Welcome to The Cancer Care Issue of MD-Update

Two things can be true at the same time, right? Kentucky is at the top of the CDC’s list for mortality due to cancer, particularly lung cancer; and cancer care is improving in Kentucky with research, treatment, and clinical trials at multiple major healthcare systems throughout the state.

Review of the National Cancer Institute online data shows decreases in ovarian, thyroid, lung, and colon cancer in Kentucky among both males and females of all ages. That’s the good news. The bad news was an increase in both prostate cancer and esophageal cancer, particularly among Kentucky males. And Kentucky continues to have rates of lung cancer that are higher than most of the rest of the country

September was national Prostate Cancer Awareness month. If you were at the Kentucky State Fair, perhaps you saw Dr. Stephen Henry promoting prostate screening, which has become a mission for him. At the same time, Dr. Mark Evers and the UK Markey Cancer Institute announced their achievement of the National Cancer Institute “Comprehensive” Cancer Center designation, the highest level of recognition awarded by the NCI.

November is Lung Cancer Screening month, and the Kentucky Department for Public Health
is urging providers to encourage at-risk patients to get screened. More information on the department’s lung screening is on page 22 and at www.nlcrt.org.

In This Issue

Having just finished October, Breast Cancer Awareness month, our cover story on breast surgery at Baptist Health Louisville feels timely. Mortality from breast cancer in Kentucky is dropping due to early detection, screening, and more targeted treatments. When surgery is needed, breast surgeons step up. Read more about four breast surgeons in Louisville who embrace that vitally important moment on page 10.

Research, clinical trials, and long-term physician-patient relationships are the bread and butter of our Special Section physicians, Rebecca Booth, MD, Mohamed Hegazi, MD, Dana Johnson, MD, and Kaylyn Sinicrope, MD. I think you’ll enjoy the stories on how each of them is advancing cancer care in Kentuckiana.

Our friend James Borders, MD, has a new home, a place to continue his “calling and ministry.” Dr. Borders recently joined Bluegrass Care Navigators to direct the Program of All-inclusive Care of the Elderly, PACE, a program designed for the dually-eligible Medicare/Medicaid insured patients with the goal of providing at-home care for “aging in place.” He writes extensively about the PACE program on page 24 with contact information. Learn more about Dr. Borders’ new mission and the PACE program.

The MD-Update editorial calendar for December and all of 2024 is on the preceding page. I invite you to look for your specialty and give me a call. If your specialty is not included, call me on that as well.