Breast Cancer Patient Says Don't Blow Off Annual Mammogram

Photo caption: Pictured from left to right are Barbara Shoemaker, senior occupational therapist and certified lymphedema therapist from the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross Hospital; Anne McCall, M.D., radiation oncologist from the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross Hospital; breast cancer patient and Frankfort resident Theresa Orowick; Brooke Phillips, M.D., medical oncologist/hematologist from the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross Hospital, and Kelly Rippon, R.N., oncology nurse.

By Tracy Simons | Silver Cross Hospital

Since Theresa Orowick was 34 years old, she was getting annual mammograms due to a history of trauma to her left breast. As time went by, she developed a false sense of security that she was fine and stopped getting mammograms. Then at age 46, she found a lump in her left breast that was diagnosed in an advanced stage of breast cancer.

“Once it was confirmed that I had breast cancer, I was so upset with myself for not continuing to get my annual mammograms,” said the Frankfort resident. “All I kept thinking was if I would have stayed vigilant and not blown-off getting my annual mammogram that maybe my breast cancer wouldn’t be in such an advanced stage.”

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Fortunately, Orowick is now 13 months cancer free, but her advice to other women is simple.

“Take care of yourself and get your annual mammogram because early detection can save your life as well as help you avoid more extensive treatments if diagnosed,” states Orowick.

Once diagnosed, Orowick’s physician referred her to Dr. Brooke Phillips, medical oncologist at the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross.

“Theresa’s care plan consisted of chemotherapy initially then bi-lateral mastectomy surgery, followed up with radiation and then breast reconstruction surgery,” said Brooke Phillips, M.D. “She now takes tamoxifen to prevent any cancer reoccurrence and gets monthly injections to avoid osteoporosis. We are thrilled with her outcomes and admire her passion to motivate other women to continue to get their annual mammograms.”

Orowick also saw Dr. Anne McCall, a specialist in the use of radiation therapy to treat breast cancer.

“By coming to the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross, patients have access to the same advanced technology that is offered at the University of Chicago Medicine at Hyde Park,” said Dr. McCall, M.D. “We are fortunate to have highly trained and experienced radiation therapists working at Silver Cross who truly make Theresa’s and all our patients’ treatment so successful.”

After her final surgery, Orowick had several weeks of lymphedema therapy at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) at Silver Cross Hospital. “Theresa’s case was complex since she had an advanced stage of breast cancer and underwent both breast removal and reconstruction surgeries,” said Barbara Shoemaker, senior occupational therapist and certified lymphedema therapist with RIC at Silver Cross Hospital. “Theresa’s treatment sessions focused on education regarding lymphedema precautions, as well as massage and stretching exercises to decrease tissue tightness and improve the mobility of her arms.”

“All of the staff at both the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross Hospital was great,” said Orowick. “I had a fabulous experience! I received such thoughtful care from all of them. And because both facilities were so close to my home, my mom was able to drive me to my treatments and therapy sessions, which was less stressful than driving downtown.”

Recently Diagnosed with Breast Cancer?

Silver Cross Hospital is making it easier to get advice from breast cancer experts on the next steps to take with a convenient, one-stop experience called the Multidisciplinary Breast Conference. This team meets in the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross Hospital for a Breast Conference every Tuesday morning. At the Conference, physician specialists representing general surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology, plastic surgery and pathology reviews radiological images and pathology slides on state-of-the-art equipment and develops a consensus recommendation. The team documents the recommendations and a certified breast nurse navigator provides the recommendation to the patient’s doctor within 24 hours. Patients who could benefit from the Multidisciplinary Breast Conference at Silver Cross should contact their primary care physician to be referred to the Breast Conference.

About Anne R. McCall, M.D.

Anne R. McCall, M.D., a radiation oncologist, an Associate Professor in the Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology at the University of Chicago Medicine and medical director for radiation oncology at Silver Cross Hospital. Dr. McCall has more than 30 years of experience. She graduated from Rush Medical College in 1983, followed by her residency in radiation therapy at Loyola University Medical Center, in Maywood, Illinois. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. McCall is interested in translational research — bringing discoveries from the lab to patient care. She also has a strong interest in cost-benefit analyses, including the economic impact of shorter radiation regimens for patients diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. Dr. McCall loves teaching, and was awarded the Outstanding Teacher of the year award in 2014. She is regularly named one of the “Best Doctors in America” by Best Doctors Inc. and listed in the Castle Connolly best doctor guides. Her practice is based at the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox. To schedule an appointment, call (815) 300-1400.

