Since then, more than 77,000 patients have walked through those doors – each one facing a diagnosis that changed everything.

As the OSF Cancer Institute enters its third year of providing hope and healing for patients with cancer, the time has come to expand the capability to perform this critically important work. The Ministry has received approval for a certificate of need (CON) with the state of Illinois for construction plans for the fourth floor of the facility. The target for completion is spring 2027.

This new area will occupy over 29,000 square feet and will allow OSF to further expand its integrated cancer care network to include robust medical oncology, surgical oncology, and research components. The fourth floor will also allow expansion of OSF’s theranostics (diagnostics and therapeutics) program, private rooms for infusion create space for more clinical trials to take place at OSF Cancer Institute.

As part of the expansion, Robert McWilliams, MD, an internationally recognized clinician, trialist, and leader in gastrointestinal oncology and skin cancers has joined OSF HealthCare as the Deputy Director of the OSF Cancer Institute.

Dr. McWilliams was on faculty at Mayo Clinic for 20 years, serving in numerous leadership roles. He brings that expertise to OSF where he continues clinical trial and outcomes research in addition to transforming the cancer clinical practice.

Dr. McWilliams played a key role in redesigning the medical oncology care model at Mayo Clinic and will lead the expansion of the medical oncology program at OSF. He has authored more than 180 publications, and has served numerous roles across the globe, including serving on the Pancreas Cancer Task Force and the GI Cancers Steering Committee of the National Cancer Institute.

Dr. McWilliams joins the team operating under the leadership of James McGee, MD, president of the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute that includes Jun Zhang, MD, PhD, who joined OSF last fall as vice president, Oncology Research.

Dr. Zhang is a nationally recognized leader in the research and treatment of lung cancer and has extensive expertise in bench-to-bedside translation and the development of investigator-initiated clinical trials. His work continues to shape emerging ideas at the interface of tumor immunology, microbiome science and precision medicine.

Dr. Robert McWilliams Video Interview Clips

Dr. Jun Zhang Video Interview Clips

Dr. James McGee Video Interview Clips

OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute B-Roll

"The most exciting thing that's going on right now, is that some of the most common genetic mutations we know of in pancreatic cancer, are finally having drugs that seem to work against them," says Robert McWilliams, MD, a medical oncologist and the Deputy Director of OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute. "They're in clinical trials right now, but we may see drug approvals as early as this year for these new therapies called KRAS inhibitors. Almost all pancreatic cancer tumors have those mutations. If these drugs are as promising and work as well as we hope, it should make a tremendous difference for pancreatic cancer."

Why this moment matters in pancreatic cancer treatment

Historically, treatment options for pancreatic cancer have advanced slowly compared to other cancers.

"Pancreatic cancer treatment hasn't evolved as quickly as I'd like. We've had more complex chemotherapy regimens that work incrementally better," Dr. McWilliams says. "Trying to put those together into a plan for patients using more neoadjuvant therapies (giving chemotherapy to shrink a tumor before surgery) is something we've done a lot more of in the last few years."

Even with incremental improvements, outcomes have remained challenging – largely because of how pancreatic cancer behaves.

The challenge of a “silent” disease

Pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest forms of gastrointestinal cancer, is often diagnosed late, when treatment options are more limited. According to 2015-2021 data from the National Cancer Institute, only 13.3% of people survived five or more years after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Nearly 68,000 people were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2025, almost 52,000 of them died from the disease.

"One of the things that's most challenging about pancreatic cancer, is that it can be there without causing specific symptoms. Even though a lot of people with advanced pancreatic cancer do have symptoms commonly, it is a very difficult cancer to detect early," Dr. McWilliams says. "Because of that, oftentimes people present with advanced or metastatic disease.”

Therapeutic cancer vaccines are also in development right now. Promising results from post-operative mRNA-based vaccines have suggested an immune response is possible, and patients may have better outcomes. More trials are in progress to evaluate this further.  

Targeting KRAS: A long-standing goal

According to the Lustgarten Foundation, the largest private funder of pancreatic cancer research in the world, KRAS mutations are central to the disease.

KRAS is a gene that helps control when cells grow and divide. Normally, it works like a switch, turning growth on when the body needs it, and off when it doesn’t. But when KRAS mutates, that switch can get stuck in the “on” position, causing cells to grow nonstop and eventually form cancer.

While KRAS mutations are found in about 11% of all cancers, pancreatic cancer depends on it more than almost any other. In fact, more than 90% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas – the most common type of pancreatic cancer – have a KRAS mutation. That’s why researchers see KRAS as one of the most important and promising targets in the fight against pancreatic cancer.

One of the biggest challenges right now is creating drugs that can shut down the KRAS mutations most seen in pancreatic cancer, especially KRAS-G12D, which shows up in nearly half of all cases. Another key goal is developing treatments that can target several KRAS mutations at the same time. The good news: researchers are actively working on it, with more than 60 RAS-focused drugs currently in development.

New drugs moving through late-stage trials

According to Revolution Medicines, Inc., a late-stage clinical oncology company developing targeted therapies for patients with RAS-addicted cancers, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted a non-transferrable voucher for its drug daraxonrasib (RMC-6236) under the FDA’s Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher pilot program.

