Does anyone have any experience with Cancer Centers of America? Their commercials are intriguing, but I went to their website and the treatments did not seem to be any different than what's already out there. However, they did seem to offer more complementary/integrative medicine. Are there any "cutting edge" facilities anyone can recommend? Would CCofA fit the bill? I am only about 50 miles from Sloan Kettering, that is probably my next option, but I know several people who have gone there and it doesn't seem they are receiving anything that is not already standard treatment. Does anyone have any suggestions, experiences, or thoughts to share on CCofA or other treatment centers in the Northeast?
This LCA site is really a godsend for me. The sharing of information, inspiration and hope available on this site is truly awesome. Thanks, everyone!
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Cancer Centers of America
- By Wennot
- Posted December 30, 2008 at 7:19 pm · 32 replies
- In Treatment options
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Cancer Taxol Surgery Pain Liver cancer Carboplatin Lung cancer
32 replies
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- By Ramona
- Posted December 30, 2008 at 7:39 pm
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These are the two things I like best. The audio is by CCA
"Natural Stratagies For Cancer Patients" by Russell L. Blaylock, M.D., and retired neurosugeon
The book is about $16 at some health food stores and assorted web sites.
My take is the same as yours as to CCA combines but I am not hearing anything about state of the art. If I lived near Sloan I would run, not walk, there.
I do a lot of nutrition and supplement as well as acupunture on my own. Any reason you cannot take advantage of the best of both?
Nutritionist from Cancer Centers of America 60 minute audio specific to lc. http://www.gildasclubtx.org/resources/mp3/BeckyWright_Lung.mp3
LDA
- By Ramona
- Posted December 30, 2008 at 7:50 pm
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I too had recent scans, yesterday. Tiny spot on liver. I was told by lunc specialist med onc. hitting it for biopsy invasive plus only 20% chance of scoring. He said could be a vein and too tiny to even speculate.
Rad onc said scans are kind of like slicing a loaf of bread and might not have sliced that way before so they didn't see it before. Rad onc at City of Hope will email me next week when he figures out how to actually open the disc I brought him from Cedars-Sanai Los Angeles if he can. Some people here are telling me they have had "spots" or cysts for years which are nothing.
I am also showing haze or fluff on ULL which is probably inflamation from 33 chemo supported radiation sessions that ended 9 weeks ago.
I am scheduled by med onc for more scans with contrast in 8 weeks to compare.
Please keep me posted on what you learn and decide to do.
- By Marg
- Posted December 30, 2008 at 8:17 pm
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I agree the comercials for CCA are intriguing. I asked about going there the day Mike was diagnosed. Our medical onc said he would refer me to anywhere but there. Said they would ask for $30,000 when we walked through the door, and would say they could have helped if we just hadn't waited so long to go there. That is one doc's opinion.
I know a lot of poeple here are pro big cancer centers, but there is something to be said for staying at home.
- By Chum
- Posted December 30, 2008 at 8:44 pm
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No contest - go to Sloan-Kettering - first class support and not in it for the money. I LOVE Sloan-kettering. Still alive after four years. Want to know names, contact me and I can give you the surgeon I used and the oncologist I would have used.
Courage
Chum
- By spunky10001
- Posted December 30, 2008 at 11:09 pm
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I spoke with reps at the CCA and it sounded wonderful. They told me they would pay for my airfare, pick me up in a limo, etc. They supposedly had state of the art technology. As the closest CCA facility to me was in Tulsa, OK, I spoke with my onc. about going there for a second opinion. He begged me to go to M. D. Anderson in Houston instead. (Tulsa and Houston are both about 4 hrs. away from my home). My onc.'s response was that the CCA give people false hope. I ended up going to MDA and was told that they couldn't do anything for me that I wasn't already getting here in Tyler, TX. I don't know. Sometimes I still wish I had gone to CCA just for another opinion. When you're in the boat we're in, you'll try just about anything. You never know what is going to be the key to your recovery. I will also say that Sloan Kettering is one of the top as well as MDA. Why not take advantage of it now and look into CCA later??? Good Luck!!!
- By Family4Me
- Posted December 30, 2008 at 11:31 pm
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I am so glad you asked this question..I've been wondering the same thing.
- By cad1223
- Posted December 31, 2008 at 7:05 am
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I would go to Sloan or even Yale-New Haven (my dad went there for his second opinion)...My brother researched CTCA when my dad was sick and found it to be a "For Profit" organization and I have also heard from others that they will tell you what you want to hear as long as you can pay. We were a little leary of a cancer center with an "infomercial" and testimonials on their website.
