Sarah Macke, a radiation therapist at Kettering Medical Center

Sarah Macke, a radiation therapist at Kettering Medical Center

Sarah Macke, a radiation therapist at Kettering Medical Center

High cancer rates and fierce competition for people are prompting the location’s biggest health systems to put a renewed give attention to expanding cancer services.

The focus of cancer care is resulting in millions committed to new facilities and technologies for treatments.

Because the people you live longer, more people will likely develop cancer within their lifetimes, health experts say. Cancer is often a leading reason behind death as well as heart problems.

In reply, Kettering Health Network, Premier Health insurance and UC Health are expanding cancer services through the entire region in heavy competition together.

Kettering Health operates Fort Hamilton Hospital Premier Health operates Middletown’s Atrium Infirmary and UC Health, affiliated with the University of Cincinnati, operates West Chester Hospital.

Kettering Health lately opened July 1 a phone call center for cancer services, which has a 1-800 hotline for patients to call, arrange doctor appointments and tests, and correct to aid services.

Patients, relatives and buddies coping with cancer diagnosis now have one number —1-855-500-2873 — to call to be attached to oncologists, social workers, dieticians, financial guidance and organizations, said Ken Chaij, network oncology director.

Kettering Health also is in the process of better organizing cancer services across its eight hospitals to boost access and quality. This software is currently named Kettering Cancer Care.

Teams of surgeons, doctors and support nurses from throughout the system meet frequently to review cancer patient cases. More schools for cancer care are opening in various locations during the entire network.

“I think starting a year ago, we are being an organization devoted to cancer as one of three service lines that we understand are going to experience growth now pointed in the future. Those are cardiac, author and cancer, again, due to the aging of people, ” Chaij said..