It then continues through the end of the treatment, and then depending on the treatment regimen, continues another two to three hours post treatment cooling.

Oftentimes the scalp cooling service is covered by insurance. The patient’s care team should submit the treatment to insurance before the scalp cooling service starts to get an idea of how much insurance will cover. The patient would then find out what if there is going to be any out of pocket costs.

If you’re in need of cancer support services and need help finding an appointment or a provider, visit the OSF HealthCare website.

Amanda Wlezen Video Interview Clips

Dr. Michelle Rowland Video Interview Clips

Julie Cline Video Interview Clips

Leah Goforth Video Interview Clips

John Rinker, DO, of OSF HealthCare, is in his mid-40s and in good health but he recently embarked on a journey that began with a quick swab inside his mouth to find out if he was at high risk of any of 10 major diseases.

The test that includes a simple cheek swab is polygenic testing. Polygenic testing focuses on the cumulative effect of many common genetic variations to determine a person’s risk for developing complex diseases, while genetic testing typically focuses on a single gene or a small number of genes to identify specific genetic conditions or mutation. Why did he get the test? Dr. Rinker believes knowledge is power.

“And potentially, how is it likely if I’m affected, I want to make sure that I’m aware for my children, right? And so personally, I chose to get the test done, because if there’s anything that I found, I would want to do everything in my power to make a change, if at all possible, so I can live a healthier life and a longer life.”

Dr. Mark Meeker, DO, is former vice president of Community Medicine at OSF HealthCare, now vice president and chief medical officer of OSF HealthCare St. Mary Medical Center and OSF HealthCare Holy Family Medical Center. Meeker explains polygenic testing creates Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS) that aggregate the effects of thousands of genetic variants to assess a predisposition to common diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and various cancers.

“(It’s not) looking for a specific change in a gene that puts you at risk of a specific disease. It’s risk categorization. So, do you have an elevated risk for something like Alzheimer’s or diabetes or colon cancer or breast cancer? Not ‘Do you have the BRCA (Breast Cancer Susceptibility) gene, the specific gene that puts you at risk for breast cancer?’ But ‘Do you have a compilation of genes that puts you in a higher risk category?’”

OSF HealthCare has been offering polygenic testing at five OSF Medical Group locations including Peoria, Galesburg, Kewanee, and Pontiac. The test carries an out-of-pocket cost of $275 because it is currently not covered by insurance. But, for some people it’s worth the cost to have the knowledge or peace of mind that comes with knowing if they’re at high risk for common cancers and diseases such as coronary artery, atrial fibrillation, and stroke.

Dr. Rinker has a family history of prostate cancer and fully expected he would turn up at high risk for that. However, his results showed Dr. Rinker at high risk for Alzheimer’s disease. There’s no cure but he says good diet, exercise and – importantly – getting enough sleep can help with prevention.

“That’s definitely something I’ve been trying to maximize or improve, not only from an Alzheimer’s perspective. But, you know, you’ll find a lot of these things in the human body all interact with something else, and you’re not just getting one improvement and one small outcome that you’re looking at. Well, that might be what the impetus for change is (but) it’s going to have a whole trickle-down effect on a whole host of other health issues or prevent a whole number of other health issues.”

Who is a good candidate?

The target group of individuals to get polygenic testing is between 20 and 65 because that’s when added screening and any lifestyle changes can have an impact. Dr. Rinker is excited about the potential to prevent disease among those who are at high risk.

“The more that we can find or identify a disease early the more we can either prevent the disease or get upstream of the illness occurring; always leads to better outcomes.”

Dr. Meeker explains that polygenic tests expand the analysis beyond family history and genetic testing to broader examination of the human genome.

“If you use a questionnaire, for example, a family history and stuff to screen for certain cancers, if you add polygenic risk scores to that, you can increase the pool of high-risk people by two- or three-fold, because it catches more people than these preliminary screening tools just don’t catch.”

The eight-month pilot continues. Leaders will consider whether to expand the testing across the OSF Ministry by considering the number of people taking advantage of it, along with feedback from providers and patients.

While PRSs can identify individuals at higher risk, they have limitations for complex conditions influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. But, Dr. Meeker believes in the future, polygenic risk scoring will influence individual screening recommendations.

“The hope is, as we learn more in this area and get this more highly refined, that we can really target our screening so we can screen fewer people to find the ones that are really at risk, without having to screen everybody and spending all that money and having all that exposure, you know, the potential false positives.”

Polygenic risk scores in the future could also help identify individuals who are most likely to benefit from specific treatments, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of clinical trials. And Dr. Meeker asserts, as research continues, more targeted, personalized approaches to care and prevention can improve overall health and wellness.

Currently polygenic testing is still in an early phase of the pilot, so it is available through five select OSF Medical Group providers in Peoria, Galesburg, Kewanee, Sheffield, and Pontiac. If you have questions, talk with your primary care provider or learn more at the National Human Genome Research Institute.

Top 10 health risks included in polygenic testing:

1.    Breast cancer

2.    Colon cancer

3.    Prostate cancer

4.    Ovarian cancer

5.    Coronary artery disease

6.    Atrial fibrillation

7.    Stroke

8.    Type 1 diabetes

9.    Type 2 diabetes

10.  Alzheimer’s disease

Dr. John Rinker

Dr. Mark Meeker

B-roll of polygenic testing

The Peoria, Illinois-based hospital system has brought surgical oncologist Tamara Floyd, MD, to the care team at OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Dr. Floyd performs cytoreductive and HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy) surgeries in Peoria, while also seeing patients in Bloomington and Galesburg.

HIPEC procedures are mostly for patients who have tumors or cancer spread in the abdominal cavity. 

