From Spotlight on Health July/Aug. 2008

The cancer program at St. Cloud Hospital began in 1970 with the arrival of oncologist Harold Windschitl, M.D.

In those early days, cancer inpatients were placed on regular medical units; there was no designated oncology unit. Chemotherapy was given in one small room at the clinic. Nurses, not
pharmacists, calculated, mixed and administered chemo medications.

In 1977, Windschitl, who practiced with the St. Cloud Clinic of Internal Medicine, and Nicholas Reuter, M.D., St. Cloud Medical Group, worked with the North Central Cancer Treatment Group
(NCCTG) based at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, to expand St. Cloud’s cancer program. It has been growing ever since.

“In the late 1970s and early 1980s, many types of cancer had dismal prognoses, and the chance of relapsing was often higher than the chance of remission,” said Deb Hall, R.N., one of the first oncology certified nurses at St. Cloud Hospital. (Hall is now the director of St. Cloud Hospital Women & Children’s Center Outreach.)

“Amazing progress was made in the 1980s through regional cancer research programs such as the NCCTG. It was incredibly rewarding to be part of this rapid change in treatment, transitioning from offering comfort, to offering hope,” Hall said.

Today, the cancer program encompasses five medical oncologists, three radiation oncologists and 218 staff, spanning inpatient and outpatient services. The program is accredited as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Program by the Commission on Cancer. In April 2008, the commission recognized the cancer program with its highest award for outstanding quality.

Drs. Windschitl and Reuter, oncologists with the Coborn Cancer Center in St. Cloud, have seen a lot of changes over the decades and have much hope for the future of cancer patients.

Windschitl stressed the importance of collaborative cancer research.

“Cancer professionals work together around the world sharing data about improved cancer care,” he said. “If we don’t work together, we don’t learn anything. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of cancer patients.”

Reuter notes that “medications have improved so much and there are so many more to choose from than just a few years back. Because of all the clinical research and studies that go on, cancer patients are living longer and are more comfortable while they combat their disease.”

Cancer patients today are not only surviving cancer but are thriving, thanks to services like the Cancer Survivorship Network at Coborn Cancer Center. The Survivorship Network provides
information and services to those whose lives have been changed by cancer, offering access to spiritual, psychological, social and physical resources.

History of Cancer
Cancer has afflicted humans since the beginning of civilization. Some of the earliest evidence of cancer was found among fossilized bone tumors, human mummies in ancient Egypt and ancient manuscripts that date back to approximately 1600 B.C.

Learn more about Coborn Cancer Center.

Learn more about the Coborn Cancer Center Survivorship Network.