Penn Medicine Cancer

Grateful team members from the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute were on hand to accept a generous donation of Subaru Loves to Care blankets and patient care kits from representatives of and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society -- Eastern PA. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our patients undergoing care.

Wishing you a wonderful week!

Last evening was filled with inspiration, sharing, and hope as we welcomed cancer patients in all stages of survivorship to the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute. Our guests explored “The Enchanting Art of Healing” with dance performances by FRWRD Dance Co, a healing garden nature presentation from Lancaster Conservancy, a personal story by cancer survivor and author Jim Zervanos, sweet treats from local food trucks, and patient-created artwork. Thank you to everyone who joined us!

The Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health team was out in force at this weekend’s Relay For Life of Lancaster County, PA, joining others in our community to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones, and raise funds for cancer research, advocacy, and patient support. We are proud to be presenting sponsor of this annual event.

Penn Medicine cancer specialists were well represented at this year’s conference of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the leading professional society for cancer care. Among the many faculty members presenting at sessions, Lynn Schuchter, MD (top, center) took the stage and completed her term as the 2023-24 ASCO president. http://spr.ly/61835EvXV

At the Lancaster Chamber’s dinner tonight, Dr. Randall A. Oyer will receive the 2024 Thomas T. Baldrige Catalyst Award, which honors leaders who contribute to and champion the Lancaster County community. Dr. Oyer came to Lancaster County in 2006 to be program director for oncology at Lancaster General Hospital, later becoming founding executive medical director of the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute. He is also medical director of LG Health’s Cancer Risk Evaluation Program, a clinical professor of medicine, and sees cancer patients two full days a week.

A conversation with Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute's award winning executive medical director After more than 40 years practicing medicine, Dr. Randall A. Oyer still shows up to work around 5:30 a.m. and he’s still seeing patients.

Thanks to advances in diagnosis and treatment, there are more than 18 million cancer survivors in the U.S. alone. This month we celebrate those survivors and their caregivers. We know survivorship is more than the end of active treatment. Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health is here with resources to help manage the physical and emotional health challenges survivors may face. http://spr.ly/6180jAWby

It was great to see so many community members out for an evening of education and fun at our Harmonizing Women’s Wellness & Cancer Prevention event at the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute. Penn Medicine women’s health experts shared important information and tools that can help lower the risk of cancer and other health conditions. Thanks to all who attended!

About half of outdoor workers got a sunburn in 2023 compared to 36 percent reported by Americans overall, according to a new survey from the American Academy of Dermatology.

“Since most outdoor workers are exposed to the sun during peak hours of the day, it’s vital they adopt sun protection measures as part of their daily routine to safeguard against skin cancer,” Bruce Brod, MD, co-director of the Penn Occupational and Contact Dermatitis Program, told HealthDay News.

Outdoor Workers Face Skin Cancer Danger FRIDAY, May 10, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Steve Murray, 68, has spent a lot of time out in the sun, at work and at play.Murray worked construction for several de

Dedicated staff from our Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute, along with other team members and friends, will celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against cancer at the 2024 Relay For Life Friday, June 7 at Conestoga Valley High School. In this video, our team captain, Deb Lopez, talks about why the event is so important to her. Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health is the presenting sponsor of Relay For Life of Lancaster County, PA. http://spr.ly/6187dLIUX

Learn more about the LG Health team at http://spr.ly/6188dLIUk

Relay For Life of Lancaster County 2024 Join us at Conestoga Valley High School on June 7. Learn more at RelayForLife.org/palancaster.

This Memorial Day, in honor of fallen, missing, and imprisoned military service members, Missing Man tribute tables are on display across Penn Medicine, including at nine Lancaster General Health locations. These ceremonial displays consist of a round table covered in various items that hold symbolic meaning -- a poignant reminder of those who have sacrificed for our country.

🇺🇲 Red rose: blood which was shed in sacrifice
🇺🇲 Slice of lemon: the bitter fate of the missing and fallen
🇺🇲 Salt on the plate: countless fallen tears of families
🇺🇲 Inverted glass: the missing and fallen who cannot partake
🇺🇲 Empty chair: those not present

Thank you to all who have served, and to those who continue to serve.