Cancerous tumors are removed through cytoreductive surgery where the surgeon initially attempts to remove as much of the cancer as possible. Surgery is then followed by HIPEC, which is when a heated chemotherapy – at just over 106 degrees Fahrenheit – is administered into the abdomen. The heated chemo is then circulated around the area inside the abdomen to treat any remaining microscopic tumor cells.

HIPEC can be beneficial for several types of cancer patients. The one it benefits the most is LAMN, or low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm. HIPEC is considered a standard of care for patients who have seen their cancer spread into the space in the abdomen that contains the abdominal organs.

These can be appendix, colorectal, and now more data indicates stomach cancer patients may benefit from HIPEC, Dr. Floyd says.

"Additionally with more data, pancreatic cancer is being looked at as well. Even patients with breast cancer. Another cancer that benefits from HIPEC is peritoneal mesothelioma." 

HIPEC can be a viable treatment option at any stage, Dr. Floyd says. But as some people are diagnosed with later stage disease, it can feel like no options are possible. HIPEC changes that.

"It's beneficial to have the option of doing HIPEC, or cytoreductive surgeries, for patients who have peritoneal spread of disease, which for most cancers means it is a stage 4 disease," Dr. Floyd says. "In a lot of instances, if you're talking about stage 4 disease, there aren't a lot of other options."

While HIPEC is a viable option for low-grade cancers, it's also a helpful option for later stage, more aggressive cancers. Patients with signet ring or goblet cell features, which are more aggressive subtypes, can also be treated with HIPEC. 

"Signet ring is one of the subtypes of appendiceal, colon or rectal that can be treated. There are even some subtypes of gastric or stomach cancer that are considered a signet ring or have signet ring features," Dr. Floyd says. "Cytoreductive and HIPEC can be considered for those patients."

Throughout a cancer journey, combining traditional chemotherapy that is administered through IV with HIPEC provides a "synergistic effect" Dr. Floyd says. HIPEC allows the chemotherapy to be administered directly to the cancer cells and kill them that way. 

Dr. Floyd has done one HIPEC at OSF Saint Francis so far and has another planned soon. It's anticipated that within the next year, Dr. Floyd and her team will start to do three to four HIPEC surgeries a month as OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute continues to grow as a destination center.

Patient recovery times can be one to two weeks in the hospital after HIPEC surgery, which is why having this option for Central Illinois patients is so important. It allows the patient and their families to stay close to home, instead of having to travel hours away. Dr. Floyd says the longer travel times can turn patients and their families away from pursuing care. 

Heated chemotherapy can also be used in thoracic cavities. This would then be called HITEC or HITOC, Heated IntraThoracic Chemotherapy. This is for patients who have disease spreading in the pulmonary area. 

Types of cancers that can be treated by HIPEC: 

-          LAMN (Low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm)

-          Appendiceal

-          Colon

-          Rectal

-          Gastric

-          Stomach

-          Pancreatic

-          Breast

-          Mesothelioma

-          Ovarian

For more information on cancer treatment options at OSF, visit the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute website.

Video Interview Clips

Innovative Technologies at the Forefront

Leading-edge cancer treatments like proton beam therapy, brachytherapy, genetic counseling and dietetics are all offered within the OSF Cancer Institute, providing patients with a one-stop-shop during their cancer journey.  

Proton therapy

Proton therapy was first offered on April 1, 2024.

"Proton therapy lets us offer radiation therapy to patients that maybe wouldn't have been able to tolerate side effects due to tumor location, or factors such as prior radiation treatment to the same area," says Tom Cox, the vice president of operations at OSF Cancer Institute. " This is possible because protons stop after passing through a tumor, eliminating the radiation effects on tissue often treated incidentally to photon (X-ray) therapy. The OSF Cancer Institute is on track to have treated 180 patients by April 1, 2025 – which far exceeded the original first-year target of 130 patients.

Brachytherapy

The brachytherapy suite offers a more patient-friendly way for mostly prostate and gynecological (cervical, endometrial) cancer patients to receive treatment. This option involves placement of applicators or needles directly into tumors so that very controlled, effective radiation can be delivered in discrete volumes. Since the radiation is delivered from within the tumor, there is a dramatic reduction of the dose to normal tissue, even those near the tumor itself. The dose is delivered with high-dose rate techniques so the therapy is delivered in just a few minutes time.

"Being able to bring the introduction of the applicators into the body, the treatment planning CT and the treatment all in one room, has created a much better experience. We're having some really good outcomes there, and we think we can expand what we're able to do there,” Cox says.

Intuitive Ion robot 

The OSF Cancer Institute’s pulmonology team offers state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and treatments, including minimally invasive, robotic surgeries and robotic assistive bronchoscopy. This includes the Intuitive Ion Robot, which allows care teams to get early answers and advance care for lung cancer patients.

"We're going to leverage the ability of an ion robot in the interventional pulmonary lab to really upend how we do the front end of lung cancer care," Cox says. "That robot is going to enable us to biopsy smaller lesions. It has fewer side effects than when you're getting a lung biopsy that's CT-guided. You can also do a staged EBUS (endobronchial ultrasound) exam, so you can diagnosis and stage at the same time."

Rachael Davis, MD, a pulmonologist at OSF Cancer Institute, and her team have been using the ion robot weekly. Dr. Davis and her team are training more providers, and by this summer they’re expecting to quadruple – or more – how often it’s used. 

HIPEC procedures

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) surgeries are now offered at the OSF Cancer Institute. Tamara Floyd, MD, a surgical oncologist with OSF performs the open surgery and removes tumors from the abdomen. In the HIPEC procedure, heated chemotherapy is circulated through the body for a period of time. The first case went extremely well, and Dr. Floyd is planning her second case for mid-March. 

In addition to treatment options, the OSF Cancer Institute is increasing cancer supportive services in the Peoria region as well.

