Enloe Health Regional Cancer Center

September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness month! The five gynecologic cancers include cervical, ovarian, endometrial/uterine, vaginal and vulvar. Learn about gynecologic cancer symptoms and treatment, risk and prevention, clinical trials and survivor stories at www.foundationforwomenscancer.org.

Provider Spotlight on Keith Cavaness, M.D., Surgical Oncology

I was born at Enloe Medical Center and grew up in Chico. My wife and I both graduated from Pleasant Valley High School, so being back in Chico is about coming home. After medical school in the Bay Area, I completed general surgery training at Michigan State University. I then pursued training in transplant surgery at Baylor University Medical Center followed by surgical oncology/ hepatobiliary training at Washington University in St. Louis. After that, we moved back to Dallas, where I had a busy hepatobiliary/surgical oncology practice at Baylor University Medical Center. But in the end, we decided to come home to be with family here in Chico.

When I’m not at work I enjoy hiking, camping, hunting and fishing, and the North State is a gorgeous place to be outdoors. I enjoy spending time with my wife and four children. We are a busy family involved in sports, music, school and church activities.

Surgical oncology is a rewarding specialty that offers a variety of challenging and complex cases and gives me an opportunity to meet really great patients. I’m inspired by seeing people overcome obstacles. I’m constantly amazed at how patients approach and overcome their individual challenges. Cancer is a scary and intimidating process, but I feel honored to help patients realize they can rise to the challenges and succeed.

Want to check your risk for prostate cancer?

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Check out this video to learn more about prostate cancer risk, screening and prevention. https://youtu.be/hs3FrYs-IOc?si=Sf4K3hlDfIRAMgPP Early detection saves lives! Make learning about risks and getting screened a priority this month!

September is National Preparedness Month. Consider developing a personal plan and having a “go bag” ready. Include essential items for emergent situations, such as prescriptions, important documents, personal hygiene items, a flashlight, batteries, cell phone chargers, priceless mementos and pet supplies.

Review your kit annually to ensure it remains valid. Being resilient is key.

Serious illness brings challenges; Shifting My Perception sessions offer solutions. Enjoy stress-relief exercises, learn new skills, find inspiration and take time to reflect in the company of others who want to help each other thrive.

The next session is 4:30-5:45 p.m. takes place Thursday in person and on Zoom. Open to all patients, caregivers and survivors of serious illness. Sessions are free. Call 530-332-3856 for details.

Meet the Hematology Oncology team at Enloe Health Regional Cancer Center. Did you know we care for patients with conditions other than cancer?

Hematologists are specialized doctors who research, diagnose, treat and help prevent blood-related conditions and diseases that could be either cancerous or non-malignant. The non-malignant disorders include anemias, bleeding and clotting disorders, and other blood-cell disorders.

Many of our hematology patients have come regularly to our clinic for decades to receive treatment and the team becomes like family. Thank you, Enloe Health Hematology Oncology team, for all you do to care for our patients!

September is Leukemia & Lymphoma Awareness Month. One person in the United States is diagnosed with some type of blood cancer approximately every three minutes. Fortunately, new treatments and supportive services are improving life with blood cancer.

Since the 1940s, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has become the world’s largest non-profit health organization funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services.

Learn more about the LLS and all it offers, including information specialists, clinical trials, financial support, online chats, support groups, peer-to-peer support, caregiver support, nutrition consultations, podcasts and more at www.lls.org.

Our Lifesaving Mission Dr. Gwen Nichols, chief medical officer of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), shares how our important work helps millions impacted by . The LLS m...

We'd like to wish everyone a happy and safe Labor Day!

When it comes to opportunities for improved health, residents of the Community Housing Improvement Program in Chico had an enthusiastic partner to help them attain it.

Enloe Health in the Community joined CHIP to host a wellness event at the Lucian Manor Senior Apartments. It was the second component of a four-event schedule.

Getting out Into the Community | Chico, CA | Enloe Health Enloe Health in the Community joined Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) to host a wellness event at the Lucian Manor Senior Apartments in Chico, CA.

Aaron Rodgers, the New York Jets quarterback and Chico native, values mindfulness. His $3 million gift to Enloe’s new Gonzales Comprehensive Cancer Center will mean patients undergoing cancer treatment will receive quality care for the body and the mind.

