Dr. Chad Pedersen cares for one of his patients
Chad Pedersen has always loved science, technology and people. Born and raised in Sidney, Dr. Pedersen is thrilled to be back home to meld his interests by practicing medicine at Sidney Health Center with a focus on people, especially those with a cancer diagnosis.
Dr. Pedersen is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology. He started seeing patients at Sidney Health Center in December 2017. With nearly a month under his belt, Dr. Pedersen is discovering the great need for comprehensive cancer care in the MonDak region.
"I'm astounded by the rarity and complexity of the cancers we are treating," commented Dr. Pedersen. "Advanced and metastatic cancer was a focus of my training. I'm thankful to be able to serve my community in this capacity."
Across the country, access to cancer care can be an issue. A striking two out of three cancer patients in the United States have difficulty obtaining care after diagnosis. Unfortunately, the same is true for many folks living in the MonDak area.
Dr. Pedersen is making it his mission to improve access across Eastern Montana and Western North Dakota. His mantra is "no sleepless nights." If someone you love is diagnosed with cancer, Dr. Pedersen will strive to see him or her right away following the diagnosis.
As a medical oncologist, Dr. Pedersen works as part of a team in treating cancer, knowing when to offer chemotherapy and ensuring safe and effective use of chemotherapy in combination with other treatments such as surgery or radiation.
In addition to Dr. Pedersen, Sidney Health Center's Cancer Care team is comprised of a full-time radiation oncologist, physicist, radiation therapists, patient care navigator as well as registered nurses, who are certified in chemotherapy administration. The team is rounded out with support from pharmacy, laboratory, radiology, and surgery.
"The team and services are already outstanding," stated Dr. Pedersen. "We have the latest in radiation therapy, full-scale infusion services, on-site chemotherapy pharmacist, and imaging capabilities to diagnose and treat a wide variety of cancers."
Sidney Health Center added PET/CT imaging to its full range of diagnostic testing through a mobile service facilitated by DMS Health Technologies in September 2017. PET scan detects the metabolic signal of rapidly growing cancer cells and the CT scan provides a detailed picture of the internal anatomy, revealing the size, shape, and location of abnormal cancerous growths. Alone, each test has particular benefits and limitations but together, the total image provides a more accurate diagnosis.
Being in the community, Dr. Pedersen believes he can provide a "home" for cancer patients. To learn more about cancer care services in the MonDak area, contact the Cancer Care Suite at 406-488-2504. Dr. Pedersen is willing to speak to area service organizations and groups interested in learning more about local cancer resources, the advancements in cancer treatment, and preventative measures.
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