SMMC Releases Cancer Report: Focus on Breast Cancer

12/24/2012

Five-Year Survival Rate for SMMC Patients Higher Than National Average

The Cancer Committee at Southern Maine Medical Center (SMMC) has released its Annual Cancer Program Report, highlighting the findings and major initiatives of SMMC’s Cancer Care Program.  The report features an in-depth site study of breast cancer -- the most common and second deadliest cancer for women.  Based on Surveillance Epidemiology and End Result (SEER) rates from 2007-2009, 12.38 percent of women born today (1 in 8) will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lifetime. SMMC’s combined five-year survival rate for early stage breast cancer was 94.3 percent. According to SEER, the national survival rate for this group is 90.5 percent.

• Cancer Program Annual Report 2012 - Focus On Breast Cancer

SMMC’s Center for Breast Care provides state-of-the-art care delivered by a team of experts who put the patient at the center of the care circle.  In 2012, the American College of Radiology designated the Center for Breast Care a breast imaging center of excellence. 

“SMMC’s Cancer Care Program is accredited by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons; a designation which assures patients they will receive cancer care delivered at the highest standards close to home,” said SMMC’s noted breast care surgeon and cancer committee member Dr. Catherine Share.  “We work very closely with the Maine Center for Cancer Medicine in Scarborough, the Cancer Care Center of York County in Sanford, and Spectrum Medical Group to provide patients with the full continuum of care from diagnosis through treatment.”

The Cancer Committee at SMMC is comprised of medical professionals who work to ensure SMMC’s Cancer Program meets the rigorous requirements of accreditation.  “As reflected in this year’s report, SMMC’s ultimate goal is to collaborate to develop a comprehensive and advanced array of services for cancer prevention, detection and treatment,” added Share. 

Report Highlights Support for Cancer Patients in York County

In addition to the major site study the report also includes statistical data on cancer incidences diagnosed and treated at SMMC.  Each year SMMC’s certified cancer registrar compiles specific information, relative to cancer research (without compromising patient privacy), and submits the data to the Maine State Cancer Registry and the national Cancer Data Base which allows researchers, doctors, and public health professionals to track trends in cancer incidence and treatments.  At SMMC, the top five most frequently diagnosed cancers were breast, lung, bladder, colorectal and prostate.  

For more information about SMMC’s Cancer Care Program or for a free copy of the SMMC 2012 Cancer Program Report, please call SMMC at 283-7234 or visit www.smmc.org.  If you are looking for information about local cancer care specialists or educational and support programs available, please call SMMC at 283-7320 or visit their website at www.smmc.org.

About Southern Maine Medical Center

Southern Maine Medical Center (SMMC) is a national award-winning healthcare system, including a 150-bed acute care medical center in Biddeford, Maine, offering excellent clinical care and a multi-specialty physician services group with medical offices providing outpatient care located in Biddeford, Kennebunk, Old Orchard Beach and Saco. Non-emergency care is available without an appointment seven days a week at SMMC’s Walk-In Care center in Saco. SMMC is Joint Commission accredited, state-licensed, and is a member of Southern Maine Health Care and the MaineHealth system. To learn more visit www.smmc.org.

Media Contact: Karen Chasse, 207-283-7238