By Callie Lyons
Kem Dye |
Kem Dye fills an essential role as a cancer care coordinator for
the Strecker Cancer Center at Marietta Memorial Hospital, gently leading
cancer patients through the red tape of paperwork that inevitably
accompanies treating the disease.
An oncology nurse for 15 years, Dye has developed an expertise in
the field of filling out mountains of insurance referrals, processing
disability forms, and working with patients to apply for medical financial
assistance programs.
“We try to find discount prescriptions and free medicine programs
– whatever we can do to help that way,” she said.
It’s a job she created to ease the burden on cancer patients.
“This is the part of the job that people don’t want to
do. It is a lot of paperwork and dealing with insurance companies,”
Dye said. “It allows me to catch things that weren’t done
before. I’ve developed an expertise. I know the ins and outs,
who to ask for what and how to get it. It’s a very rewarding
thing.”
Her friends did not believe she could do it. “She’s too
tender hearted,” they would say. But, she loves her job because
she’s fulfilling needs that went previously unmet.
“You don’t win every battle. But the battles you win
make it worthwhile,” Dye said.
Because of the knowledge Dye has gained as a result of her experiences,
she gives talks and classes on breast cancer awareness. She also facilitates
a breast cancer support group at the Strecker Center, which meets
the fourth Tuesday of each month. The group is open to any breast
cancer patient or survivor.
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer treated at the Strecker
Center. There are 400 – 500 breast cancer patients listed in
the ten-year registry of the cancer center. Dye says the numbers are
not significantly different from statistics in any other part of the
country - there are simply a lot of people who have the disease.
“People are becoming more educated about breast cancer,”
Dye said. “All the work that has been done and all the publicity
have helped. Mammograms lead to early detection. Treatment options
have definitely improved. Breast cancer is a treatable and often curable
cancer.”
Early detection is the key to increased success in the battle against
the disease.
“Self exams are something every woman can do in the privacy
of their own home free of charge,” Dye said. “You are
your best detector. If you do regular checks, you will pick up on
things before anything else does.”
Typically, breast cancer is not painful. But changes in the skin,
changes in size and firmness, and discharge should always be investigated.
Sometimes these symptoms occur as part of a benign condition, but
they need to be checked out. Some forms of cancer appear as a rash
or redness.
Dye encourages all women to be aware.
“Don’t be afraid to find out if you think you have a
problem. Get it checked out.”
Sometimes the hardest part is making the first doctor’s appointment.
Some women find it very difficult to go and get a potential problem
checked out after symptoms are evident.
“The next hardest part is trying to convince people that this
is not an emergency,” Dye said. “Take your time and make
good decisions. Don’t panic.”
Dye believes the best first step patients can take is towards self-education.
“Find reliable resources and gather information about breast
cancer,” Dye said. “Learn about treatment choices. Talk
to people who have been through breast cancer.”
And, for anyone confronting breast cancer issues, Dye offers
her expertise. She can be reached at 740-568-5434.
Breast Cancer Support Group:
Fourth Tuesday of each month
Strecker Cancer Center
740-568-5434
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