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 fumesy
- Posted June 29, 2009 at 7:06 pm
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Hi all,
Once we received our dx, what did we all do? We searched and Googled & came up with the best cancer centers via USA NEWs. I just checked, and I still don"t see CCOA. I to was impressed three years ago of the tearful Peggy who was told nothing left, but CCofA gave her hope and no tag of expiration date. That was three years or more ago. What type and stage did she have? Have not seen her in recent adds. Think her name was Peggy. Have you guys seen her? Bill in S.Jersey
- By wine55
- Posted June 29, 2009 at 4:59 pm
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After being diagnosed with SCLC I called CCA , the conversation was going good but after I told them my insurance was a HMO, they told me my insurance wouldn't pay for treatment there and gave me the number to the Lung Cancer Alliance. I felt lost and angry. But now knowing that they are a for profit organization, I guess I understand why .
- By CancerFreeColleen
- Posted June 29, 2009 at 3:34 pm
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US News & World Report has a website that rates hospitals in various fields. I used that and selected Fox Chase Cancer Center (FCCC). I would be dead by now if I'd stayed at the hospital that diagnosed me. FCCC saved my life.
- By karenere
- Posted June 29, 2009 at 12:42 am
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I went (go) to Sloan. Even though it was a pain getting there to get my treatments, surgery, radiation, and very expensive because I was too sick to take public transportation, to me it's the best in the world. I love them there. I know NYU is also supposed to be another great place to go. CCofA, I truly can't speak for them because I was never there. I just think Sloan is top notch and I thank God I was able to go there.
I was supposed to be on a clinical trial. My oncologist is Dr. Azzoli. He has a great compassionate group of people. My thoracic surgeon there was Dr. Downey....wonderful man, and my radiology oncologist for SRS of my brain was
Dr. Kathryn Beal. They made me feel so special.
Karen
- By karenere
- Posted June 29, 2009 at 12:42 am
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I went (go) to Sloan. Even though it was a pain getting there to get my treatments, surgery, radiation, and very expensive because I was too sick to take public transportation, to me it's the best in the world. I love them there. I know NYU is also supposed to be another great place to go. CCofA, I truly can't speak for them because I was never there. I just think Sloan is top notch and I thank God I was able to go there.
I was supposed to be on a clinical trial. My oncologist is Dr. Azzoli. He has a great compassionate group of people. My thoracic surgeon there was Dr. Downey....wonderful man, and my radiology oncologist for SRS of my brain was
Dr. Kathryn Beal. They made me feel so special.
Karen
- By krisam
- Posted June 28, 2009 at 3:14 pm
- Report post
I used to live in the Chicagoland area and met one of the women that was actually on the t.v. comercial. IT IS REAL!! We were both pregnant at the same time, (my son just turned 7). She was a friend of my sisters'. The drs told her that she was going to have to abort the baby, after she and her hubby had tried for years to get pregnant!! That was when she went to CCofA
I watched as her hair disappeared and her tummy grew. Her son was born HEALTHY shortly before mine. That is HER story on the commercial and that's actually her home, too. She says at the end "My son." I can tell you he almost didn't survive, if not for CCofA
- By Nona
- Posted June 14, 2009 at 8:32 am
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For those near New York City I recommend New York Hospital - Cornell [where I was treated eight years ago] or across the road at Memorial Sloan. These two hospitals have the best doctors and most advanced medicine.
- By frenchy
- Posted June 13, 2009 at 8:31 pm
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I have thought of going to CCoA also and was looking for someone who actually has gone to them. Do most insurance companies cover such things? Cancer is expensive but I am more concerned about care and compassion. Does anyone have experience with CCoA in Phoenix??
- By Keelah
- Posted June 12, 2009 at 1:11 pm
- Report post
Dr. Mitchell Gaynor in NY. Well known for integrative therapy. I am a patient of his and live in Vermont. See Gaynoroncology.com. If that does not work just google his name.
Tell him I suggested you call him.
Dirk Neuhof
- By Alisa
- Posted June 12, 2009 at 8:02 am
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I wouldn't be so quick to critisize and call it snake oil without the facts.
Sloan Kettering is always advertising. I see their advertisements on TV and hear them on the radio.
I have no personal experience with Cancer Center of America, but after reading a lot, it seems like any other cancer center when compared - some people have good experiences and others don't.
They have chemo protocol like the other hospitals, they are not alternative like clinics in Mexico, etc., the main difference being they also offer integrative care and hope!
- By D1
- Posted June 11, 2009 at 3:42 pm
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Read between the lines....does MD Anderson advertise on TV? Does Sloan advertise on TV? Does NYU advertise on TV?
Sadly, these Cancer Centers of America spend MILLIONS advertising not to help people, but to get paying customers. They pick you up in a limo because they can.
Please avoid the snake oil salesman, these exploit the vulnerable centers, and get yourself to a cancer center more concerned with saving lives than making dollars.
- By Peginhighpointnc
- Posted June 11, 2009 at 2:44 pm
- Report post
I am about to go there so I will report what I think. I have seen thecommercials, have a friend of a friend that went there, and have talked to them over the phone. Yes they promote a pretty package of
hope. I have a rare liver cancer and faith and hope is what keeps me going. I can tell you this.....I went to Wake Forest Baptist Hospital, and saw 2 doctors within 10 minutes of each other. The first one said
with a thick foregin accent...surgery will be good for me and should take care of my cancer. The second doctor came in with his thick foregin accent and said I would be dead in a few months and spelled out months...M.O.N.T.H.S. I then went to Duke Hospital in Durham NC.
Very nice people....bad on follow through. One thing these bighospitals fail to realize is WE are the ones with cancer. To often we are just a patient....not a person. So I am going to CCA to check it out. It can't be any worse an experience than I have already had. I
read some comments where they said it was expensive. News flash people...Cancer is expensive and a top financial revenue generating
illness in the world. For me, my children, and grandchildren...I'm worth it. God is the ultimate healer. Put your faith and hope in him.
- 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}
- 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 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 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 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 KatInNM
- Posted January 1, 2009 at 5:29 pm
- Report post
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 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 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!
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