Penn Medicine - Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute

11/17/2025

As part of their commitment to nutrition accessibility, Junior League of Lancaster, PA, Inc. members recently created thoughtful support packs for patients at the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute.

After consulting with oncology dietitian Erin Checchia, the Junior League team assembled the packs with essential items like water bottles, hydration packs, mints, queasy pops, herbal tea, protein bars, crackers, and personal messages of encouragement.

Erin and nurse navigator Annie Lattanzio-Hale were on hand to receive the generous gifts from the Junior League's Melissa Esterly, Yalonda Rice and Catie Doyle, and express our heartfelt thanks for the comfort they will bring our patients. ❤️

11/11/2025

On this Veterans Day, we pause to honor the brave individuals who have served—and continue to serve—our country. We extend our deepest gratitude to the veterans among our patients, employees, and community members. Their courage, discipline, and commitment to service enrich our organization and inspire us all.

As part of Penn Medicine, Lancaster General Health is proud to be the region’s largest healthcare provider for veterans. Through initiatives like the Veterans Care Excellence Program, we address barriers to access, focus on personalized, patient-centered care, and reimagine how we support veterans’ physical and mental health.

We are grateful to continue our Veterans Honor Walk, a tradition that began in 2022 and has since honored more than 240 veterans at the time of their passing. The ceremonial procession gives family members, staff, and visitors the opportunity to show their gratitude for veterans' service.

11/10/2025

When Ashleigh Heller was recently diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, her 7-year-old niece Alexa was by her side during treatment at the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute. Inspired by her aunt's strength and the compassionate care she witnessed, Alexa felt moved to do something meaningful.

With the help of her Girl Scout Troop 743 from Mount Joy, led by her mom Jess Kautz and Scout Master Erica Rambish, Alexa helped bring a beautiful idea to life: a handmade “Stay Strong” banner to offer encouragement to other patients on their own cancer journeys.

The banner, created by 14 girls in the troop, features red for women facing breast cancer and blue to honor men affected by the disease. Along with the banner, the girls also made thoughtful bookmarks and encouragement notes, now being shared with our patients.

We are so touched by the kindness and creativity of these young girls and incredibly proud to display their banner in our clinic as a symbol of strength, support, and community.

11/03/2025

Cancer rates are rising—not just in older adults, but in younger people too.

Dr. Efrat Dotan, executive medical director at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health's Health’s Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute, co-authored a recent editorial in Annals of Internal Medicine highlighting this concerning trend: cancers like thyroid, breast, kidney, and leukemia are increasing in people aged 20–49, with colorectal cancer rising especially fast in this younger group.

Researchers don’t fully understand why, but possible factors include environmental exposures, changes in the microbiome (the trillions of microorganisms that live in or on our bodies), and lifestyle factors like obesity and diabetes.

It's especially concerning that both younger and older patients are often underrepresented in clinical trials, making it harder to tailor effective treatments.

Dr. Dotan and her co-authors say more research is needed to understand and respond to these trends, especially since cancer care costs are expected to reach over $25 trillion in the next 30 years.

11/01/2025

The amazing Employee Health and Pharmacy teams at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health have been on the move, making sure our staff are protected and ready for flu season. Thank you for your hard work, your smiles, and everything you do all year to keep our workforce healthy and ready to serve our patients and community!

10/30/2025

We are so grateful to the generous students in Cocalico Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, they took on an inspiring project to support those undergoing treatment at the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute. The students organized a Hope Drive, working tirelessly to create care packages, encouragement cards, and a beautiful Hope Banner to share with our patients facing cancer treatment.

A special connection made this even more meaningful: Mrs. Kelly Martin, a dedicated 6th-grade teacher at Cocalico Middle School, who also serves as the Honor Society advisor, is a former patient. Her personal experience gave her an even deeper passion for helping others going through similar journeys.

When she and her students stopped by to drop off their gifts, Mrs. Martin (third from right in the second photo) enjoyed the chance to reconnect with some members of her care team. And we loved seeing her!

Thank you, Cocalico School District Middle School students for spreading hope and positivity, and Mrs. Martin, for leading with such compassion. You are truly making a difference!

10/23/2025

Knowledge about the relationship between GLP-1 receptor agonists and cancer is evolving, according to Mitchell Lazar, MD, PhD, director of the Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism at Penn Medicine.

However, there are major reasons to think that these drugs may be beneficial in terms of both cancer risk and cancer treatment. That has to do with the extremely well-established link between obesity and many cancers, Lazar explained.

Oncology News Central

The use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists has dramatically increased. “The reality is that our patients are already on them, want to be on them, or probably should be on them, and oncologists should have an opinion about it,” said Samyukta Mullangi, MD, MBA.

10/20/2025

It's been about a year since Dr. Efrat Dotan stepped in as the executive medical director of The Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute, and she said she feels like she has been totally integrated into the tight community of Lancaster. She calls working here a privilege.

“I am amazed by the care patients receive, from the time you walk through the door and are greeted by one of our volunteers, to the holistic treatment options to support radiation, proton therapy, or CAR T, the team goes above and beyond,” she said.

Dr. Dotan has focused on connecting community-based care with the latest in academic medicine, bringing clinical trials, personalized therapies, and a deep sense of compassion to every patient interaction.

She’s also passionate about improving care for older adults. With Lancaster County’s aging population growing rapidly, Dr. Dotan helped launch a new Geriatric Oncology Clinic focused on tailoring treatments to the needs, goals, and abilities of older patients.

Dr. Dotan has big plans for the future, including a fellowship program to train the next generation of oncologists right here in Lancaster.

“Everyone should be very proud of this cancer center and what we already have—now let’s just keep going.”

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10/18/2025

Just before her 34th birthday, Kate Korson—then living in Colorado—found a lump in her breast she described as “massive.” Everything came to a screeching halt when after a mammogram, the radiologist delivered devastating news: it looked like cancer.

Kate called Penn Medicine that same day. She knew she wanted to be treated close to her childhood home, a place where both of her parents had once received lifesaving care. When she connected with a nurse navigator, she felt immediate relief, knowing someone would guide her through every step of treatment for triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive and challenging diagnosis.

“Even if I lived halfway across the world, Penn is where I would have gone,” Kate said.

Shocked to learn she had stage III breast cancer, Kate Korson knew just where to go. She flew home to Penn Medicine, where a clinical trial saved her life.

10/11/2025

In a powerful show of unity and compassion, high school football rivals Ephrata and Garden Spot came together during a recent game to raise vital funds for local cancer patients in need.

In honor of Ephrata High School assistant football coach Lenny Harding, donations collected at the game were later presented at the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute by Coach Harding, head football coach Kristopher Miller, athletic director Marvin Sanders, and three Ephrata senior players.

The gift will benefit the Cancer Patient Support Fund, which helps patients cover essential daily living expenses during treatment. Entirely sustained by community donations, the fund allows patients and their families to focus on healing rather than the financial burdens that can come with cancer care.

Thank you to both schools and everyone who contributed. We are so grateful. Your generosity spotlights how some of the most meaningful victories happen off the field.

10/05/2025

Researchers have pioneered a new strategy that may keep breast cancer from coming back. A first-of-its-kind clinical trial has shown it's possible to identify breast cancer survivors who are at increased risk of their cancer returning due to the presence of dormant cancer cells. The trial also found a way to effectively treat these dormant cancer cells with repurposed, existing drugs.

“We want to be able to give patients a better option than ‘wait and see’ after they complete breast cancer treatment,” said principal investigator, Penn Medicine's Angela DeMichele MD. “We’re encouraged by these results that we’re on the right track.”

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