Aloi and his wife Amardina (Dina) Ji were shopkeepers from Malang, the second largest city of the East Java province in Indonesia with a population of approximately 780,000.  They lived modestly, selling carpets and upholstery from local factories to their friends and neighbors. They went about their days happily, until one fateful day in 1998 when Aloi’s doctor found irregularities in his urine. Unable to get the proper screens and tests, Aloi was urged to fly to Jakarta to get a PSA (prostate specific antigen) screen.  Again limited by the availability of technology and skill in Jakarta, he was then sent to Singapore for a biopsy. Anxious and concerned, Aloi and Dina waited to hear the results of his tests. With a PSA score of 18 and positive results from his biopsy, the couple was given a devastating diagnosis. Aloi had prostate cancer.

“The doctor in Singapore said we needed to have a big operation to remove the cancer,” explained Dina. “But not only was it a big operation, it would be a big risk and my husband was afraid. This was a very dark and nervous time for our family.”

They spent the next year and a half discussing at length with all their family and friends what would be the best option for Aloi. He did not want surgery, but the family knew little of other treatment options. Fortunately for Dina and Aloi, their daughter-in-law found Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia online. She read about ProstRcision^®, seed implant followed by external beam radiation, and felt this could be the answer for which they had all been hoping.

“We didn’t know anything about seed implantation because this type of treatment was not available in Indonesia. It was never suggested or even considered,” said Dina. “We discussed the possibility for a very long time, because it would require us to travel to Georgia in the United States – very far from our home. We would be in a foreign country with a different language and everything would be very strange for us.”

To continue their research, Dina and Aloi called Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia and spoke with one of their radiation oncologists. He explained the details of ProstRcision^®, the treatment plan and how they would need to finance their care since insurance was not an option.

Financing treatment was only one obstacle among many which Dina and Aloi faced while deciding their future. After much thought, concern and discussion, two years following his diagnosis, Dina and Aloi decided to embark from Malang, East Java, Indonesia to Decatur, Ga. in 2000.  

Aloi and Dina came for three months with their son-in-law, who flew from Oklahoma to translate, and stayed at the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge. Aloi received ProstRcision^®, the unique seed implantation procedure which is only available at Radiotherapy Centers Of Georgia, rested for three weeks and then underwent 7 weeks of external radiation.

“The people [at Radiotherapy Centers Of Georgia] were very kind, helpful and friendly,” said Dina. “Our days were filled with activities so we wouldn’t feel lonely or afraid. It felt more like a holiday because there was always something to do, and we made so many friends!”

“They took us to the Coca Cola museum, to baseball games and helped us relieve the stress and anxiety from all the treatment. At home we do not have anything like that, because in our home country when you go to the cancer clinic – it is constantly chemotherapy and stress.”

After returning to Indonesia, Aloi continued to fill out his questionnaire every six months as instructed and received regular PSA screens. Now, 10 years later, Aloi’s PSA score is .05 ng/ml, which is less than the Radiotherapy Centers Of Georgia definition of cure of <0.2 ng/ml. Aloi is considered cancer free.

The couple currently lives in Jakarta with their son, and often tells others about their experience with ProstRcision^® and Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia.

“It is a pity our friends are afraid to come to the United States. The heartbeat here is very different from the western world–they fear the language and are also afraid of traveling so far away from home,” explained Dina. “But we continue to tell them about the new technology available at Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia. We give all the papers we receive from Radiotherapy Centers Of Georgia to our doctors and our friends. And we tell them this is the best way to find a cure for prostate cancer: there is no knife, no risk and no painful surgery.  However, most importantly, we tell them going to Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia and receiving ProstRcision^® cured my husband–he is now free from cancer.”

Aloi was the first patient to travel from Indonesia to receive ProstRcision^® at Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia. He is one among many patients and alumni who have traveled from all over the world to receive treatment from Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia. For more information on Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia and ProstRcision^® please visit rccancercenters.com.

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that blocking one of the enzymatic steps that allow the tumor to produce androgens could be the key in halting a tumor’s growth.

The findings, appearing online and in the August issue of Endocrinology, suggest that this step might one day provide a new avenue of therapy for patients with end-stage prostate cancer. Health care experts estimate that more than 2 million men in the U.S. have prostate cancer, with more than 27,000 deaths related to the disease in 2009.

“We were able to block the androgen response, which is a central pathway for tumor progression,” said Dr. Nima Sharifi, assistant professor of internal medicine and the study’s senior author.

End-stage prostate tumors typically are treated with hormones that suppress the levels of the androgens, or male hormones like testosterone, that cause prostate cancer cells to grow. Eventually, however, the tumors become resistant to this therapy and resume their growth.

Using prostate cancer cell lines, Dr. Sharifi and his colleagues found that the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is converted by the tumors into androgens. By blocking the enzyme 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3βHSD), which is responsible for the first enzymatic step that is required to convert DHEA to androgens, researchers were able to shut down the tumors’ lifeline.

“Enzymes in general can make great drug targets, so this process conceivably could be targeted for the development of new treatments for end-stage prostate cancer, which has limited therapeutic options right now,” said Dr. Sharifi, an investigator in UT Southwestern’s Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center. “The goal would be to develop a drug that targets that enzyme to be used for the advanced, incurable stage.”

No standard treatments currently target this enzyme, but there is proven clinical evidence that this pathway is central to driving tumor progression.

Other UT Southwestern researchers participating in the study were lead authors Dr. Kristen Evaul, postdoctoral researcher in internal medicine, and Rui Li, research assistant in internal medicine; Mahboubeh Papari-Zareei, research associate in internal medicine; and Dr. Richard Auchus, professor of internal medicine.

The study was supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, the Burroughs Wellcome Fund and the Charles A. and Elizabeth Ann Sanders Chair in Translational Research.

Visit http://www.utsouthwestern.org/cancercenter to learn more about clinical services for cancer at UT Southwestern.

http://www.newswise.com/articles/ut-southwestern-researchers-block-pathway-that-performs-key-function-in-end-stage-prostate-cancer

 All Prostate Cancer Lecture Series courses are offered free to the public and begin with a light dinner at 5 p.m. followed by a lecture at 5:30 p.m. Classes are presented at the Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia Auditorium located at 2339 Lawrenceville Highway, Decatur, GA 30033.

 Prostate Cancer Lecture Series courses to be presented in August include:

•  “RCOG Database” – Chad Levitt, M.D., shares information about the treatment database, containing information about 12,500 men who have been treated for prostate cancer.  The database, one of the most comprehensive in the nation, enables men and their physicians to determine the prostate cancer treatment method that gives them the best chance of a cure.  Tuesday, Aug. 03, 5:30 p.m.
•  “PSA Bounce” – Philip Shrake, M.D., explains the temporary benign rise in prostate-specific antigens (PSA), a protein produced by the cells of the prostate gland which can be used to detect prostate cancer. Tuesday, Aug. 10, 5:30 p.m.
• “The History of ProstRcision” – Frank Critz, M.D., will discuss ProstRcision^®, a unique technique for curing prostate cancer that has the industry’s highest documented cure rate of 83 percent. He will shed light on the original procedure and it’s development through the years. Tuesday, Aug. 17, 5:30 p.m.
• “Behind the Scenes” – Fred Schnell, M.D., will provide a look behind the scenes of ProstRcision^® and the prostate cancer treatment process. Tuesday, Aug. 24, 5:30 p.m.
•  “The Side Effects of Prostate Cancer” –James Benton, M.D., explains and clarifies the common side effects associated with prostate cancer. Tuesday, Aug. 31, 5:30 p.m.

For more information on the Prostate Cancer Lecture Series or to RSVP for a specific class, please call 404-633-5606, ext. 320.  For more information on RCOG, please visit rccancercenters.com.

“When detected early, prostate cancer is curable,” said Philip Shrake, M.D., Medical Director of Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia – Gwinnett County. “Prostate cancer awareness is an important issue. Men should consider PSA (prostate specific antigen) screenings, a simple blood test, by age 45 — earlier if there a family history. Becoming aware of your treatment options and undergoing regular prostate cancer screenings with both PSA testing and a DRE (digital rectal exam) is important.”

The license plate initiative is dedicated to building awareness throughout the state. $25,000 is needed to create a special Prostate Cancer specific license plate for residents of Georgia so Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia is partnering with the Georgia Prostate Cancer Coalition to help raise funds. 

“In support of this initiative, RCOG is hosting a ‘Prostate Cancer Awareness’ Motorcycle Ride,” said Dr. Shrake. “Proceeds will go to Georgia Prostate Cancer Coalition and the license plate initiative. We hope to have a large group of prostate cancer survivors, patients and supporters join us Sept. 25, 2010 rain or shine, to ride from Killer Creek Harley-Davidson in Roswell, GA.”

The registration is $25 for each motorcycle rider (and includes a t-shirt) and $10 for each passenger. For more information and to register, contact Toni Karasik at tkarasik@rccancercenters.com or 678-965-4756 Ext. 115.

Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia encourages residents to donate and help make the Georgia Prostate Cancer license plate initiative a reality. For more information on Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia, please visit rccancercenters.com.