• Cancer navigation - 13% increase (Specially trained OSF Mission Partners walking you through the process of cancer care) 
• Dietetics - 64% increase
• Palliative medicine - 213% increase (Helps control symptoms, augments treatment from physicians) 
• Genetic counseling - 20% increase

Nutrition journey during cancer

Part of the dietary benefits OSF Cancer Institute offers is in the CEFCU Teaching Kitchen. Oncology dietitians work with patients on recipes to cook and are there with them step-by-step during their cancer journeys. Cox says 50% of people who come in for cancer treatment have dietary risks, while 80% of those people suffer malnutrition during treatment. Having a trained, professional dietary team walking alongside you helps fight those negative complications.

OSF Cancer Institute Culture

Cox credits the Institute’s first-year success to the culture of those who work there. The goal, he says, is to offer cancer support services across the entire spectrum of life. 

"The Mission Partners that work in this building have completely bought in to the idea that we all are advocates for cancer patients. We're always asking patients what they need, to see if we can help them," Cox says. "If we hear there's an issue with travel, or they're having trouble keeping food down, or if their children are not coping very well (with a loved one's cancer diagnosis), we know there are resources in the building, and we try very hard to line up those resources. You can feel it when you walk through the building."

Support services after cancer treatment 

"We can get you with a nurse, an exercise specialist and a dietitian to get back to your best life after cancer. Maybe you like to run a lot and ran half marathons, and you think you'll never be able to do it again. We have rehab and exercise specialists here and nutritionists. Who says you can't do that again? We're going to work with you to see you can get to the life after cancer you want to get to,” Cox says.

Services and medical professionals continue to grow

Building off the first year of OSF Cancer Institute, the administrative team continues to hire world-class medical professionals to offer cancer care in Peoria. A breast surgeon was recently brought onto the team, and a colorectal surgeon will be starting soon.

Additionally, the fourth floor of the building will be built out soon. Cox says this will give much-needed space for the surgical oncology and medical research teams. Research-focused medical oncologists are currently being recruited as well.

Leaving OSF Cancer Institute healthier, and more aware

Patients who leave OSF Cancer Institute don't just leave the building as healthier people; their awareness continues and will benefit other people. Cox admits a cancer diagnosis is not an easy thing to go through, and that the support from the OSF care team doesn’t stop when you walk out the door.

Grateful for community support

Cox says he’s been humbled throughout the years of working in oncology by the incredible commitment of the community and region to the OSF Cancer Institute.

"It is overwhelming to me, the philanthropic spirit of our community and extended community," Cox says. "I take that as, they've made a big commitment to us, and we're making a big commitment back. We're going to bring things to central Illinois that have not been here before. We are going to support you and your family members throughout your life and keep you as healthy, relative to cancer, as we possibly can."

Looking to the future

Cox says the OSF Cancer Institute is looking to bring more pediatric cancer support services to the building, the work collaboratively alongside the adult services.

The team is creating both a lung lesion clinic and a lung multidisciplinary clinic, which aims to reduce the time from finding a cancerous lesion to treatment. The lesion clinic is expected to open in late spring.

The OSF Cancer Institute intake team has been created with oncology nurses who will answer patients’ questions on the very same day, to see if services are right for you.

Cox adds that OSF is planning to put together an early detection hotline as a resource for the community to know if or when they should be screened for cancer.

To learn more about the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute, visit its website to view the services offered and find contact information to get connected.

Video Interview Clips

Family – literally and figuratively – is a word Fred Smith, 88, knows well, too. After his diagnosis around four years ago, he’s gotten radiation treatment on his neck and intravenous (IV) chemotherapy at OSF Moeller Cancer Center.

“The nurses were so friendly,” Fred says.

“They’re a wonderful couple,” says Jill Pruitt, a licensed practical nurse and certified oncology navigator at OSF Moeller Cancer Center. Pruitt is another part of that support system for cancer patients.

“They’re always positive,” Pruitt adds of the Smiths. “They put their trust in God. They put their trust in us. No matter what news is thrown at them, they take it and go with it.”

Happy anniversary

On August 1, 2024, Fred Smith was due for his first chemotherapy treatment. When Neva called to schedule the appointment, she mentioned it was the couple’s 65^th wedding anniversary but said there was no need to postpone the session.

What greeted Fred and Neva in the infusion bay: cake, a banner and well wishes from OSF Mission Partners.

“It was a monumental day,” Pruitt says.

Fred, Neva and Jill all have the same take-home message: A support system when battling cancer is crucial, and you should find the right people and things that lift you up.

“Stay encouraged, and have friends who encourage you,” Neva says. “When I had [my cancer treatment,] I listened to a lot of gospel music. That helped me.”

“I always say my prayers at night,” Fred adds. “It’s not a religious thing. I’m just so thankful I found this hospital.”

“It’s very important to have someone there with you for support,” Pruitt says. “Someone to give you a ride or bring you a warm meal. As you’re going through [cancer treatment,] you don’t always feel like cooking or cleaning your house.”

Learn more

Read more about cancer treatment at OSF HealthCare, including the OSF Cancer Institute in Peoria, Illinois, the hub of cancer care at OSF. If you need help in your cancer journey, contact the health system, church or social service agency near you to see if they offer patient navigators, social workers, support groups or other resources. Pruitt also says OSF and other health systems use the American Cancer Society’s resources.

Interview clips - Fred and Neva Smith

Interview clips - Jill Pruitt

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A breast cancer survivor's toolkit

Terri Odell has never had any serious health problems. She can’t even remember ever calling in sick to work. The Rockford, Illinois native attributes her good fortune to leading an active lifestyle that started when she was a young child and continued into adulthood – working out, running marathons and now owning a personal training business.

So, when she found a lump in her breast in December 2023, the 63-year-old Odell was stunned.

