Owensboro Health | Lift | March 2018

www.owensborohealth.org   7 Cancer care is an ever-changing field. One of the most important advances in this field is understanding the genetics of cancer. When the DNA of a cancer is analyzed, it’s possible to find mutations that can be precisely targeted with certain drugs. Genome directed therapy (GDT), a type of precision medicine, is offering new ways to target and attack some cancers. A targeted approach “If a tumor has a certain mutation in its DNA, certain drugs that target or inhibit that mutation may be useful. GDT attempts to exploit the driving force behind the cancer,” said Dr. Jacob Hodskins, a specialist with Owensboro Health Hematology and Oncology. While GDT is evolving in certain cancers, positive effects have been seen in various cancers such as melanoma and some lung cancers. It offers potential treatment options to patients whose cancers have progressed on standard treatments. One of the biggest advantages is in the side effect profile. GDTs do have them, but they are often not as debilitating as those seen with traditional chemotherapy and are oftentimes much easier to manage. A wealth of treatment options “Clinically we’re seeing an expansion in potential treatment options with newer agents for certain patients,” said Dr. Hodskins. “It’s often empowering and satisfying to patients to know they can receive cutting-edge cancer care here at home.” Compassionate care Dr. Hodskins, an Owensboro native, said he’s glad to be part of the fight against cancer in his hometown. Owensboro Health, Inc., complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex. Owensboro Health, Inc., does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex. Owensboro Health, Inc.: 1. Provides free aids and services to people with disabilities to communicate effectively with us, such as: » » Qualified sign language interpreters » » Written information in other formats, based on an individual’s needs 2. Provides free language services to people whose primary language is not English, such as: » » Qualified interpreters » » Information written in other languages If you need these services, contact a staff member or supervisor. If you believe that Owensboro Health, Inc., has failed to provide these services or discriminated in another way on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex, you can file a grievance with the Office of Risk Management: Office of Risk Management Owensboro Health 1201 Pleasant Valley Road Owensboro, KY 42303 Phone: 270-691-7887 TTY: 270-688-3719 Fax: 270-417-4809 Email: riskmanagement@owensborohealth.org You can file a grievance in person or by mail, fax or email. If you need help filing a grievance, a Patient Relations specialist is available to help you. You can also file a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, electronically through the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal, available at https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/smartscreen/main.jsf , or by mail or phone at: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Ave. SW Room 509F, HHH Building Washington, DC 20201 Phone: 800-368-1019 TDD: 800-537-7697 Complaint forms are available at: www.hhs.gov/ocr/office/file/index.html Public notice of nondiscrimination and accessibility owensborohealth.org/myc hart ASK US ABOUT accessing your child’s medical history... at your fingertips! MyChart offers many ways to keep your child’s health accessible. Download the app to see: • Appointments (New/Scheduled) • Messages with the physician • Immunizations, medications and more! Participating Locations: • Pediatrics • Urgent Care Ford • Urgent Care Parrish owensborohealt .org/mychart ASK US ABOUT accessing your child’s medical history... at your fingertips! MyChart offers many ways to keep your child’s ealt accessibl . Downl ad the app to see: • Appointme s (New/Scheduled) • Messag with the physician • Immunizations, medications and more! Participating Locations: • Pediatrics • Urgent Care Fo d • Urgent Care P rish Health & Wellness To learn more visit www.owensborohealth.org/lifest eps TAKE THE RIGHT STEPS TOWARD MANAGING YOUR WEIGHT AND HEALTH. Learn how to start and maintain healthy eating and exercise habits in Owensboro Health’s Lifesteps ® weight management program. Health & Wellness To learn more visit ww .o ensborohealth.org/lifesteps TAKE THE RIGHT STEPS TOWARD MAN GIN YOUR WEIGHT AND HEALTH. Learn how t start and maintain healt y eating and exercis habits in Owensboro Health’s Lifestep ® weight management program. “From a patient’s perspective, the big thing about precision medicine is that it can open doors when options are limited.” —Dr. Hodskins Treating cancer with precision Dr. Jacob Hodskins is an oncology specialist with Owensboro Health Medical Group Hematology and Oncology.