Nick Lore, born in Newnan, Ga. and a resident of Berkley Lake, Ga. was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2002. As a high profile mortgage banker for several years, Nick led a fast paced,  successful career; but following his prognosis, decided it was time to take an extended break and devote time to his health and his family. After a four year battle, he was cured of prostate cancer in 2006 and has been cancer-free ever since. It was a result of this struggle and his confrontation with mortality that Nick began keeping a daily journal– in hopes of one day sharing his story.  “Roll the Window Down, It’s Raining” is a chronicle of his fears, trials, tribulations and triumphs. Thursday, July 22, he will openly discuss his fight with cancer and take questions from the audience on his experience.

Come hear first hand, the compelling testimonial of Nick Lore’s triumph over prostate cancer with valued treatment from Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia. Seating is limited. Please RSVP to tkarasik@rccancercenters.com or call 678-965-4756 Ext. 115. The event will include a light dinner and a book signing.

For more information about Lifestyle Café other upcoming events, please contact Toni Karasik at tkarasik@rccancercenters.com and for more information about Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia, visit rccancercenters.com.

Ride For Prostate Cancer Awareness

Job: Radiation oncology nurse, Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia, Conyers office.

What I do: “I interview all patients before the doctor sees them, gathering medical information. That way, I get to know my patients personally from the beginning and, when they develop side effects from treatment after two or three weeks, I can answer their questions.”

What got me into this: “Fifteen years ago, I was working as a hospital PRN [as needed], floating to different areas. They asked me to go to Radiology to work with a doctor they said was difficult to work with. We clicked and I’ve been in radiation ever since.

“People say, ‘How can you stand to work with cancer patients all the time?’ But I find it more rewarding than sad. For me, it’s more than treatment; it’s a ministry.”

Best part of the job: “Getting to know my patients and having them trust me to help them through this difficult time in their lives. I see them every day for six to seven weeks, so I get to know them well. Whether they need medical, social or financial assistance, I can refer them to someone that can help.”

Most challenging part of the job: “Seeing the young people come in is the hardest part. I’ve lived quite awhile, and seeing people in their 30s and 40s with cancer is painful for me. I want to make it right for them. When people haven’t done anything to cause it, you just wonder why it happens, and you want to make it as easy on them as possible.”

What people don’t know about my job: “Besides being a nurse for 30 years, I was ordained as a minister five years ago. As an associate minister at Fountain of Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Riverdale, I preach at least once a month and teach Bible study.

“I try not to tell my patients, because I don’t want to push anything on people and some don’t want to hear anything about God. They may be angry and going through a grieving process, or in denial, but if they bring it up, I figure the door is opened and I may be able to help them physically and spiritually. That’s always rewarding.”

What keeps me going: “My patients. I stay busy and some days I’m tired and don’t want to come in, but I know they’re waiting for me. I love to laugh and I love it when I can make them laugh.

“I believe in the Golden Rule — that you treat people like you want to be treated. That means being an advocate for my patients, thinking about them, praying for them and treating them right. It means having the compassion to see what they’re going through and wanting to do something to make it better.”

Preparation needed: “You need to be a registered nurse, and a BSN [Bachelor of Science in nursing] is preferred. Anyone who works in oncology will benefit from becoming certified as an oncology nurse.”

http://www.ajc.com/jobs/why-i-love-my-557628.html

Since 2003, Dr. Stillwagon has practiced at RCOG’s main campus in Decatur, treating prostate, lung, breast and head and neck cancer patients. Prior to joining Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia, he served four years on the faculty of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and ran a private practice.  He is a Fellow of the American College of Radiology and in addition to caring for and treating cancer patients, Dr. Stillwagon is president and CEO of Struggling Kids, a non-profit organization he founded to assist orphans and abused and abandoned children and women of Ukraine.

This recognition is not a first for Dr. Stillwagon; in 2001 he was also voted a “Top Doctor in Atlanta” by Atlanta magazine, one of only two radiation oncologists chosen. Dr. Stillwagon earned his bachelor’s degree in physics and his master’s degree in nuclear engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta; where he also went on to earn his doctorate in nuclear engineering. After working for a year in medical radiation physics, Dr. Stillwagon found his true passion in medicine. A native of Memphis, TN, he earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee in Memphis, TN and completed his residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he also served as chief resident and president of the House Staff Council.

He has particular interest in prostate cancer, gynecological and head and neck cancers.  Additionally, Dr. Stillwagon has specialized training and experience in systemic radiotherapy.   Dr. Stillwagon is known by his colleagues both locally and regionally for his personalized compassionate patient care.  

Congratulations to Dr. Stillwagon from your dedicated and loyal staff at Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia and the entire RC Cancer Centers family.

All Tuesday Night Lecture Series courses are offered free to the public and begin with a light dinner at 5 p.m. followed by a lecture beginning at 5:30 p.m. Classes are presented at the Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia Auditorium located at 2339 Lawrenceville Highway, Decatur, GA 30033.

For more information on the Tuesday Night Lecture Series or to RSVP for a specific class, please call 404-633-5606, ext. 320.

Tuesday Night Lecture Series include:

Tuesday, July 6, 5:30 p.m.

“The Side Effects of Prostate Cancer” –James Benton, M.D., explains and clarifies the common side effects associated with prostate cancer.

Tuesday, July 13, 5:30 p.m.

“Behind the Scenes” – Fred Schnell, M.D., will provide a look behind the scenes of ProstRcision^® and the prostate cancer treatment process.

Tuesday, July 20, 5:30 p.m.

“Q&A on PSA and Gleason Scores” – Gary Stillwagon, M.D., PhD coordinates an open discussion on the importance of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening, Gleason scoring and the differences between clinical and pathologic staging.

Tuesday, July 27, 5:30 p.m.

“Image-Guided Radiation Therapy” – Mark L. Merlin, M.D., presents an in-depth explanation of the image-guided treatment setup used in radiation therapy.  

“Mr. Smith was a perfect candidate for this treatment, and upon discussing his case with his referring physician, Mr. Smith and his family, we agreed this would be the best course of action,” explained Dr. Levitt.

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) is the administration of a very large dose of radiation to an isolated tumor or tumors within the body, with the goal to completely kill the cancerous tumor cells.  The treatment is precise and lasts five days, compared to a three month timeline that radiation therapy treatment would require.

“Typically, SBRT consists of 3 to 5 treatments carried out over the course of 1 to 2 weeks,” Levitt added. ”Mr. Smith was not a surgical candidate due to his other medical problems, thus radiation was one of the only options traditionally more than six weeks of treatment.”

The procedure’s accurate radiation enables a higher dosage of radiation directly to the tumor, improving the destruction of cancer cells. The reduction in radiation to the normal tissue around the tumor also helps reduce a patient’s side effects.

“I was amazed by how well I felt — it was easy and convenient and I really didn’t feel uncomfortable at any time,” explains Smith. “Dr. Levitt explained everything to me in a way I could understand. He took away any fears and anxiety I had.”

Smith’s daughter Shirley agrees, “After we spoke with Dr. Levitt, the nurse and the therapists, we felt everything was going to be fine.”

“They saved my life,” said Smith. “I’ve had 14 surgeries in my life and I really don’t think I could have survived another…or any other treatment for my cancer.”

Dr. Levitt is a board-certified radiation oncologist and Atlanta native, and the Medical Director of the North Georgia facility. He completed his doctorate and residency at Emory University’s School of Medicine in Atlanta, and prior to joining RCOG, Dr. Levitt practiced in Colorado and Florida. Dr. Levitt was the first radiation oncologist in Colorado to develop a seed-based IGRT prostate program and  performed more than 45 SBRT procedures while in Colorado.

“Cancer patients are really fighting the biggest battle of their lives, and we are helping to cure them with minimal side effects,” said Levitt. In the last three years, Dr. Levitt has treated over 50 patients using the SBRT technique.

For more information about SBRT treatment, please contact Dr. Chad Levitt at 678-947-0457. For more information on Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia, please visit http://www.rccancercenters.com/.

Yet new research shows that scientifically based techniques can help patients, not only cope, but achieve optimal immunity.  Over the last decade, we have learned that shocking risk factors – greater than smoking, diet, or cholesterol – can make the difference between robust health and life-threatening disease. Even your genetic inheritance isn’t as fixed as you might have imagined!

“If you already enjoy great health, these skills and techniques can help you keep it; but if facing illness, you will find ground-breaking discoveries from leading experts, synthesized so you can harness all the available technologies quickly and easily” explains Brenda Stockdale, behavioral medicine practitioner at Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia-North Georgia in Cumming. “The result is a compendium of essential information for a lifelong program of how to stay strong and healthy. Whether facing a cancer diagnosis or recovering from treatment, recent discoveries in mind-body medicine can help you meet that challenge. While there is no one-answer fits all there are techniques that fit most.”

Al Siebert, PhD and other researchers have identified three immune enhancing traits, dubbed the 3 Cs for:

• Commitment
• Control
• Challenge

For example, finding new ways to feel in “control” of your life, exhibit “commitment” to yourself, and reframe the crisis as a “challenge” to be met has a potent effect on immunity. To read how one 9-year old boy, in a seemingly hopeless situation met all 3 Cs click here.