“That's the hardest thing for me but also the biggest benefit for me,” she says. “I know that my body's very strong, and it's extremely healthy, except for that little bit of cancer that’s moving through it. But it does make me feel a lot more secure that everything's going to be okay. And that's a big part of getting better is to believe in it and to keep yourself going.”

Family history 

Cancer is no stranger to Odell’s family. Her mother passed away from ovarian cancer when Odell was three years old. Odell, who had seven siblings, lost two sisters to lung cancer, and she has an aunt and cousin who’ve battled ductal carcinoma. The fear of cancer was always in the back of Odell’s mind.

Her lump turned out to be triple negative breast cancer, which is a cancer of the breast that does not have hormone receptors, such as estrogen and progesterone, that are found in most breast cancers. Triple negative breast cancer is usually diagnosed in women younger than 45.

“We see it in about 15% of breast cancer patients,” says Peggy Rogers, a nurse practitioner in genetics and medical oncology for OSF HealthCare. Rogers did not treat Odell but has cared for many patients with a similar diagnosis. “These patients are treated with chemotherapy and immunotherapy, and we offer genetic testing to these women who are diagnosed with these cancers because they tend to be aggressive.”

Odell carries the BRCA1 gene, which increases the risk for ovarian cancer. It turns out that Odell had a tumor in her fallopian tube, so she had oophorectomy, which is surgery to remove one or both ovaries. “BRCA” stands for “BReast CAncer gene.” BRCA1 and BRCA2 are two different genes that have been found to impact a person’s chances of developing breast cancer. Odell had a lumpectomy to remove the cancerous tumor in her breast.

Rogers says women will often consider having a mastectomy on the affected breast or bilateral mastectomy to remove both breasts and reduce the elevated risk of a potential second breast cancer. “If they don't have breast cancer, but they’re diagnosed with the BRCA1 gene, we put them on heightened surveillance with a mammogram, alternating with a breast MRI every six months,” she says. 

Now, Odell is spreading the important message of genetic testing. And no better time than the present. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“You know, people are asking me about breast cancer, but I try to tell them it's not about that. It's really about the BRCA gene,” Odell says. “That's the serious part of the whole disease. And that's the part that I want to get people to understand.” 

Genetic testing 

Genetic testing helps determine the chances of developing a disease in the future. Rogers says the purpose of genetic testing in the case of breast cancer is to detect a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation or other breast cancer genes in your DNA, which indicates a higher risk for developing cancer.

“Any woman who has a family history of three women affected with breast cancer, one under the age of 50, on the same side of the family, would be appropriate for a genetic referral,” says Rogers. “Or breast cancer and ovarian cancer is a red flag and is a good reason for a woman to come in for a risk evaluation.” In addition, any woman with triple negative breast cancer, male breast cancer or Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry should be tested. And family history of ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer or metastatic prostate cancer would also be appropriate for risk evaluation. 

Genetic testing can be done using blood or saliva samples. Results are usually available within three to four weeks.

Rogers says if a person tests positive for a pathogenic variant in BRCA, she should inform all her first-degree relatives, including children, because there's a 50/50 chance they could inherit the gene, but it’s also important to share the information with other family members on the affected side of the family.

Training for the biggest race of her life 

As for Odell, she remains optimistic that better days are ahead. She’s still training her clients and continuing to push herself with her own rigorous workouts.

“I'm making [cancer] my marathon,” she says of fighting cancer. “It's the same kind of thinking – eating right, getting sleep and doing the best for your body.”

And she’s involved with cancer-related events and activities, spreading the word about prevention and genetic testing. In fact, most of her surviving siblings have now been tested. Odell says there will be no more surprises in her family when it comes to cancer. 

“It's hard to hear that diagnosis,” she says. “There was a lot of sadness. I went to a few dark places, but you have to come out of it and believe there's something bigger out there. There's a bigger plan. I believe that.” 

For more information on genetic testing, visit OSF HealthCare.

Terri Odell interview clips 

Peggy Rogers interview clips 

B-Roll 

In May 2023, federal officials drafted a groundbreaking recommendation for women to get the common breast screening known as a mammogram. 

A year later, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) finalized their recommendations, saying starting at 40, women should start to get breast screenings every other year. This new guidance given by the  USPSTF lowered the age from 50 to 40.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). It makes up for roughly 30% of new female cancers every year.

OSF HealthCare advanced practice registered nurse Banesa Chavez says early intervention is key to preventing breast cancer deaths.

“The benefit of completing your screenings is being able to find it earlier and get it treated,” Chavez says. “The outcomes are a lot better when the cancer is found in the early stages.”

Alongside seeing a breast health specialist, Chavez says there are ways to perform self-checks for breast cancer at home. She adds it’s vital to be vigilant in detecting any signs or symptoms and reach out to your medical provider if you find something concerning.

“If you experience any pain, any discharge,” Chavez says. “Women should be doing breast self-exams monthly.”

If you’re unsure how to perform breast self-exams, you can read Breast self-checks 101 on the OSF Newsroom.

Chavez says the new breast screening recommendations should be reason for younger women to pay attention to any bumps or lumps they see or feel on their breasts.

“Just because you’re not in your 40s or 50s, that doesn’t mean you should ignore any abnormalities or breast changes,” Chavez says. “Come and see us. There are other things we can do, other than mammograms, to detect what’s going on with your breast changes. Especially if there is a strong family history of breast cancer, it’s important not to ignore your symptoms.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports about 240,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women and about 2,100 in men each year. About 42,000 women and 500 men in the U.S. die from the disease every year.

The OSF HealthCare recommendations for mammograms can be found here.

Spanish version here

Video Interview Clips

The United States Food and Drug Administration recently approved the first treatment for people with liver scarring due to fatty liver disease. It's welcome news for people battling the disease.

How did we get here?

