By Dr. Todd Pezzi So many thoughts and questions run through your mind after doctors confirm a cancer diagnosis. Was it discovered early enough? What is the survival rate? Will health insurance cover treatment costs? What happens if the cancer spreads? Where will I get my treatment? This is an incredibly difficult period in a cancer patient’s life, so it’s important to focus on concerns that are within your control and stay positive. Technology has rapidly advanced in recent years, and when coupled with an early diagnosis and world-class physicians, the prognosis for a healthy future is much c ..read more

Currently, if you are a loved one wanted to benefit from one of the most advanced radiation treatments to fight cancer, you would have to drive hours. Only three centers in the state offer proton beam therapy, and not one of them is on the West Coast. However, that’s changing. At first glance, the site on the corner of Corkscrew and Three Oaks Parkway looks like all the other construction projects dotting the area, but this one is literally ground-breaking. “When we looked at the landscape in Southwest Florida, there was a major missing piece,” said radiation oncologist Arie Dosoretz. His prac ..read more

Advocate Radiation Oncology, Encompass Health and The Payton Wright Foundation are inviting Sarasota-area women for a night of pre-Valentine’s pampering while supporting a good cause. Attendees at Galentine’s Night, set for Feb. 13 in Sarasota, will enjoy champagne spritzers, appetizers, massages, mini makeovers, complimentary body stretches, shopping and more. Galentine’s Night will run from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13 at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota, 6400 Edgelake Drive in Sarasota. Tickets are $15 each and may be purchased at the door or online at PaytonWright.or ..read more

When a patient receives a serious medical diagnosis like cancer, it can trigger a flood of questions. How does the disease progress? What may stop its spread? How should one cope with the emotions that accompany diagnosis and treatment? Most importantly, patients need to know what important healthcare decisions lie ahead. For most, there are a variety of cancer resources available where answers may be found. These include in-person support groups, online educational videos and conversations with one’s own care team. Unfortunately, few are designed to help those with a hearing impairment or lan ..read more

Cervical cancer starts in the cervix, which connects the vagina to the uterus. In the United States, for every 100,000 women, there are 8 new cervical cancer cases each year. The good news is that when cervical cancer is found early, it is very treatable, and most women have a high survival rate. Two tests can help prevent or detect cervical cancer early: The Pap test, also known as a Pap smear, and a human papillomavirus (HPV) test. When to Get Screened for Cervical Cancer It is recommended that women begin screening for cervical cancer as early as age 21. Both screening tests can be done in ..read more

As oncologists, we are constantly seeking better ways to treat patients. Our goals are to find and incorporate more effective approaches especially for patients and diseases that currently have limited options. We must continuously follow emerging research so that we can be as up to date as possible. In this article we will review some of the most recent developments in the field. Trials Find SBRT Treatment Effective for Metastatic Cancer Metastatic cancer refers to cancer that has spread throughout one’s body. According to the National Cancer Institute, metastatic cancer accounts for up to 90 ..read more

Author: Dr. David Rice Lung Cancer Awareness: Prevention & Treatment Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among men and women in the United States and worldwide. With approximately 9 out of 10 lung cancer diagnoses linked to cigarette smoking, the best way to prevent the disease is to never smoke or quit. Even if you have smoked for years, quitting at any time can reduce your cancer and cardiovascular risk. Every lung cancer experience is different, with patients not only displaying different symptoms, but some do not have symptoms until the cancer is advanced. This makes findi ..read more

Each year, over 250,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with breast cancer. As the second most common cancer for women, breast cancer prevention begins with raising awareness and encouraging women to get screened. For women at average risk, early detection screening should begin at age 45. However, suppose you have certain risk factors such as a personal or family history of breast or ovarian cancer or changes in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. In that case, your general physician may recommend you be screened earlier. A mammogram is still the best way to detect for breast cancer in most w ..read more

Board-certified radiation oncologist Dr. Mary Koshy has joined Advocate Radiation Oncology, a locally owned practice with eight locations in South Florida. Koshy, who is certified in radiation oncology through the American Board of Radiology, has been a practicing physician for more than two decades, including the last 15 years in Florida. She is treating patients in Advocate’s Bradenton cancer treatment center. Koshy treats patients with breast, prostate, lung, head, neck and other types of cancers using a variety of cutting-edge technology, including Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IM ..read more

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