- Spring fashion nT Funky footwear steps out in style Coitins Crossword Heaith Trends Mailbox North Shore Alert Talking Personats Travel Oiatar Dbncatons Ma Sa April 13, 1997 Jolanda ___Waskito ANCER is a frighten- ing discase. It’s often fatal, and there is no known cure. Doctors don't know for sure how you get it, but medical research tells us everything from cigarettes to the SUN Causes it. Its treatment with radiation and chemotherapy is painful, killing healthy cetls as well as cancerous ones, and there are side effects like nausea and hair loss. Surgery to remove malignant cumor: can mean the loss of'alimb, a lung, a breast. “Cancer is a fnghtening thing to go through, a frightening thing,” said patient Valerie Kraupner, 54, who's undergone a lumpectomy. “You have to get over the fear.” Helping people get over the fear is what staff at the Outpatient Cancer Treatment Clinic at Lions Gate Hospital do — in a big way: Lions ¢ is home to the busiest commu- nity cancer clinic in B.C. “We are not looking after illnesses here,” nurse Betty Kavanaugh said. “We are looking after people who have illnesses.” Its an approach that works for patients ike Kraupner, who suffers from bone and breast cancer. “You expect to go into a chemotherapy cline and find it depressing,” said: Kraupner, of West Vancouver, “But people are laughing and making jokes. The nurses turn it inte a positive experience.” Kraupner, who cally the clinte her “second home,” has been getting chemotherapy —- treatment: using drugs usually taken intravenously — every ovo weeks for the past year. “T know T can go there ‘and get help from the nurses and staff _ they're very sincere and caring,” she said. “Thae’s what you need when you're sick.” Dr. Paul Klimo, medical director of the LGH Outpatient Clinic, says their mission is to give personalized care with a “multi-faceted” approach to the man- agement of cancer. “We are not here to push drugs,” he said. “We have the nurses’ support, the dietician, spiritual help, all kinds, so you try to heal the patient from more than one angle.” , . Where before emphasis on ueatment of cancer was medical and chemical, Klimo said over the yeers they’ve come to realize treatment includes many other racthods, including mustc and relaxation therapy and support groups. About 12 full-time staff — including pve doctors and a purse specializinrg in cancer, six nurses, nutntionists, pharmacists, and a social worker ~~ are part of DOING. ae Mi BEFORE MR. LUBE. CL Oli. CHANGES EVERY 2 KZONTHS OR 5,000 KME 1790 Mawine Dr. North Van 987-8006 ec RAAT OOREI PN UR-EYES. Sunday: Pertads of rain High 12°C) low 8C. Film director Mina Shum doubles her happiness J the clinical team. So far, in its more than 14 years of operation, this more well- rounded approach has proved extremely successful. Dr. Klimo estimates that “roughly 80%” of the clinic’s patients are from the North Shore. Of the more than 700 people annually diagnosed with cancer at Lions Gate, the clinic treats 24 to 30 patients a day, more than 550 patients a year, That number will probably climb to 850 by the end of this fiscal year. Anne King, of West Vancouver, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992. She credits Dr. Klimo with saving her life. “T would have been dead by now if it weren't for Dr. Klimo? said King, a vibrant 62-year-old. “They were reluctant to teat me at the Cancer Age! ney See Clinic puge § 3 UAY WEATHER FORECAST Tuesday: Rain, windy High 12-C, Monday: Periods uf rain High '2°C, low 4C, low FO Drive, she said p13 e Community TV celebrates 25 years Plugged In 63 NEWS photo Mike Wakefield CANCER patient Valerie