Cancer Services
Cancer comes in many forms and strikes in many different ways. Cancer is a group of many related diseases that starts within the cells of the body. A diagnosis of cancer, at whatever site it appears, is a medical problem. But it is also a situation that can touch on every aspect of your life as well as the lives of family members and other people close to you. For that reason, Good Shepherd Medical Center considers all the changes you may experience as a result of a cancer diagnosis—physical, emotional and psychological—then develops a treatment approach for the whole person, not just the disease.
As the community’s leader in cancer care, Good Shepherd Medical center offers many options in cancer treatment.
Our approach centers on three key areas:
- Gifted physicians who specialize in different forms of cancer and different treatment. http://www.texasoncology.com/longview.aspx
- A dedicated staff of inpatient and outpatient oncology nurses, social workers, care managers, chaplains, wound care, wide range of therapists, medical imaging experts, dieticians, patient educators, financial counselors and other highly trained individuals with experience in cancer treatment
- Healing care that brings together state-of-the-art technology, comfortable and convenient facilities and a compassionate human touch
Our comprehensive resources and their focus on state-of-the-art, compassionate care mean that the people of our community can remain close to home for the full spectrum of cancer treatment.
Cancer Care and Services
Good care begins with good information. Find out more about our full range of services during your hospital stay where the highly trained physicians and staff of Good Shepherd provide a wide range of innovative and personalized cancer treatment.
Diagnosing Cancer
When a particular sign or symptom may be related to cancer, the first step towards getting better is an accurate diagnosis. Although there are a number of tests and procedures that we use, diagnostic imaging is vital in the detection and diagnosis of cancer. In many cases, one or a combination of medical imaging procedures can show the presence, size, shape and location of tumors or abnormalities in your body. In some cases, these tests can help to determine whether the problem is cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign).
While these pictures are a valuable tool in most cases, not all cancers can be seen through diagnostic imaging. A tumor may be too small or in a location that’s difficult to see. In these instances, other tests may prove more useful and may be part of your diagnosis.
A final diagnosis of cancer cannot usually be made without a biopsy, an examination of cells or living tissue from an area suspected to be cancerous. Biopsies are the most definitive way to test for the presence of a malignant tumor and to determine what kind of cancer exists. Diagnostic imaging testing and a biopsy together are essential for developing an effective treatment plan.
Treating Cancer
Cancer treatments vary depending on the type of cancer and the extent of its development. For most forms of cancer, there are three major areas of treatment–surgery, radiation and medical oncology(chemotherapy and/or hormone therapies). These treatments are used in combination with each other. We offer a truly comprehensive program that includes surgical intervention, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, support services and rehabilitation.
Support and Resources
Good Shepherd Medical Center offers a resource library for cancer patients, family and friends with lay-oriented books and informative brochures on a wide collection of cancer related topics and symptom management support. These booklets and brochures are provided by the American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute and the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. The library is located on the fourth floor in the Outpatient Infusion Center and is available free to those in need of information. Nursing staff is available to assist those who visit this library.
American Cancer Society’s National Cancer Information Center
1-800-ACS-2345
People facing cancer need clear, reliable information in order to understand their disease and make informed decisions about their health. Trained cancer information specialists are available to answer questions about cancer, link callers with resources in their communities, and provide information on local events. The patient service center is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week: #877-227-1618. Callers who speak languages other than English and Spanish can also be assisted. The National Cancer Information Center includes an email response center staffed by cancer information specialists who respond to questions and comments submitted through the Society’s web site www.cancer.org
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. In effort to support people touched by blood cancers they offer a callers who speak English, Spanish and other languages. For support, please call 1-800-955-4572 or go online to their web site at www.leukemia-lymphoma.org.
Online Support Groups
- The Cancer Survivors Network is the American Cancer Society’s free online support group created by and for cancer survivors and loved ones. Patients, survivors, and loved ones share their experiences in the online message boards and browse moderated discussions on key issues.
- The Association of Cancer Online Resources, Inc. (ACOR), (www.acor.org) is a non-profit patient advocacy organization. ACOR’s mission is to develop, support, and represent Internet based resources to cancer patients and their families. ACOR supports approximately 70 on-line support groups on various cancer-related topics.
- OncoChat is another peer support group (www.oncochat.org) for cancer patients who share similar experiences.
- Leukemia & Lymphoma support groups Online Support groups are free, password protected weekly groups led by trained professionals for adults living with leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and myelodysplastic syndromes and their caregivers www.leukemia-lymphoma.org
Clinical Trials
The following links can take you to more information regarding research and clinical trails. Please note that the information available through these links is not provided by Good Shepherd Medical Center, and the Hospital does not necessarily endorse this information. All information provided through these links is for your reference only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your physician before acting or relying upon such information.
Texas Oncology Clinical Trial Information
www.texasoncology.com/ClinicalTrials
American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/ETO_6.asp
National Cancer Institute
www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials
Cancer Consultants
http://ecancertrials.com/
American Association of Cancer Research
www.aacr.org
Other supportive links
National Institute of Health
www.nih.gov
Cancer Links
www.cancerlink.org
National Childhood Cancer Foundation Children’s Oncology Group
www.curesearch.org