Oncology

Our program is growing, and we believe that is a result of three central components of how we deliver care:

• We invest in state-of-the-art technology.
• Our physicians are experienced and dedicated.
• Our staff are caring, committed and driven to give patients all the support they need.

The combination of these central components translates into help, hope and healing. We help our patients beat cancer by providing them with advanced, state-of-the-art care. We work with providers who are passionate about their patients and their work and use a comprehensive approach. We've also created a setting that is a source of support and are committed to supporting community organizations devoted to patients with cancer.

We are accredited by the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer (CoC), and we are accredited in radiation oncology by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Additionally, our breast program is accredited by the American College of Surgeons' National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, and we are the first facility in Bay County designated as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the ACR. We are also the only Bay County-area hospital to have earned the Jean Byers Award for Excellence in Cancer Registration.

As part of our dedication to the early detection of cancer, we offer breast and lung cancer screenings. You will find information about our cancer screening services below.

Breast cancer screening

Breast cancer screening is an essential aspect to a woman's overall healthcare. We offer accredited breast health services for the early detection of breast cancer.

Our breast imaging services include:

• Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Breast ultrasound
• Mammography
• Stereotactic breast biopsy

Lung cancer screening

To promote the early detection of lung cancer and to increase the chances for long-term survival, we introduced the area’s first lung cancer screening program for high-risk individuals.

The screening is performed via a low-dose computerized tomography (CT) scan. This imaging test allows doctors to screen for lung nodules and is available at our imaging center.

Lung cancer risk assessment

The following is a lung cancer risk assessment. Apply a "true" or "false" response to each statement below to help you better understand your lung health:

• You are 50 years old or older.
• You are a smoker, or you have a smoking history of at least 20 pack years, or you have you been exposed to second-hand smoke for more than 10 years. (Pack years are the number of packs smoked per day times the number of years smoking.)
• You have, to your knowledge, never been diagnosed with cancer.
• You have, to your knowledge, no prior history of cancer (other than non-melanoma skin cancer) within the past five years.

If you responded "true" to all of the above statements, we recommend you call our oncology nurse navigator at (850) 747-7730.

Delivering high quality cancer care truly requires a comprehensive team approach. We have a multidisciplinary oncology team that includes physicians from many specialties, including:

• Diagnostic imaging
• Gynecology
• Medical, radiation and surgical oncology
• Pathology
• Pulmonology
• Urology

Our team is dedicated to cancer prevention, early detection, timely diagnosis, optimal treatment, rehabilitation and support. Physicians are involved in clinical trials in affiliation with the Sarah Cannon Research Institute. Because of this, our patients have access to numerous clinical trials.

Our nurse navigators are patient educators, advocates, care coordinators, system navigators and community ambassadors on a mission to improve the care experience for each patient.

Our oncology nurse navigation services are a tremendous resource to our patients. After a cancer diagnosis, the oncology nurse navigator will quickly start the process of making appointments, helping relieve any stress and anxiety many patients experience.