Our Cancer Facilities here in Duluth

Read in my post below from the "Report on the Status of Cancer in our Nation" released yesterday.

Last Friday, several of us from your local American Cancer Society office, were given a tour of the new CANCER CENTER facilities SMDC, here in Duluth (St. Mary's Medical Center). It was opened last spring, and is a great center not only for cancer patients, but also for the cancer patients, their families and caregivers. It is a resource center for cancer as well as a treatment center.

St. Luke's Medical facility also has a good Cancer Center. I have not seen it, but have heard they are doing a wonderful job for their cancer patients and families also.

The thing that really struck me during the tour, was this one fact that was given when we asked about the cancer diagnosis at their center. We were told that they have 30 NEW cancer diagnois EACH MONTH! That seems to be a lot, especially when you consider that is only at SMDC. This does not count the ones received at St. Luke's Medical Center!

The flip side of that fact, is that I heard yesterday on the news that 70 % of those will live or will live, even if it is terminal, another 5 - 10 years. They pointed out that cancer is definitely not a death sentence anymore. That is it the good news!

We can be thankful to have such good medical centers right here in our city!