Cyberknife research may transform care for rural breast cancer patients

In theory, rural women with early stage breast cancer have the same treatment options as their urban counterparts.

In reality, a higher portion of rural women to choose a mastectomy, even though they could choose less invasive surgery that, combined with radiation treatments, will preserve much of her breast. Studies have uncovered two reasons – distance and time.

Conventional radiation is administered every day for four to six weeks. Combine that with long commutes of two to four hours, and it is no surprise that a woman would choose a mastectomy, return home and get on with her life.

Dr. Kenneth Dornfeld, MD, PhD, a radiation oncologist at Essentia Health’s Cancer Center in Duluth, wants to change that. With support from the Essentia Institute of Rural Health (EIRH), Dr. Dornfeld is conducting a research study that could help overcome the prolonged long-distance travel obstacle. The radiation treatment he is studying is focused, delivers more radiation per dose and involves just 10 treatments over five days.

“My hope is that this research puts lumpectomy and breast conservation as a viable option for rural patients with early stage breast cancer,” says Dr. Dornfeld, who has enrolled 10 women since the study opened in June 2010. He hopes to enroll another 10 women who will be treated and followed for tumor recurrence over four to five years.

Dr. Dornfeld’s tool in this research is Cyberknife, a robotic radiosurgery system capable of focusing on the lumpectomy cavity with pinpoint accuracy. In addition to limiting the size of the irradiated area, it is possible this treatment option will result in better cosmetic outcomes. Dr. Dornfeld is monitoring that possibility as well.

If the study shows this treatment option works, it will ultimately bridge the distance between a woman’s treatment options and what she can reasonably fit into her daily life. That’s exactly the kind of difference the Essentia Institute of Rural Health wants to make in the health and healthcare delivery for rural patients in our region and, eventually, rural patients everywhere.

”Dr. Dornfeld’s research is a perfect example of how EIRH-sponsored research is fulfilling its mission to improve health care in rural communities,” says EIRH Executive Director Tom Elliott, M.D. “This project will aid not only our patients, but rural patients across the U.S.”

Download File (pdf)

BAXTER, Minn. -- Essentia Health St. Joseph’s-Baxter Clinic will celebrate its grand opening with a community health fair and soup luncheon on Saturday, Feb. 25. Brainerd Lakes area residents are invited to tour the new 44,000-square-foot clinic and meet physicians and staff who work there.

Pharmacist Dan Vang answered questions during an open house for Essentia Health staff at the Baxter Clinic last month. The clinic's community grand opening is Saturday.

The celebration is slated for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the clinic, 13060 Isle Drive.

The new clinic, which opened Feb. 6, is home to pediatricians, obstetricians/gynecologists and eight Family Medicine physicians. UrgentCare physicians and staff have also moved to the site. You’ll also find a retail pharmacy, laboratory, radiology services and physical therapy.

The Essentia Health St. Joseph’s-Baxter Clinic has been designed to create a welcoming and comfortable experience for patients and their families, Clinic Administrator Bill Palmer says. It’s also designed to deliver more efficient and cost-effective care, he says.

Essentia Health invested $13.5 million, predominantly with local contractors and vendors, to build, furnish and equip the clinic. The convenient site is close to where a growing number of people live, work and shop.

Spiritual reading offered during Lent

Lectio Divina, also known as sacred reading, is a slow perusal of sacred scripture as an aid to connect with God. This practice is founded on the belief that sacred reading can create a union with God that can be sustained by further reading.

There is no special program or technique to lectio. One must resist a particularly modern temptation to cover a given amount of material in a prescribed time frame. In lectio, readers are asked to linger over a particular word or phrase for an indefinite period of time. The ability to linger over this form of prayer grows with experience.

The stages as described by Guigo, a Carthusian monk in the 12^th century are:

Lectio—Reading the Word of God slowly and reflectively, allowing it to sink in.

Meditatio—Reflection and rumination upon the text, taking from it what God wants to give.

Oratio—Response. Leave thinking behind and simply let our hearts speak to God.

Contemplation—Rest. Letting go, not only of our own ideas, plans and meditations, but also of our holy words and thoughts. Simply rest in the Word of God. This is listening at the deepest level to God, who speaks within us with a small voice.

Staff at two East Region Catholic hospitals will have the opportunity to experience Lectio Divina during Lent.

In Superior, Chaplaincy services will hold a non-denominational sacred reading and prayer Fridays from 11:30 - 11:40 am and 12:00 to 12:10 pm.

In Duluth, Interim East Region Mission Ministry Leader Nancy Flaig will hold sacred readings in the hospital Wednesdays throughout Lent. Click the link below for a full list of dates and times.

Download File (pdf)

Watch tonight’s "Medical Insight," which features Dr. Mudassar Ahmed, an interventional cardiologist at Essentia Health’s Heart & Vascular Center in Duluth. Dr. Ahmed discusses a procedure called a “transradial intervention.” Instead of doing an angiogram or heart catheterization procedure through the femoral artery in the groin, Dr. Ahmed often uses the radial artery in the wrist.  He describes the benefits for patients in tonight’s piece, which airs during the 10 p.m. newscast on KBJR-6 and Range 11 and again tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. on KDLH-3.

"Medical Insight," two-minute videos that highlight Essentia Health experts and programs, are hosted by Media Relations Specialist Kim Kaiser. Click on the video below to watch tonight's segment. You also can read a transcript of the segment by clicking on the PDF below.

Download File (pdf)

What: Emergency Medical Technician training
When: 6-10 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays, from Feb. 23 through May 17
Where: Essentia Health-Fosston
Details: Essentia Health and First Care Medical Services will hold the classes. Cost is $500 and a minimum of six people are needed. For details, contact Kristi Tofstad at (218) 435-7606.

What: 25 percent off sale and free ground shipping at Essentia Health's company store
When: Now through Feb. 28
Details: Get 25 percent off on Essentia clothing and other items at our company store. Lands' End also offers free ground shipping. Make sure to use the promo code EMFS25. Click here to see what's in the company store.

Lectio Divina, also known as sacred reading, is a slow perusal of sacred scripture as an aid to connect with God. This practice is founded on the belief that sacred reading can create a union with God that can be sustained by further reading.

In Duluth, Interim East Region Mission Ministry Leader Nancy Flaig will hold sacred readings in the hospital Wednesdays throughout Lent. The first readings begin tommorow, Ash Wednesday, in the hospital chapel. Readings will be held at 8:30. 9:30 and 11 a.m. and again at 1 and 4 p.m.

In Superior, Chaplaincy services will hold a non-denominational sacred reading and prayer Fridays from 11:30 - 11:40 am and 12:00 to 12:10 pm.

We’re highlighting video profiles, which are featured in the Essentia Health website. Today’s profile features Daniel Ryan, DPM, a podiatrist at Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center and the Brainerd Clinic. Click here, then click on “View Physician Video.”

For more profiles, go to www.EssentiaHealth.org. You can search for physicians by using the “Find a Medical Professional” function, which allows you to look by name, specialty or location. There’s also an A-Z staff listing.

More than 100 physicians in Essentia’s East and Central Regions have been videotaped and filming begins in April in the West Region. We will add videos through the year.