Jersey Shore Magazine

j e r s e y s h o r e • S p r i n g 2 0 1 6 71 With similar enhanced features and services, Jersey Shore University Medical Center will create a new Cancer Care Center as part of its new Hope Tower, a $265-million build- ing development on the hospital's east campus that will provide a new healing outpatient experience for the community. "Patients could go to any of the Meridian Cancer Centers and see all the specialists for medical radia- tion and surgical oncology all in one place, all at one time under the same roof," said Krasna. Meridian Cancer Care's multi- disciplinary approach ensures that a patient's clinical team is made up of cancer experts from various special- ty areas working together to decide the best course of treatment. Teams include specialists from medicine (including oncology, pulmonology, dermatology, hematology and more), surgeons from a wide variety of fields, hospital-based professionals such as anesthesiologists, patholo- gists, and radiologists, and a number of other medical authorities includ- ing dieticians, phlebotomists, nurses, and social workers. Innovative treatment options available through Meridian Cancer Care are administered by experts with experience and training using cutting-edge procedures. Patient- centered care through surgery, radi- ation therapy, medical oncology, and clinical trials are some of the treatment options considered by each clinical team. A revolutionary alternative cancer treatment called CyberKnife ® has been offered at Riverview Medical Center since 2005. In fact, Meridian Cancer Care is one of a limited num- ber of United States facilities offering patients access to the CyberKnife system. CyberKnife is a painless, non-invasive robotic radiosurgery system used for treating benign and malignant tumors, and other medical conditions. The CyberKnife is able to locate and track specific tumors, including inoperable and hard to reach tumors, without an incision or use of a scalpel. Patients' radia- tion sessions can be reduced from as many as forty to five-or-less because of CyberKnife's precision. More than 1,600 cancer patients have benefited from the system, which can treat sev- eral different types of cancer includ- ing brain, liver, lung, pancreatic, prostate, and spine cancer. Meridian Cancer Care also offers a wide variety of support services for cancer patients and their families. A "Nurse Navigator," who works as an advocate and is a constant point of contact to coordinate all aspects of care, is assigned to each patient. Emphasis on cancer survivorship begins at diagnosis and contin- ues throughout each patient's life. Additionally, all patients and families are offered access to support groups, genetic counseling, palliative care, home health, hospice, rehabilitation, and integrative medicine. Meridian Cancer Care has the distinction of being the only "System Partner" of the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. This part- nership ensures that cancer patients in the Jersey Shore community have access to promising treatment options discovered through vision- ary clinical research. Additionally, patients might decide to participate in groundbreaking clinical trials when appropriate. One of the goals of Meridian Cancer Care is to educate the community with knowledge about cancer risks, prevention strategies, and approaches to early detection. The first thing you can do to prevent cancer from striking is to incorporate simple lifestyle choices into your daily routine, such as a healthy diet, phys- ical activity, avoiding sun exposure, and not using any tobacco products or known carcinogens. With a commitment to provid- ing compassionate care while using the latest therapies and technology, Meridian Health is, indeed, fostering healthier and happier lives for the Jersey Shore community. ◆ To learn more about Meridian's services, including pediatrics, neuroscience, cardio- vascular, and orthopedics, please visit meridianhealth.com. Meridian Cancer Care at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank is one of a limited number of United States facilities offering patients access to CyberKnife, the non-invasive robotic radiosurgery system. Courtesy of Meridian Health continued on page 72

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