Survivors at High Risk for Metastatic Bone Cancer: Cancer Treatment Centers of America Educates about the Risk, Prevention and Prognosis for Metastatic Bone Cancer and the Need for Whole Person Treatment Approach
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Chicago – May 7, 2007. Since Elizabeth Edwards shared her own diagnosis, the plight of those battling metastatic bone cancer has been brought to the nation’s attention. Approximately 100,000 Americans will learn they have metastatic bone cancer this year, according to the Society of Interventional Radiology. Unfortunately, many cancer patients do not realize they are at a high risk for metastatic bone cancer and remain at risk for this disease when they reach remission. Cancer Treatment Centers of America, a national network of cancer hospitals solely focused on treating complex and advanced stage cancer, and one of the few centers specializing in orthopedic oncology, is raising awareness about the risk, prevention and prognosis of metastatic bone cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, 45% of patients with breast cancer, 30-40% of patients with lung, thyroid and kidney cancer, and 50% of patients with prostate cancer will develop metastatic bone cancer over the course of their lifetime. “It is extremely important for those who have battled some of the most common cancers, including breast, lung, kidney, colon and thyroid, to undergo frequent bone scans so that if the cancer has spread, treatment can begin as soon as possible,” advises Dr. Richard G. Schmidt, MD, medical director of orthopedic oncology at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Philadelphia.
“Unfortunately, it is often reported that metastatic bone cancer carries a grim prognosis, but I’m happy to report that significant advances in the treatment of complex cancers like metastatic bone cancer, make it possible to treat the disease more like a chronic condition than a terminal illness. In many cases, if the cancer returns in the form of metastatic bone cancer, we can aggressively attack it with advanced surgical techniques fully integrated with the best in complementary medicine,” says Schmidt.
The whole-person approach to cancer care has been shown to improve quality of life for patients who are battling cancer generally. Experts at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), the nation’s leader in the practice of whole-person, fully integrative cancer treatment, are concerned that most hospitals are so focused on treating the tumor that they often forget that cancer also affects patients physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
“To give me a fighting chance at beating this disease, I knew I needed the best technology and treatment protocols but also therapies that would help keep my body strong like nutrition, naturopathic medicine, physical therapy, mind-body medicine and spiritual support,” said Brenda Lindsay, breast cancer survivor who discovered she had metastatic bone cancer. “At CTCA, Dr. Schmidt and an interdisciplinary team of experts worked together to devise an individual treatment plan and encouraged me to be apart of my treatment decision process. I had always heard that metastatic bone cancer was a death sentence, but CTCA helped me understand that there are hopeful treatment options available and that I could have full control of my cancer treatment decisions.”
Today, metastatic bone cancer patients are living longer more functional lives than ever before. “I can’t stress how important it is for cancer survivors to frequently undergo bone scans and to discuss treatment options with their orthopedic oncologist, said Dr. Schmidt. “Metastatic bone cancer is no longer considered a death sentence—treatment options truly do exist.”
About Cancer Treatment Centers of America
Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Inc. (CTCA) is a national network of hospitals focusing on complex and advanced stage cancer. CTCA offers a comprehensive, fully integrated approach to cancer treatment and serves patients from all 50 states at facilities located in Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Tulsa. Known for delivering the Mother Standard® of care and Patient Empowerment Medicine®, CTCA provides patients with information about cancer and their treatment options so they can control their treatment decisions. For more information about CTCA, go to www.cancercenter.com.