Tackling Cancer | Chico, CA | Enloe Health Aaron Rodgers, the New York Jets quarterback and Chico native, donated $3 million to Enloe Health’s new Gonzales Comprehensive Cancer Center.

FlightCare, Enloe Health’s air ambulance program, has been part of the North State’s history for nearly 40 years. Whether it’s at a scene of an accident or transporting a patient from the medical center to another facility, it has assisted more than 25,000 patients and their families during some of the most stressful times of their lives.

May 31 marked another milestone in FlightCare’s history: the arrival of a new Airbus H130 aircraft for the fleet.

Soaring to New Heights | Chico, CA | Enloe Health FlightCare, Enloe Health’s air ambulance program in Chico, CA, has been part of the North State’s history for nearly 40 years. The service has assisted more than 25,000 patients and their families. May 31 marked another milestone in FlightCare’s history: the arrival of a new Airbus H130 aircra...

We are celebrating the installation of new Banners of Hope at Enloe Health Regional Cancer Center. This month we feature Lisa Dougherty of Chico for her contributions. Lisa said,

“When I began my cancer treatments, I was immediately inspired by all the banners of hope as I walked the hallways. I knew I wanted to make a banner. The ‘Angels’ panel quilt was inspired by every doctor, nurse, friends and family member who gave me hope and encouragement throughout my treatment journey. I am full of love and gratitude for all of them.

“To anyone going through a cancer diagnosis … look for the angels. You are not alone.”

Lisa also created “A Journey of Trust and Hope” banner that hangs over the entrance to Radiation Oncology.

Thank you, Lisa! Your banners are sure to lift the spirits of patients, families and staff every day as they walk through our hallways.

We celebrated a major milestone today with the beam signing ceremony! Caregivers, volunteers, and donors wrote messages of hope and healing on a steel beam that will be placed within the Enloe Health Gonzales Comprehensive Cancer Center. Thank you to everyone who joined us!

To learn more or support this project, visit www.enloe.org/campaign.

Provider Spotlight Wissam Halabi, M.D., Hematology/Oncology

Since becoming a colore**al surgeon specializing in the treatment of colon and re**al cancer, I have learned invaluable lessons from my patients. Their resilience, enduring hope and determination to fight with a smile have deeply influenced me. The positive attitude they maintain in the face of adversity is truly inspiring. I have also come to understand the importance of treating patients as I would my own family members. This means keeping them well-informed, outlining a clear treatment plan, setting realistic expectations, providing timely and efficient care to minimize anxiety, and regularly updating them on their progress.

It is essential for my patients to know that we provide the most up-to-date, evidence-based care here in Chico. We utilize the latest minimally invasive robotic surgical procedures, which are associated with optimal outcomes. This care is delivered promptly and tailored to the individual. Every patient is unique. Our focus is not merely on treating a condition like sigmoid or re**al cancer, but on treating each patient as a person with family, friends and a meaningful place in the community.

Our multidisciplinary team, which includes social workers, physical therapists, symptom management doctors and nurses, medical oncologists, radiologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, genetic specialists and nurse navigators, ensures that every aspect of the patient's well-being is addressed. We prioritize treating the whole person, leaving nothing to chance.

The most important thing patients need to know is that they are not alone. In the 21st century, communication is key. All our specialists are well-connected, and if we determine that we cannot provide the most optimal care, we will refer them for a second opinion or to a facility that can provide the appropriate level of care for their condition.

What excites me about cancer treatment is its constant evolution, particularly with the development of more targeted therapies. Understanding the genetic profile of a tumor allows for treatments that are more precise and less toxic, ultimately improving disease-free and overall survival rates. Many cases are now treatable, and each day presents a new and exciting challenge.

Outside of work, I enjoy cooking, especially Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine, which are very healthy. I also love spending time with my family, traveling and exploring new places. I'm always planning the next trip. Life is short and every day is a gift. Stay positive and keep moving forward!

The Healing Art Gallery has a new exhibit! View artist Gary Baugh’s work at the Enloe Health Regional Cancer Center or at www.enloe.org/art.

We’re thrilled to announce that the new Enloe Health Gonzales Comprehensive Cancer Center is starting to take shape on the corner of East 20th Street and Bruce Road.

