CORA to celebrate 2nd birthday, lives saved

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Since Sept. 1, 2015, nearly 400 men and women have turned to Via Christi’s Cancer Outreach and Risk Assessment program, for genetic counseling and screening.

 

To date, more than 50 of those patients have tested positive for various genetic mutations that required additional testing or follow up to reduce their cancer risk.

 

For Maggie Ward, the advanced practice oncology nurse and board-certified genetics practitioner who coordinates the soon-to-be 2-year-old program, it’s tremendously satisfying work.

 

“Our program empowers people to take actions that can prevent or lead to earlier detection of cancer and possibly save their lives,” says Ward, who works under the direction of Cancer Center of Kansas oncologist Pavan Reddy, MD, and Via Christi Clinic breast care specialist Patty Tenofsky, MD.

 

As many as 1 in 10 American patients diagnosed with cancer may have a hereditary risk. CORA, the only comprehensive program in south-central Kansas, offers screening and genetic counseling to anyone whose personal/family history indicates that they are at higher risk for developing breast and other cancers.

 

Think you may be at risk? Go to viachristi.org/CORA for more information or call 316-268-5890 to schedule an appointment.

 

 

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About Via Christi Health

In Kansas, Ascension’s Via Christi Health operates nine hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs more than 6,000 associates. Across the state, Via Christi provided more than $77.8 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2016. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the largest non-profit health system in the U.S. and the world’s largest Catholic health system, operating 2,500 sites of care – including 141 hospitals and more than 30 senior living facilities – in 24 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.viachristi.org

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