Daraxonrasib is being studied in two global Phase 3 clinical trials: RASolute 302 in patients with previously treated metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and RASolve 301 in patients with previously treated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

Symptoms that should not be ignored

Even with promising advances, early detection remains critical.

"One of the things is called painless jaundice. If you turn yellow (jaundice), and you're not having abdominal pain, that is a classical sign for pancreatic cancer," Dr. McWilliams points out. "The most common symptom people notice is weight loss. Most of us are trying to lose weight at any moment in time, but sometimes it's a little too easy and the weight starts dripping off. When that happens, that's something to say 'hey, that's great!' But maybe I should get that checked out."

Reducing cancer risk and improving outcomes

Dr. McWilliams says lifestyle choices can play an important role in reducing cancer risk and improving outcomes after diagnosis:

• Don’t smoke cigarettes
• Don’t vape
• Avoid drinking alcohol
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle, including a healthy weight and regular physical activity

Those diagnosed with cancer tend to do better when they engage in more physical exercise. Regular activity can also help protect against other health concerns, including heart disease, neurological disorders and chronic illness.

Video Interview Clips

Though not one of the most common cancers, Marcie Lindstrom, APRN, says she’s seen liver cancer cases rise in recent years in line with national trends. Luckily, the gastroenterology provider at OSF HealthCare says treatment has evolved, too. And it’s another reminder to know your body and see your health care provider regularly because liver cancer is more treatable when caught early.

The liver: A recap

A primer on what the liver does for us: Lindstrom says the liver sits underneath the right ribcage and cleans toxins from our blood, helps digestion and produces proteins needed to live. In other words, it’s not an organ you can live without like a gallbladder or one kidney.

Liver cancer: Hidden and harmful

Lindstrom says primary liver cancer describes when the cancer starts there, and secondary liver cancer is when it spreads there (medical term: metastasizes), most commonly from the lungs, breasts or colon. Secondary is more common than primary.

“There are multiple causes of liver cancer. A person is at a higher risk if they have a damaged liver,” Lindstrom says. “Things that can cause a damaged liver include alcohol. So heavy alcohol use [is a risk]. Viruses that can infect the liver such as hepatitis B and C [are risks]. And we’re seeing an increasing number of people having fatty liver disease. That puts people at risk for liver damage. That damage can progress to cirrhosis [scarring], and cirrhosis puts you at a higher risk.”

These liver issues can be fatal if untreated. And unfortunately, Lindstrom says liver cancer often comes with no symptoms.

Diagnosis and treatment

That’s where regular visits to your primary care provider, and if needed, a specialist like a gastroenterologist or oncologist come in.

Lindstrom says your provider will go over your risk factors: do you have a family history of liver issues? What’s your own health history, specifically with hepatitis? How often do you drink alcohol? What’s your daily diet and exercise routine?

“If we determine somebody has a lot of scarring of the liver, they should be on regular surveillance looking for liver cancer,” Lindstrom urges. “Every six months, they should get some imaging and possibly a blood test that helps to detect cancer.” The person could also have a biopsy of their liver, where a provider will take a sample of liver tissue and send it to a laboratory to find out exactly what’s wrong.

Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy and liver transplant surgery are possible treatments.

“A liver transplant could be required if the tumor isn’t very large, but there’s a lot of damage or scarring of the liver,” Lindstrom explains.

Prevention

Lindstrom says if it’s caught early, liver cancer can be treated and even cured. Some things to keep in mind to avoid the disease:

• Eat a healthy diet, avoiding things like processed food, high sugar food and high fat food that can lead to liver issues.
   
• Get moving to avoid things like obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol. The American Heart Association says to aim for 150 minutes of exercise per week spread out over several days.
   
• If you do develop chronic conditions like diabetes, see your provider regularly to stay on top of managing the issue.
   
• Know your family history of liver and other health issues.
   
• Limit alcohol or avoid it altogether.
   
• There’s no vaccine for hepatitis C, but there is treatment. There is a vaccine for hepatitis B. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the shots are safe, effective and have a schedule. Talk to a provider to see if you’re on schedule or if you need a shot now, for example if you’re at high risk.
   
• Take other steps to avoid hepatitis: practice safe sexual relations, avoid blood-to-blood contact with others and don’t share or reuse needles.
  
  “You have a history of blood transfusions prior to 1992. You got a tattoo or piercing in a less than sanitary situation,” Lindstrom lists as other hepatitis risk factors. “I’d recommend getting screened. In fact, it’s a current recommendation to be screened for hepatitis C at least once in adulthood.”
  
  Lindstrom says providers list 1992 as a hepatitis C benchmark because that’s when blood screenings were developed.

Learn more

Read more about how to keep your digestive system healthy on the OSF HealthCare website. Cancer care at OSF HealthCare also includes the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute in Peoria, Illinois, which provides comprehensive care for the region.

Interview clips

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Hepatitis B: Know the risks and symptoms

Jun Zhang, MD, PhD, has accepted the position of vice president, Oncology Research for OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute.