Stay tuned for more exciting construction updates as we continue to make progress toward our goal of providing state-of-the-art care for our communities.

To learn more or support this project, visit www.enloe.org/campaign.

The Faces of Hope at Enloe Health Regional Cancer Center showcases local cancer survivors at various stages of their journeys. As patients, families and staff walk by the exhibit, they are encouraged by the message that every patient is special, and nobody needs to face their cancer journey alone.

See the Faces of Hope at the Cancer Center Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cancer patients/survivors are invited to sign up for the 2025 photo shoot that will take place in October. Call 530-332-3856 for more information.

Does cancer run in your family? Genetic cancer risk assessment is available at Enloe Health. Having a genetic cancer risk assessment can help you make informed decisions about your health. Watch this short video to learn more.

Enloe Health Genetics Risk Assessment A genetic cancer risk assessment describes the chance that a person will develop cancer in his or her lifetime. Knowing this information can help you make in...

The Creative Healing Art Group meets a week early in August!

Enloe Health Regional Cancer Center hosts a Creative Healing Art Group for those dealing with serious illness. Not sure how to put into words how you’re feeling, or need a place to relax and engage in a creative outlet?

Discover the healing power of art in this free monthly gathering. No artistic experience is necessary. The next session meets from 2-3:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 9. Call 530-332-3856 or email [email protected] to register.

About the facilitator, Auburn Menefee, LMFT

Auburn is a Butte County native, local therapist and cancer survivor. Auburn has been providing therapy in the community since 2017 and specializes in treating cancer patients and caregivers.

We are celebrating the installation of new Banners of Hope at Enloe Health Regional Cancer Center. This month we feature Asya Lesly for her contributions. Asya created four banners for the new exhibit.

She said, “I remember when I was being treated for cancer, I would always walk up and down the halls looking at the quilts and the art. So, it feels really good to know that my banners are here for others on their journeys.”

Asya shared a little about each of her banners.

“Pink Warrior” The warrior pose requires balance, strength and flexibility. May all those who are fighting cancer have all three. I don’t like to think of myself as a cancer survivor, but as a cancer ninja warrior princess with battle scars to prove it.

“Finding the Way” Like so many people, I felt lost when I found out that I had cancer. Many birds can provide great inspiration. The ability to find their way is crucial for survival. The Steller’s Jay may travel to lower elevations in the winter, while the tiny Rufous Hummingbird travels between Canada and Mexico.

“Wish You Were Here” They say it will only hurt a little bit. So, close your eyes and breathe. Try to imagine your happy place. Feel the sun on your skin and warm sand on your feet. Let the sound of waves soothe you and feel the refreshing breeze. Breathe in. Breathe out.

“DNA” Cancer is caused by changes in our DNA. Hope can be found in our DNA, too. Researchers are discovering the mysteries of DNA, leading to new treatments and cures.

Thank you, Asya! Your banners are sure to lift the spirits of patients, families and staff every day as they walk through our hallways.

With nearby fire activity, the Air Quality Index is expected to range from moderate to unhealthy. Stay safe by:
• Limiting outdoor activities, especially for children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
• Keeping doors and windows closed as much as possible in buildings and vehicles.
• Checking or replacing air conditioner filters and use the air conditioner on the recirculate setting.

Air quality conditions can be tracked at: https://fire.airnow.gov/?lat=39.70527507731572&lng=-121.79305351748987&zoom=10

If you have trouble breathing, seek medical assistance or call your primary care provider.

Survivor Tips from Lois Brown, Lung Cancer Survivor

I was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2021 and was treated with radiation and chemotherapy. That put my cancer in remission. I also have Crohn’s disease. I started having symptoms when I was 10, I was diagnosed in my 30s, and now I have been coming to the Cancer Center over 20 years for infusions to treat my Crohn’s.
I have learned some things from all of this.

Number one, I try to stay busy doing what I want to do. I like to sew and I’m getting ready to make a blanket for my great grandbaby – a Spiderman blanket like the one I made for his daddy. I’ve also gone to St. Croix since I got the cancer diagnosis. I had a ball. So, take time to do what you want to do. If you can get up, then do it. You don’t know how much time you have – don’t put things off.

I have a whole routine for getting my port accessed. I always ask the nurse to read my chart ahead of time, so they know what works for me. They know to massage the area between the lidocaine and placing the needle. I also don’t want them to talk about it. We talk about something else, and I look away. That helps.