Cultivating the 3 Cs leads to the gold standard of survivor research: resilience. Resilience is linked to an increased ability to find meaning in suffering and thrive in the face of adversity. To see how resilient – flexible, resistant, strong, buoyant – you are take the test provided by clicking here.

Brenda Stockdale is the author of the book You Can Beat the Odds, a guide that condenses hundreds of studies, letting you focus on what really works without complicating your life. For more than a decade, working with feedback from hundreds of patients, Stockdale has further developed this successful research-based program as the ideal companion for any treatment options patients choose. Her 6-week program in optimal immunity is offered exclusively at RC Cancer Centers in Georgia.

Build awareness about Prostate Cancer.

$25,000 is needed for a Georgia Prostate Cancer license plate.

To donate please visit: www.GEORGIAPCC.org.

Supported by:

Sources of information about complementary and alternative medicine include the following books. Internet resources are also listed below.

Complementary/Alternative/Integrative Medicine: General

• Cassileth B, Lucarelli C.  Herb-Drug Interactions in Oncology.  Ontario, Canada: BC Decker, 2003.
• Gordon, Jim and Curtin, Sharon. Comprehensive Cancer Care: Integrating Alternative, Complementary, and Conventional Therapies. Perseus Publishing, 2000.
• American Cancer Society. American Cancer Society’s Guide to Complementary and Alternative Cancer Methods. Atlanta, GA., American Cancer Society, 2000.
• Boik, John. Cancer & Natural Medicine: A Textbook of Basic Science and Clinical Research. Princeton, MN, Oregon Medical Press, 2000.
• Lerner, Ph.D., Michael, Choices in Healing: Integrating the Best of Conventional and Complementary Approaches to Cancer. The MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1994.
• Stockdale, Brenda. You Can Beat the Odds: The Surprising Factors Behind Chronic Illness and Cancer. Sentient Publications, 2009.
• American Institute of Cancer. Dietary Phytochemicals in Cancer Prevention & Treatment. New York, Plenum Press, 1996.
• Crellin JK, Philpott J, editors. Herbal medicine past and present. Volume II. A reference guide to medicinal plants. Duke University Press: Durham and London 1990.
• Thomson Healthcare. PDR for Herbal Medicine. Thomson Reuters, Montvale, 2007.

Peer Reviewed Journals

The following journals review a variety of alternative/complementary approaches rather than promoting any specific therapies:

• Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine: http://www.alternative-therapies.com/  
• Integrative Cancer Therapies: http://ict.sagepub.com/
• The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine:  http://www.liebertpub.com/Products/Product.aspx?pid=26

• Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology:  http://www.bcdecker.com/productdetails.aspx?bjid=329

Internet Resources:

Alternative Medicine

• Alternative Medicine Foundation : http://www.amfoundation.org/info.htm
• Ask Noah – Complementary and Alternative Medicine: http://www.noah-health.org/en/alternative/index.html
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine: http://www.cancer.gov/templates/doc.aspx?viewid=14821490-ee6c-4e7c-80b5-c4fb3cbbb07e
• InteliHealth: Alternative Health: http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/8513/8513.html
• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: http://nccam.nih.gov/  

• Rosenthal Center For Complementary and Alternative Medicine: http://www.rosenthal.hs.columbia.edu/index.html  

Complementary Therapies

• The Alternative Medicine Homepage:  http://www.pitt.edu/~cbw/altm.html
• Ask NOAH: http://www.noah-health.org/
• Brenda Stockdale – Healing Body & Mind Through Relaxation: http://brendastockdale.com
• Center for Mind-Body Medicine:  http://www.cmbm.org/
• American Cancer Society:  http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp
• Cancer Information Service of the National Cancer Institute (NCI): http://www.cancer.gov/cancer_information/
• Defeat Cancer : http://www.defeatcancer.info/
• Complementary Therapies, Clinical Trials: http://www.cancer.gov/search/SearchClinicalTrials.aspx   

• Complementary Therapies, Other Educational Materials and Information: http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/

Dietary/Nutrition

• ConsumerLab.com: http://www.consumerlab.com/
• NAL: Vegetarian Nutrition Resource List: http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/pubs/bibs/gen/vegetarian.pdf
• The Food Guide Pyramid, USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion: http://www.mypyramid.gov/
• Food and Nutrition Information Center (NAL): http://www.nal.usda.gov/
• Department of Clinical Nutrition: http://www.mdanderson.org/education-and-research/departments-programs-and-labs/departments-and-divisions/clinical-nutrition/index.html

Dietary Supplements

• The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/
• Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health (ODS): http://ods.od.nih.gov/
• ODS: Specific Supplements Fact Sheets: http://ods.od.nih.gov/Health_Information/Information_About_Individual_Dietary_Supplements.aspx
• American Cancer Society’s Herbs, Vitamins, and Minerals: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/ETO_5_2_5.asp?sitearea=ETO 
• Dietary Supplements: http://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/default.htm
• Tips for Older Dietary Supplement Users: http://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/ConsumerInformation/ucm110493.htm

Education

• Clinical Trials: http://www.mdanderson.org/patient-and-cancer-information/cancer-information/clinical-trials/clinical-trials-at-md-anderson/index.html
• Integrative Medicine Program: http://www.mdanderson.org/education-and-research/departments-programs-and-labs/programs-centers-institutes/integrative-medicine-program/index.html
• The Learning Center: http://www.mdanderson.org/patient-and-cancer-information/guide-to-md-anderson/places-to-visit/the-learning-center.html
• National Brain Tumor Foundation:  http://www.braintumor.org
• National Cancer Institute: http://www.cancer.gov
• National Lymphedema Network:  http://www.lymphnet.org
• National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse: http://www.nidcr.nih.gov
• Quackwatch: http://www.quackwatch.com/

Government Resources

• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), National Institutes of Health:  http://nccam.nih.gov/
• Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine (OCCAM), National Institutes of Health:  http://www.cancer.gov/cam/
• Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), National Institutes of Health : http://ods.od.nih.gov/index.aspx
• MedlinePlus: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/herbalmedicine.html

Health

• Health A to Z: http://www.myoptumhealth.com/portal/
• Continuum Center for Health and Healing: http://www.healthandhealingny.org/library/index.asp

Herbal Medicine

• American Botanical Council: http://abc.herbalgram.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Homepage&cvridirect=true
• ConsumerLab.com: http://www.consumerlab.com/
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition: http://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/default.htm

Pain Management

• Pain Control – A Guide for People with Cancer and Their Families: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/paincontrol

Swedish:

Most widely recommended for most forms of cancer to promote relaxation and tension relief.

Lymphatic Drainage (MLD):

Highly encouraged for breast, head/neck or any areas of edema once DVT and other risk factors have been “ruled out” by the physician.

Offered at MD Anderson, Sloan Kettering, Piedmont and Emory (performed by Physical Therapists in association with the Casley-Smith Method- 135 CEU’s) and Turning Point Women’s Center.

Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT):

Recommended for pain reduction in specific areas after treatment in smaller increments. Patients need to be informed about the potential for temporary increase in pain and bruising due to more intense nature of the modality.

Offered at MD Anderson, Sloan Kettering and Massage Envy. Piedmont and Emory refer to therapists that are off-site.

• Increments vary from 5 minutes – 1 ½ hours depending on current treatment plan
• Chair services are generally complimentary and full-body/site specific are a fee-for- service.
• Sessions incorporate a combination of different techniques depending on doctor’s protocol.

Resources:

MD Anderson, SIO, Sloan Kettering, Piedmont Wellness Center, Turning Point and Massage Envy (Cumming).  Please note that Massage Envy refers cancer patients to the Turning Point Women’s Center for Breast Cancer.

A light, subtle form of touch therapy designed to completely relax the body and mind. Therapeutic touch involves work with the hands on or off the body depending on the goal of the session.

Typically admired for its centering properties, this modality has also been to shown to reduce many negative side effects that are associated with treatment and improve overall sense of well-being.

Methods can be performed either seated or lying down and can include breathing exercises, light joint movements and visualization techniques. Loose, comfortable clothing is encouraged. Treatments times range from fifteen to an hour and a half depending on your specific treatment plan.

Gentle Stretching:

A passive form of therapy, Gentle Stretching (light joint movements), can incorporate the necessary techniques to improve flexibility, reduce muscle tension, chronic pain and stress relief.

Performed either seated or lying down, clients are encouraged to completely relax while specific areas of the body are stretched lightly. Each session can include passive stretching and gentle yoga modalities combined with deep breathing exercises, positive visualization and helpful relaxation tools to carry into everyday life.

Physician’s recommendation and loose fitting clothing are highly encouraged.

Reflexology:

Based on ancient techniques, Reflexology is a system of trigger points on the feet that are individually correlated to other areas of the body. Treatments provide relaxing effects for enhanced periods of time and are gentle in nature.

This form of therapy is often mistaken for a foot massage but, Reflexology is genuinely designed to detoxify individual areas of the body, cleanse the lymphatic system and calm the mind.

Each session can be performed in twenty to forty five minute intervals with patients either seated or in a reclining position.