In some ways, it goes back to the obesity epidemic in the United States. Obesity brings an increased risk of fatty liver disease, an ailment that’s treatable but could mean serious complications. Moreover, health experts say isolation during the pandemic led may to increase alcohol intake, another risk factor for fatty liver.

David Rzepczynski, MD, a gastroenterologist at OSF HealthCare, describes the liver as an “extremely important” factory for the body. It performs many functions, like detoxifying medications, aiding digestion and making cholesterol, proteins and amino acids that help the body function. And have you ever missed a meal? You can thank your liver for releasing glucose and giving you energy.

All those “factory functions” make it critical to be watchful of fatty liver disease. As the name suggests, the disease describes an accumulation of fatty cells in the liver. Dr. Rzepczynski says it takes just 5% of cells with increased fat to make a diagnosis, but some obese people have 100% of cells with fat.

Hepatitis C and excessive alcohol use can cause fatty liver disease or are at least linked to it. But you can still get fatty liver if you’re not a heavy drinker, and that’s where your weight comes into play.

“The big driving force of fatty liver disease is what we call the metabolic syndrome,” Dr. Rzepczynski explains. “There are five factors: obesity, diabetes, hypertension [high blood pressure], high cholesterol and insulin resistance.”

Dr. Rzepczynski adds that fatty liver disease may cause pain in the upper abdomen, but it mostly comes without symptoms. So if any of those five risk factors apply to you or if you’re a heavy drinker, don’t wait. Talk to your health care provider about getting your liver looked at.

A doctor will likely start with a blood test, Dr. Rzepczynski says. An ultrasound or biopsy may also be needed. The next step: lose weight.

“It doesn’t have to be getting back to your ideal body weight,” Dr. Rzepczynski says. “Losing 5% of your weight can reduce fat in the liver. Losing 7% will help reverse some of the inflammation associated with fatty liver. And some studies have even shown that losing 10% or more might reverse some of the scarring.”

While it may be a bit alarming, left unchecked, fatty liver disease can lead to a serious condition called cirrhosis, or scarring, of the liver.

“You have normal liver tissue replaced by scar tissue,” Dr. Rzepczynski says. “When that occurs, you have a loss of liver function. You have less liver cells performing their duties.”

Cirrhosis of the liver can cause the organ to fail, making a transplant necessary. Liver issues can also mean an increased risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer, particularly breast and colon cancer.

Learn more about fatty liver disease and other gastroenterology care on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

Cancer can impact anyone, and the numbers show cases skewing younger.

Recently, the American Cancer Society reported that for the first time colon and rectal cancers have become leading causes of cancer deaths in younger adults. 

Overall, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death among men and women of all ages. Prostate cancer is second for men, and breast cancer is second for women. Colorectal cancer is third for both men and women. 

Another study suggests that certain cancers are being diagnosed more often in younger adults in the U.S., and the spike is due, in part, to adults and especially women in their 30s.

The study published in the journal JAMA Network Open, looked at 17 National Cancer Institute registries with more than 500,000 cases of early-onset cancer, or cancers diagnosed in patients under age 50, between 2010 and 2019. The study showed early-onset cancers increased during that time by an average of just over a quarter of a percent (.28).  

In 2019, breast cancer had the highest number of incidences of early-onset cases. Gastrointestinal cancers and cancers of the urinary system and the female reproductive system are right up there as well.  

Peggy Rogers is a nurse practitioner in genetics and medical oncology for OSF HealthCare. She sees similar trends among her patients.

“For women, they are the caregivers in the family, and they tend to worry about everyone else besides themselves, and maybe put off seeking care sooner," says Rogers. "But women also encourage their husbands to seek and visit with their provider. So that’s a positive. But in general, I would say we have to keep talking.”

 Among gastrointestinal cancers, the most common early-onset cancers were found in the colon, rectum, stomach and pancreas. The fastest-growing incidence rates were found in the appendix, bile duct and pancreas.

“I think the nuance that we found is it's more common to find gastric cancers, which I don't think people realize, and I don't think people are aware of, the signs for gastric cancer can be as simple as abdominal pain and nausea or feeling full quickly, and they may need medical attention sooner," says Rogers. 

Some of the reasons for increased cancer rates in adults under age 50 include:

·         Drinking alcohol in excess

·         Smoking tobacco

·         Eating a Western diet (prepackaged foods, fried foods, processed meats, high-sugar drinks)

·         Being obese or overweight

·         Being exposed to environmental toxins

“We are concerned that obesity is an epidemic, and it's not just overconsumption of food and inactivity," says Rogers. "It’s the types of foods that people are eating, which is processed, it's quick, it's easy, but it's not the most beneficial.”

To lower your overall cancer risk, Rogers recommends maintaining a healthy weight, increasing your exercise, trying to eat five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day, limiting processed foods, not smoking and drinking in moderation.

Colonoscopy screening is usually recommended starting at age 45. People with family history may have to start earlier.  And pay attention to potential symptoms such as blood in the stool, abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits and unexplained weight loss. 

Rogers also recommends having conversations with your physician about your health. And for younger people who don’t have a provider, it’s important to find one. 

“I think working towards having a visit at least once a year to establish with a provider – establish goals for their health care – is very important and sometimes family history is contributory and why people get cancers," she says. "So those are discussions that you can have with your primary care provider. Maybe they need a referral or their family member that's been affected with cancer should consider a genetic risk assessment to further look at what may be contributing to some of the cancers in the family, even at early onset.”

For more information about cancer, visit OSF HealthCare. 
 

Interview Clips 

B-roll

The President’s Cancer Panel is a federal advisory committee that reports on barriers to progress in reducing the burden of cancer. This year, the panel is conducting a series of public meetings to discuss the current landscape of patient navigation.

