Cancer Treatments & Programs
- Breast Care Center
- Colorectal Cancer Program
- Diagnostics
- Gastrointestinal Cancer
- Infusion Services
- Lung Cancer Team
- Lymphedema Management
- Medical Oncology
- Pediatric Oncology
- Prostate/GU
- Radiation Therapy
- Rehabilitation / Physical Therapy
- Surgical Oncology
- Genetic Counseling
Breast Care Center
One out of eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Not only is a diagnosis of breast cancer frightening, going from office to office for treatment is time consuming and can delay early treatment. That's why a group of physicians from various specialties and other healthcare professionals have formed Central Georgia Breast Care Center. The Center's goal is to provide patients with a timely diagnoses of abnormal mammograms, lumps or other breast changes and strive to cut the time span from diagnosis to treatment in half.
We counsel all types of cancer patients, including those with a personal or family history of breast, colon, kidney, melanoma, and various other types of cancer. By providing screenings, breast health education, diagnosis and treatment in one central location, The Breast Care Center simplifies the diagnostic and treatment process. Patients have access to the most up-to-date diagnosis and treatment options available in one location.
Colorectal Cancer Program
Our expert staff includes specialists in surgery, gastroenterology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, interventional radiology, clinical genetics, oncology nursing, and nutrition. At the Cancer Life Center we offer the most advanced surgical and minimally invasive options not only to eradicate the colorectal cancer, but to preserve patients' ability to function normally.
Our cancer team includes:
- Colorectal surgeons
- Gastroenterologists
- Genetic counselor
- GI nurse navigator
- Interventional radiologists
- Medical oncologists
- Oncology dietician
- Oncology nurses
- Radiation oncologists
- Radiologists
- Surgical oncologists
Diagnostics
The Cancer Life Center is at the forefront of cancer diagnosis and treatment thanks not only to the skill and experience of our team of physicians and specialists, but to the diagnostic capabilities available at Navicent Health.
- Bone Scan
- Colonoscopy
- Digital Mammography
- EBUS
- Endoscopic Ultrasound
- Fluoroscopy and X-Ray
- Lung Diagnostics
- MRI and PET-CT
- Nuclear Medicine
- Super D
Gastrointestinal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States. The average person's lifetime risk of developing it is about one chance in twenty. The risk is increased if there is a family history of colorectal polyps or cancer, and is still higher if there is a personal history of breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer. Risk is also higher for people with a history of extensive inflammatory bowel, such as ulcerative or Crohn's colitis.
Most colorectal cancers begin as a polyp. At first, a polyp is a small, harmless growth in the wall of the colon. However, as a polyp grows larger, it can develop into a cancer that grows and spreads, often affecting other organs in the body.
See your doctor if you have any of the following warning signs:
- Bleeding from your rectum
- Blood in your stool or in the toilet after you have a bowel movement
- A change in the shape or consistency of your stool (such as diarrhea or constipation lasting several weeks)
- Cramping pain in your lower stomach
- A feeling of discomfort or fullness in the rectum
- Unintended weight loss
Atrium Health Navicent WT Anderson Infusion Center, a Facility of Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center
The Atrium Health Navicent WT Anderson Infusion Center, a Facility of Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center is an outpatient infusion center dedicated to administering IV infusions and subcutaneous or intramuscular injections that include but are not limited to:
- Chemotherapy
- Blood, platelet and plasma transfusions
- Iron infusions
- Remicade, Orencia, Rituxan, and Actemra infusions for Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Xolair injections for chronic asthmatic patients
- IVIG infusions
- Outpatient plasmapheresis treatments
- Epoegen injections
- Prolia injections, Boniva injections and Reclast infusions for Osteoporosis
- IV antibiotics
Our Registered Nurses are all Oncology Certified and have a combined 110 years of oncology experience. Three of our Oncology Certified RN's are also Certified Nurse Navigators experienced in helping our cancer patients throughout the continuum of their care from diagnosis to beyond completion of therapy. The accuracy of our patient's personalized chemotherapy treatment and complete satisfaction is our top priority. The Atrium Health Navicent WT Anderson Infusion Center, a Facility of Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center is also proud to own the highest outpatient nursing satisfaction scores at The Medical Center of Central Georgia.
The Atrium Health Navicent WT Anderson Infusion Center, a Facility of Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center provides patient family-centered care and has expanded to offer more spacious seating for our patients and family. We are the only outpatient plasmapheresis treatment center south of Atlanta. Light snacks are available to our patients upon request. Each infusion room is now equipped with new large screen plasma televisions for our patients viewing pleasure. Our hours of operation are Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM and we are closed on weekends and holidays. We are located at 800 First Street, Macon, GA 31201. Our phone number is (478) 633-8811(478) 633-8811 and our fax number is 478-633-8820. Please feel free to call us if you have any questions or concerns.