Swedish Massage:

Swedish Massage is one of the most gentle forms of therapeutic touch. It involves light manipulation of the superficial muscle layers that provides an overall state of relaxation to the mind and body. Using gentle pressure, in long, fluid strokes it allows for muscle tension to be released and generates improved health and well-being.

This massage technique is the most common and special considerations are taken to ensure that your therapy session is not only safe but structured in conjunction with your physician’s current treatment plan. Treatments are offered in increments of five minutes to an hour and a half depending on your realistic and desired goals.

Lymphatic Massage:

Lymphatic Massage is a subtle form of touch that is designed to aid the Lymphatic System and boost immunity. It is performed using fingertip pressure in slow, soft circular movements. Based on the flow of the lymph system, lymphatic massage can have peaceful, relaxing benefits that enhance the healing process.

Closely adhering to your physician’s and personal guidelines, your Oncology Massage Therapist is dedicated to providing a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. This technique is a natural compliment to current conventional treatment, turning release into positive experience.

Sessions are fifteen to sixty minutes, performed on separate segments of the body individually and applied in a systematic series.

Neuromuscular Massage (NMT):

Based on Trigger Point Therapy, NMT is designed specifically for pain relief and releasing areas of chronic muscle tension. The therapist uses thumb pressure to actively relax and reset muscles therefore improving overall posture and enhanced self awareness.

Often mistaken for Deep Tissue Massage, NMT is a more effective, less intense and has the ability to reduce many systems associated with treatment.

Hand in hand with your doctor, you NMT Oncology therapist can be provide sessions of fifteen to an hour and a half. Specific areas of the body are treated individually each session or as a whole depending on your treatment goals.

Many people feel that if something is natural, such as a vitamin, a mineral, or an herb, it is safe. This is not necessarily true. You may feel that a dietary supplement couldn’t possibly cause problems with your cancer care, but this may not be true either. Some dietary supplements, natural or otherwise, can interact with your cancer medications.

These interactions may make your cancer treatments more toxic to you. This can worsen side effects and may make you very ill. Another possibility is that a dietary supplement may decrease the effectiveness of your cancer treatments. If this happens, medications and procedures may not work as well as they should. You may not get the full benefits of your cancer treatments.

For all of these reasons, it is safest to err on the side of caution during cancer treatment. Do not take any dietary supplements without talking to your doctor first.

Finally, keep in mind that the dietary supplement industry is nearly unregulated. This means there is little quality control in the manufacture of many dietary supplements and nobody is watching over the claims being made about these products. Because of these issues, you may not get what you pay for, the claims about a supplement may not be true or even worse, a contaminated dietary supplement could make you sick.

With your health at stake, it makes sense to discuss any dietary supplements that you currently use or are planning to use with your doctor and your entire health care team.  Remember, you are a member of your health care team, too. Be safe and take care of yourself with the guidance of your health care providers.

• Make every mouthful count. Eat mostly high protein, high calorie foods.
• Eat several small, calorie-dense meals and snacks throughout the day. Try eating every 2 to 3 hours. Do not skip meals.
• Add calories and protein easily by mixing powdered milk into beverages and foods such as meatloaf, casseroles, soups, stews, mashed potatoes, and hot cereals.
• Always think about what you can add to foods to boost calories and/or protein such as: peanut butter, milk powder, instant breakfast powder, chopped nuts/seeds, dried fruit, margarine, sour cream sauce, gravy, mayonnaise, yogurt, cheese and eggs.
• Drink commercial supplements, such as Ensure® Plus or Ensure® High Protein between meals.
• Use higher calorie versions of foods such as whole milk, yogurt, or ice cream with higher fat content.
• Snack between meals (choose foods like nuts, peanut butter, and crackers, cheese, ice cream, yogurt).

• Try rinsing your mouth with baking soda and salt water (1 quart water with 1 teaspoon of baking soda plus 1 teaspoon of salt) or try a mixture of club soda with lemon juice.
• Drink plenty of fluids to loosen mucous. Drink fluids along with meals and between meals. Drink at least 8-12 cups of liquid each day.
• Try gargling with ginger ale if mucous sticks in your throat.
• To thin thick saliva secretions, try very sour (lemon) or very sweet foods to help stimulate saliva flow.
• Use medications as recommended by your physician.

• Tart foods will enhance flavors (for those without a sore mouth or throat). Try orange juice, pickles, lemons, limes, vinegar, or tomato juice.
• If you are not tolerating meats very well, try marinating them in fruit juice, sweet wine, Italian dressing, or sweet-sour sauce for more taste; or try meat alternatives such as eggs, cheese, cottage cheese, tofu, vegetarian meat substitutes, yogurt, and peanut butter.
• Try various seasonings to enhance flavor.
• Serve foods chilled or at room temperature.
• Avoid smoking.

• Try a softer diet. Use your favorite foods, but make changes that will soften them such as adding extra fluid or cooking longer until a softer texture is achieved.
• Use a blender. If you like vegetable soups, for example, first heat, and then blend. Food tastes better if it is cooked before being blended and it is easier to blend warm food. A blender is also great for making smoothies: try a peeled banana, vanilla yogurt, peanut butter, and milk powder or instant breakfast powder.
• Use margarine/butter, gravies, or cream sauces on meats and vegetables.
• Choose soft foods such as mashed potatoes, yogurt, scrambled or hardboiled eggs (for egg salad), egg custards, ricotta cheese, milkshakes, puddings, gelatins, cooked cereals, or noodle casseroles (macaroni & cheese).
• Make sure stews, casseroles, and simmered foods are made with extra liquids and cooked longer to make them softer.
• Avoid acidic foods such as vinegar, citrus fruits, and tomatoes, which can sting and burn. Try fruits that are low in acid such as bananas and canned pears or peaches; try peach, pear and apricot nectars instead of fruit juice.
• Avoid very salty foods.
• Avoid hot spices such as pepper, chili powder, nutmeg, or cloves.
• Avoid rough or coarse foods such as raw fruits or vegetables and bran.
• Avoid dry foods such as toast or hard breads unless you soak them first (in a gravy or sauce, for example), as they may scratch your mouth and throat.
• Eat foods at room temperature or cold rather than piping hot.
• Liquid nutritional supplements such as Ensure® or Ensure® Plus can be used to provide additional calories and nutrients.
• Use medications as recommended by your physician.

• Take your prescribed anti-nausea medication 30-60 minutes before eating.
• Eat slowly and take small bites or sips.
• Try a clear liquid diet. Liquids such as apple juice, cranberry juice, lemonade, broth, sports drinks, ginger ale, lemon lime soda, popsicles, gelatin, tea or cola are usually well tolerated.
• Eat dry foods like toast and crackers, especially after waking in the morning, and preferably even before getting out of bed.
• Eat smaller portions of foods that are low in fat since they are easier to digest and move through the stomach faster, but eat more often to make up for your calorie and protein needs.
• Drink a commercial supplement such as Ensure® or Ensure® Plus between meals or as a meal replacement to help meet your nutritional needs.
• Try salty foods like pretzels or crackers.
• Limit overly sweet or spicy foods.
• Eat only solids at meals and liquids between meals. Drink fluids 30-60 minutes before or after eating, but make sure to drink enough fluids. Drink an additional 1/2 -1 cup of liquids for each vomiting episode.
• Do not lie down flat for at least two hours after eating. It may be helpful to rest after eating since activity can slow digestion and increase feelings of discomfort. If you wish to rest, sit down. If you recline, make sure your head is at least four inches higher than your feet.
• Reduce nauseating aromas. Choose cold or room-temperature foods, avoid highly aromatic foods (like tuna fish), and create plenty of ventilation (open windows and/or fans) when preparing foods.
• Eat small, frequent meals (every 2 to 3 hours).
• Wear loose-fitting clothing and breathe fresh, cool air to help relieve symptoms.
• Experiment with sour foods such as lemons, sour pickles, sour hard candy or lemon sherbet or sorbet. Rinsing your mouth with a mixture of lemon juice and water, or sucking on fresh lemon wedges may be helpful.
• Enhance the flavor of foods. Add your favorite mild spices, sugar or salt to foods, but avoid very spicy foods.
• Add ginger to foods, a natural remedy for nausea – fresh, crystallized or powdered.
• Choose foods that you tolerate well—you’ll learn by experience.

• Eat several small meals and snacks throughout the day. Avoid eating three large meals a day.
• Keep nutritious snacks available at all times, even when on-the-go. Leftovers make good snacks. Eat a snack before going to bed.
• Make every mouthful count. Eat mostly high protein, high calorie foods. To add calories and protein easily, mix powdered milk into foods and beverages or drink commercial supplements, such as Ensure® Plus or Ensure® High Protein between meals.
• Avoid foods that may be gas forming such as salads, cabbage, broccoli, beans and legumes, carbonated beverages, or beer.
• Avoid drinking fluids with meals. Fluids can produce an early feeling of fullness in your stomach. Limit fluids with meals to 1/2 cup and drink other liquids two hours before or after a meal.
• Avoid non-caloric liquids such as coffee, tea, water, diet drinks, broth, etc.
• Avoid foods with strong odors. Choose cold or room-temperature foods and create plenty of ventilation (open windows and/or fans) when preparing foods.
• Serve all foods attractively and in a pleasant environment. If desired, eat meals with family and friends. Soft music and a glass of wine may help relax you and stimulate your appetite. Remove all unpleasant stimuli from the environment at mealtime such as the emesis basin, bedpan, loud music, or the TV.
• Eat when you are hungry even if it is not mealtime.
• Use medications as recommended by your physician.

• Avoid your normal usage of milk and milk products containing lactose if you develop abdominal cramping, gas, or diarrhea symptoms. You might be able to tolerate small amounts of ice cream, yogurt, or cheeses.
• Use lactose-free milk substitutes such as soy milk, non-dairy creamers, or lactose-free milk.
• Try over-the-counter pills for improving your tolerance of dairy products (Lactaid®).
• Try lactose-free, commercial liquid nutritional supplements such as Ensure® or Ensure® Plus.

•  Avoid gas-producing foods such as cabbage, carbonated beverages (including beer), onions, green peppers, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, and dried beans and peas.
• Eat slowly and chew well.
• Try anti-gas medications as directed by your physician.

•  Eat several small meals and snacks throughout the day. Try eating every 2 to 3 hours.
• Increase the volume of food you eat a little each day, gradually working up to your previous intake, which may take several weeks.
• Limit fried and greasy foods, butter, and rich sauces if they make you feel worse.
• Make sure that the liquids you drink have nutritional value. Include juices, milk, milkshakes or commercial supplements such as Ensure® or Ensure® Plus. Avoid diet sodas.
• Limit the amount of liquid you drink with meals to keep from feeling full (unless needed to aid swallowing).
• Select foods that are more concentrated sources of calories to make every bite count, for example, whole milk, casseroles, bananas, cheese, and cream soups.

• A lack of saliva may make meat, bread products, and other dry foods difficult to eat. Serve these foods with extra gravies or sauces, or soak them in liquids (dip toast or cookies in tea, cocoa or milk, for example).
• Drink liquids along with meals and between meals to keep daily fluid intake as high as possible.
• Eat foods with high water content as tolerated such as watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew melon and grapes.
• Limit caffeine-containing products and alcoholic beverages, which are diuretics.
• Chewing gum and sour candies may stimulate the flow of saliva (sugar-free to reduce the risk of dental cavities).
• Lemons contain citric acid, and can stimulate saliva. Unless you have a sore throat or mouth, try tea or water with lemon, lemonade, lemon candy, or simply suck on a fresh lemon wedge.
• Suck on frozen grapes, popsicles or ice chips.
• Avoid mouthwashes and mouth rinses that contain alcohol.
• Rinse mouth frequently with “normal” saline solution (1-quart water and 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon salt).
• Artificial saliva or oral moisturizers may be helpful. Ask your physician.
• Avoid licking your lips. This increases dryness and chapping.

• Eat less fiber, which is the fibrous material in food that is not digested and is passed in bowel movements. If your intestines are irritated, the fiber in your regular diet may be too much for them.
• Use only cooked fruits and vegetables, avoiding those that are raw.
• Choose refined grains and cereals such as white bread, white rice, corn flakes, and cream of rice. Avoid high fiber cereals (e.g., bran), and whole grains such as cooked oats, brown rice, and whole wheat bread.
• Avoid foods with seeds such as berries and popcorn.
• Avoid foods with tough skins or stalks such as cooked dry beans and legumes, broccoli, celery and corn.
• Peel tough skins from fruits such as apples and pears before eating.
• Avoid fatty, highly spiced foods if you find they cause you problems.
• Potassium is an important mineral in your body and is lost in great quantities when you have diarrhea, which can leave you feeling very weak. Be sure to eat foods that are high in potassium such as: bananas, apricot or peach nectar, fish, potatoes, and meat. If you are unable to eat these foods, your physician may prescribe potassium supplements.
• Eat several small meals and snacks throughout the day. Avoid eating three large meals a day.
• Drink liquids between meals instead of with them. Make sure you drink plenty of liquid, since diarrhea causes you to lose fluids and electrolytes (sodium and potassium). Try juices diluted with water, but avoid milk or milk products until the diarrhea has stopped.
• Liquids should be consumed at room temperature or warmed.
• Decrease or avoid milk and milk products if they are bothersome. Try lactose-free or lactose-reduced products such as Lactaid®. Some commercial supplements such as Ensure® are also lactose-free.
• Boiled rice, cream of rice cereal, bananas, dry toast, and potato may help control diarrhea.
• Use medications as recommended by your physician.

• Add fiber to your diet by increasing your intake of raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains and cereals, beans and legumes, and nuts.
• Make substitutions: choose whole wheat bread vs. refined bread; cooked oats vs. cream of rice; raisin bran vs. corn flakes; fresh pear vs. canned pears; raw broccoli vs. cooked broccoli; or navy bean soup vs. cream of mushroom soup.
• Add fiber-rich toppings: garbanzo beans or nuts on salads; spinach dip on raw vegetables; unprocessed bran or ground flax seed on yogurt; and dried cranberries or raisins on cereal.
• Increase fluid intake:
  • Drink liquids along with meals and between meals to keep daily fluid intake as high as possible.
  • Eat foods with high water content such as watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew melon and grapes.
• Try to keep active by walking regularly (or engaging in some other physical activity you enjoy), even for just 10 minutes at a time.
• Use medications as recommended by your physician.

In our 6-week mind-body medical program you will discover—

• How to turn stress into strength. You’ll learn how stress hormones affect immunity and more importantly, how to reduce harmful levels on demand
• How to boost immunity in everyday life. You’ll explore self-care techniques that help you maximize your health, regain a sense of control, optimism, energy and well-being.
• Surprising risk factors—greater than smoking, diet or cholesterol—and what to do about them.
• Why DNA is not your destiny. Your genetic inheritance isn’t as fixed as you might imagine and you’ll see how the latest research in epigenetics can benefit you
• Help prevent reoccurrence, and most importantly, enjoy a happier, more vital life

 If you or someone you love has been touched by cancer our 6-week program in mind-body medicine can enrich your life and leave you feeling empowered for whatever the future may bring!

“This [program] in and of itself, is a prescription for maximizing one’s health.” –Anne Webster, PhD, Benson-Henry Institute for Mind-Body Medicine, Harvard Medical School

“…a superb and empowering series of strategies for those undergoing a journey through cancer.” –Andrew Salner, MD FACR, Director, Helen & Harry Gray Cancer Center, Hartford Hospital

About Brenda Stockdale: Her programs have been implemented in cancer centers, hospital settings, and primary care practices, and endorsed by leading cancer specialists and other physicians. She is the author of “You Can Beat the Odds: Surprising Factors Behind Chronic Illness & Cancer,” acclaimed by Harvard scientists, physicians and epidemiologists as “the health book to read this year.” For more information regarding our seminars please contact Brenda at 678.393.0066 or visit her website at www.brendastockdale.com.

Acupuncture is based on the theory of moving Qi (Chi) along the Energy Meridians that flow through the body. It is believed that when these channels/points are blocked disease occurs. By relieving these blockages, Qi is able to flow and normal health can be restored. This modality can also be very relaxing due to its extremely subtle nature.

With the use of very thin needles, heat, pressure or electricity to encourage a therapeutic effect, Acupuncture has the ability to reduce the symptoms and side effects that accompany conventional cancer treatment. The NIH has conducted clinical trials and concluded that acupuncture has been effective in reducing pain and nausea.

To hear the interview please click here: http://atlantabusinessradio.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=616551

“Too many people treat the cancer and then send the patient on their way,” said Chad Levitt, M.D., medical director of Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia in Cumming. “At RCOG, we know that if we treat the ‘whole body’ and provide patients with the tools they need to have a more positive outlook it will improve their quality of life and the treatment experience.”

The Integrative Oncology Wellness Program enables trained experts in the fields of massage therapy, mind-body (epigenetics), and nutrition to join with RCOG’s physicians, caregivers, nurses, therapists, physicists, and dosimetrists, along with a patient’s family and caregivers, to offer an integrative or holistic approach to cancer treatment.

The new massage therapy program features experts offering various types of massage, including: gentle stretch; lymphatic; neuromuscular; reflexology; Swedish; and therapeutic touch.

The mind-body (epigenetics) program helps patients learn how to bring forward the elements within their mind and body that can help them manage the stress levels they face while reducing the ill effects of this stress and reaping the positive benefits on the immune system.

The nutrition program provides access to counseling with a registered dietitian who helps patients develop a plan that can help them stay strong while undergoing treatment and lessen the side effects associated with treatment.

The education program helps patients learn about cancer prevention and detection; find out more about a cancer diagnosis; understand clinical research; address survivorship issues; and locate additional support resources.

The Integrative Oncology Wellness Program is now available at the Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia North Georgia office located at 1055 Haw Creek Parkway, Cumming, Georgia 30041. Phone: 678-947-0457. RCOG will expand the program to other locations during 2010 and services will vary by location. For more information call the Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia – North Georgia office at 678-947-0457 or visit rccancercenters.com/wellness.

Stegenga + PARTNERS enjoys an international reputation for the design of patient-centered, leading-edge healthcare facilities, emphasizing evidenced-based planning with clinical indicators and economic outcomes that reward quality measures and productivity.

The renovated RC Center will be a state-of-the-art facility that integrates cancer treatment, research, and education into a single location. “Each space will be designed for positive human interaction. We are working to create a hassle-free environment that will diminish stress for patients, families, and staff in a noninstitutional setting” explains Paul W. Stegenga, AIA.

“Blending the needs of various providers with the expectations of a diverse patient population produces a collaborative spirit that rejuvenates all who enter.”

A softened contemporary interior incorporates natural elements. Design amenities, such as vaulted ceilings, healing gardens, nutrition stations, and day lighting into key areas, provide patients with a sense of healing, wellness, comfort, and hope.

Over the past 30 years, the physicians of RC Cancer Centers have treated more than 12,500 men for prostate cancer with a procedure called ProstRcision® (pronounced PROS-ter-si-shun). The foundation of the ProstRcision treatment program is centered on long-term research focused on the cure of prostate cancer.

RC Cancer Centers physicians have written over 80 research papers published in peer-reviewed medical journals or presented at medical conferences and is the oldest and one of the largest seed implant programs for prostate cancer in the United States, with patients who have traveled to its treatment center from all 50 states and over 40 countries to cure their prostate cancer.

Learn more at:

http://www.snp-studio.com/projects/physician-based-healthcare/radiotherapy-centers-georgia-decatur-campus

The organization, with offices in Lawrenceville and Snellville, says it already does so.

“We adhere to the strictest quality assurance metrics,” said Dr. Philip Shrake, the Gwinnett medical director for RCOG. “Each step in the treatment process is analyzed to reduce treatment error and ensure patient safety.”

Last month, the FDA issued a letter to 93 makers of radiation treatment devices, stating that it had received almost 1,200 complaints in the last decade about devices that over-dosed, under-dosed or misaligned while treating cancer patients.

Shrake stressed that patients at Gwinnett branches of RCOG have nothing to be worried about.

“We’re committed to providing patients with the most advanced technology and state of the art equipment available,” he said. “Our team receives comprehensive training and completes certification programs to ensure accurate dosage and deliver of radiation therapy at all of our locations.”

According to the FDA, the most frequent problems reported were computer software issues.

“FDA believes these steps and early communication between the FDA and manufacturers will help mitigate current risks,” the organization’s letter read.

Reporter: By Tyler Estep, Staff Writer, Gwinnett Daily Post

All Tuesday Night Lecture Series courses are offered free to the public and begin with a light dinner at 5 p.m. followed by a lecture beginning at 5:30 p.m. Classes are presented at the Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia Auditorium located at 2339 Lawrenceville Highway, Decatur, GA 30033.

For more information on the Tuesday Night Lecture Series or to RSVP for a specific class, please call 404-633-5606, ext. 320.

Tuesday Night Lecture Series include:

Tuesday, June 1, 5:30 p.m.

“PSA Bounce” – Philip Shrake, M.D., explains the temporary benign rise in prostate-specific antigens (PSA), a protein produced by the cells of the prostate gland which can be used to detect prostate cancer.

Tuesday, June 8, 5:30 p.m.

“Image-Guided Radiation Therapy” – Mark L. Merlin, M.D., presents an in-depth explanation of the image-guided treatment setup used in radiation therapy.

Tuesday, June 15, 5:30 p.m.

“RCOG Database” – Chad Levitt, M.D., shares information about the treatment database, containing information about 12,500 men who have been treated for prostate cancer. The database, one of the most comprehensive in the nation, enables men and their physicians to determine the prostate cancer treatment method that gives them the best chance of a cure.

Tuesday, June 22, 5:30 p.m.

“Q&A on PSA and Gleason Scores” – Gary Stillwagon, M.D., coordinates an open discussion on the importance of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening, Gleason scoring and the differences between clinical and pathologic staging.

Tuesday, June 29, 5:30 p.m.

“The History of ProstRcision” – Frank Critz, M.D., will discuss ProstRcision®, a unique technique for curing prostate cancer that has the industry’s highest documented cure rate of 83 percent. He will shed light on the original procedure and its development through the years.

“We have been accredited through JCAHO since 1998. While this is not a requirement for our company, we seek accreditation every 3 years, because we want to demonstrate our continued commitment to patient safety and quality care,” said Tammy Hamlin, Director of Quality. “We operate each and every day as if there were a surveyor at our facilities. We view retaining and obtaining Joint Commission accreditation as another step toward continued excellence.”

Founded in 1979, RCOG has earned a reputation for being one of the country’s top cancer treatment and research facilities. With their commitment to quality, use of the latest radiation technology and research focus, RCOG treats men and women with different types of cancer, including breast, prostate, lung, colon, lymphatic and others.

“RCOG’s accreditation achievement is a demonstration of the organization’s leadership and staff commitment to excellence,” said Tammy Hamlin, Director of Quality. “Joint Commission accreditation requires organization-wide dedication to providing safe, patient-focused care, treatment and services.”

The accreditation award recognizes RCOG’s dedication to complying with the Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards for quality and safety of care on a continuous basis.

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About the Joint Commission

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 8,000 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,800 other health care organizations that provide long term care, assisted living, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services. The Joint Commission also accredits health plans, integrated delivery networks, and other managed care entities. In addition, The Joint Commission provides certification of disease-specific care programs, primary stroke centers, and health care staffing services. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care.

Timothy D. Pethel, a board-certified radiation oncology physicist with RC Cancer Centers said “that all RC Cancer Centers facilities use the Six Sigma methodology to improve safety and quality, assuring that patients are treated on equipment that exceeds recommended safety standards and we applaud FDA efforts to improve safety standards. The internal safety standards set by RC Cancer Centers should be the model for all radiation facilities.”

Onsite RC Cancer Centers’ radiation oncologists are involved in every patient’s treatment. They review and approve patient treatment plans in addition to the medical physicists and dosimetrists before any patient is treated. RC Cancer Centers is committed to a quality improvement process that establishes best practices for care and safety to ensure the highest quality patient radiation therapy planning and delivery and measures itself to a set of Six Sigma metrics higher than industry standards set at a percentage measurement.

Sandy Gregory, M.D., a medical director at RC Cancer Centers added, “RC Cancer Centers adheres to some of the strictest quality assurance metrics in the industry. I believe our commitment to Six Sigma methodologies may be one of the first in the industry. Each part of the treatment process is analyzed to reduce treatment error and ensure patient safety. RC Cancer Centers is committed to giving its cancer patients access to the most advanced technology and the most state of the art quality systems available. Our physicians and clinical staff receive comprehensive training and complete certification programs to ensure the use of accurate dosage and delivery of radiation therapy at all of our cancer treatment centers.” In addition, she said, “we are unique in our commitment to having three quality safeguards in place that center around – controls, our physicians and our technology.”

In addition to normal safety checks, RC Cancer Centers performs multi-leaf calibration testing on our linear accelerators to confirm beam energy, flatness and symmetry, as well as mechanical and optical calibrations. Monthly equipment calibration checks are conducted, peer reviewed and then approved. Board-certified medical physicists perform yearly linear accelerator calibration to ensure proper delivery doses of radiation. This calibration is then confirmed by the Radiological Physics Center based out of MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. In addition, the RC Cancer Centers’ staffing model for radiation therapy includes having two registered radiation therapists working together to cross-verify patient treatment set-up and parameters.

To continue this safeguard process, RC Cancer Centers uses a number of external software technologies that create a patient treatment plan separate from our linear accelerator. The software applications used incorporate the patient plan, calculate the radiation that each patient should receive before the patient is treated and then compare it to the actual plan as prescribed by the physician-approved treatment plan This quality initiative ensures accurate and safe patient planning and treatment delivery at all RC Cancer Centers locations.

Michael Holton, chief operating office for RC Cancer Centers, said, “The physicians, staff and directors of RC Cancer Centers feel it is important our patients know that radiation therapy has proved to be a valid and effective treatment option for cancer patients. We highly applaud efforts to improve safety standards and efforts to ensure all organizations strive for the highest quality and safety standards as exists here at RC Cancer Centers.”

All Tuesday Night Lecture Series courses are offered free to the public and begin with a light dinner at 5 p.m. followed by a lecture beginning at 5:30 p.m. Classes are presented at the Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia Auditorium located at 2339 Lawrenceville Highway, Decatur, GA 30033.

For more information on the Tuesday Night Lecture Series or to RSVP for a specific class, please call 404-633-5606, ext. 320.

Tuesday Night Lecture Series include:

Tuesday, May 4, 5:30 p.m.

“The History of ProstRcision” – Frank Critz, M.D., will discuss ProstRcision®, a unique technique for curing prostate cancer that has the industry’s highest documented cure rate. He will shed light on the original procedure and its development through the years.

Tuesday, May 11, 5:30 p.m.

“The Side Effects of Prostate Cancer” –James Benton, M.D., explains and clarifies the common side effects associated with prostate cancer.

Tuesday, May 18, 5:30 p.m.

“Behind the Scenes” – Fred Schnell, M.D., will provide a look behind the scenes of ProstRcision® and the prostate cancer treatment process.

Tuesday, May 25, 5:30 p.m.

“Updated Cure Rates” – Frank Critz, M.D., shares the latest information about individual cure rates (ICR) to help men decide which prostate cancer treatment method gives them the best chance of a cure.

Scientists have long known that our genes play a role in determining whether we develop various medical conditions, ranging from cancer and heart disease to diabetes and dementia.

What’s new: Researchers are now discovering that certain genes must be “expressed” (activated) in order to trigger their disease-causing effects. One of the most significant findings in the emerging field of epigenetics (the study of gene expression) is the degree to which the environment — including what we eat and how we respond to stress — affects our genetics. The unchecked flow of stress hormones can lead to inflammation and deregulate immune function, increasing the likelihood that inborn genetic vulnerabilities to disease will be activated.

Important new finding: People with a 10-year history of workplace stress had five times the incidence of colorectal cancer as people with less job stress. Besides the link to increased cancer risk, stress also has been shown to make cancer patients less responsive to treatment.

If you have any chronic medical condition, here are some important ways to increase your odds of overcoming your illness — or at least keep it in check…

• Take control. Researchers who study “survivors” — people who remain healthy after stressful life events that make others sick — have found that one of several traits that they all share is a feeling of being in control of their own lives.

Helpful: To start taking better control of your life, draw a circle and divide it into your various daily activities. Next, identify which activities energize you and which leave you feeling depleted. Then look for ways to spend more time on the former and less on the latter. If certain friends or relatives drain you, modify or limit your time with them. If your job has stressful elements, work on solutions.

• Commit… to yourself. Another survivor trait pinpointed by research is a strong commitment to self. To cultivate this trait, try this exercise: Sit quietly and breathe deeply. Consider all that your lungs, internal organs, muscles, bones and five senses allow you to do. Then ask yourself: “Is there something I can do for my body to help it heal more completely?”

This could include steps to improve your nutrition, exercise or lifestyle — or any action that would make your body’s job easier.

• Don’t forget your childhood. In a large study sponsored by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, childhood physical, sexual or emotional abuse was the single most predictive factor of chronic illness in adulthood. While you can’t undo the past, several studies show that disclosing and working through troubling childhood experiences can lead to health benefits, such as a reduction in harmful levels of stress hormones.

You can talk to a psychotherapist or mental health counselor and/or write about these experiences.

Helpful: Expressive writing (a form of writing that focuses on feelings) has been found to improve both physical and psychological health. For those who have undergone traumatic experiences, this type of writing has been shown to have a number of benefits, including a reduction in post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.

• Make sure you have a confidant. Just as toxic relationships can be damaging, positive relationships benefit your health. In one Harvard study of 56,000 subjects, those without at least one confidant had the worst health. If you feel your social network could be stronger, consider inviting more potential friends into your life… joining a support group (such as one that focuses on a medical condition)… and/or seeing a therapist or counselor (who can provide support and perhaps help improve your relationship skills).

• Find a bigger purpose. Research shows that helping people — by doing some form of public service, for example — reduces illness and mortality. Studies also have found that spirituality and belief in something greater than oneself is linked to increased longevity.

• Embrace stillness. A regular habit of quieting yourself is important. This can be achieved through meditation, which can take many forms.

Examples: Repeating a calming phrase, such as “In this moment, all is well” or “I am safe and secure”… breathing deeply while sitting quietly… or taking walks in nature can be considered meditation.

A 19-year study found that people who meditated regularly had 30% fewer heart attacks and 49% less risk of dying from cancer over a 7.6-year period than those who didn’t meditate regularly — perhaps due to reduced levels of disease-promoting stress hormones.

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Bottom Line/Health interviewed Brenda Stockdale, director of mind-body medicine at the RC Cancer Centers in Cumming, Georgia. She completed clinical training at Harvard Medical School’s mind-body medicine program and is the author of You Can Beat the Odds — Surprising Factors Behind Chronic Illness and Cancer (Sentient).

All Tuesday Night Lecture Series courses are offered free to the public and begin with a light dinner at 5 p.m. followed by a lecture beginning at 5:30 p.m. Classes are presented at the Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia Auditorium located at 2339 Lawrenceville Highway, Decatur, GA 30033.

For more information on the Tuesday Night Lecture Series or to RSVP for a specific class, please call 404-633-5606, ext. 320.

Tuesday Night Lecture Series include:

Tuesday, April 6, 5:30 p.m.

“Updated Cure Rates” – Frank Critz, M.D., shares the latest information about individual cure rates (ICR), which can help men make objective decisions about which prostate cancer treatment method gives them the best chance of a cure. Dr. Critz will discuss ProstRcision®, a unique technique for curing prostate cancer that has the industries highest documented cure rate of 88 percent.

Tuesday April 13, 5:30 p.m.

“Image-Guided Radiation Therapy” – Mark L. Merlin, M.D., presents an in-depth explanation of the image-guided treatment setup used in radiation therapy.

Tuesday, April 20, 5:30 p.m.

“RCOG Database” – Chad Levitt, M.D. shares information about the treatment database that recently reached the milestone of containing data about 12,500 men who have been treated for prostate cancer. The database, one of the most comprehensive in the nation, enables men and their physicians to determine the prostate cancer treatment method that gives them the best chance of a cure.

Tuesday, April 27, 5:30 p.m.

“Q&A on PSA and Gleason Scores” – Gary Stillwagon, M.D., coordinates an open discussion on the importance of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening, Gleason scoring and the differences between clinical and pathologic staging.

Developed by Atlanta based Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia, the multi-faceted CuringProstateCancer.com education and awareness program is highly visible because of its promotional messaging in print publications, traditional and satellite radio outlets throughout the region. A convenient web site helps visitors request a free DVD and guide “Questions & Answers to Curing Prostate Cancer” that provides additional information on the subject.

Education is the key to taking control of your prostate cancer and men need to know the facts, learn about the types of treatment available and find out the cure rate of the option they may choose.

Each year thousands of patients from around the world and across the United States turn to RC Cancer Centers seeking a cure for their prostate cancer and learn why they are The Choice for Saving Lives. Founded in 1979, Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia, a division of RC Cancer Centers, has earned a reputation for being one of the country’s top cancer treatment and research facilities because of its commitment to quality, use of the latest radiation technology and focus on research that enables it to treat men and women with different types of cancer, including breast, prostate, lung, colon, lymphatic and others.

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer among American men, second only to skin cancer. In 2009, the American Cancer Society projected about 220,000 men would be diagnosed with the disease and more than 27,000 would die from prostate cancer.

Men need to know that for more than three decades, Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia (RCOG), a division of RC Cancer Centers, and exclusive provider of ProstRcision® has been helping men manage this highly treatable disease. This treatment protects against incontinence and preserves normal sexual function.

The facts are clear. The 10-year documented cure rate for Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia’s ProstRcision® is 83 percent, making it one of the best prostate cancer treatment options available today.

RCOG specializes in curing prostate cancer, not just treating the disease. More than 12,500 men have been treated with ProstRcision®. Their demographic and statistical information has been compiled into one of the largest computerized research databases on prostate cancer in the United States, which is a significant resource for men.

RCOG’s secure database collects information about each man before treatment, during irradiation and at each check-up following treatment. Examples of information gathered before treatment are a man’s age, his PSA before irradiation, his Gleason score, his prostate size, his sexual function, and how many times he gets up at night to urinate. The number of I-125 seeds, amount of irradiation from seeds, and external irradiation are just some examples of the data collected. The significance of this data is most helpful as more prostate cancer patients seek concise, factual and evidence-based information before they choose, along with their physician, the best course of treatment.

This database with its more than nine million data points makes it possible for RCOG to proactively help other men diagnosed with prostate cancer. By contacting RCOG’s concierge service, men can speak directly with a board-certified radiation oncologist. After providing pertinent medical information to RCOG, the findings are then matched with those of men with similar circumstances from the database and your 10-year individual cure rate (ICR) is calculated. These ICR calculations can help you make an objective decision about which treatment method gives you the best chance of cure.

In an effort to better educate men about their health choices, RC Cancer Centers and Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia are sharing information about prostate cancer treatment options through the Web site CuringProstateCancer.com.

Visitors to the site can request a free guide and DVD “Questions & Answers to Curing Prostate Cancer” that provides additional information on the subject.

“If even one death from prostate cancer is prevented and one person becomes more informed because this information is readily available, the effort will have made a very real difference,” said Don Holton, President & CEO of RC Cancer Centers.

To learn more call 800-267-5930 or visit CuringProstateCancer.com.

Each year thousands of patients from around the world and across the United States turn to RC Cancer Centers seeking a cure and learn why they are The Choice for Saving Lives. Founded in 1979, Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia, a division of RC Cancer Centers, has earned a reputation for being one of the country’s top cancer treatment and research facilities. With their commitment to quality, use of the latest radiation technology and research focus, RCOG treats men and women with different types of cancer, including breast, prostate, lung, colon, lymphatic and others.

RC Cancer Centers is the exclusive provider of ProstRcision®, which is a unique technique for curing prostate cancer that uses a combination of pinpoint irradiation through seed implant and conformal beam irradiation. In addition to the rigorous decade of education and training required of any surgeon, ProstRcision® doctors must complete an additional year of procedural instruction and surgical training before performing ProstRcision® on their own, in contrast to industry standards for other seed implant and robotic procedures. Only seven physicians in the country are credentialed in the procedure and all are affiliated with RC Cancer Centers.

“ProstRcision’s 10-year documented cure rate of 83 percent and the ability to protect against incontinence and preserve normal sex function makes it one of the most important treatment options available today,” said Dr. James Benton of Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia. “Our highly skilled and trained staff keeps abreast of the latest advances in treatment and are able to use this knowledge to provide men with effective outcomes delivered in a caring environment.”

“Education is the key to taking control of your prostate cancer,” said Don Holton, President & CEO of RC Cancer Centers. “We encourage men to contact RC Cancer Centers so they can learn the facts, know about the types of treatment available and find out the cure rate of the option they may choose.”

The demographic and statistical information of all men treated with ProstRcision® is the data source for the RCOG prostate cancer treatment database. Data is collected about each man before treatment, during irradiation and at each check-up following treatment. Examples of information gathered before treatment are a man’s age, his PSA before irradiation, his Gleason score, his prostate size, his sexual function, and how many times he gets up at night to urinate. The number of I-125 seeds, amount of irradiation from seeds, and external irradiation are just some examples of the data collected. The significance of this data is most helpful as more prostate cancer patients seek concise, factual and evidence-based information before they choose, along with their physician, the best course of treatment.

This database with its more than nine million data points makes it possible to proactively help other men diagnosed with prostate cancer. By contacting the concierge service, men can speak directly with a board-certified radiation oncologist. After providing pertinent medical information to RCOG, the findings are then matched with those of men with similar circumstances from the database and a 10-year individual cure rate (ICR) is calculated. These ICR calculations can help men make objective decisions about which treatment method gives them the best chance of cure.

In an effort to better educate men about their health choices, RC Cancer Centers and Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia are sharing information about prostate cancer treatment options through the Web site CuringProstateCancer.com.

Visitors to the site can request a free guide and DVD “Questions & Answers to Curing Prostate Cancer” that provides additional information on the subject.

Mr. Smith was a perfect candidate for Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT), a technique designed to deliver radiation therapy very precisely to tumors anywhere in the body. After discussing Smith’s case with his referring physician, Mr. Smith and his family, it was agreed that SBRT would be the best course of action.

“Oncology patients are really fighting the biggest battle of their lives, and we are helping to cure them with minimal side effects,” said Dr. Chad Levitt, Radiation Oncologist and Medical Director of Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia in Cumming. Levitt has treated over 50 patients using the SBRT technique for the past three years. Smith’s treatment was precise and lasted only five days, compared to the three month timeline that a radiation therapy treatment would require.

“I was amazed by how well I felt—it was easy and convenient and I really didn’t feel uncomfortable at any time,” explained Smith. “Dr. Levitt explained everything to me in a way I could understand it. He took away the fears and anxiety I had.”

Charles Smith’s life is less than ordinary. “They saved my life,” Smith added. And he should know – the 76 year-old grandfather of six has lived a long and interesting life. Smith was raised in a carnival and lived the hobo life for 21 years.

Comprehensive Cancer Treatment

As part of one of the most respected cancer treatment organizations RC Cancer Centers, Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia in Cumming offers radiation therapy using state-of-the-art technology by experienced board certified physicians with a focus on continuous quality improvement, delivered by caring and qualified professionals. Working with your medical care providers to treat – and cure – cancer is paramount to anyone dealing with its effects. Types of cancers treated at the center include prostate, brain, breast, cervical, endometrial, head and neck, lung, lymphatic, rectal and skin.

The center conducts regular free-of-charge PSA Screenings for men over 45 or with a family history of prostate cancer. “Prostate cancer can be detected early with a simple blood test, a Prostate Specific Antigen or PSA test,” Levitt explained. ProstRcision®, the method pioneered by RC Cancer Centers, integrates radioactive iodine (I-125) prostate seed implant followed by linear accelerator irradiation, using either the conformal beam or intensity modulated radiotherapy technique. The 10-year documented cure rate for ProstRcision® is 88% for early and intermediate cancer – higher than any other prostate treatment option available today.

A routine visit to the center is more than just a treatment day – it’s a visit with an extended family that cares for and works with each individual to make certain his/her needs are met, accurately and compassionately. “We take into account any special needs the patient or family members may have such as dietary needs or offering support for the caregivers. We even assist scheduling needs for appointments because so many of our patients have multiple appointments with other doctors due to their diagnosis of cancer,” explains Keith Marlowe, facility director.

Well-Being Program

“Recognizing that treating cancer is a part of the healing process, and in response to patients’ requests, we also offer integrated evidenced-based wellness programs to ensure that our patients’ experience is the best it can be under the circumstances,” Levitt explained. The program includes Mind-Body seminars and massage therapy, education, nutritional services and E-forums.

These evidence-based services as part of our specialized Wellness Program, specifically designed to help cancer patients, their families and caregivers, deal with the effects of cancer. “Our Wellness Program encompasses a variety of non-traditional therapies that, while not a substitute for proven cancer treatments, can improve the quality of life for cancer patients. Our goal is to offer you convenient, confidential and thoughtfully selected therapy programs that can help you live,” Levitt added. “We understand our patient’s need for attention, information, support and quality of life. Bottom line – we care about our patients’ future.”

A Center of Hope

“Awareness of life is what brings cancer patients together. Even the young ones are aware of their environment, their families, and their bodies much more than a person without cancer,” Levitt commented. “How many times have you driven for 20 miles and cannot remember those 15 minutes? Cancer patients are more in-tune with their surroundings and their current experience.”

Being diagnosed with cancer has overwhelming and destructive effects. Knowing that you can count on a competent, knowledgeable and compassionate group of experts to provide you and your family with exceptional care, can bring hope to those who need it most. For more information about RC Cancer Centers in Cumming visit http://rccancercenters.com/locations/georgia/cumming or call 678-947-0457.

RC Cancer Centers feels it is important for consumers and patients to know that three out of five patients survive cancer. This means that beating cancer with radiation therapy is substantially higher than the risk of being harmed by a mistake. Unfortunately, this article did not offer essential details of the advances in radiation treatments or discuss the safe alternative cancer treatments that radiation oncology provides to cancer patients.

RC Cancer Centers is committed to giving cancer patients access to the most advanced technology and quality systems available. Our physicians and clinical staff receive comprehensive training and complete certification programs to ensure the use of accurate dosage and delivery of radiation therapy at all of our cancer treatment centers. RC Cancer Centers adheres to stringent quality assurance regulations. In addition, we are unique in our commitment to having three quality safeguards in place – controls, physicians and technology.

Specifically, multi-leaf calibration testing is conducted twice a week and daily checks are conducted every morning on our linear accelerators to confirm beam energy, flatness and symmetry, as well as mechanical and optical calibrations. Monthly equipment calibration checks are conducted, peer reviewed and then approved. Board-certified medical physicists perform yearly linear accelerator calibration to ensure proper delivery doses of radiation. This calibration is then confirmed by the Radiological Physics Center based out of MD Anderson Cancer Center of Houston, Texas. In addition, the RC Cancer Centers’ staffing model for radiation therapy includes having two registered radiation therapists working together to cross-verifying patient treatment set-up and parameters.

Onsite RC Cancer Centers’ radiation oncologists are involved in every patient’s treatment. They review and approve patient treatment plans in addition to the medical physicists and dosimetrists departments before any patient is treated. We are committed to a quality improvement process that establishes best practices for care and safety to ensure the highest quality patient radiation therapy planning and delivery.

To continue our safeguards process, we use a number of external software technologies that create a patient treatment plan separate from our linear accelerator. The software applications we use incorporate the patient plan, calculate the radiation that each patient should receive before the patient is treated and then compare it to the actual plan as prescribed by the physician-approved treatment plan This quality initiative ensures accurate and safe patient planning and treatment delivery at all RC Cancer Centers locations.

The physicians, staff and directors of RC Cancer Centers feel it would be a tragedy if this article negatively impacted the decision-making process for cancer patients who need to pursue the appropriate life-saving treatments — simply because a well-intentioned news report failed to share the full story.

However, the numbers reported are exceptionally misleading. The story cites 621 radiation mistakes. During that time, we estimate half a million New Yorkers received 13.6 million daily radiation therapy treatments, meaning radiation errors occurred only .0046 percent of the time. We believe your readers should see this context.

Even one error is too many and ASTRO continuously works to strengthen the radiation oncology safety culture. We are at the forefront by providing quality assurance tools, hands-on training for sophisticated treatments like IMRT, guidelines on treatment use, new technology assessments and accreditation. ASTRO leads an international coalition improving equipment interconnectivity to prevent errors.

All treatments pose risks and patients should discuss them with their doctors. Radiation therapy is a tool no different than a knife in the hands of a surgeon. It should be used only by those with appropriate training and board certification.

Tim R. Williams, M.D.

Chairman, American Society for Radiation Oncology, the world’s largest radiation oncology society with 10,000 members, and a radiation oncologist at Boca Raton Community Hospital in Boca Raton, Fla.