Baptist Medical Center Beaches

A Personalized, Multi-disciplinary Approach to Cancer Care, Right in the Beaches Community.

At Baptist Beaches, we’re committed to providing the latest cancer treatments and state-of-the-art technology, combined with a level personalized care unlike any other hospital in the area. Our new Wilson Cancer Care Center utilizes a coordinated approach, providing access to community-based specialists in a range of fields, as well as support for cancer patients and their families. Here, experts from multiple disciplines work closely together to determine the best possible treatment plan for each individual.

Wilson Cancer Care Center incorporates some of the most innovative therapies and clinical trials available and comprehensive care from medical and radiation oncologists, oncology nurses, technologists, dieticians, social workers, inter-denominational chaplains, pharmacists, home health care nurses and physical therapists.

We know the odds of surviving cancer are greatest when the disease is detected early on, which is why we have the most sophisticated technology for early, effective diagnosis. These technologies include fully accredited mammography services, stereotactic core breast biopsy (an alternative to surgical biopsy), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), CT (computerized temography), ultrasound and fluoroscopy. Endoscopic and colorectal studies are used to diagnose cancers in the digestive tract.

In addition to resources available at Wilson Cancer Care Center at Baptist Beaches, patients have direct access to all specialists and resources available throughout Baptist Health, including the full resources and leading edge research of the nationally recognized Baptist Cancer Institute.

A Partnership Approach to Breast Cancer Treatment.

The journey from breast cancer diagnosis to treatment to follow-up and support can be overwhelming. Our clinic offers women the convenience of consulting with a group of highly skilled, knowledgeable cancer experts, all in one appointment and in one location, to develop the most effective plan of care. The Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Clinic team includes medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, a personal RN breast care coordinator, and support staff to give patients the best option for a positive outcome.

Learn the stories of two women for whom Baptist Beaches’ Multidisciplinary Breast Care Clinic made all the difference:

• Shirley Gaudio, Breast Cancer Survivor
• Susan Hitch, Breast Cancer Survivor

Radiation Oncology

Radiation therapy – given alone or in combinations with surgery or chemotherapy – impairs the ability of cancer cells to grow and divide. Radiation Oncologists at Baptist Beaches can offer patients several radiation treatments.

There are many advanced radiation therapy techniques at Baptist Beaches, including Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) to conform the radiation dose to the target and away from critical organs; Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) using a cone-beam CT scan to verify the position of the tumor prior to each day’s treatment; and High Dose Rate Brachytherapy, using a radioactive source temporarily placed into the body to treat tumors.

Medical Oncology

Medical oncologists coordinated by the Wilson Cancer Care Center at Baptist Beaches specialize in treating cancer with non-surgical therapy. Their specialty training involves the evaluation, diagnosis, staging, and therapy for adults with cancers of breast, lung, colon, blood and bone marrow.

• Chemotherapy - Oral and/or intravenous medicines are used to treat many cancers and are almost always given on an outpatient basis either at the patient’s home or in the oncologist’s office.
• Clinical Trials - Many of these studies of treatment protocols are available to oncology patients at Baptist Cancer Center Beaches in collaboration with universities and national study groups. Clinical trials are voluntary and often explore innovative, new methods not yet available to the general public.
• Imaging Technology - Oncology patients often benefit from the newest methods of imaging the body. Similar to radiation, oncology’s use of imaging technology, PET/CT, MRI, digital mammograms, nuclear medicine, and imaging- directed procedures are utilized in medical oncology for procedures such as biopsy and fluid drainage.

Surgery

If surgery is the best choice for treatment, Baptist Beaches physicians offer both general and specialty surgical services for a wide variety of procedures.