Dr. Handler specializes in digital solutions to optimize care. Along with researchers from OSF HealthCare and the University of Illinois, Dr. Handler published research demonstrating a doubling of cancer screening rates after technology-assisted interventions were implemented for economically disadvantaged women who were late (often two years or more) in their breast cancer screening. Together with another set of researchers from those same institutions, Dr. Handler developed AI to better balance the workload of nurse navigators for cancer patients to avoid burnout and provide the best care.

Dr. Handler believes AI should be developed which can effectively, ethically and equitably support cancer care, regardless of a person’s race, ethnicity or where they live. OSF HealthCare recently joined a national collaborative to provide input on new AI guidelines. 

OSF HealthCare will soon expand cancer services across its Ministry when the OSF Cancer Institute opens on the campus of OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria in February 2024. It will offer the second proton-beam therapy location in Illinois as well as serve as a site for clinical trials, advanced treatment, therapy and a wide range of support services.  

En mayo de 2023, funcionarios federales redactaron una innovadora recomendación para que las mujeres se realicen el estudio habitual de detección de cáncer de mama, conocido como mamografía. En esa nueva orientación presentada por el Grupo de Trabajo de Servicios Preventivos de Estados Unidos (United States Preventive Services Task Force, USPSTF), se redujo la edad de 50 a 40.

El cáncer de mama es el tipo de cáncer más común en mujeres en Estados Unidos, de acuerdo con la Sociedad Americana contra el Cáncer (American Cancer Society, ACS). Constituye cerca del 30 % de los nuevos casos de cáncer en mujeres cada año.

Banesa Chavez, enfermera registrada de práctica avanzada de OSF HealthCare, afirma que la intervención temprana es clave para la prevención de la muerte por cáncer de mama.

“El beneficio de los estudios de detección es la posibilidad de detectarlo y tratarlo antes”, agrega Chavez. “Los resultados son mucho mejores cuando el cáncer se detecta en las etapas más tempranas”.

Además de consultar con un especialista de salud mamaria, Chavez dice que hay formas de realizar autoexámenes de mama en casa. Añade que es vital mantenerse atento a todos los signos y síntomas y consultar con un proveedor médico si se detecta algo preocupante.

“Si tienen dolor o secreciones”, dice Chavez. “Las mujeres deberían realizarse autoexámenes todos los meses”.

Si no saben cómo realizarse un autoexamen de mama, pueden leer la Introducción a los autoexámenes de mama (Breast self-checks 101) en la Sala de prensa de OSF.

Según Chavez, las nuevas recomendaciones de exámenes de detección de cáncer de mama deberían ser un motivo por el que mujeres más jóvenes presten atención a cualquier bulto o protuberancia que puedan ver o sentir en las mamas.

“El hecho de que no tengan 40 o 50 años, no significa que deban ignorar las anomalías y cambios en las mamas”, dice Chavez. “Vengan a vernos. Hay otras cosas que podemos hacer, además de las mamografías, para detectar lo que está sucediendo con los cambios en las mamas. Especialmente si hay antecedentes familiares de cáncer de mama, es importante no ignorar los síntomas”.

Los Centros de Control y Prevención de Enfermedades (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC) informan que todos los años se diagnostican cerca de 240 000 casos de cáncer de mama en mujeres y cerca de 2100 en hombres. Cerca de 42 000 mujeres y 500 hombres en EE. UU. mueren a causa de esta enfermedad todos los años.

Las recomendaciones de OSF HealthCare para mamografías están disponibles aquí.

Vídeos de entrevistas

It’s important for women to keep track of health screening recommendations. Early detection of issues like breast cancer can mean a better outcome.

Since everyone’s situation is different, you should talk to your health care provider about what screenings are right for you and when to get them. But Deena Brown, a board-certified family nurse practitioner at OSF HealthCare, says there are a few screenings every woman should know.

• Breast cancer: Brown says women aged 40 and up should talk to their provider about a yearly mammogram that looks for breast cancer.

For adult women of any age, mammograms should be combined with monthly breast self-checks. Brown suggests doing a self-exam a week after your menstrual cycle. If you’re no longer menstruating, you can choose the same day each month (the first of the month, for example) to help you remember. You should feel for changes or other abnormalities like lumps, bumps, one breast being larger than the other, any nipple discharge and swelling or soreness under the armpit. Make an appointment with your provider if you notice any of those changes.

• Cervical cancer: Brown says cervical cancer screenings typically begin at age 21 and occur every three to five years.

“Those screenings involve a pap smear, which takes a cell sample from the cervix and looks for any abnormal cells that need to be addressed,” Brown says.

• Osteoporosis: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says osteoporosis is a bone disease that develops when bone mineral density and bone mass decrease or when the structure and strength of bones change. This can lead to a decrease in bone strength and an increased risk of bone fractures.

Brown says women over age 65 should be checked for osteoporosis. The NIH says the screening is typically a simple X-ray, and it should be done every two years.

“If the bone density is low, we can initiate treatment with medication to help increase the strength of the bones,” Brown says. “This helps prevent future fractures and debility for women.”

• Colon cancer: Screenings starting at age 45 can help detect colon cancer and other serious issues. A once-a-decade colonoscopy involves a doctor using a tube and camera to check for polyps or cancer in your colon and rectum. Another option is to take a stool sample at home, send it to a provider and they will look for abnormalities. Talk to your provider about which option is best for you.

How things can change

Brown says some women may need these screenings more frequently or earlier in life based on a family history of a disease or your own history.

“It’s all individualized,” she says.

“There are these screening recommendations, but we like to take a personalized approach to care and help address issues as soon as we can.”

In other words, seeing a doctor isn’t just about treating chronic conditions. It’s about preventing them too. And screenings are the best way to do that.

For more on women’s health services, visit the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview clips

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As technology advances, so does the treatment for breast cancer.

For several years, OSF HealthCare has used 3D mammography at a number of its screening sites to help detect cancer. Also referred to as breast tomosynthesis, 3D mammography helps detect breast cancer earlier than 2D mammography, particularly for women with dense breast tissue.

