22
FALL MEDICAL GUIDE
SEPTEMBER 2021
CAHABA SUN
CAHABASUN.COM
O’NEAL COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER AT UAB 800-822-6478
uabmedicine.org/cancer
The O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB serves patients in Alabama, across the region and from around the world by providing leadingedge cancer care that is personalized and team-based. The only National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center in the state, we are a pioneer in shaping the future of cancer care. We provide the most advanced treatment options through clinical trials, and we offer patients a wide range of new therapies, diagnostic testing, prevention strategies, survivorship care and community-based studies — some of which are only available at UAB. When it comes to cancer, it matters where you’re treated first. Our experienced teams are committed to delivering exceptional and compassionate care when patients need it most. Two of our cancer specialists — Dr. Trey Leath III and Dr. Jeffrey Nix — share their thoughts on the latest advancements and why you should consider UAB for cancer care. Q: How does cancer affect people in Alabama, and what is the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB doing to help? Dr. Leath: Advances in cancer care and treatment are based on a continual process. This includes evaluating how current treatment approaches are used, but also ways that these approaches can be improved. These evaluations and improvements are usually done as part of clinical trials, which often are not available outside of academic medical centers such as UAB. And for cancer specifically, they are usually only done at NCI-Designated Cancer Centers. While not all patients seen at UAB will be enrolled in cutting-edge clinical trials, most patients will have the opportunity to consider
participating in tomorrow’s therapies today. Q: As we gear up for both Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in September, what is UAB doing to raise awareness and improve care for these cancer patients? Dr. Leath: The UAB Division of Gynecologic Oncology’s Comprehensive Ovarian Cancer Program, within the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, is a program unique to the southeastern United States and one that offers more than just treatment. This program is focused on centralizing our approach to patients with ovarian cancer and all of their potential needs. This includes not only therapy,
but also other supportive interventions such as nutrition, genetics, precision medicine, and even clinical trials, when appropriate. Dr. Nix: UAB continues to focus on communicating with our patients about the importance of getting regular screenings for prostate cancer. Research shows significant concerns about delays in screening for many cancers due to COVID-19 and its limitations on health resources for our patients. We offer services for our prostate cancer patients that are not available at many other medical centers. Our Urology Oncology Clinic, for example, is focused on a patientcentric model of treatment that includes multiple medical specialties. This focus allows
us to personalize care for each of our patients, from active monitoring for low-risk prostate cancer to clinical trials for advanced disease. To improve diagnosis and staging for prostate cancer patients, the UAB Program for Personalized Prostate Cancer Care offers the MRI/ Ultrasound Fusion-Guided Prostate targeted biopsy technique. We have the most experience of any center in the Southeast with this technology, which marks one of the most significant advances in prostate cancer diagnosis in 30 years. We also offer the most advanced treatments for prostate cancer, including robotic surgery, proton therapy, high-intensity focused ultrasound therapy and much more.
Q: What is the easiest way for patients to get an appointment at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center? Dr. Leath: Your doctor can refer you by calling 800822-6478, or you can visit uabmedicine.org/appointmentcancer for information about scheduling an appointment. Our trained nurse navigators will guide you through every step of your treatment plan. Nurse navigators at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center interact with patients multiple times, and most patients have their first interaction even before their initial consultation. If you’re a cancer patient at UAB, you can rest assured that your nurse navigator is always in your corner.