Just my opinon. Go to Sloan or Yale, they are the best!
Cheryl
- By Rhonda4acure
- Posted December 31, 2008 at 7:42 am
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CT CA is a great place and they cater to the patient. If I were just getting started I would get opinions from both places.
- By michsheets
- Posted December 31, 2008 at 10:18 am
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I go to the facility in Seattle and love it. I like the fact of seeing an oncologist and a naturopath and have accupuncture available also. I do not believe they give false hope, but they do give hope. I went there for my second opinion which turned out to be the same as the major cancer center near me. My aunt has been going there for 3 years for stage 4 colon cancer and was told by the major cancer center she had 6 months max to live. I truly believe in them.
Just my personal opinion.
Michelle
- By srp
- Posted December 31, 2008 at 11:14 am
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Hi Chum, would like to know the names of your doctors.
Thanks
Susan
- By vh
- Posted December 31, 2008 at 11:52 am
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CTCA is great and I don't think anyone should give negative opinions unless they have personal experience. Saying they are for profit is a reason not to go there is ridiculous...I'm sure the Dr.'s and hospitals some are reccomending are making a pretty penny.
CTCA is treating my sister. They have given her hope. Some in this posting mentioned false hope being given by them...is there such a thing?? They make no promises. They treat her as a whole person. They have state of the art equipment. Everything is in one place so you don't have to travel for different treatments and appointments once you are there. The team of several doctors , nutritionist and naturopath meet weekly so they all know what's going on with her.
As for infomercial....most hospitals have video and testimonials on their websites, including Sloan Kettering. I wouldn't call these infomercials and I wouldn't say that's a reason not to go there for an opinion.
CTCA is a wonderful place for patients and caregivers. I encourage you to check it out.
- By Chum
- Posted December 31, 2008 at 12:25 pm
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Susan,
My surgeon is Bernard Park (but all of the surgeons at Sloan-Kettering are rated highly by everyone and every measure I could find - not a bad one in the bunch). I would have used Mark Kris for oncology if I had needed it. Indeed, I went to him first and he helped me a great deal by telling me to "quit wasting your time [not his]" and then arranging for me to see Dr. Park the same week. Great team!
Courage
Chum
- By Wennot
- Posted December 31, 2008 at 3:37 pm
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Thanks everyone for all the insight on this. Hard to know what's best, but it is good to have choices! Just need to pray we make the right one! Sounds to me like Sloan is the ticket - it's closer, Chum says Mark Kris is the guy to see ( I checked out Dr. Kris on Sloan's website, he sure does seem to be the top doc for lc) - I'll wait for the MRI to be done on my liver (hopefully next week) and proceed from there. You guys are da best!
- By liznj226
- Posted January 1, 2009 at 10:37 am
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I called CCA when my mom was diagnosed and the wonderful gentleman that answered the phone talked to me for an hour, not about CCA in particular but about my mom and me and his personal experiences. He was a 10 year survivor. He also let me know what center he could get her into but he also gave me other recommendations in my area and also recommended looking into homeopathic doctors for supplements. I can't say enough about this man for all of his advice. He also told me he would be her and my "big brother" and gave me his number to call even if we chose not to go to CCA.
I gave my mother the choice and we did not pursue them because of the cost, yes, they are for profit. This does not mean their doctors are any better or worse. The thing I've found is they take a different approach to treatment. They use the same conventional treatment as you'd find at any major cancer center but they add homeopathic and nutrition into the mix. It seems they treat the "whole" person and not just the cancer. This is something you can do on your own also. While receiving treatment at another facility you can still work with a nutritionist from the hospital and get a consultation from a homeopathic doctor.
Wishing you the best whichever route you take and sending prayers your way.
Liz
- By KatInNM
- Posted January 1, 2009 at 5:29 pm
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CTCA is a fantastic place. Yes, it is a private cancer center, self-supporting, so your insurance has to cover you to go there. But if it does, it doesn't cost any more, and I think it costs less, to go there as opposed to traveling to any other place. I went to CTCA for all my treatment and I credit them with saving my life. I had the same conventional treatment I would have had just about anywhere (radiation, carboplatin and taxol), but it was a totally different experience than I would have had "at home"--the level of care and compassion, the convenience of having all treatments, scans, etc. under one roof, the speed of scheduling tests and of getting results, the classes and individual appointments with nutritionists, naturopathic doctors, and psychologists (at no extra charge), the "support group" of visiting with other cancer patients at every meal, the low cost, mostly organic, delicious meals, the cheerful, optomistic, family-style atmosphere--it all adds up.