Dr. Zhang will oversee all oncology clinical research and supporting infrastructure at the OSF Cancer Institute, ensuring adherence to standard operating procedures, good clinical practice, financial stewardship and regulatory compliance. Additionally, Dr. Zhang will continue the development of the OSF Breakthrough Treatment Center (clinical trial program).

A nationally recognized leader in the research and treatment of lung cancer, Dr. Zhang has extensive expertise in bench-to-bedside translation and the development of investigator-initiated clinical trials. He has authored over 100 publications, including articles in journals such as Clinical Cancer Research, Journal of Thoracic Oncology, JAMA Oncology, and New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Zhang is a member of many prestigious organizations, including American Association for Cancer Research, American Society of Clinical Oncology, European Society for Medical Oncology, International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer and Sigma Xi.

Most recently, Dr. Zhang served as director of Medical Oncology Clinical Research services at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He was also associate director of the early phase program medical oncology program and co-director of the lung cancer program. Dr. Zhang achieved the rank of professor on the Clinical Scholar Track at Kansas University School of Medicine, reflecting his experience and academic excellence in both clinical medical oncology and biological laboratory research.

Dr. Zhang earned his doctorate in Clinical Medicine from Hunan Medical University and his PhD in Cellular Biology and Anatomy from Louisiana State University Health Science Center. He then completed his PhD post-doctoral fellowships at Dana Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard University and University of California San Francisco. Additionally, Dr. Zhang completed his clinical medical oncology fellowship at Emory University.

Gynecologic carcinosarcomas are rare cancerous tumors, mainly impacting the uterus and ovaries, which take on characteristics of epithelial (develops from the cells that cover the ovaries or line the uterus) cancers, as well as sarcomas (develops in bones, cartilage, muscle, fat, blood vessels and more). It’s estimated roughly two out of every 100,000 women will develop these rare tumors each year.

OSF has been able to treat patients with this very rare cancer before, but now with additional oncology specialists at OSF Cancer Institute, the teams are able to better serve these patients and offer them clinical trials as well. 

Uniqueness of gynecologic carcinosarcoma:

"One of the things that is unique about it is that it could be coming from the uterus, it could be coming from the ovaries, and so we group those together as gynecologic carcinosarcoma as a treatment group," says Michelle Rowland, MD, a gynecologic oncologist with OSF HealthCare. 

Chemotherapy and surgery are normally the treatment options doctors use to treat gynecologic carcinosarcoma. Proton therapy at OSF Cancer Institute offers the medical team an additional option in specific situations.

"We do use radiation sometimes," Dr. Rowland says. "In terms of proton therapy, there could be options for that which would add something unique, depending on where the cancer is occurring at that time. We also have investigational studies and expertise in investigational pharmacy and managing trials. This offers some options for patients."

Dr. Rowland and her team in Peoria have opened one clinical trial for patients with gynecologic carcinosarcoma. Additionally, Dr. Rowland says she is working to launch a study with the University of Alabama-Birmingham, which is currently focused on carcinosarcoma. OSF Cancer Institute specialists have a weekly tumor board meeting to put a multi-disciplinary approach together to help each patient, providing individualized care for them.

"We're putting together a think tank with experts across the country in this field," Dr. Rowland says. "We know some of the latest and greatest in terms of what to try, and we're also working on getting clinical trials open specifically for patients with carcinosarcoma."

The goal of the clinical trial is to find a treatment plan that works better than the current options. By learning more about the molecular basis of these tumors, the clinical trials can hopefully lead to better outcomes. 

Concerning signs and symptoms: 

"Very similar to ovarian and endometrial cancers, we're often worried about patients who have vaginal bleeding when they shouldn't, like post-menopausal women with bleeding," Dr. Rowland says. "Abdominal bloating, nausea and vomiting; symptoms where your bowel or your bladder are changing. These are things we'd recommend you reach out to a physician for a workup. It's most likely going to be something else, but it could be something like this."

Dr. Rowland worked on a carcinosarcoma clinical trial during her fellowship, so she has a real passion for finding the best care plans for patients now. She hopes this care and expertise will attract people not only within the Peoria community but far beyond as well to come to Peoria for treatment.

Patients can contact the Breakthrough Treatment Center and find out what treatment options are available. If interested in participating in a clinical trial, people can call 1-844-OSF-4-HOPE (1-844-673-4467).

Video Interview Clips

No one was looking forward to a Los Angeles Dodgers/New York Yankees World Series matchup more than Charley Steiner. The former ESPN broadcaster used to call Yankee games and has spent the past two decades calling Dodger games on the radio. But Steiner, a Bradley University graduate, has missed the entire baseball season due to health reasons. In January of this year, Steiner, 75, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. 

Multiple myeloma is a relatively uncommon cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 35,000 new cases were diagnosed in the U.S. this year. Of those, about 12,500 deaths will occur.  While rare and incurable, multiple myeloma is still a cancer that warrants plenty of attention.

With multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells collect in the bone marrow, leaving little room for healthy blood cells. Rather than produce useful antibodies, the cancer cells produce abnormal proteins that can cause problems.

“Multiple Myeloma is a blood cancer, and it actually affects the white blood cells called plasma cells," says Peggy Rogers, a genetics and medical oncology nurse practitioner with OSF HealthCare. "They work to make antibodies and when they work normally all is well. But in multiple myeloma these plasma cells go awry, so to speak, and they make an abundant amount of them, which decreases a person’s immune system and can cause a lot of other health issues related to this diagnosis.”

