The Board of Trustees gave its full and enthusiastic endorsement of the new Cooper Cancer Institute (CCI) project at the September meeting. As the premier tertiary care center in South Jersey, CCI’s objective is to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary oncology services with state-of-the-art technology and facilities in Camden, Voorhees and Willingboro.

The centerpiece of the project will be the new CCI building on the Camden campus, located on the corner of  MLK Boulevard and Haddon Avenue on what is now the surface parking lot for the CareOne nursing home. The land transaction with CareOne was recently completed, and design work on the building is moving ahead at full speed, with input from the staff of the CCI. The building will be four stories, as follows:

• 1st Floor – Lobby and reception, Radiation Oncology, including two linear accelerators, high dose radiation, PET/CT, and space for future MRI expansion.
• 2nd Floor – Multi-disciplinary CareCenter (multiple exam room pods), patient financial services,academic space
• 3rd Floor – Infusion, Pharmacy,Lab, Cancer Administration, Research.
• 4th Floor – Shelled for future cancer care needs.

The Camden building will cost $71.7M in total, including all equipment. An additional $8.3M of equipment replacements/additions in Voorhees are also planned, including the addition of a second linear accelerator and the permanent move indoors of the PET/CT from the outdoor trailer. Almost all of the funding is from outside grants designated for cancer care.

Ground-breaking for the Camden building is projected for Spring 2012 and occupancy by the last quarter of 2013.  The Voorhees equipment projects will be carried out across 2012.

The Courier-Post published an article focusing on three South Jersey doctors on the front lines in the battle again breast cancer. Generosa Grana, MD, Director of the Cooper Cancer Institute, was featured in the article that described the progress that has been made in breast cancer treatments and what the future holds.

“We no longer think of it as one disease, but a series of diseases that has different biological features and should be treated differently,” she explained. “We are really making great strides with drugs that are specifically targeted toward defeating certain cancers. ”

She also discussed advances in prevention, which starts with identifying patients who are at an increased risk and goes from there. A family history is often determined and genetic testing is performed when appropriate.

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Over the past decade, testing for mutations to the genes known as BRCA1 and BRCA2 has become a highly-regarded tool in the fight against breast cancer and ovarian cancer. And it’s given people with the genes – both those with cancer and those who don’t have it – information they can use to detect cancer early, prevent a recurrence or keep from getting it at all.

Dana Farengo Clark, a genetic counselor at the Cooper Cancer Institute, was interviewed for an article published in the Burlington County Times saying she encourages parents who want their young children tested to wait until they’re 18. Otherwise, she said, daughters may find out something they wouldn’t have wanted to know when they were old enough to decide for themselves. Because recommended screening doesn’t begin until age 25, knowing earlier isn’t likely to do much but give the family reason to worry, she said.

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The Burlington County Times recently published an article about a former patient of Cooper Cancer Institute who shares her experience of being diagnosed with stage three breast cancer four years ago.

Judy Contreras, now cancer free, had chemotherapy, radiation treatment and a mastectomy. She talks about the support she received from family and friends and even formed lasting friendships with two “chemo buddies” who underwent their treatment at the same time and provided some needed levity.

“We would just laugh about life,” she said. “If you are going through it, know that there are people out there to help you get through it and answer questions.”

To read the complete article, visit phillyburbs.com.

On Sunday, October 3rd, nearly 700 South Jersey women and their families and friends gathered to honor breast and gynecological cancer survivors and recognize those who were lost to these difficult diseases. The event also honored two physicians who treat local cancer patients at the Cooper Cancer Institute: breast surgeon Kristin L. Brill, MD, and gynecologic oncologist Thomas F. Rocereto, MD.

The special benefit, Pink Roses/Teal Magnolias, raised $300,000. The event was held at the Crowne Plaza in Cherry Hill and featured raffles, gift baskets, health screenings and important health care information for women.
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