Cancer Diagnosis

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Cancer Diagnosis

Learning that you or someone you love has cancer can make you feel that your world is being turned upside down. Your initial thoughts may be "How could this have happened to me?" and "How will I get through this?"

A cancer diagnosis is shocking and overwhelming. 

Specially trained nurse navigators are available to patients and their loved ones before, during, and after a diagnosis of cancer has been made. These nurses provide real-time education, guidance, and support to patients as they progress through their treatment and beyond into survivorship.

At Spectrum Health Lakeland, physicians and care providers meet before starting treatment to review each person's case. These weekly multidisciplinary cancer conferences are conducted to help coordinate care and enhance collaboration among team members. In addition, Spectrum Health Lakeland collaborates with community organizations that share the goal of cancer awareness and education, including the Berrien County Cancer Services and the American Cancer Society.

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Check-up: Removing cancer with surgery (Nathan Piovesan, MD)

Cancer care can involve surgery done by a general surgeon to either remove cancer or to do diagnostic surgery to identify what a tumor is.

Mar 03, 2023
Check-up: Detect lung cancer early (Kenlyn Laureys, NP)

Nurse practitioner Kenlyn Laureys in the high-risk cancer program at Corewell Health explains that if you are identified as being at high risk for lung cancer your doctor can refer you to receive a lung cancer screening.

Mar 03, 2023
Check-up: Cutting out colon cancer with surgery (Benjamin Sopczynski, MD)

General surgeon Benjamin Sopczynski, MD, explains what a colectomy is and how it can be used to remove colon cancer. Minimally invasive surgery is used to make this procedure less invasive with quicker healing times.

Mar 03, 2023
Corewell Health - We Can

What can we do together? Can we beat the unbeatable? Can we achieve the unthinkable? Can we reach our health goals? And accomplish even more along the way? Can we live healthier, fuller, happier lives? With Corewell Health, we can.

Feb 16, 2023
Provider Video Profile: Kenlyn Laureys, NP (Oncology)

Nurse Practitioner Kenlyn Laureys cares for patients getting cancer infusion treatments in Niles, Michigan.

Sep 23, 2022
Breast Cancer: Nancy Pallas "3D approach to care"

At age 79, Dowagiac resident, Nancy Pallas, decided to opt for a 3D mammogram, which was able to detect a stage 1A tumor. Her care team quickly assembled to help her beat the cancer.

Sep 07, 2022
Prostate cancer: Martin Dixon "Put to the test"

Retired engineer Martin Dixon takes a matter of fact, analytical approach to life. So, when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he faced his treatment with the same outlook.

Jul 22, 2022
Food and cancer risk – what’s the connection?

Eating well and getting enough physical activity can reduce the risk for cancer occurrence by up to 61%. Even better, you don’t have to make a lot of changes all at once.

Mar 01, 2022
Check-up: ABCDEs of skin cancer (Riddhi Shah, DO)

You can help find cancer early by checking your skin each month. Dermatologist, Riddhi Shah, DO, explains what to look for using the ABCDE method.

Feb 03, 2022
Spectrum Health Lakeland cancer care: With you every step of the way.

Whatever your cancer diagnosis, you'll find the care and resources you need at Spectrum Health Lakeland.

Nov 23, 2021

Trending on Lakeland

Veggie Van to Offer Free Healthy Foods, Nutrition Information

The Veggie Van is making its way throughout Berrien County. This mobile farmer’s market will offer free, locally grown, top-quality, healthy fruits and vegetables, and nutrition information.

Lory’s Place to host Run Walk Rock 5K on May 20

On Saturday, May 20, Lory’s Place, the grief and healing center of Caring Circle and part of Corewell Health, will host its 19th annual Run Walk Rock 5K.

Niles and St. Joseph hospitals earn ‘A’ grades from Leapfrog Group

Today, Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals in Niles and St. Joseph received “A” Hospital Safety Grades from The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit watchdog that upholds patient safety standards in hospitals nationwide.

Corewell Health Welcomes New Certified Nurse-Midwife to Southwest Michigan

Corewell Health, the new name for Spectrum Health Lakeland, is pleased to welcome Aubrey Tompkins, CNM, to its medical staff. Tompkins is seeing patients alongside three physicians and two other providers at Southwestern Medical Women’s Health in Niles.

Corewell Health Welcomes New Advanced Practitioner to Cardiac Care Team in Southwest Michigan

Corewell Health is pleased to welcome Pansy Samuel, NP, to the heart and vascular medical staff. Samuel is seeing patients alongside ten cardiology physician specialists and eight advanced practitioners in Coloma, Niles and St. Joseph.

Lory’s Place to Host Several Social Events

Lory's Place, a grief healing and education team of Caring Circle and part of Corewell Health, is hosting a series of spring and summer social events. All the events are free to join and designed for individuals who have experienced the death of a significant person.

Community Members Encouraged to Donate Blood, Save Lives

Blood supplies across the state remain low, with some blood types in critical need. Corewell Health, in partnership with Versiti Blood Center of Michigan, is hosting a series of community blood drives in April and May.

Drug Take Back Day Encourages Disposal of Unwanted Medications

Community members will have the opportunity to dispose of unused and unwanted prescription drugs during a Prescription Drug Take-Back Day event in St. Joseph and Niles on Saturday, April 22.

Major Michigan Health Systems Transition to Optional Masking

After three years of caring for patients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many of Michigan’s major health systems are making masking optional in most areas over the next week.

Lory’s Place to Host Service of Remembrance

Community members are invited to attend “Celebration of Life,” a service of remembrance for those who have experienced the death of a loved one, on Thursday, April 27 at 5:30 p.m.

Corewell Health Offers Free Advance Care Planning Workshop

Corewell Health, the new name for Spectrum Health Lakeland, is offering free advance care planning (ACP) workshops.

Corewell Health Offers Free Program to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

Corewell Health, the new name for Spectrum Health Lakeland, is currently enrolling people interested in joining its free in-person Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP).

Lory’s Place to Host Disney Trivia Night Fundraiser

Lory’s Place is hosting a Disney themed fundraising event open to the public on Thursday, April 6 at Union + Social located on 216 Court Street in St. Joseph.

Corewell Health Opens New Care Center in Niles

Corewell Health leaders, physicians, community partners and patients marked the opening of the newest facility in Southwest Michigan yesterday in Niles.

Corewell Health Welcomes Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Please welcome primary care provider, Chelsea Wagner, NP, to the pediatric and family care team at Southwestern Medical Primary Care in Niles and Buchanan.

© Spectrum Health Lakeland 2023
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