The Record Special Sections Health Quarterly 10-27-2019 | Page 14

14 ❚ SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2019 ❚ THE RECORD
HEALTH QUARTERLY / ADVERTISING SECTION
Atlantic Health’s #AskHer
Campaign Returns for 4th Year
A
tlantic Health System’s
#AskHer campaign is
back for its fourth year!
The campaign, which
encourages people to talk to
the women in their lives about
the importance of annual mam-
mograms, resulted in more than
1,400 appointment requests from
women last year.
According to the National
Cancer Institute, only 5 to 10 per-
cent of breast cancer is heredi-
tary. Additionally, breast cancer
increases with age; two out
of three invasive breast cancers
are found in women over the age
of 55.
More people schedule breast
exams and screenings during
October than any other month,
largely due to breast cancer
awareness month. The #AskHer
campaign will help add momen-
tum to the movement by provid-
ing ways to start what might
seem like a difficult conversation.
Furthermore, recognizing that so
many women put the care of oth-
ers before themselves, Atlantic
Health System wants to educate
and ensure that everyone — fam-
ily, friends and loved ones — are
asking the women in their lives to
make themselves a priority.
“While breast cancer is the
second most common cancer
diagnosed in women, when caught
in its earliest stages, there is a
99-percent survival rate. That’s
why it is so important for women
to have annual screening mam-
mograms starting at age 40, so
we can detect abnormalities when
they are small and most treat-
able,” said Lisa Bash, MD, medical
director of The Breast Center at
Chilton Medical Center.
This year, Atlantic Health
System is making it even easier
for women to schedule a screen-
ing mammogram by offering
online appointment scheduling.
Chilton Medical Center will be tak-
ing part in the initiative.
To learn more about the
#AskHer campaign, or to book
an annual mammogram online,
text ASKHER to 555-888 or call
1-844-343-3540.
Fighting Cancer from the Inside Out
Personalized Immunotherapy Gives Motorcyclist Hope of Riding Again
A
n avid motorcyclist, John S. loves
the wind in his face and the thrill
of the open road, but as his mela-
noma progressed and treatments
intensified, it became unsafe
for him to ride. The bike was eventually
parked – but not forever. Eric Whitman, MD,
director of Atlantic Health System Cancer
Care and the Atlantic Melanoma Center,
treated John with a new type of personal-
ized immunotherapy that not only stopped
his melanoma from spreading, but also
restored his hope of riding again.
John’s wife Cathy was the first to notice
the oddly-shaped dark spot on his back.
Their family doctor told them it was nothing
to worry about, but five years later, the dark
spot turned into an oozing scab. A biopsy
revealed it was malignant melanoma.
John had the tumor surgically removed,
but the surgeon failed to extract enough of
it, which allowed the cancer to multiply.
Cancer specialists began treating John
with medications, followed by standard radi-
ation therapy and two rounds of Gamma
Knife radiosurgery, but nothing seemed
to stop the disease’s progression. Tumors
were now clearly visible underneath his skin
as the melanoma infected his entire body.
Just when things seemed dire, fate inter-
vened. One of John’s cancer doctors had
attended medical school with Dr. Whitman
PHOTO COURTESY OF ATLANTIC HEALTH SYSTEM
Sidelined with melanoma, John loves riding his motorcycle and the immunotherapy
treatment he receives at Morristown Medical Center may allow him to do so again soon.
and was aware of the phase II tumor
ment, during which hematology-oncology
infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) clinical trial at
specialists remove immune system cells
Atlantic Health System. He thought John,
from the patient’s tumor, treat them with
who was now in Stage III/IV melanoma,
an immune booster and then infuse them
might qualify.
back into the body. A medication that
TIL is an experimental, one-time treat-
stimulates the immune system is included
with the final infusion.
“The general concept is that TIL replaces
less effective white blood cells and may be
better at finding, attacking and killing the
patient’s cancer,” says Dr. Whitman.
John received TIL therapy at Morristown
Medical Center, which is one of a few sites
in the nation and the only one in New Jersey
that offers this ground-breaking treatment
to patients with stage IV melanoma.
“Within four weeks of a single treatment,
we can see signs of efficacy in patients that
respond,” says Dr. Whitman.
Recent results from the phase II TIL
study demonstrated that 38 percent of
patients experienced a benefit as observed
from tumor shrinkage. There were also
two complete responses and 23 partial
responses among a group of 66 patients
with late stage melanoma that had pro-
gressed despite prior treatment.
John is one patient who has had suc-
cessful results with TIL. The treatment
shrunk his tumors and reversed the growth
of the melanoma. What’s more, John’s
dream of cruising down the street on his
motorcycle is becoming a reality.
“I thank God every day, and thank Dr.
Whitman and his team,” John says. “This
treatment has given me a second chance.
Now, I am excited about getting the bike
cleaned so that I can ride it again!”