How to find Cancer Treatment Center?
Choosing a Cancer Treatment Center is another important consideration for getting the best medical care possible. Although you may not be able to choose which hospital treats you in an emergency, you can choose a Cancer Treatment Center for scheduled and ongoing care. If you have already found a doctor for your cancer treatment, you may need to choose a Cancer Treatment Center based on where your doctor practices. Your doctor may be able to recommend a Cancer Treatment Center that provides quality care to meet your needs. You may wish to ask the following questions when considering a treatment Cancer Treatment Center:
- Has the Cancer Treatment Center had experience and success in treating my condition?
- Has the Cancer Treatment Center been rated by state, consumer, or other groups for its quality of care?
- How does the Cancer Treatment Center check on and work to improve its quality of care?
- Has the Cancer Treatment Center been approved by a nationally recognized accrediting body, such as the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and/or the Joint Commission on Accredited Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)?
- Does the Cancer Treatment Center explain patients' rights and responsibilities? Are copies of this information available to patients?
- Does the treatment facility offer support services, such as social workers and resources to help me find financial assistance if I need it?
- Is the Cancer Treatment Center conveniently located?
If you are a member of a health insurance plan, your choice of Cancer Treatment Center may be limited to those that participate in your plan. Your insurance company can provide you with a list of approved facilities. Although the costs of cancer treatment can be very high, you have the option of paying out-of-pocket if you want to use a Cancer Treatment Center that is not covered by your insurance plan. If you are considering paying for treatment yourself, you may wish to discuss the possible costs with your doctor beforehand. You may also want to speak with the person who does the billing for the Cancer Treatment Center. In some instances, nurses and social workers can provide you with more information about coverage, eligibility, and insurance issues.
What is Brachytherapy?
Brachytherapy is an advanced cancer treatment. Radioactive seeds or sources are placed in or near the tumor itself, giving a high radiation dose to the tumor while reducing the radiation exposure in the surrounding healthy tissues. The term "brachy" is Greek for short distance, and brachytherapy is radiation therapy given at a short distance: localized, precise, and high-tech.
Cancer Treatment Center of America at Tulsa (CTCA) uses brachytherapy to treat many types of cancer. Some of the tumors we treat with brachytherapy are: HDR Prostate Brachytherapy, Breast Brachytherapy, Lung cancer, Esophageal cancer, Cervix cancer, Uterine cancer, Anal tumors, Bile duct, Sarcomas, Neck tumors, Tongue cancer and Nasopharnx.
