Project Lead the Way

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Saint Paul's School is pleased to announce a Project Lead The Way partnership and sponsorship for the Biomedical Sciences Program. Dr. and Mrs. Oubre of the Pontchartrain Cancer Center have generously donated $60,000 to assist in the funding of the academic curricula. Thank you to the Oubres for their generosity and commitment to St. Paul's School.

From St. Paul's School: "The Cancer Center and their personnel will be resources for the students involved in the program. The PLTW Biomedical Sciences Program is aligned with national learning standards, following a proven hands-on, real world problem solving approach to learning. The students explore the concepts of human medicine, and are introduced to a variety of topics including: physiology, genetics, microbiology, and public health. Kathy Oubre, Pontchartrain Cancer Center’s Chief Operating Officer stated, “David and I are blessed and honored to be able to give back to Saint Paul’s School, a community that has meant so much to our family over the years. Moreover, this sponsorship allows us the opportunity to be a part of further educating those Saint Paul’s students who have an interest in biomedical science.”

Pictured: Brother Raymond Bulliard, FSC, President of Saint Paul's, Dr. David Oubre, Kathy Oubre, and Trevor Watkins, AFSC, Principal of Saint Paul's School.

 

Chemotherapy shouldn't be restricted for Medicare patients

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Pontchartrain Cancer Center's Letter to the Editor of The Times Picayune:

http://www.nola.com/health/index.ssf/2016/07/medicare_cancer_policy.html#incart_river_mobileshort_home

As oncologists, we are extremely concerned about the so-called Medicare experiment on cancer drugs. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) did not seek any input from the oncology community before proposing an ill-conceived and potentially harmful experiment that puts some of our most vulnerable patients at even greater risk. As a result, more than 300 cancer organizations and patient advocacy groups have formed a coalition to petition leaders in Congress to stop the Medicare experiment. We hope Sen. Bill Cassidy is listening.

Cancer treatment is not a "one-size-fits-all" approach.  Cancer is an extremely complex disease that requires individualized treatment for each patient, based on that person's unique genetic profile.  CMS clearly does not understand this fundamental precept.  Because every patient's cancer is unique, we are often required to try multiple drugs before we find the ones that are most effective for that individual.

Quite often, two people with exactly the same type of cancer may not respond in the same way to the same drug. Treatment becomes even more complicated at that point and may require several types of therapies before the most appropriate one is found. Patients who are dependent on Medicare should not have to face mandatory participation in an initiative that may force them to switch to a less appropriate (and potentially less effective) treatment.

Additionally, if implemented, the Medicare experiment could drive more cancer patients to seek treatment in a hospital setting, rather than at a community oncology practice, where close to 70 percent of all cancer patients are treated today.  Not only would this create less convenience and longer wait times for patients to receive treatment, it also would increase costs to patients and taxpayers.

We urge all cancer patients and their friends and families to write to their senators and representatives and tell them to stop the Medicare experiment on cancer drugs.  (You can go online to CancerExperiment.org to do this.)

The government's proposal is an affront to physicians who want to ensure that every patient receives the most advanced, effective and appropriate treatment available. It would be a huge step backwards for cancer care in America and Louisiana.

Written By:
David N. Oubre, M.D.
Alison Rome, M.D.
Cassie Peart

Pontchartrain Cancer Center
Covington, Louisiana

Colon Cancer Awareness

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Colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer!

Did you also know that regular screenings can prevent colon cancer by finding and removing polyps before they become cancer? Colon cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable with earlier detection!

Learn more here: http://goo.gl/wUFhsy

Image Source: Colon Cancer Alliance

Colon Cancer Survivor Story

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Colon Cancer Survivor Says Routine Screening Saved His Life!

Christopher Foster has practiced healthy habits his whole life. “I’m active. I love life. I love my wife. I love nature. I try to stay fit. I go for a walk every day and lift weights three times a week,” said Foster. Read his story of hope here via http://goo.gl/K84W31

Image Source: American Cancer Society

Financial Counseling

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Our cancer care team works hard to ensure that our patients can meet their financial responsibility needed for their cancer treatment.  In the month of February 2016, we were able to secure almost $100,000 in financial assistance for our patients. Pictured is our Chief Operating Office, Kathy Oubre.