There are several risk factors when it comes to multiple myeloma, including age, family history, and gender.

“It is not very common. It’s only about 1-2 % of patients affected with cancer," says Rogers. "Typically it affects people 65 and over, predominantly seen in males and higher frequency in the African American population and we’ve also seen it in men affected by Agent Orange.”

Multiple myeloma symptoms vary. In fact, there may be no symptoms early on in the disease. But if you are experiencing nausea, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss or frequent infections, some investigation might be in order.

“Patients oftentimes can present with renal dysfunction," says Rogers. "They can have bone pain, anemia, and they may have frequent infections as well.” Charley Steiner's symptoms – terrible back pain – started a year ago. 

Treatment depends on how advanced the cancer is and whether there are any symptoms. If there are symptoms, treatment may include chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, radiation, or targeted therapy, which uses drugs to attack specific cancer cells with minimal damage to healthy cells. If there are no symptoms, treatment may not be needed right away.

Steiner says his cancer is now in remission. He hopes to return to the Dodgers' broadcast booth next season. 

“It is very treatable and patients do well with therapy," says Rogers. "They will likely be on some type of maintenance therapy for the duration. They are living longer and having more success in longer intervals between treatments.”

For more information about cancer services, visit OSF HealthCare.

Video Interview Clips 

Peoria Mayor Rita Ali issued a proclamation at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois on Thursday, Sept. 12, officially recognizing Sept. 8 as Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurses’ Day in Peoria.

The day, established in 2010 by the Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON), is celebrated annually on Sept. 8. Children’s Hospital of Illinois, home to a local chapter of APHON, honors its nurses and staff throughout the week. This year, the celebration featured a Harry Potter theme, bringing smiles to patients and visitors alike.

After delivering the proclamation, Mayor Ali toured the Pediatric Hematology Oncology unit and clinic, where she met the dedicated nurses who care for children with cancer and blood disorders.

In his year-long battle with cancer of the esophagus, Jim Corby encountered many nerve-wracking moments.

But when asked about it, one memory comes to mind for the retired construction worker from Alton, Illinois. One that happened far away from a doctor’s office.

On July 27, 2022, Corby was chosen to throw the ceremonial first pitch at the Alton River Dragons baseball game. Members of care team at OSF HealthCare Moeller Cancer Center in Alton, James Piephoff, MD, and Manpreet Sandhu, MD, were at his side. Also watching was a group of young women Corby coaches on the softball diamond.

“He knew if he didn’t throw a strike, he would never hear the end of it from the girls on his team,” Dr. Piephoff says.

No pressure, Jim.

Esophageal cancer: The basics

Dr. Piephoff, a radiation oncologist, says around 20,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with esophageal cancer each year. The cancer claims around 16,000 lives in the U.S. each year.

There are two types. The most common (around 70% of U.S. cases) is adenocarcinoma in the lower esophagus. The other type is squamous cell carcinoma, typically above where the airway separates into the lungs.

Both types are associated with excess smoking and drinking, something Corby found out the hard way.

“I smoked two-and-a-half to three packs of cigarettes a day,” Corby says. “The day I went in for surgery, I threw them out the window. I haven’t smoked since.”

Obesity is also a risk factor for adenocarcinoma.

“Obesity leads to increased risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease,” Dr. Piephoff explains. “It’s the acid churning up in the lower esophagus that leads to the risk of developing what’s called Barrett’s esophagus. That’s a precancerous condition.”

Screening isn’t common for cancer of the esophagus, so Dr. Piephoff says it’s important to watch for symptoms, which can mimic those of heartburn. See a doctor if symptoms won’t go away.

“Know your body. Don’t be afraid to talk to your doctors about it. Don’t try to minimize your symptoms,” Dr. Piephoff urges. “If there’s a change you notice, you need to convey that to your doctor.”

On treatment, Dr. Piephoff says he typically sees a person go through chemotherapy and radiation to shrink the cancer followed by surgery to remove the tumor. During surgery, instruments are sent down the throat and not through the chest, meaning an easier recovery for the person. Early detection could mean surgery only.

“There are some patients who are not able to have surgery because of medical conditions like a bad heart or bad lungs,” Dr. Piephoff says. “They get treated with radiation and chemotherapy without surgery.”

Immunotherapy is also a part of the treatment plan for some people. This involves changing how your immune system works so it can fight cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

Jim’s journey

Corby says he started having pain in his midsection last year when he ate. Treatment for heartburn and acid reflux didn’t help. An ultrasound and CT scan didn’t get his doctors any closer to a solution. All the while, Corby says it hurt so much to eat, he started losing weight.

In September 2021, doctors examined Corby’s esophagus with a camera.

“The doctor came in and sat down, which I knew was not a good sign,” Corby recalls.

“That day was when my life changed,” he says.

The exam found a cancerous mass in Corby’s lower esophagus. The next few months were a whirlwind.

“It happened real fast,” Corby says.

