Northeast Regional Cancer Institue Publishes Local Cancer Surveillance Report

The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, a local community-based nonprofit organization, has released the latest report on cancer, “Cancer in Northeastern Pennsylvania: Incidence and Mortality for Common Cancers”.

The report is available at: http://cancernepa.org/  

This unique, locally focused report was compiled by Cancer Institute Vice President of Cancer Surveillance, Karen Ryczak, RN and Medical Director, Samuel Lesko, MD, MPH. The report documents that both incidence and mortality rates for cancer remain significantly higher in NEPA than the U.S. It also identifies those specific cancer sites for which there is a disparity in either incidence or mortality. In NEPA, we continue to see statistically significantly higher incidence rates for cancer of the lung, larynx, oral cavity and pharynx, esophagus, colon and rectum, urinary bladder, pancreas, thyroid, cervix, and uterus compared to the U.S. Evidence-based screenings are available for breast, cervical, colon and lung cancer that can reduce deaths from these cancers and in the case of cervical and colon cancer, may prevent cancers from developing.  Primary care providers are well suited to advise individuals on what screenings are appropriate based on age, gender, personal and family history, risk factors, and eligibility criteria for screenings. 

The goal in sharing these data is to raise awareness across the community and to promote collaborative efforts to reduce the risk of select cancers through healthy lifestyle choices and adherence to proper screening guidelines. The report offers important insight for Northeastern Pennsylvania residents, health professionals, and government leaders. 

The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Receives Donation

The 10th year of the Grouse Hill Gallop 5K run/walk event took place on Thanksgiving morning in Greenfield Township. This year, the grassroots group chose the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute (NRCI) as their benefiting organization. Community members joined together on Thanksgiving morning to compete in a 5K run in their neighborhood. The donations were collected at the event and online, and through their efforts, they earned $2,179. These funds will help ease the burden of cancer in northeast Pennsylvania. All funds will stay local and support NRCI’s community programming and services. Several Grouse Hill neighbors have been affected by cancer.  

Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Releases Latest Report on Cancer

The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, a community-based nonprofit organization, is pleased to present this
report on cancer incidence and mortality in Northeastern Pennsylvania. For over 30 years, the Cancer Institute
has worked to ease the burden of cancer by focusing on the areas of community & patient services and
survivorship. The Cancer Institute invests 100% of its resources in this region.

The Cancer Surveillance Program at the Cancer Institute compiled this report using data from the
organization’s Regional Cancer Registry, the Bureau of Health Statistics and Research of the Pennsylvania
Department of Health, and the National Cancer Institute Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)
Program. This report describes cancer incidence and mortality in Northeastern Pennsylvania relative to the
United States for the 23 most common cancer sites. For the purpose of this report, Northeastern Pennsylvania is
defined as the six counties of Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming. Data from the
SEER program were taken as representative of incidence and mortality rates for the United States as a whole.

In April 2023, the SEER Program reported effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on cancer incidence statistics for
the year 2020. Reported incidence was down in April and May but returned to pre-Covid levels by June 2020.
As a result, reported cancer incidence rates for 2020 were lower than expected based on 2019 and earlier
data. The deficit in incidence varied by cancer site, but for all sites combined was approximately 9.3%. An
examination of cancer incidence data for Northeastern Pennsylvania showed a similar drop in cancer cases
reported in April and May of 2020, resulting in a 6.3% decrease in incidence for the year as a whole. Because of
the small difference between SEER and Northeastern Pennsylvania in the covid-related drop in incidence and
the Standardized Incidence Ratios (SIRs) in this report are based on data for a five-year period (2016-2020), any
effects of Covid-19 on the calculated SIRs are expected to be quite small. Consequently, no adjustments were
made to account for the possible effects of Covid-19 on the SIRs presented here.

The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute uses these cancer surveillance data to focus the organization’s
community and patient services to have the greatest possible impact. Similarly, they hope that the information
contained in this report is helpful in support of patients at risk of or diagnosed with cancer and their
loved ones.

Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Received Donation from Local Township

The Plains Township Police Department collaborated with Futuristic Innovative Graphics in Wilkes-Barre to specially design t-shirts as a breast cancer awareness sale in October 2023. They raised $691.20 to support the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, a local organization focused on easing the burden of cancer in northeastern Pennsylvania. It was important to the organizers to keep the proceeds local. This year marks their fourth year of this event.

Community members were able to purchase t-shirts online through Futuristic Innovative Graphics website. It was promoted on social media through the police department, graphics company and the Cancer Institute’s designated pages. The Plains Township Police Department plan to host this fundraiser again in fall 2024.  

Northeast Title and Tag Raise $1,400 to Benefit Northeast Regional Cancer Institute

Northeast Title and Tag hosted an October fundraiser to support the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute (NRCI). Staff members created a breast cancer t-shirt and employees from their nine locations in our region were able to purchase them. Through their efforts, they raised $1,400 to help ease the burden of cancer in northeast Pennsylvania. All funds will stay local and support NRCI’s community programming and services. Their donation was made In Memory of Molly Gurick, a friend of one of their staff members who recently passed away from breast cancer.

From left to right: Mickalya Wells, Assistant General Manager, Mary Ramsey, Human Resources, Aurleigh Smith, General Manager, Dawn Walsh (Molly Gurick’s Best Friend) Customer Service Representative, Maria Thompson, Owner, and Amanda E. Marchegiani, Community Relations Coordinator, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute. Photo credit: Maggie Amico 

Northeast Regional Cancer Institue Receives $3,498 from Restaurant Chain

Texas Roadhouse in Dickson City hosted an October fundraiser to support the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute (NRCI). Restaurant guests were able to round up their checks or receive a free appetizer with a minimum of a $5 donation. Through their efforts, they raised $3,498.22 to help ease the burden of cancer in northeast Pennsylvania. All funds will stay local and support NRCI’s community programming and services.

Scranton Area Community Foundation Awards Grant to Northeast Regional Cancer Institute

The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute recently received a $10,000 grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation.   

Funds will support the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Community Based Cancer Screening Navigation Program. The Navigation Program is a cancer screening initiative focused on education, barrier reduction and facilitation of screenings for breast, cervical, colon and lung cancer while connecting or reconnecting all participants to a medical home to ensure ongoing preventative care. This initiative is dependent on a customized software program, an upgrade of which is required to more efficiently manage program work.  

“NRCI is extremely appreciative of this funding support from the Scranton Area Community Foundation. These upgrades will allow for program growth, increase the number of people screened for cancer, and help save lives through early detection, “said Laura Toole, Executive Vice President at the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute.  

This funding was awarded as part of the Scranton Area Community Foundation’s Spring Community Needs Grant Cycle.