Services
Mercy Cancer Center
Lung Cancer
Focusing on Lung Cancer: Mercy Medical Center North Iowa - Lung Cancer Program
Going through the diagnostic and treatment process for lung cancer can be one of the most difficult experiences a person may go through. Lung cancer carries with it physical, psychosocial, and spiritual concerns for the person diagnosed and their family. The Lung Program at Mercy Cancer Center is dedicated to providing each person (family) with exceptional care through evaluation and the entire course of treatment.
Goal for Patient Care
The Lung Cancer Program at Mercy Cancer Center strives to provide a seamless transition from the primary care provider through biopsy, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.
Multidisciplinary Physician Participation
Experienced physicians within a number of different specialties are actively involved in the program. The multidisciplinary physician team includes: pulmonologists, cardiothoracic surgeon, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, and radiologists.
The physicians meet regularly to participate in a lung cancer care conference. They review recently diagnosed lung cancer cases and discuss the best plan of care for each individual. Every physician works diligently to ensure necessary information is shared within the program and also with the patient’s primary care physician.
Care Coordination
The program coordinator is a key component of the Mercy Cancer Center lung cancer program. The coordinator meets with patients and families to answer questions, coordinate care appointments, and provide support during treatment and follow-up. The coordinator is an advocate for the patient and family.
Research
Through membership of several clinical trial groups, Mercy Cancer Center offers patients access to the most current research. Mercy Cancer Center has been doing clinical trials since 1983 and offers a variety of clinical trials. Rather than travel to academic medical centers to access the latest cancer treatment drugs and methods, patients can obtain this level of care at Mercy Cancer Center.
Mercy is an active member of the following clinical trial groups:
- NCCTG - North Central Cancer Treatment Group
- NSABP - National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project
- CTSU - Cancer Trials Support Unit
- ECOG - Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
Support Services
Gaining emotional support from family, friends, healthcare professionals, other cancer survivors, spiritual or church communities, and other social networks can significantly improve the quality of life during cancer treatments and beyond.
Mercy Cancer Center offer a “Living with Cancer” support group. All people diagnosed with cancer and their families and friends area invited to attend.
Mercy’s Spiritual Care department is available to listen and help explore the unknown along the journey.
Individual counseling with a professional can be arranged by talking with your healthcare provider.
Contact us
To contact the Lung Program Coordinator call, 641.422.7024.
Links for lung cancer information
- American Cancer Society
- Web Site: www.cancer.org
- Alliance for Lung Cancer Advocacy, Support and Education
- (ALCASE) – Nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting
and improving the lives of people with lung cancer
Web Site: www.alcase.com - American Lung Association
- Web Site: www.lunguse.org
- People Living with Cancer
- Oncologist-approved information for people with cancer. Maintained
by the American Society of Clinical Oncology
Web Site: www.plwc.org - National Cancer Institute
- (NCI) – offer extensive up-to-date information on lung cancer
and it’s treatment
Web Site: www.cancer.gov - Medline Plus
- A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National
Institute of Health
Web Site: http://medlineplus.gov/