The 3D mammogram is done alongside the traditional 2D digital mammogram. The X-ray arm sweeps in a slight arc over the breast and takes multiple images instead of one straight-down picture. Then, a computer produces a 3D image in one millimeter slices, which provides better visibility for the radiologist to see breast detail in a way never before possible.

Jason Davis, MD, a radiologist at OSF HealthCare, says this newer technology has been a game changer into breast cancer detection.

“There were still some components of sensitivity we were missing from women with dense breasts,” Dr. Davis says. “The 3D mammography really helped that. Just going from digital mammography to 3D mammography was a really big leap. It helped us look at breasts in sections. It’s almost like looking at a CT scan. It helped with cancer detection in all women, but it helped a little bit more with women with denser breasts.”

Advances in mammography can be credited with detecting 80% to 90% of breast cancer in women without symptoms. During his time working with OSF HealthCare, Dr. Davis has seen mammography technology change greatly.

“We have come a long way since film-screen mammography, which is where someone takes an X-Ray and they print out a picture. Then the picture is hung and the radiologists read it that way.  We went from there to digital mammography and now we have 3D mammography.  This tool, along with artificial intelligence, computer-aided, detection has significantly increased breast cancer detection,” Dr. Davis adds.

Across Illinois and in Michigan, OSF HealthCare offers breast health resources. It’s recommended that women over 40 should speak with their health care provider on when the best time is to begin yearly mammograms.

When it comes to getting a mammogram, Dr. Davis says there are “no wrong answers.” He adds if there are only 2D mammograms offered in your area, it’s still best to speak with your doctor and get checked if advised.

Video Interview Clips

While physicals, mammography and other exams can often detect lumps in the breast, they can’t determine whether the growth is benign or cancerous. That’s why a procedure called stereotactic breast biopsy is often called upon. 

Stereotactic breast biopsy is used when a small growth or an area of calcifications is seen on a mammogram. Stereotactic biopsy is an alternative to surgical biopsy. It’s a less invasive way to obtain the tissue samples needed for diagnosis, and the procedure requires less recovery time than a surgical biopsy. Dr.  Stephen Manier, a radiologist with OSF HealthCare, says about 80% of the calcifications he biopsies are benign.

“In the past stereotactic biopsies were done with a special table where the patient's laying on their stomach," says Dr. Manier. "Those tables were usually only in places where they did a lot of those like big cities because they're very expensive and you really can't use those tables for a regular mammogram. So as a result of that, it's hard to get a stereotactic biopsy without traveling. But in in the last several years, there's another technique where you can actually do an add-on computer to a regular mammogram unit. And that's what we do. That's available in almost all hospitals now.”

Your physician may recommend a stereotactic biopsy if a mammogram finds any of the following:

·         A suspicious lump

·         Abnormal changes in breast tissue

·         Irregularities in breast structure

·         Changes in an area where surgery has taken place

“Most of the time these biopsies are done for breast calcifications," says Dr. Manier. "The majority of the time, and it's difficult to get a biopsy that way using anything else. Calcifications are not usually seen on ultrasound or MRI with breast issues. So doing a regular mammographic technique is really important.”

During a stereotactic biopsy a special mammography machine uses an x-ray technique to help guide the radiologist's biopsy equipment to the site of the imaging abnormality. The radiologist uses images of the breast tissue to take a sample of tissue for testing, which is sent to a pathologist.

“There is compression on the breast. It's similar to getting a mammogram," says Dr. Manier. "Usually it's not severe compression, so they're not in pain, but it's going to be firm. And it takes about 20 to 30 minutes to complete the test.”

 According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, except for skin cancers. It is about 30% (or 1 in 3) of all new female cancers each year. In 2022, about 287,850 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women. That’s why the best way to treat cancer is to catch it at the earliest stage possible, and that’s where stereotactic biopsy can help.

“It's a lot to go through for the patient," says Dr. Manier. "But what happens is it's very rewarding when you find that early breast cancer. You may or may not see a soft tissue density like a regular cancer often is seen, it’s often just calcifications but it can be an early tumor. And usually when you find things early, that's a really good sign that you can take care of them. There's a very high rate of cure when you find things early like that.”

For more information, visit OSF HealthCare.

 

Interview Clips 

B-Roll

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and that has many thinking about the disease that afflicts hundreds of thousands in the United States each year.

People like Cathy Keller. When she visited the ribbon cutting for OSF Moeller Cancer Center in 2019, she had no idea she’d be using the services two years later.

Now, the 66-year-old Godfrey resident is telling other breast cancer patients: you can get through it, too.

“You have to roll with the punches,” Keller says.

The numbers

Heather Thompson is a breast health navigator at Moeller Cancer Center and was with Keller from the beginning. She, too, is a breast cancer survivor.

Thompson says one in eight women will develop breast cancer. Older people are at a higher risk than younger, but younger people typically have more aggressive cancer.

“A huge, huge problem,” as Thompson puts it.

Thompson explains that woman make hormones, especially estrogen, all their life.

“A lot of the hormones in [a woman’s] body are like a fuel to a cancer cell,” Thompson explains. “When you get an abnormal cell, estrogen in our bodies fuels that cell and produces and produces. And you get a mass. And then you have breast cancer.”

Thompson says those breast cancer tumors can develop over time.

Alejandro Sanz, MD, is a surgeon at OSF HealthCare in Alton who specializes in breast cancer. He says around 233,000 U.S. residents hear the words “You have breast cancer” each year. Around 40,000 people die annually from the disease.

Expect the unexpected

Keller got her diagnosis in April of 2021, followed by a lumpectomy the next month. In June, she wound up under the care of Manpreet Sandhu, MD, and James Piephoff, MD, oncologists at Moeller Cancer Center, for chemotherapy and radiation. Keller says she knew she would get the best care at Moeller.