Thanks to advances made possible by clinical trials research, people with cancer are living longer and with a better quality of life than ever before. The Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute's clinical research department keeps our team apprised of the latest advances in research, including new and promising therapies that are on the horizon, and clinical trials that may benefit our patients. http://spr.ly/6186dRxAi

Clinical Trials and Research - Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health We take part in large, national clinical trials and stay on top of the latest advances in cancer research, including new and promising therapies.

This!

This week the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute was honored to host eight School District of Lancaster junior high school students with career interests in medicine and science for a day of education and interaction with our team. It was all part of the CARES (Community, Advocacy, Research, Education for Students) program sponsored by the PA Breast Cancer Coalition.

CARES was developed by Pat Halpin Murphy, founder and CEO of the Coalition, who was on hand for the day. She presented participants with white coats and other gifts, offering paid summer internships to all students who are interested. Joining her was PA State Senator Scott Martin.

Students had the opportunity to take part in sessions on the causes and biology of cancer, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, pharmacy management, cancer genetics, and pedigree construction, and were invited back for a future shadowing experience.

Liver inflammation, a common side effect of cancers elsewhere in the body, has long been associated with worse cancer outcomes and more recently with poor response to immunotherapy, a type of treatment that uses a person's own immune system to fight cancer.
Now, a team of researchers has found a big reason why. The research was led by Gregory Beatty, MD, PhD, an associate professor of hematology-oncology and the director of Clinical and Translational Research for the Penn Pancreatic Cancer Research Center.

Could the liver hold the key to better cancer treatments? Liver inflammation, a common side-effect of cancer, has long been associated with worse outcomes and more recently associated with poor response to immunotherapy. New research sheds light on why and reveals a potential target.

CONGRATULATIONS to Randall A. Oyer, MD, recipient of the Lancaster Chamber Thomas T. Baldrige 2024 Catalyst Award! The award honors a businessperson, business, or community member who actively contributes to the quality of our business landscape, place, and community.

Dr. Oyer is a practicing medical oncologist at the Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute and serves as the Executive Medical Director of the Cancer Institute, Chair of the Cancer Committee and Oncology Leadership Council, and Medical Director of the Cancer Risk Evaluation Program.

Dr. Oyer will be honored in person for his contributions and commitment to the health of our community at the June 6 Lancaster Chamber Annual Dinner event. Learn more about Dr. Oyer and other honorees here: http://spr.ly/6181jhQ47

Where are you finding beauty this week?

Please join us in celebrating all the dedicated health-care workers at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health who support our patients and communities.

It's been a week of celebration and appreciation for the amazing contributions of all nurses across our health system. Two Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute nurses, Ashley Schreiner (left) and Susie Leese were among those receiving special recognition from their colleagues. Thank you for everything you do to support the care of our patients.

Even with the best care team, in the midst of a cancer diagnosis, you may experience a mix of emotions that makes it difficult to ask your provider all the right questions. Our online library OncoLink is an invaluable educational resource.

Answering patients’ cancer questions for 30 years and counting Throughout its three-decade history, OncoLink has aimed to be the premier website for cancer information, available when and where it’s most useful to patients and providers.

Thank you to all Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute nurses who lead together, working tirelessly to provide care for our patients today and enhance the level of care for patients tomorrow.

Happy Monday!

Creative writing--from the heart--can make a difference in cancer recovery. Taught by writer, creative mentor, and founder of Write From The Heart Melissa Greene, this series of 8 free, virtual classes is a safe haven of support for experienced writers and first-timers alike. Open to cancer patients and their caregivers, classes are held Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30 pm beginning June 19. Learn more and sign up here: http://spr.ly/6189whCSJ

Do you lead a busy life and prioritize everyone else’s needs over your own? Let us help you block out the noise and embrace the sounds of wellness with an evening of education and fun at the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute.

A panel of Penn Medicine women’s health experts will share important information and tools to help lower your risk of cancer and other conditions as you age. They’ll cover it all -- from pap smears, to HPV vaccines, to genitourinary symptoms of menopause, and more. The evening will also include:

🔹 Light, healthy snacks
🔹 A women’s health and wellness fair with information and resources to help keep you healthy
🔹 Fun gifts and surprises
🔹 A sound immersion experience

There is no cost to attend. Register here: http://spr.ly/6184boKTE