Lung Cancer as it appears
on an X-ray
on an X-ray
Comprehensive Cancer Center - Wake Forest University Baptist
September 13, 2006
by Yuko Zaima, Project Manager
Policy
Comprehensive Cancer Center believe the key to conquering cancer is to recognize innate strengths and focus resources. That is how they acquired their outstanding team to research and treat cancer--breast, prostate, lung, and brain cancer patients receive state-of-the-art treatment at our center. Here are several new areas that will enhance our ability to help cancer patients and their families:
* Tissue engineering - through collaboration with the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, by the end of the decade, we aim to offer patients with invasive bladder cancer the option to be among the first recipients of laboratory generated bladders to replace diseased organs.
* Nanotechnology and biomedical engineering - these fast-paced areas of scientific and technological innovation promise new methods to image and detect cancer earlier, to deliver cancer drugs directly to cancer cells to minimize damage to normal tissue, and to apply high-powered computer technology to analyze how cancer cells communicate and proliferate in the body.
* Genetics - we are forming an increasingly sophisticated program to identify the role of gene-gene interactions resulting in cancer; the effects of chemical alterations to genes on cancer risk; and the interaction of genes and environmental factors, such as nutrition, for either the cause or prevention of cancer.
* Clinical trials - Wake Forest has been a leader in the organization and implementation of clinical trials for decades. This feature will continue to grow as more emphasis is put on getting new and better treatments to patients faster.
Private support is vital for us to keep up the pace. Your contributions invest in new technology essential to push research forward, fund pilot projects on promising new ideas that must accumulate enough evidence to attract federal or corporate funding, and provide extra flexibility so we can react to emerging needs
Department
The Comprehensive Cancer Center has built a team of nationally and internationally recognized experts who are committed to providing the best care possible. More than 120 clinicians representing all aspects of cancer care have joined together to pool their knowledge and expertise to offer the optimal treatment options for our cancer patients.
Bringing the expertise of multiple specialists together in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients has been a hallmark of our Comprehensive Cancer Center.
At most medical centers, it can take weeks to see each of the physicians who will have a role in the patient's care, compounding the stress that patients experience. At Wake Forest Baptist we've developed a system to streamline the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of cancer patients by subspecialized teams of surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists as well as allied health care professionals.
Approach
Bringing the expertise of multiple specialists together in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients has been a hallmark of our Comprehensive Cancer Center.
At most medical centers, it can take weeks to see each of the physicians who will have a role in the patient's care, compounding the stress that patients experience. At Wake Forest Baptist we've developed a system to streamline the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of cancer patients by specialized teams of surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists as well as allied health care professionals.
Substantial advances have been made over the past 10 years in applying innovative therapies to diagnosing and treating formerly invincible cancers. The Comprehensive Cancer Center has been at the forefront in utilizing many of these new technologies to improve detection rates, as well as survival rates and quality of life for patients facing the challenges of living with cancer.
A major focus of our research has been on developing unique therapies that destroy cancer cells in ways that were once considered unthinkable. This combination of improved detection capabilities and aggressive approaches to understanding and treating cancer are foundations of our commitment to finding a cure for this most devastating disease.
Cancer Patient Support
The Cancer Patient Support Program (CPSP) and Psychosocial Oncology Program (POP) were developed to enhance the quality of life of patients and family members during diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. These services were cited by the National Cancer Policy Board as a model for Comprehensive Cancer Centers. The CPSP and POP provide professional counseling and clinical research activities. Research has focused on quality of life following treatment, orienting new patients to treatment, group support for young women breast cancer patients and restorative (gentle) yoga.
The CPSP staff provides individual counseling, support groups, hospital visitation, professional education for medical center employees, patient and community education, financial assistance, and appearance consultation including wigs, turbans and caps. All CPSP services are provided without charge.
A major focus for CPSP and POP staff and volunteers is to provide comfort for patients undergoing treatment and to help them maintain hope for the journey. In the words of a CPSP volunteer, "I may not be able to do great things but I can do small things with great love."
