Through $2.2 Million Anonymous Gift Gynecological Cancer Nurse Navigator Added

FORT WORTH, Texas, March 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Less than one year after its opening, the Joan Katz Breast Center (JKBC) announces its new gynecologic cancer navigation, education and patient services, adding this component to the existing breast cancer services.  Women can use either complimentary service by contacting the Joan Katz Breast Center at Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth.

"Women with uterine, ovarian, cervical or other gynecologic cancers should not feel alone or isolated.  We are now so fortunate to have a place that provides personalized patient navigation and education to these women and their families," stated Robert Watson, M.D., medical director, Andrews Women's Hospital at Baylor All Saints Medical Center.

The new gynecologic cancer navigation program was established by $2.2 million endowment from anonymous donors to the All Saints Health Foundation, benefiting Baylor Fort Worth. The endowment covers salaries, community and patient education as well as services for underserved patients.

Maureen Madewell, RN, BSN, who initiated the gynecological navigator program in November 2010 on a part-time basis, already navigated more than 75 patients at JKBC.  With the endowment, Madewell's position became full-time.

Patient Linda Harrison, who is currently being navigated for ovarian cancer, said, "Maureen is simply awesome.  She clarifies information and makes me feel better about where I am in the cancer process.  With her gentle touch, she relaxes me and encourages me to continue my battle."

• The American Cancer Society estimates 21,550 women in the U.S. were diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2009, with 14,600 of those women dying from this disease. Close to 80 percent of ovarian cancer patients recently diagnosed will survive one year, and about half will survive five years.
• The Center for Disease Control states that uterine cancer is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system in the United States.  This year, about 40,000 women will be diagnosed with uterine cancer and more than 95% will be endometrial cancers, which affect the lining of the uterus.
• Although the majority of uterine cancers occur in postmenopausal women, up to 25% may occur before menopause. The survival rate for all stages of uterine cancer is approximately 84%, but if diagnosed at its earliest stage, survival increases to 90-95%.
• According to the National Cancer Institute, cervical cancer may not have symptoms but can be found with regular Pap tests and is almost always caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
• In 2010, there were an estimated 12,200 new cases and 4,210 deaths from cervical cancer.

The Joan Katz Breast Center is located on the campus of Baylor Fort Worth.  Existing as a center without walls, JKBC brings together nurse navigation for breast and gynecological cancer patients, screening, diagnosis, treatment, tumor conferences, counseling social support and wellness/education. The center opened in April 2010.

JKBC may be reached by calling 817-922-2223 or online at www.BaylorHealth.com/AllSaintsBreastCenter.

About Baylor All Saints

The not-for-profit Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth and Baylor Medical Center at Southwest Fort Worth serve more than 100,000 people annually through two hospitals, numerous primary care physician centers and practices, a rehabilitation and fitness center, and a variety of medical specialties. Programs of excellence in cardiology, transplantation, neurosciences, oncology and women's services form the heart of the hospitals' services. All Saints joined Baylor Health Care System in January 2002.

SOURCE Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth