Your Health

Innovative Cancer Treatment Delivery Advances Patient Care

Posted 10/15/2010

Cancer patients see a dedicated team of physicians and clinicians to fully understand their disease and treatment options at Cancer Treatment Centers of America.

(NAPSI) - It may seem surprising, but, on average, cancer patients spend less time with their oncologists than they do on a lunch break. The United States Department of Labor mandates that a lunch break be 30 minutes or more, yet according to the National Center for Health Statistics, the average time that cancer patients spend with their oncologist is just 24.5 minutes.

However, an innovative approach to cancer treatment by Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) called Patient Empowered Care may be changing all that. Patient Empowered Care uses a team approach, offering patients an average of between two and three hours with a full Empowerment Team every time they visit the hospital for treatment. The team includes a medical oncologist, naturopathic oncology provider, registered dietitian, nurse care manager, clinic nurse and others-who come to the patient in one comfortable room, one right after another, for a focused visit.

According to Edgar D. Staren, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., senior vice president for clinical affairs and chief medical officer at CTCA, Patient Empowered Care helps to advance care through health literacy-essentially, giving patients more time and greater access to all clinical team members for more responsive, personalized care.

“When patients are provided clear and thorough information and an understanding of their condition, they are empowered to make educated decisions about their cancer care,” added Dr. Staren.

Where It Happens

Cancer Treatment Centers of America has provided innovative cancer treatment for almost 30 years with a fully integrated model of cancer care that focuses on what cancer patients value most.

“Having cancer is overwhelming. I feel like the time spent with my care team helps me understand my disease and treatment options better, and I feel much more in control,” said CTCA patient Maria Watson.

The physicians and clinicians at CTCA combine conventional clinical treatments and technologies for fighting cancer, such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, with scientifically supported complementary therapies such as nutrition, naturopathic medicine, mind-body medicine, oncology rehabilitation, pain management and spiritual support, which help mitigate side effects of treatment and maintain the immune system to improve each patient’s quality of life.

Learn More

For more information about Cancer Treatment Centers of America, visit www.cancercenter.com or call (888) 841-9129. For more information about Patient Empowered Care, visit www.cancercenter.com/patient-empowered-care.cfm.

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