Cancer is a complex group of diseases that affects your physical, emotional and social well-being. When the diagnosis of cancer is made, it is important that the evaluation and individualized treatment plan incorporate your unique needs, the needs of your family and other support persons. Radiation Oncology, in the treatment of cancer, uses high energy x-rays aimed directly at a radiosensitive tumor. It can shrink tumors and often cures cancers. Depending on the type and location of a cancer, radiation therapy can be used alone or in combination with surgery and chemotherapy.

"Support" is defined as "to hold up or serve as a foundation." All too often in the current health care environment, the support that patients need for their general well being is lost in shuffling from one provider to the next. For many, the health care system is a maze of referrals, appointments, and cumbersome physical and emotional negotiations in order to obtain proper medical care. This process becomes increasingly more difficult when one is frightened and faced with a life threatening illness.

In cancer medicine, "three out of six published randomized trials have provided significant evidence that psychosocial support is associated with longer survival for patients with breast cancer, malignant melanoma, and lymphoma," states David Spiegel, M.D. in an editorial for the Journal of the American Medical Association (April 14, 1999). We stress that this concept extends to all cancer diagnoses, regardless of the kind or stage.

The Center for Radiation Oncology believes that support, and subsequently improved quality of life and perhaps survival, begins with the first phone call to our office to make an appointment for a consultation with one of our physicians. Our staff and physicians make every effort to accommodate you and your family's needs, from an appointment that is timely and convenient, to helping you with referrals, collecting medical records, and treating you with courtesy and respect. From the time you enter one of our offices to the time you leave, we make every effort to make you and your family feel at ease while receiving care that is the state of the art in radiation therapy and oncology in general. Your problems and concerns are our problems and concerns.

The Center for Radiation Oncology provides a concept in total cancer care focused on the patient, family, and individual treatment needs. We believe that our mission includes not only excellent technical radiation therapy and general oncology care, but also individual and family support. We believe that no radiation therapy center strives harder to give you what are the essentials to health - excellent medical care with the emotional support that will help you to heal. We believe in what we do!