Plus they are willing to be a little more aggressive in treatment than some other places, e.g. they may do radiation when another placer won't.
And they do pay your travel (until you reach Medicare age--the govt won't allow it then), pick you up at the airport at no charge, and provide low-cost housing and meals.
I went to MD Anderson for another opinion after my treatment at CTCA ended, to see if they would recommend anything more and if they would recommend surgery for the remnants of my tumor--shrunk down from 7x8 cm to 2.5 cm (CTCA did not recommend surgery). MD Anderson said they would not do anything different or anything more and they would not recommend surgery either. (Three months later the tumor had shrunk away to a scar!) And that visit cost me a small fortune in airfare, rental car, and hotel. I was happy to pay it, but it is much more economical to travel to CTCA than MD Anderson.
To me, CTCA is a wonderful place. My local oncologist didn't recommend it, either, but he was wrong. I'm so glad I went there.
Kathy
- By andmegab
- Posted January 1, 2009 at 10:59 pm
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when i was first diagnosed, i called cancer centers of america. when i hung up the phone, i felt more desperate and depressed than when i first started. i got NO support, NO information, just basically a rude sales rep wanting to sell me a program. so very NOT what i needed at that point!
there are much better centers out there. seek them out. forget the fluffy pretty commercials, and look for the places that have a track record for success.
good luck to ya,
deb
- By Roger1
- Posted January 2, 2009 at 3:16 pm
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I agree with Chum.
I don't have experience at the other two possible choices we had at the time my wife was diagnosed (MDA and Dana-Farber), but I can say this... after being told in our locale that she had "inoperable lung cancer" Dr. Raja Flores at MSKCC in Manhattan said "well, maybe for them." Today, 2 years later she is cancer-free.
At MSKCC we detected a system-wide code of excellence that went all the way from the doorman up. It's not that they were just nice or polite, which they were, it was that everyone seemed so excellent and competent at the the tasks they were responsible for that it created an overlay of confidence and positivism that only helped us through the difficult steps toward a cure.
This, I think, is what CTCA also relies on too, but in my opinion, they don't possess either the technical momentum of the century-plus-old MSKCC, or their patient list. Being in the center of New York City, their patients have included some of most high and mighty (read demanding) of the afflicted. For proof, take a look at their donor list going back to the 1800s when they were known as "Memorial Hospital". That alone may be enough to convince you.
Remember, your first chance is probably your best chance.
Best,
Roger
- By bluestar
- Posted January 3, 2009 at 12:22 pm
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Hi
when my mother in law had lung cancer, Pat Mc Grady of CanHelp recommended a Doc at CCoA and said he was the only person in the USA who could be effective helping her. she didn't go & died.
Recently went to a group at SHARE where a woman spoke up and said her life was saved by going there.
I survive lung ca for 28 years (CURED)and I wouldn''t go near SK even tho I live in NYC. I did all alternatives.
SO I THINK IT COMES DOWN TO YOUR PERSONAL BELIEF SYSTEM.
are you a strong free thinking individual or do you prefer to hand over control to the 'experts'?
no judgement/blame either way
just what works for you is dependant on your personal style and what you believe in.
I called CCoA for info and since I wasn't the patient they didn't want to talk to me ...
- By Rhonda4acure
- Posted January 4, 2009 at 9:30 am
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Wennot, I think this is a decision you should make based on your own opinion. Go to each place for evaluation and decide from there. Everyone's experience will be different and you are dealing with your life so it's important you feel comfortable and that you healthcare staff is competent.
Rhonda
- By 452alma
- Posted January 4, 2009 at 7:46 pm
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Hello, I have been a patient at CTCA since I found out about my cancer. I must say they never have asked for money up front in any way shape or form. They have worked with us any way they can for our portion of the co-pay from our insurance.
For me they have been a godsend, I am in remisson thank goodness, and the fine Drs there, have put me here.
My Dr is fantastic, and caring, as is all the staff there.
I really don't know where I would be without them. I was so lost and afraid, but they have eased my fears, and given me the best of care. I cannot praise them enough for the wonderful care of their patients.
Good luck to you where ever you choose to go, and good bless. Jean {Alma}
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