Keller’s first round of chemotherapy produced the serious allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock, and at that point she wanted to quit, as the treatment was preventative. But Dr. Sandhu advised against that.

“She took it upon herself to find a chemo that would not affect me at all,” Keller says.  “And it didn't. The way it was delivered was very different from the way the first chemo was delivered. I didn't have to take the Benadryl. I didn't have to take the steroids.”

To put it a different way: Dr. Sandhu “went to bat for me,” Keller says with conviction and a slight tear in her eye.

 But Keller wasn’t out of the woods yet. Midway through the new type of chemotherapy, she began to suffer neuropathy, or nerve damage that typically results in loss of feeling in your hands and feet.

 Dr. Sandhu proposed a simple solution.

 “I would hold on to little Ziploc bags of ice,” Keller explains. “And they put them on my feet so that the smaller vessels would constrict a little bit so I wouldn't get all that chemo right back down in there.”

The life hack worked long enough to earn Dr. Sandhu’s OK to end that particular treatment.

Keller’s lesson in all this: Expect a bumpy road, but know you have to stick with your cancer treatment. And trust that your providers are doing the best for you.

 Dr. Sanz says providers will hold up their end of that commitment, too.

 “There's a lot of information involved. Patients can get confused about it. So I take care of that. I try to spend a lot of time with my patients explaining this. Going through the images,” Dr. Sanz says.

“A lot of my patients have never seen their own mammogram,” he adds.  “They’ve never seen their own tumor. How does it look?”

Find support

Keller says not only was she not going to battle cancer alone, the disease wasn’t going to interrupt her routine. She worked out with a kettlebell weight. And Keller and a friend still walked the hills near Keller’s home twice a week, sharing laughs and stories.

She got support from her biological family and work family. One female student at Alton High School, where Keller works, told Keller she temporarily lost her hair due to a serious infection.

“If she can come to school and have her peers see her with her short hair now, knowing she had long hair earlier in the year, I don't have to wear my wig anymore,” Keller says. “So I saw her two or three days after I started wearing my regular hair, and I told her, ‘You are my inspiration’.”

Watch your health

Dr. Sanz and Thompson want women to commit these numbers to memory: Start getting a yearly mammogram at age 40. If you have a family history of breast cancer and get an order from your primary care provider, you can start as young as 30.

“Screening is the best tool we have at this moment in order to decrease the mortality of cancer,” Dr. Sanz says.

Thompson adds that unless you’re approaching end of life care, there’s no reason to stop getting the yearly breast checks.

“Women who are thriving and are doing well and have the chance of living the next five years, by all means get their mammogram,” Thompson urges. “Because we can give them that five years by saving them and finding and diagnosing and treating right away.”

Thompson says monthly self-checks of your breasts are equally as important.

“Any woman of any age should do a monthly check. Pick a day out of the month. I want to do it on the first. I'm going to check both breasts,” Thompson suggests. “That way you know your breast. You know how they feel. You know if you have lumpy breasts or not. And so if something changes, something seems abnormal, something feels different, then you get it checked [by a health care provider].”

 Dr. Sanz is all-in on both types of breast checks, too. That’s because 80 to 90% of the patients he sees who are later diagnosed with breast cancer don’t present any symptoms like breast pain or skin abnormality. Rather, they are in Dr. Sanz’ office because a mammogram caught something.

Learn more about breast cancer prevention and treatment on the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview Clips - Cathy Keller

Interview Clips - Heather Thompson

Interview Clips - Dr. Alejandro Sanz

A survivor of four types of cancer, you can understand why Kristi Fetter was a little skeptical that a support group would be the magic to turn her mood around.

Five years later, it’s a 180 degree change of opinion for the Granite City, Illinois, woman.

“They helped me a lot with their knowledge. They’re caring,” Fetter says. “With all the other women there who have been through the same thing that I've been through, that helps too because you're on the same walk.”

Fetter and those who run the Caring Circle cancer support group at OSF HealthCare in Alton, Illinois, are talking about the importance of having people to lean on – whether you’re dealing with cancer or some other hardship.

From attendee to leader

Patient navigators Heather Thompson and Karen Boyd head up the Caring Circle group in Alton. And you couldn’t ask for a better leader than Thompson. Herself a breast cancer survivor, she attended a support group at OSF during her cancer journey. Now, she counsels women who are in that same position. And attendance has grown from just a few to dozens.

“It’s just an amazing group,” Thompson says. “Karen and I look forward to it just as much as the women do.”

Support groups also provide an outlet for some who may not otherwise have an option that allows them to express how they’re feeling.

“Maybe they can’t share certain feelings with their family because they don’t want to upset them.” Thompson says. “They might not want to tell them things that they can share with other people outside their network.”

It’s not all bad

Fetter and Thompson are also trying to break the stereotype that support groups are just sitting in a circle and crying. Sure, emotional conversations happen. Group members can get sick or pass away. But there’s much more. Fetter says guest speakers swing by to teach things like exercising and mental health care. Group members share what’s going on in their lives, which sometimes leads to social outings together. Encouragement cards, crafts and high fives are common. And of course, everyone can bond over a good breakfast.

“We've made cards and sent them over to [service members]. We've sang over in the nursing home at Christmas time to elderly people,” Thompson says. “So we try to do things for other people to take away our problems.”

“I’ve made a lot a good friends,” Fetter says.

“Being alone is being alone,” Fetter adds. “You feel like you've got nobody to talk to. You get depressed. So when you come out [to a support group], you're hanging out with other friends. It lifts your spirits.”

Check with your health care provider or visit the OSF HealthCare list of events to see what support groups are offered near you.

Interview Clips - Kristi Fetter

Interview Clips - Heather Thompson

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Finding support during cancer