The Lung Cancer Team
The Lung Cancer Team of Navicent Health has been meeting since the spring of 2010 to develop a process to improve lung cancer care in the region. Our multidisciplinary team includes thoracic surgeons, general surgeons, pulmonologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, primary care physicians and other health care providers. These specialists are focused on several proactive solutions aimed to reduce the high incidence and mortality rates from lung cancer in our community.
Introducing Screening Lung CT-Scans
Lung cancer is responsible for more deaths of central Georgians than any other type of cancer. That's why accurate, early detection is so important. Screening Lung CT scans at Central Georgia Diagnostics on Hardeman Avenue may play a major role in the detection of lung cancers in earlier stages, often saving lives. The USPSTF recommends screening for current and former smokers age 55 to 80 with a smoking history the equivalent of smoking a pack a day for 30 years. The recommendation for screening includes those who have quit within the past 15 years.
If you are a current smoker or have quit within the past 15 years, aged 55-80 years with a 30 pack-year smoking history, ask your doctor about Screening Lung Cancer CT Scans at Navicent Health and get a clearer picture of your health.
In an effort to enhance the lung cancer patient care process and improve lung cancer patient outcomes, we have implemented a new protocol for patients who have small pulmonary nodules incidentally detected on CT scans of the chest and abdomen. This protocol helps to expedite the process of care for your patients and is designed to decrease the time from suspicious finding to definitive diagnosis.
We have also invested in critical technologies required to establish a state-of-the-art lung cancer program. Endobronchial ultrasound and SuperDimension Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy"„¢ system are now available to lung patients at Navicent Health. SuperDimension is a minimally-invasive alternative for patients who have a lesion on their lung that is hard to reach or cannot tolerate a more invasive procedure. Navicent Health is the first in the area to provide this technology.
Lymphedema Management
The Lymphedema Management Program at the Cancer Life Center is provided through the Central Georgia Rehabilitation Center and benefits patients recovering from injury, surgical trauma, chronic conditions, inflammation and edema. A therapist certified in Manual Lymphatic Drainage applies rhythmic massage techniques using repetitive, precise hand movements applied lightly in the direction of lymph flow accelerating and improving the patient's lymphatic system natural flow. Treatments are offered for the following conditions:
- Hysterectomy
- Lymphatic aplasia
- Lymph node dissections
- Mastectomy
- Melanoma
- Ovarian cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Radiation treatment
Medical Oncology
Medical oncology, or chemotherapy, involves a drug therapy regimen to treat your cancer. Medical oncology can be used as a powerful tool to cure cancer, to prevent the cancer from spreading, or to ease symptoms associated with cancer. This treatment option is commonly used in combination with other procedures and cancer treatment options.
Pediatric Oncology
The Pediatric Oncology Program at the Cancer Life Center provides the most advanced treatments available for children with all types of cancer and blood diseases, from infancy to young adulthood. Our team consists of an experienced group of specialists including pediatric hematologists/oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, nurses, nutritionists, social workers, and genetic counselors. Working in conjunction with The Children's Hospital at The Medical Center, the Cancer Life Center provides treatment and rehabilitation for:
- Leukemias
- Lymphomas
- Sickle cell anemia
- Tumors of the bone and brain
Prostate/GU
The GU Cancer Team is a multidisciplinary group of urologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists focused on assessing, planning, monitoring, and coordinating the delivery of GU cancer care services to The Medical Center patients. The primary goals of the team are:
- Improving prostate cancer awareness and prevention in the region through implementation of standard screening and treatment guidelines.
- Increasing patient enrollment for clinical trials, ensuring that the process of care is navigated efficiently for the patient and/or care giver with the help of a patient navigator.
- Improving timeliness and diagnosis of treatment.
- Educating primary care physicians about the minimally invasive medical procedures that are available for patients at The Medical Center.
Each physician involved in the team brings a unique body of knowledge and expertise to the process. The sharing of information and ideas results in a coordinated and comprehensive care plan for patients with input from all specialties.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, is a widely used treatment option for many types of cancer. Through the use of high powered x-rays or radioactive seeds, radiation therapy works by damaging cancerous cells. Unlike normal cells, cancer cells are not able to repair themselves. Radiation therapy can be used alone or as part of a treatment plan to cure cancer, shrink cancerous tumors, provide relief from symptoms, or to treat cancers which are inoperable.
Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy
The latest cancer research has indicated that being physically active throughout your treatment is highly beneficial to cancer treatment. Through the Cancer Life Center, The Atrium Health Navicent Wellness Center and Central Georgia Rehabilitation, cancer patients are able to receive therapy and exercise so crucial to recovery.
Programs offered:
- Cancer Well Fit
- Breast Cancer Support Group
- Man To Man Support Group (prostate cancer)
- Smoking Cessation
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Surgical Oncology
At the Cancer Life Center, experienced and highly trained cancer surgeons focus on providing you with world class cancer treatment in a caring and compassionate manner. Our physicians work closely with our extended team of medical oncologists, radiation specialists, radiologists, geneticists, nurses and support staff so that you get the most sophisticated and successful approach to curing your cancer.