Connie Conger says a cancer patient’s fight is a ‘journey to be shared and to rejoice when it’s cured,? which is the philosophy of the Great Lakes Cancer Institute.
‘The philosophy of delivery is that the cancer patients when they get diagnosed really start on a journey,? said Conger, director of Cancer Services for GLCI. ‘The program development is really to help them at the beginning of their journey whether it’s providing them an orientation as to what cancer means to them and their family and lives to assisting them accessing the care that they need, as well as dealing with all the emotional, spiritual challenges that come with that diagnoses.?
The 42,000-square-foot cancer center in the new McLaren Health Care Village off Sashabaw Road is their newest campus, set to open in June.
GLCI offers medical, radiation, and surgical oncology to patients, noted Conger.
‘In radiation oncology we have advanced equipment, not only will we do the traditional 3D external beam radiation therapy, but the advanced technology allows us to do image guidance, where the images allow us to make sure the patient is positioned accurately during the treatments, so if the tumor shrinks there is adjustments in the planning,? she said. ‘Then we’ll also be able to do stereotactic surgery which is an advanced radiotherapy for specific tumors that are close to vital organs and not approachable by surgery, like the brain, spine, and sometimes the lung.?
Conger said GLCI also offers brachytherapy, which allows the radiation to be delivered through a catheterized insertion right into the tumor or into a cavity as opposed to the external beam through the body. Once a week, mobile Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography tests will be available.
‘What I think is exceptional for this cancer center, is that all of those modalities are here at the highest technology and at the hands of some of the best experts coming to the community,? she said.
The medical oncology including chemotherapy, immunotherapy and infusion therapy will be delivered on an outpatient basis.
Conger said GLCI experts use a ‘multidisciplinary approach? ? medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, surgeons, and pathologist meet in the same room to study and research new cancer cases together, which includes looking at x-rays, tissues, and cancer cells.
‘It really brings a lot of expertise to one room,? she said. ‘It also affords the patients the best options for their care.?
Not only is GLCI concerned with giving patients top notch care, but they are concerned with their patients education as well.
‘We have a broad spectrum to the continuing of care, starting with prevention education, screening events, early detection, and community education to help promote healthy life styles as well as support good decision making,? Conger said. ‘We have a library or patient resource center that with our affiliation with the American Cancer Society, we’ll be able to guide patients in obtaining evidence base and good quality information on their disease and helpful information.?
For more information visit www.glci.com.