“They got me here [to Moeller Cancer Center] to see Dr. Piephoff and Dr. Sandhu. They came up with a program to try to get me going,” Corby says. “I went through chemotherapy and radiation first. Then they sent me over to St. Louis, and in January I had surgery.”

The surgery to remove the cancer preceded a nine day stay in the hospital where Corby says he couldn’t eat or drink aside from the occasional ice cubes or water sopped from a sponge.

Sometime later – Corby can’t remember exactly when – he was back at OSF Moeller Cancer Center meeting with Dr. Sandhu.

“She said ‘Your scan came back. You’re cancer free.’” Corby says.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Corby adds. “How many times do you hear about people who have cancer who die? You hear more of that than you do cancer free.

“The odds were against me 100%, but I guess I beat the odds.”

The first pitch

Corby’s first pitch at the River Dragons game went – where else? – right down the middle of the plate, eliciting a cheer from his support system and all the fans learning his story for the first time. For Corby, it was a sigh of relief. No need to worry about razzing from his softball players.

“I got lucky,” Corby says, fighting back happy tears.

Learn more

Visit the OSF HealthCare website to learn about cancer treatment. This includes the new OSF Cancer Institute in Peoria, Illinois, which will serve the entire OSF service area will the latest treatment, education and more.

Interview clips - Dr. James Piephoff

Interview clips - Jim Corby

Country star Toby Keith had died after a 2 ½-year battle with stomach cancer. 

Keith shocked fans with the news that he had been diagnosed in the fall of 2021. The 62-year-old Keith revealed that he spent six months undergoing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments and had to cancel all of his concert dates before going public with his diagnosis.

There are about 26,000 cases that occur in the United States a year including 11,000 deaths. Stomach cancer accounts for about 1.5% of all cancers.

Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is the growth of cancer cells in the lining and wall of the stomach. While breast, colon and prostate cancers tend to get more media attention, stomach cancer is nothing to ignore. 

The symptoms aren’t always easily identified. Feeling bloated after eating, heartburn, upper abdominal pain and unintentional weight loss are just some signs of a potential problem.

“Unfortunately, with stomach cancer, you don't see symptoms when it's early,” says Katie Nagel, an oncology nurse navigator for OSF HealthCare. “But as it starts to progress, you might see some symptoms that include nausea, vomiting, you feel full quicker than you usually do, fatigue. You might notice blood in your stool. It's important to know that most of the time those don't mean cancer, but it's important to let your doctor know if those persist.”

Risk factors for stomach cancer include:

• Age - most people are diagnosed with stomach cancer in their late 60s or older
• Sex – stomach cancer is more common in men than women
• Obesity – being overweight may increase the risk of stomach cancer
• Race – stomach cancer is more common in Hispanics, African Americans and Asians

“A lot of risk factors are ones that we can control,” says Nagel. “That includes smoking tobacco, heavy alcohol consumption, which is three or more drinks every day. And then a diet high in sodium and a diet high in processed meats. Obesity in general, puts you at higher risk.”

 If you experience any of these symptoms for more than a few weeks, Nagel stresses the importance of making an appointment with your primary care physician as soon as possible.

“Just pay attention to your body,” she says. “Don't talk yourself out of letting your doctor know if you've noticed a lingering symptom or even anything that might seem small, but that might be the very early start of something that's going to get bigger. Everything is more treatable  the earlier we catch it, so just listen to your body and talk to your doctor.”

While there isn’t screening for stomach cancer like there is for colon and breast cancer, Nagel says there are things you can do, including diet modification, exercise and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle.

The good news is incidence rates of stomach cancer have dropped about 1.5% every year in the last decade in the U.S. 

Advances in the treatment of stomach cancer, which include chemotherapy, immunotherapy and surgery, have made an impact as well.

And celebrities like Toby Keith sharing their story can only help when it comes to awareness of this disease.

“That is also drawing awareness to the issue, and I think makes people feel less alone," says Nagel. "I'm not the only person in the world that has this, other people are going through something similar and makes you feel a little bit better, a little less alone.”

For more information on stomach cancer, visit OSF HealthCare.

 

Interview Clips 

B-roll

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

Anne Hammes was in shock when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. As a registered nurse, Hammes knew the road ahead would be tough thanks to her treatment schedule of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. But she got through it and moved on with her life.

But a couple years ago, Hammes began experiencing discomfort along the chest wall on her left side, which made sleeping problematic. After consulting with her care team, Hammes was referred to a physical therapist who specializes in treating post-mastectomy patients.

“She said you have what we call radiation fibrosis, because it was exactly where I had received the radiation," says Hammes, who is a post-lumpectomy patient. "And she said, ‘I can help you.’ I nearly cried. I was just thrilled.”

Hammes isn’t alone.

Oncology rehabilitation is a program for people who have undergone treatment for cancer. It is designed to help patients return to normal activities. According to Robyn Johnson, who treated Hammes, cancer rehab has come to the forefront in the last few years since the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons has added it to its standards of accrediting cancer centers. Rehabilitation professionals play a vital role in creating a comprehensive cancer care plan for patients.

Oncology patients tend to have a multitude of functional limitations, therefore the care team can include oncologists, oncology nurse navigators and dietitians.

