Oncology

We offer high-quality cancer care and are committed to prevention and early detection. We offer specialized services in lung cancer screening through low-dose computerized tomography (CT) scans of the lungs.

Our cancer center is accredited by The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, and we are recipients of the Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award. Our facility is also home to the Women's Diagnostic Center, where women have access to screening mammograms.

In addition to our full-service cancer care, we offer a specialized program dedicated to treating lung cancer. This program provides comprehensive care, which includes:

• Supportive resources from our oncology nurse navigator
• Cancer treatment, including radiation therapy and surgical options
• Incidental Lung Nodule Program to catch cancer early
• Low-dose computerized tomography (CT) scans for lung cancer screening
• Minimally invasive techniques for diagnostic biopsies
• Rapid diagnosis and time to treatment

For more information, call our lung nodule coordinator at (706) 651-3633 or our oncology navigator at (706) 651-4567.

Our cancer treatment is focused on three pillars: technology, location and caring (TLC). Every treatment plan will look different, but it may include one or more of the following treatment options:

• Cancer rehabilitation and wellness
• Minimally invasive robot-assisted surgical procedures
• Radiation therapy, including stereotactic radiosurgery

Surgical oncology, including breast surgery and prostatectomy

We are accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) for our radiation oncology services. This acknowledges our staff for meeting and following high-quality medical standards in radiation therapy and our commitment to your safety.

The Radiation Oncology Center, located on our hospital's main campus, offers many options for radiation therapy cancer treatment. The type of radiation you receive depends on the type of cancer, personal health factors and the tumor's size and shape. We perform internal and external radiation therapies, including:

• External beam radiation
• Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)
• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
• Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)

To contact the Radiation Oncology Center, please call (706) 651-6700.

If you are fighting cancer, you may benefit greatly from exercise during treatment. The key is to gradually progress to moderate exercise and pay attention to how your body feels while going through treatment. Carefully monitored exercise can help you:

• Feel more in control over life
• Feel stronger and more capable
• Lower levels of anxiety
• Maintain body weight to reduce the risk of recurrence
• Reduce fatigue
• Reduce sleep problems

Special instruction may be needed from a licensed physical or occupational therapist in order to regain full function for regular exercise. Our rehabilitation team is available to develop personalized exercise programs that help you work toward your activity goals.

Oncology rehabilitation takes place in our Rehabilitation Health Center, which is inside Medical Office Building II, Suite 302. To learn more about our cancer rehabilitation services, please call (706) 651-2270.

Talking to people with similar experiences can help you and your loved ones cope with the emotions of cancer. We also work with the following groups in our community to give you access to additional assistance.

Sponsored by the Augusta ACS, Reach to Recovery offers one-on-one support and information for women coping with breast cancer. Specially trained breast cancer survivors serve as volunteers to respond in person or by phone to women facing a breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, recovery or recurrence.

Cancer Support Services offers a women's cancer survivorship ministry to help patients seeking emotional or spiritual support. Free tote bags are provided to all women undergoing all types of cancer treatment. Each tote bag is monogrammed with "faith," "hope" or "love" and is filled with cancer-related information, practical items, a prayer request card and the name of the seamstress who made the tote.