CPSP Services
Comprehensive Cancer Center believe the key to conquering cancer is to recognize innate strengths and focus resources. That is how they acquired their outstanding team to research and treat cancer--breast, prostate, lung, and brain cancer patients receive state-of-the-art treatment at our center. Here are several new areas that will enhance our ability to help cancer patients and their families:
* Tissue engineering - through collaboration with the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, by the end of the decade, we aim to offer patients with invasive bladder cancer the option to be among the first recipients of laboratory generated bladders to replace diseased organs.
* Nanotechnology and biomedical engineering - these fast-paced areas of scientific and technological innovation promise new methods to image and detect cancer earlier, to deliver cancer drugs directly to cancer cells to minimize damage to normal tissue, and to apply high-powered computer technology to analyze how cancer cells communicate and proliferate in the body.
* Genetics - we are forming an increasingly sophisticated program to identify the role of gene-gene interactions resulting in cancer; the effects of chemical alterations to genes on cancer risk; and the interaction of genes and environmental factors, such as nutrition, for either the cause or prevention of cancer.
* Clinical trials - Wake Forest has been a leader in the organization and implementation of clinical trials for decades. This feature will continue to grow as more emphasis is put on getting new and better treatments to patients faster.
Private support is vital for us to keep up the pace. Your contributions invest in new technology essential to push research forward, fund pilot projects on promising new ideas that must accumulate enough evidence to attract federal or corporate funding, and provide extra flexibility so we can react to emerging needs
Department
The Comprehensive Cancer Center has built a team of nationally and internationally recognized experts who are committed to providing the best care possible. More than 120 clinicians representing all aspects of cancer care have joined together to pool their knowledge and expertise to offer the optimal treatment options for our cancer patients.
Bringing the expertise of multiple specialists together in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients has been a hallmark of our Comprehensive Cancer Center.
At most medical centers, it can take weeks to see each of the physicians who will have a role in the patient's care, compounding the stress that patients experience. At Wake Forest Baptist we've developed a system to streamline the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of cancer patients by subspecialized teams of surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists as well as allied health care professionals.
Approach
Bringing the expertise of multiple specialists together in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients has been a hallmark of our Comprehensive Cancer Center.
At most medical centers, it can take weeks to see each of the physicians who will have a role in the patient's care, compounding the stress that patients experience. At Wake Forest Baptist we've developed a system to streamline the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of cancer patients by specialized teams of surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists as well as allied health care professionals.
Substantial advances have been made over the past 10 years in applying innovative therapies to diagnosing and treating formerly invincible cancers. The Comprehensive Cancer Center has been at the forefront in utilizing many of these new technologies to improve detection rates, as well as survival rates and quality of life for patients facing the challenges of living with cancer.
A major focus of our research has been on developing unique therapies that destroy cancer cells in ways that were once considered unthinkable. This combination of improved detection capabilities and aggressive approaches to understanding and treating cancer are foundations of our commitment to finding a cure for this most devastating disease.
Cancer Patient Support
The Cancer Patient Support Program (CPSP) and Psychosocial Oncology Program (POP) were developed to enhance the quality of life of patients and family members during diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. These services were cited by the National Cancer Policy Board as a model for Comprehensive Cancer Centers. The CPSP and POP provide professional counseling and clinical research activities. Research has focused on quality of life following treatment, orienting new patients to treatment, group support for young women breast cancer patients and restorative (gentle) yoga.
The CPSP staff provides individual counseling, support groups, hospital visitation, professional education for medical center employees, patient and community education, financial assistance, and appearance consultation including wigs, turbans and caps. All CPSP services are provided without charge.
A major focus for CPSP and POP staff and volunteers is to provide comfort for patients undergoing treatment and to help them maintain hope for the journey. In the words of a CPSP volunteer, "I may not be able to do great things but I can do small things with great love."
CPSP Services