About Brooke E. Phillips, M.D.

Brooke E. Phillips, M.D., clinical associate, medical oncologist/hematologist is a specialist in cancer diagnosis and treatment. She provides highly skilled care for a range of cancers and blood disorders. Dr. Phillips graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, followed by her residency in internal medicine at the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center in Lexington, KY. She completed a hematology/oncology fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, OH. She is board certified in internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology and is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Her practice is based at the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox. To schedule an appointment, call (815) 300-1400.

About the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross

The University of Chicago Medicine and Silver Cross Hospital’s outpatient cancer treatment center located in the Carolyn J. Czerkies Pavilion at I-355 and Route 6 (1850 Silver Cross Blvd.) in New Lenox opened its doors in 2012. The 20,000-square-foot University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross brings University of Chicago academic specialists and their advanced and investigational therapies into a community-hospital setting. The facility provides state-of-the-art chemotherapy and radiation therapy, as well as access to hundreds of clinical trials. It also offers a TrueBeam new-generation linear accelerator system, which delivers precisely targeted radiation therapy to provide the best results. In addition, other services provided at the Comprehensive Cancer Center include cancer support services, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy, infusion services, and preventative screenings. The University of Chicago Medicine maintains more active clinical trials for the treatment of cancer than any other program in Illinois. To schedule an appointment, call 1-855-UCM-1400. For more information about the new University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross Hospital, visit www.ucmcancer-sch.org.

About the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) have teamed up to expand post-acute physical medicine and rehabilitation services in Will County and the southwest Chicagoland communities. The partnership provides world-class rehabilitation care for a range of conditions for patients close to home. Silver Cross is the only healthcare facility in the area with this breadth of services in partnership with RIC. Together, Silver Cross and RIC provide rehabilitation services in inpatient and outpatient care settings at three locations. Additionally, the RIC team provides physical therapy services for patients on the hospital’s medical and surgical floors. For more information about RIC at Silver Cross, call (815) 300-7110 or visit www.silvercross.org.

About Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital is a not-for-profit health care provider serving Will County and southwest suburban communities since 1895. Silver Cross has been recognized as a Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals National Award winner for seven consecutive years and as a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers. With nearly 4,000 employees, physicians and volunteers, Silver Cross operates a 289-bed acute care hospital and 5 satellite facilities providing outpatient services and physician offices. Silver Cross opened a state-of-the-art replacement hospital in 2012 at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. In 2013, Silver Cross provided over $48 million in charity care and other community benefits. To learn more about Silver Cross Hospital or a referral to a physician on staff, visit www.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325). Physicians on Silver Cross Hospital’s Medical Staff have expertise in their areas of practice to meet the needs of patients seeking their care. These physicians are independent practitioners on the Medical Staff and are not the agents or employees of Silver Cross Hospital. They treat patients based upon their independent medical judgment and they bill patients separately for their services.

About The University of Chicago Medicine

The University of Chicago Medicine is home to world-class medical, research and teaching facilities where innovation has been a hallmark for decades. University of Chicago physician-scientists performed the first organ transplant and the first bone marrow transplant in animal models, the first successful living-donor liver transplant, the first hormone therapy for cancer and the first successful application of cancer chemotherapy. Its researchers also discovered REM sleep and were the first to describe several of the stages of sleep. Twelve of the 87 Nobel Prize winners associated with the University of Chicago have received the award for discoveries related to biology or medicine.

The University of Chicago Medicine’s Biological Sciences Division and the Medical Center work together under the University of Chicago Medicine brand to teach and train future physicians, perform research and practice patient care. The Medical Center ranks among the best in the country in cancer treatment, digestive disorders, diabetes and endocrinology, according to U.S. News & World Report’s survey of the nation’s hospitals. The University of Chicago Medicine’s Comer Children’s Hospital also is among the nation’s leading children’s hospitals, particularly in neonatology, gastroenterology and pulmonology. And the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine was named one of the Top 10 medical schools in the United States in U.S. News’ 2012 graduate schools survey.