UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's Nassif Radiation Center

Cancer cells usually multiply faster than other cells in the body, which sometimes is the reason why undetected cancer can spread so rapidly. Because radiation is most harmful to rapidly growing cells, radiation therapy is effective in damaging cancer cells more than normal cells.

Specifically, radiation therapy damages the DNA of cancer cells, which prevents the cancer cells from growing and dividing. Unfortunately, certain healthy cells can also be killed by this process. The death of these healthy cells can lead to side effects such as hair loss or skin changes.

Radiation therapy is used to fight many types of cancer. It is often used to shrink a tumor as much as possible before surgery. Radiation can also be incorporated after surgery to prevent the cancer from coming back.

For certain types of cancer, radiation therapy is the only type of treatment needed, while other types of cancer are treated with a combination approach. Radiation may also be used to provide temporary relief of symptoms, or to treat malignancies (cancers) that cannot be removed with surgery.

• External beam radiation, the most common form, carefully aims high powered x-rays directly at the tumor from outside of the body
• Brachytherapy uses Radioactive Seeds that are placed directly into or near the tumor
• Radioactive Iodine 131, used to destroy any thyroid tissue not removed by surgery or to treat some types of thyroid cancer that have spread to lymph nodes and other parts of the body

The Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons has granted accreditation to St. Luke's.

St. Luke's is one of a select group of 13 facilities accredited in the state of Iowa and has been accredited since 2010.

The CoC's core functions include setting standards for quality, multidisciplinary cancer patient care; surveying facilities to evaluate compliance with the 36 CoC standards; collecting standardized, high-quality data from accredited facilities; and using the data to develop effective educational interventions to improve cancer care outcomes at the national, state, and local levels.

Comprehensive cancer care is provided by a team of healthcare professionals who work closely together. St. Luke's partners with local doctors and surgeons in the fight against cancer. Here are members of the St. Luke's team:

• Care Coordinators: registered nurses who help patients and families understand their diagnosis and works side by side to help them through treatment and recovery
• Certified Oncology Social Worker: available to provide support for you and your family. This includes coping with a cancer diagnosis, treatment and survivorship; caregiver stress; helping children/teens better understand cancer; community resources and financial issues
• Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition: our dietitian can help guide patients in their search for valuable information about poor appetite, ideal weight, supplements or other nutrition concerns
• Cancer Exercise Specialist: identifies exercise goals based on the patient's unique needs and limitations

Helen G. Nassif Community Cancer Center Team

The dedicated nurses, dietitians, social workers and cancer experts at Nassif Community Cancer Center work collaboratively with the other members of your team in your fight against cancer.

Your Partners on the Journey to Survivorship

Radiation Oncologist
A doctor with advanced training, experience and education, on the use of ionizing radiation to treat cancer. They prescribe the dose of radiation, how treatments will be given and closely monitors the progress of treatments. They work closely with other physicians and technicians as part of the multi-disciplinary cancer team.

Radiation Therapists
Therapists will work with you every day during your radiation therapy sessions. They will administer your prescribed dose of radiation using a linear accelerator. They use advanced imaging technology to provide accurate delivery of treatments and work closely with the radiation oncologist to monitor the effects and progress of your treatments.

Medical Physicists
Physicists ensure the safety and accuracy of the radiation therapy equipment. They perform regular quality assurance checks and calibrations, as well as verifying all treatment plans prior to beginning treatments.

Medical Dosimetrist
Dosimetrists work closely with your radiation oncologist, using the information acquired in the simulation, to design a treatment plan specifically for you, allowing the cancer to be treated with minimal harm to normal tissues.

Radiation Nurse
The nurse provides oncology-specialized nursing care during radiation treatments and consults with you regularly about treatments and works with the radiation oncologist to manage side effects.

1. Are you between the ages of 50-77?
2. Do you have at least a 20 pack year history?
3. If you no longer smoke, did you quit within the last 15 years?
4. Have you ever been diagnosed with any type of cancer?
5. Have you been exposed to a significant amount of second hand smoke?
6. Have you had prolonged exposure to asbestos or radon?
7. Do you have a family history of lung cancer?
8. Have you ever been diagnosed with a lung disease?
9. Have you had long-term exposure to chemical fumes, vapors or dust?

If you answered yes to three or more of these questions, you may be a candidate for a lung screening. Please contact us at (319) 558-4876.

Lung Check includes a chest CT scan which is a rapid, non-invasive test that uses low doses of radiation to provide three-dimensional images of lungs in a matter of seconds. Participants are also given a lung cancer risk assessment, personalized cancer reduction and healthy lifestyle education as well as smoking cessation information.

St. Luke's Lung Check is for men or women between the ages of 50 and 77 who have smoked at least one pack a day for 20 years or more or 2 packs per day for 10 years or more. Those that quit smoking less than 15 years ago and smoked one or more packs for 15 or more years.

All tests are performed at St. Luke's during one appointment. Plan on the appointment lasting one and a half hours. The lung care coordinator will meet with you prior to your test and confirm when your results will be available.

Men and women with a history of cigarette smoking have a higher risk of developing lung cancer than the general population. The more cigarettes smoked per day and the longer you have been smoking, the greater your risk of developing lung cancer. High levels of pollution, radiation and asbestos exposure may also increase your risk.

The amount of radiation used is very small. The amount of radiation associated with the Low-Dose Screening Chest CT is a fraction of that used with a standard chest CT.

Often, lung cancer is detected in its later stages, when it has spread throughout the body. St. Luke's Lung Check is able to detect and diagnose an underlying medical condition that you may have at an early stage to improve the treatment effectiveness and options. The images will be reviewed for the presence of lung nodules, masses, or other abnormalities suspicious for lung cancer.

It is likely the cost of Lung Check will be covered by private insurance or Medicare or Medicaid; however, pre-authorization may be required from your insurance company. Your family provider's office or lung care coordinator can help you to determine the coverage provided by your insurance. The screening may reveal medical conditions or findings where additional testing and or treatment will be needed. These additional tests or treatments will only be performed after obtaining your permission.

Yes. We know it can be very difficult to "kick the habit". We have a dedicated team of smoking cessation experts available for consultation upon your request. For additional information on techniques and methods to help you stop smoking, contact (319) 558-4876.

To schedule your appointment or for more information call the Community Cancer Center care at (319) 558-4876. Don't wait for the warning signs... Unlike some diseases, lung cancer can be diagnosed and treated with early screening and detection.