“Oncology rehab includes any rehab professional whether it's occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy working with an oncology patient throughout their treatment plan of care, whether that’s before they start treatment, after treatment or even during treatment," says Robyn Johnson, a physical therapist with OSF HealthCare.  "We work to help them maintain their best function.”

Therapists work with patients to create a customized plan to help manage symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Oncology rehab can help improve many physical problems, including:

·         Swelling

·         Weakness and loss of strength

·         Balance issues

·         Neuropathy or numbness and tingling in hands and feet

·         Speech and memory problems

“What I see as a physical therapist are patients who are having pain, fatigue, range of motion or strength issues following surgery or chemo, whereas a speech language pathologist could be seeing patients having difficulty with swallowing, eating or memory issues," says Johnson. 

Initially, therapists develop baseline measurements to assess the effectiveness of the program for each patient. Educating patients on the various components of the program is also important, since many patients will learn exercises they can do at home. Exercises range from using resistance bands to increase strength to riding a recumbent bike.

Patients typically visit cancer rehab twice a week for four to 12 weeks, depending on the patient and their condition.  

“If you think about exercise, in general, it releases endorphins, which gives you a positive feeling," says Johnson. "You may be able to do something that you hadn't been able to do while undergoing treatment. It just gives you that sense of a job well done; I am getting better and I can do things now that I wasn't able to do before.” 

Hammes is a believer. She worked with Johnson, who was able to relieve the pain that came from the radiation fibrosis. These days, Hammes is sleeping without discomfort and her range of motion has greatly improved. And she has advice for any cancer survivor who is dealing with lingering issues from surgery or treatment.  

“I would say if things are bothering them or are getting worse, speak up. Speak up sooner," says Hammes. "You'd be surprised that help is out there. People can help you with things that I wasn't really expecting.”

For more information on oncology rehabilitation programs, visit OSF HealthCare.

Robyn Johnson Interview Clips 

Anne Hammes Interview Clips 

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Busy days are the norm for Jill Pruitt.

The licensed practical nurse and certified oncology navigator at OSF HealthCare pores over imaging results looking for findings not related to what brought the person there in the first place. Imaging for possible lung cancer may reveal a thyroid problem and a need for a follow up appointment. She notes the appointment in her tickler file and contacts the provider later if it’s not getting scheduled.

A little firmness goes a long way in catching something that could have serious consequences.

“It’s important because if you just catch one thing, maybe that saves their life,” Pruitt says.

“It’s patient-first. I look out for all of them,” she adds.

Pruitt’s above-and-beyond efforts – unique throughout the entire OSF Ministry – shine a light on patient navigators and their importance.

What navigators do

Pruitt says a patient navigator is usually there with someone when they’re diagnosed and through their whole journey. The navigator sits in on consult appointments, helps schedule other appointments, answers questions and more.

“Basically they are the person’s go-to,” Pruitt repeats.

“Often when a person comes in and hears the word ‘cancer,’ they shut down,” Pruitt explains. “They didn’t hear about follow-up appointments, biopsies and other scans.”

That’s where a navigator comes in with a reminder. Where to go. What specialist to see. Write it down. Sometimes people just want to talk, and Pruitt obliges – day or night.

Once a person starts treatment, a nurse may become their main point of contact. But Pruitt and other navigators may still check in.

“They’re always there in my heart,” Pruitt says with a smile.

Looking closer

Pruitt says 50 to 60 imaging reports cross her desk each week. On a spreadsheet, she tracks person by person if anything else needs done. The doctor may have recommended another appointment or test. New patients or people who came through the emergency department may need to be established with a provider.

“We’re all human. Sometimes things are missed,” Pruitt says. “So if I look at the chart and see the procedure is not scheduled, I contact the physician to make sure they put the order in.”

Pruitt makes longer term checks, too.

“A patient comes in in April of 2023 and has a low-dose CT scan,” for example, she says. “Sometimes they need to come back in three, six or 12 months. That all is put into my tickler file for the next year. I go through the file monthly and check if they had the follow-up done. If not, I contact the physician again and make sure that test gets done.”

The doctors are usually grateful for the nudge, Pruitt says.

Pruitt may also notice people are no-showing or canceling the follow-up appointments. Or some people will explain that their insurance won’t cover a follow-up so soon, so they’ll just wait until their next regular visit in six months.

Not a good idea, Pruitt says. Early detection of cancer or any other ailment is key.

“Sometimes the cancer is in such an early stage. Doctors can do surgery and take it out. And then the person doesn’t need treatment,” like chemotherapy or radiation, Pruitt says. It underscores the importance of sticking to your appointments and asking your care team questions.

Learn more

Talk to your health care provider if you think a navigator would help your journey.

Interview clips

A new report from the American Cancer Society (ACS) says that the rate of people dying from cancer in the United States has declined significantly over the past three decades.

According to the report, the U.S. cancer death rate has dropped 33% since 1991, which equates to about 3.8 million fewer deaths. The report also found that the five-year survival rate for all cancers combined has increased from 49% for those diagnosed in the mid-1970s to 68% from 2012-2018.

The same goes for Illinois and Michigan. According to National Cancer Institute State Cancer Profiles data, these states, which include OSF HealthCare hospitals, have seen similar declining trends for all cancers as at the national level due to targeted prevention, screening, and early detection interventions.

