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Medical Oncology is the care and treatment of cancers provided by a team that consists of Medical Oncologists and Oncology Nurses. This team plays an important role in the care of cancer patients by providing education to the patients and their families about various forms of cancer and the temporary side effects of cancer treatment.
Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment for cancer. The side effects can vary depending on the chemotherapy regimen received. Throughout treatment, cancer survivors are closely monitored by the healthcare team. We have an excellent nursing team that is a great resource for cancer care information.
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Hematology is the study of blood and blood-forming tissues and the study of the nature, function, and diseases of the blood and of blood-forming organs. Hematologists often deal with diseases such as anemia, leukemia, clotting disorders like Hodgkin's Disease, multiple myeloma, lymphoma, etc.
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Our on-site CT scanner provides you the flexibility & convenience when scheduling high resolution imaging studies for monitoring your therapy progress, plus the ability to offer a wide range of CT scan procedures including Bone Mineral Analysis for evaluation of osteoporosis.
Our on-site Chest X-ray unit will provide you convenience when your physician requires you to have images prior to or at the time of your visit.
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The financial counselor will meet with you at your first visit and verify your insurance policy, what it will pay for and what it will not cover. She will help you understand what your responsibility is. If you find you are in need of assistance with your bill, the Financial Counselor will be happy to review your financial options with you. You will be asked to fill out financial assistance forms and supply a copy of your last income tax return if needed.
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We have one nurse practitioner that works at Oncology Associates. She has a graduate degree in nursing and has become a specialist in working with Oncology/hematology patients. She works in collaboration with the physicians and nurses to provide the patient optimal care. Nurse practitioners offer services of prevention, education, diagnosis, and treatment while receiving your cancer care. Also, they provide follow up care after treatments have finished. You can expect she will provide the same compassion and quality of care that you experience with your physician.
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Many of our registered nurses have advanced oncology training and certification. They provide education about cancer and blood disorders. They also administer chemotherapy, help manage side effects and coordinate your care in direct collaboration with your physician.
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Clinical laboratory testing plays a crucial role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of many diseases including Cancer. Laboratory reports are provided to patients in connection with their chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments. Clinical Laboratory Technologists and technicians, also known as Medical Technologists and technicians, perform most of these tests. They examine and analyze blood and other body fluids utilizing state of the art equipment to provide a vast volume of information to enable your physicians to prescribe the appropriate treatments and/or preventive measures to ensure the best therapy for you.
Advances in Laboratory Testing are continually occurring to enhance the early detection of many types of cancer. Along with detecting cancer, these tests will monitor the response of the therapy given and determine effective treatment options for you.
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Oncology pharmacy services include comprehensive patient education, continuity of care, convenience, and access to a pharmacist specializing in cancer and treatment. These services include mixing of chemotherapy products for physicians offices, providing take home prescriptions, and filling research prescriptions. The pharmacist providing these services is specially trained to support cancer patients being cared for by Oncology Associates physicians. The pharmacists provide support to both physicians and nurses allowing them to perform more complicated therapies in the outpatient setting rather than in the hospital. This results in reduced health care costs as well as improved patient satisfaction through convenience. The pharmacy, through the development of cost effective results oriented drug usage protocols and evaluation of drug utilization helps lower costs and improve patient care. Oncology pharmacy services are ultimately for the patients benefit to ensure the patients will be much more satisfied with the overall cancer treatment experience.
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Our doctors have access to some of the latest treatments in cancer therapy with National Cancer Institute (NCI) approved clinical trials. Clinical trials build on the best current standard of care. An affiliate of the Mayo Clinic based North Central Cancer Treatment Group and the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group; the Cedar Rapids Oncology Project (CROP) is one of only 50 community based programs funded by NCI. Information is available from your doctor or our research staff.
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Many cancer patients and their family members need special guidance during this trying time in their lives. Help is available and may be provided by counselors or clinical psychologists specializing in working with patient or family situations that develop as a result of the diagnosis of cancer. We have a clinical psychologist who comes on site one day per week. Appointments may be made with her.
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