Staff Report
Coming off October, which was National Breast Cancer Awareness
Month, Mission Hope Cancer Center is also spreading awareness about an advanced new treatment for patients with breast cancer, a population that makes up approximately 40 percent of the patients at the center.
The new technology enhances the preciseness of treatment provided to breast cancer patients by more accurately targeting the lymph nodes at risk, and also preventing radiation from reaching vital organs, such as the heart and lungs. In addition, active breathing control is used to create more distance between the heart and area being treated. A patient takes a deep breath, lifting the chest wall up and away from the heart. This technique can decrease the risk of long-term effects on the heart by decreasing the amount of radiation it is receives.
In addition to this new radiation oncology technology, Dr. Ben Wilkinson, radiation oncologist at Mission Hope Cancer Center, has introduced 3-D surface mapping, a technology that ensures patients are positioned in the same manner for each radiation treatment.
These state-of-the-art enhancements to the breast program at Mission Hope Cancer Center provide for more targeted treatment, and also add quality of life patients that have undergone radiation for breast cancer.
“This advanced equipment was acquired to offer our breast cancer patients the best treatment possible, as well as prolonged health to free of heart disease and issues with the lungs as a result of radiation therapy, said Wilkinson. “Mission Hope Cancer Center provides patients with the most advanced care possible, right in their own community. With this new treatment, the level of cure is high, and patients can live long healthy lives, free of disease.”
Diagnosing and treating cancer is complex. Mission Hope Cancer Center uses a multidisciplinary approach, which consists of collaboration between specialized oncologists and physicians to determine the best course of treatment. Every patient receives an individualized treatment plan.
Marian Cancer Care at Mission Hope Cancer Center is accredited as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Center by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer. To find out more, go to missionhopecancercenter.com.