“Certainly it's great news. We always want to see decreases in cancer deaths year after year," says Dr. Iftekhar Ahmad, a radiation oncologist with OSF HealthCare. "There can be a lot of reasons for it. I think first and foremost is earlier detection, meaning that we're finding the cancers when they're smaller, when they haven't spread anywhere else in the body. And anytime you find cancers in earlier stage, the prognosis is much better and the chances of dying from cancer are very low.”

Dr. Ahmad adds that treatment options have improved over the last decade, helping the survival rates for even stage two and stage three cancers. The types of cancer with the highest survival rates are thyroid (98%), prostate (97%),  andtesticular (95%). 

There are many factors that contribute to the diagnosis of cancer including the use of alcohol, high body mass index and smoking.

“Smoking plays a very big role in cancer in general, not just lung cancer, but in all cancers<' says Dr. Ahmad.  "Statistics have shown that despite the reduction in the number of people who are smoking in this country, there’re still quite a few smokers. I think we've made a lot of progress, but there's always room for improvement because smoking has a really negative impact on your health overall.”

The care and treatment of cancer took a significant hit a couple of years ago when the COVID-19 pandemic caused fear among many, including those with cancer. Patients opted to skip or delay cancer screenings and treatments out of fear of COVID-19 exposure, despite numerous safeguards put in place by medical facilities. Patients are increasingly returning for important screenings and treatment.

“I think what that does is highlight the importance of screening tests," says Dr. Ahmad. "We have some very good screening tests for breast cancer, for colon cancer and we need to make use of those. We have very good lung cancer screening now which didn't exist 10 years ago, and if you've been a smoker for certain amount of years you can take advantage of that technology.”

However, not all news was positive on the cancer front. The report highlighted that breast, uterine and prostate cancers are slightly rising around the country.

"The rise of the cancer is a tricky question to answer because some of that can be attributed or related to increased detection," says Dr. Ahmad.  "So it's not always that the actual number of cancer is increased or things are getting worse. It's just that they're being found. So that's one kind of you take it with a grain of salt. Especially for something like prostate cancer, which is in its early forms not very aggressive, to the point where there are non-treatment options for early stage prostate cancer, called active surveillance, where we just watch it and most of the time nothing happens to it.”

In 2023 the ACS estimates there could be nearly two million new cases, which is about 5,000 cases a day, and more than 600,000 cancer deaths in the U.S., which Dr. Ahmad says, is on par with previous years.  

The report was a shot in the arm for the government’s “Cancer Moonshot” program, which has a goal to reduce the death rate from cancer by at least 50% in the next 25 years.

“As much as we know about cancer, as far as we've come in the last 20 or 30 years, we still have we still have a long way to go," adds Dr. Ahmad.  "But I think that information like this gives us hope, and it tells us that all the work we're putting in, all the money we're putting in for research and treatments, that it is having an effect and things are improving. So these efforts aren't wasted. It's just going to take some time.”

For more information about cancer programs, visit OSF HealthCare.

Interview Clips 

B-Roll

Cancer care doesn’t make anyone’s list of “things I want to do.”

But for patients at the OSF Bobette Steely Hegeler Cancer Care Center in Danville, Illinois, visits will soon be more comfortable and streamlined thanks to $750,000 worth of interior renovations.

Phase two of the cancer center expansion project started in December and will continue for around five months. Patient care will continue while work is underway.

“Everybody’s excited,” said Judi Miles, patient care manager of medical oncology and radiation oncology at the center.

“We’ve been planning this for quite some time. It brings some hope to everything here. It shows we’re here to stay, and we’re going to take care of our patients,” Miles added.

Phase two expansion upgrades include:

• Increasing the number of exam rooms from two to five. One room will be larger to accommodate bariatric patients and people who have trouble getting around. Each room will have new furniture and equipment, sliding doors and touch screen wall monitors.

“The monitors will be an interactive tool that we can use to show patients 3D anatomy. We can resource information from the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute,” said Miles. “It’s as simple as putting in their email, then we can send information to them. A lot of companies don’t print booklets anymore.”

“The digital board makes the process more comprehensive. It makes it more easily understandable to patients,” said JoMel Labayog, MD, oncologist and medical director at the cancer center. “You can just tell patients. But it’s different when you see where your cancer is, how it’s responding to treatment and what the plan is. Visual stimulation is always the best.”

• The patient discharge room will also be renovated and moved from the back of the building to the front to allow for better flow and more privacy.
• Cancer center Mission Partners (employees) will have new and improved workstations.
• Three private bays for infusion therapy will be walled off by doors instead of curtains for increased privacy.

“Some people like to be around others and share stories during treatment,” said Dr. Labayog. “But we have the private bays for people who are more confined and want their loved ones to be with them.”

The cancer center is also aggressively recruiting another physician to get the most out of these phase two improvements, which are funded by community donations.

Phase one of the cancer center expansion saw installation of a state-of-the-art linear accelerator for radiation treatment in March 2022. Phase three is planned for three to four years down the road. OSF HealthCare leaders hope to expand the cancer center’s physical footprint to offer new services and amenities, such as visiting oncologists, an education room, pastoral care and physical therapy. People interested in contributing to the phase three improvements should contact the OSF HealthCare Foundation.

