Quality Care
We all want to do the most we can for our health. Whether it's preventative measures that reduces our cancer risk, screening tests that find cancer at the earliest stage, or making sure we are getting the best care possible, it's all important. We hope this information is helpful.

Reduce your risk
What can we do to reduce our risk for breast cancer (and other diseases)? Following are some resources that can help you identify some known and suspected breast cancer risk factors and give you tips on how you can make simple changes to reduce your risk.

Get screened

Free and Low-Cost Cancer Screening
The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program offers services that include screening for breast cancer, cervical cancer, and cardiovascular health issues. To have the best chance at better treatment options, screenings are important.
The Care for Yourself program offers free or low-cost cancer screenings to eligible individuals. Program staff can also help you schedule an appointment for the following services: Locally, the Beyond Pink TEAM partners with the Black Hawk County Health Department to provide valuable screening access to Black Hawk County and surrounding counties. Call 319-292-2225 for more information.

Quality Care is Important
A recent Institute of Medicine* report stated, “Cancer care today often provides state-of-the-science medical treatment, but fails to address the psychological and social (psycho-social) problems associated with cancer. This failure can compromise the effectiveness of health care and thereby adversely affect the health of cancer patients.”
Psychological and social problems created or made worse by cancer include the following:
  • depression, anxiety, and other emotional problems
  • lack of information or skills needed to manage the illness
  • lack of transportation or other resources
  • disruptions in work, school, and family life.
When these issues are not provided for, it causes patients additional suffering, weakens the ability to follow prescribed treatments, and threatens patients’ return to health.
Today, a range of services are available to help patients and their families manage the all aspects of cancer. These services are often called “integrated cancer care,” “comprehensive cancer care,” or “community support services.”
We now know it is impossible to deliver good-quality cancer care without addressing patients’ medical health needs and patients’ psycho-social health needs.
All patients with cancer and their families should expect and receive cancer care that provides the following:
  • counseling from a trained professional
  • discharge planning
  • nutritional support
  • pastoral care
  • patient education and support
  • family education and support
  • health and wellness education and support
  • hospice care, if needed.

​Being Treated as a Whole Person
You often have a choice about your cancer care provider. Ask your doctor or surgeon to refer you to a Commission on Cancer accredited cancer program that provides comprehensive cancer care.  If you are already receiving cancer care, ask your physician how he/she plans to provide you with the above psychosocial services that are proven to be so important for positive health outcomes. Remember, your health care system must treat you as a whole person, not just a disease.

* The Institute of Medicine (IOM) is an independent, nonprofit organization that works outside of government to provide unbiased and authoritative advice to decision makers and the public. The Institute of Medicine serves as adviser to the nation to improve health.
It's so important to be confident in your care team. Choose an oncologist that listens to you and understands what's important to you. ​You will be working with this care team for years, so it's best to find a good fit.  For me, I wanted a doctor who knew that working and being there for my family were still important during cancer treatment.
- Sarah, age 45