Beet juice helps keep my energy up and herbs help with pain. I don’t use a lot of painkillers. I know the pain is telling me when something is wrong. When I’m in pain, I go to a dark room or put on an eye mask. Then I breathe to help myself relax, and I talk to the Man upstairs. Listen to your body, and it will tell you what it needs. Then you and your doctor can deal with things accordingly.

My kids are what get me through. I have five kids. Even though they’re tired, they take care of me and drive me to my appointments. That’s a blessing.

Cancer has taught me to be more forgiving. I’m dealing with a lot of medical issues, and I know that holding on to anger and hyperventilating about stuff is not good for my health. Now I try to give things time and let things go.

When people ask me how I’m doing, I say, “Better than most.” God and I have got this.

Our thoughts are with anyone in our community who has been displaced by the devastating Park Fire in our beloved Upper Bidwell Park in Chico. We are grateful for the firefighters and first responders who continue to battle the fire.

Meet our summer public health intern, Yasmeen Garcia

Yasmeen’s primary project is to increase the use of our Martti interpreter service throughout the Cancer Center. She talks one-on-one with patients and offers staff education to increase use of this important service. Updating materials and preparing for our fall colore**al cancer screening event at the flu clinic is her second big project.

She also stays very busy doing various other projects like organizing the aromatherapy program, as well as evaluating and maintaining VIVA activity boxes and bags for kids and teens. She also monitors the various racks where patient education is distributed throughout the cancer center and helps patients and families when they come into the Comfort Center & Library.

Thank you, Yasmeen, for all you do to support patients, families and staff at Enloe Health Regional Cancer Center.

Cancer treatment, its side effects and the stress of having cancer can cause sleep problems. Fortunately, there are things you can do to improve your sleep.

• Set a fixed morning rise time, seven days a week, regardless of how much sleep you get during the night. This strengthens your circadian clock signal and increases sleep drive.
• Go to bed at the same time every night.
• Use your bed only for sleep. Avoid watching TV or browsing online in bed.
• Only sleep in a bed. Don’t nap on couches or in chairs.
• Don’t watch the clock.
• If you’re awake for more than 20 minutes while trying to sleep, leave the bedroom. Do the same any time you get anxious about not being able to fall asleep.
• Only return to your bed when you’re sleepy.
• Don’t nap during the day unless it is a regular, short nap of 15-30 minutes, 7-9 hours after your morning wake time.
For more tips for improving sleep during treatment, pick up a Sleep Strategies resource sheet at the Comfort Center & Library, 265 Cohasset Road, Suite 130.

Did you know there is a screening test for lung cancer? Annual screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in adults aged 50 to 80 years is recommended for those who have a 20-pack-per-year smoking history and currently smoke, or those who have quit within the past 15 years.

Early detection is the best protection! If you are a smoker or have been a smoker, ask your health care provider if you should be screened for lung cancer. It is safe, easy and should be covered by your insurance.

Interested in the latest in cancer research? Find reliable information about exciting developments in cancer screening, treatment and psychosocial cancer care at Cancer Currents: An NCI Cancer Research Blog. Read it at www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog.

Changes for Healthy Steps class! After serving as an instructor for our Healthy Steps therapeutic movement class since 2006, Julie Vugrenes is retiring. Thank you, Julie, for your incredible dedication to the class and to the people who participate. You will be greatly missed!

Classes will continue to meet but will be called Move & Thrive. Join us Mondays, 4-5 p.m., and Wednesdays, 2:30-3:30 p.m. for gentle, easy movement that can be done sitting or standing. Classes are free; there is a one-time $10 suggested donation to cover materials. Call 530-332-3856 or email [email protected] for more info.

July is National Sarcoma and Bone Cancer Awareness Month!
• About 12,000 people a year are diagnosed with sarcomas in the U.S.
• Sarcoma tumors are common in bones, muscles, tendons, cartilage, nerves, fat and blood vessels.
• Sarcomas are most found in children and teens.

The National Cancer Center (NCC) offers patient information about sarcoma and bone cancer. Learn more about the symptoms to watch for at: https://nationalcancercenter.org/july-is-sarcoma-cancer-awareness-month/