“When people come here, they know we’re comprehensive. We’re compassionate. We’re professional. We have the facilities that can accommodate care for most diseases,” said Dr. Labayog. “So, not only do the patients feel comfortable, but the family feels confident that their loved ones are taken care of.”

The OSF Bobette Steely Hegeler Cancer Care Center is on the campus of OSF HealthCare Sacred Heart Medical Center in Danville. It sees 40 to 50 patients daily, providing critical care close to home. The cancer center is named for Bobette Steely Hegeler, the wife of Danville philanthropist Julius W. Hegeler II. Bobette Hegeler battled cancer before passing away in 1976. Julius Hegeler died in 2019, and his foundation continue to support local causes, including OSF HealthCare.

Interview clips - Judi Miles

Interview clips - Dr. JoMel Labayog

B-roll - OSF Hegeler Cancer Center and OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center

“Bringing proton therapy to central Illinois is going to be a game changer,” said Bob Anderson, central region CEO for OSF HealthCare, which includes the Peoria area. “It will allow us to provide a totally unique type of radiation therapy to patients in Peoria, where people used to have to travel to Chicago or St. Louis to receive that same care.”

OSF HealthCare is committed to making Peoria a premier destination for world-class cancer care. As a regional destination center with the latest technology, one of the hallmarks of the OSF Cancer Institute will be proton beam therapy, which will be just the second center in Illinois, and one of only 32 in North America.

“The work on the Cancer Institute began over four years ago and the centerpiece was always proton therapy. And to see that coming to fruition with the delivery of the unit is extremely exciting. Now, we know it will take a whole year to set up and get it ready to go, but the arrival is a huge milestone for this project” Anderson added.

After completing the trip, the four separate parts of the particle accelerator were carefully lowered into a vault below ground that features a concrete base with pylons drilled 60 feet into the ground supporting concrete walls six to 12 feet-thick, with a total of 3,500+ cubic yards of concrete surrounding the cyclotron.

“OSF HealthCare has always been on the pioneering edge of taking care of cancer patients and doing the right thing,” said John Kowal, President of Varian Oncology Systems for the Americas. “This is just the next step, literally of bringing proton therapy to Peoria and the rest of Illinois, all parts that OSF HealthCare takes care of. This matches Varian’s vision of trying to create a world without fear of cancer. And the delivery of this technology is right on par with executing on that.” 

Another special component to the particle accelerators produced by Varian Medical is that each gets a name before it leaves the factory. OSF HealthCare named its Marie after Sister Francis Marie, who started the concept of a ministry-wide oncology program for OSF HealthCare, and also for Marie Curie, a pioneer in the field of radioactivity and the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.

In addition to proton beam and brachytherapy, the OSF Cancer Institute will feature an infusion center, patient education and support spaces, and a full range of cancer-related services.

The first treatments at the OSF Cancer Institute are expected to take place by early 2024.

Bob Anderson interview clips

John Kowal interview clips

Truck arrival, cyclotron placement, drone footage Broll

This collaboration will better serve patients in the community by bringing exceptional medical and surgical specialties closer to home. The affiliation combines a commitment to exceptional care and an expanded, comprehensive network of expert specialty and subspecialty physicians for patients in the area.

The latest collaboration will see Ameera Nauman, MD, a pediatrician at OSF Saint Anthony’s, move into the SSM Health network while continuing to see patients at the OSF Medical Group office in Godfrey. The Godfrey office offers primary care for adults as well as pediatric care. Dr. Nauman will have access to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, a world-class facility in St. Louis, for emergency and specialty care, such as advanced pediatric diagnostic testing, surgical services and sports care.

“I’m excited to be part of this collaboration that will allow my patients greater access to timely and exceptional care from pediatric specialists who are at the top of their field,” said Dr. Nauman. “Parents can know all of their child’s medical needs are in the hands of well-equipped, premier health professionals.”

“Hospital and health care providers can no longer operate in silos and must be willing to embrace meaningful collaboration that will result in availability of high quality, sustainable health care across their communities,” said Jerry Rumph, president of OSF Saint Anthony’s. “Dr. Nauman will be supported by pediatric specialists in areas including cardiology, oncology, neurology and gastroenterology. This team will have access to the NICU [Neonatal Intensive Care Unit] and a Level I [One] Pediatric Trauma Center at Cardinal Glennon Hospital, where providers are equipped to handle the most complicated and complex cases.”

Jeremy Fotheringham, region president of SSM Health St. Louis and Academics, said, “This collaboration will allow us to better meet the needs of this community while providing value and convenience to our patients. By working together, we further our Mission and Vision to ensure all people have access to the high-quality, personalized care they need.”

OSF Saint Anthony’s and SSM Health are excited about the new affiliation and are currently developing additional opportunities to bring more medical specialties to the greater Riverbend community to enhance and improve the health and wellness of residents. In April, the health systems announced enhanced heart care close to home through the addition of Sridhar Kumar, MD, a cardiologist at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, who became chief of Cardiology Services at OSF Saint Anthony’s.

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