[[{"@type":["BlogPosting"],"@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/cancer-doesnt-wait\/#BlogPosting","@context":{"@vocab":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","kg":"http:\/\/g.co\/kg"},"url":["https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/cancer-doesnt-wait\/","https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/cancer-doesnt-wait\/"],"publisher":[{"@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/"}],"author":[{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/cancer-doesnt-wait\/#BlogPosting_author_Organization","name":"Regional Cancer Care Associates"}],"inLanguage":"en-US","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/cancer-doesnt-wait\/#BlogPosting_image_ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/doctor-woman-mask-2.jpg"}],"headline":"Cancer Doesn\u2019t Wait \u2013 And You Don\u2019t Need to Either: How RCCA  Is Treating Cancer While Guarding Patient Safety During the COVID-19 Crisis","dateModified":"2021-11-11T11:59:30+00:00","datePublished":"2020-07-07T10:58:56+00:00","articleBody":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJuly 7, 2020\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\nLearning that you or a loved one has cancer can be overwhelming at any time, but needing cancer care while America contends with the COVID-19 crisis adds a whole new set of concerns to an already challenging situation..\n\u201cPatients understandably are worried about whether their cancer or its treatment may weaken their immune system, making them more susceptible to contracting coronavirus. Many also are hesitant to come to a healthcare facility for consultation or treatment, due to concerns about potentially being near people who are carrying the virus,\u201d notesIuliana Shapira, MD, the Chief Medical Officer of Regional Cancer Care Associates, LLC, or RCCA, one of the nation\u2019s largest networks of oncologists.\nThe board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist adds that RCCA not only understands those concerns, but has taken several steps to address them at its 28 care centers throughout New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Pennsylvania and the Washington, DC area. In a recent interview, Drs. Shapira and Denis Fitzgerald, Board Chairperson of RCCA, outlined RCCA\u2019s approach to providing comprehensive care in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak \u2013 including offering virtual \u201ctelehealth\u201d visits whenever appropriate \u2013 and offered some reassuring perspective to patients with cancer.\nDr. Fitzgerald, a board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist who practices at RCCA\u2019s Little Silver, NJ offices, said, \u201cI think it\u2019s helpful for people with cancer to keep three facts in mind during these unsettling times.\u201d He continued:\n\u201cFirst, it is true that cancer and many of the therapies used to treat it can impair or suppress the immune system.The extent depends on the type and stage of cancer, the particular therapy employed and the duration of treatment, and the patient\u2019s overall health, including the presence of any other medical conditions.\u201d\u201cSecond, oncologists and hematologists have extensive experience dealing with how cancer and its treatment affect immune response. Long before the coronavirus, we were adept at assessing risk based on everything from a patient\u2019s diabetes to the presence of seasonal influenza in the community. Based on those assessments, we implement individualized treatment plans in which the choice of therapies, the timing of when each therapy is given in the sequence of treatments, and the use of immune-boosting agents and approaches,when indicated, all are geared toward controlling the patient\u2019s cancer while protecting immune function.\u201d\u201cThird, cancer does not wait. By definition, cancer is a disease of disordered, dangerous cell growth, and time is of the essence in stopping its progression. Fortunately, we have the ability to responding a manner that takes all aspects of a patient\u2019s health into consideration so that we don\u2019t delay or interrupt needed treatment.\u201d\nDr. Shapira added that RCCA has extensive operational expertise in protecting patient health. \u201cAll we do is cancer and hematologic care. The only patients we see are those with cancer or hematologic conditions, and our offices and processes are designed with those people\u2019s specific needs in mind.Much of what we do to enhance the patient experience is readily apparent, such as the convenience of being able to park just outside the front door of a community clinic, be greeted by a receptionist who knows you, and quickly be taken to an exam room. But a significant portion of our patient-focused approach goes on \u2018behind the scenes,\u2019 such as the rigorous processes we employ for regularly sanitizing every room, space and piece of medical equipment in our offices,\u201d she said.\nDr. Fitzgerald noted that RCCA has taken several steps in response to the coronavirus, including:\nOffering telehealth visits whenever possible, employing easily used technology to enable patients to talk with their physician or nurse virtually. Patients should call their local RCCA office for more information about scheduling a telehealth visit.Adjusting patient in-office visits and staffing schedules to minimize the number of people in the office at any one time and to allow for adequate social distancing.Ensuring that staff are equipped with personnel protective equipment, or PPE, when providing clinical services.Intensifying RCCA\u2019s already thorough cleaning and sanitization processes.Screening patients by telephone prior to their visit to ensure that they do not have signs or symptoms of the coronavirus. Upon arrival at the office, patients are again screened at the front door prior to entering the center.\n\u201cWe will continue to adjust as needed during the coronavirus outbreak to protect our patients, their families, and our staff,\u201d the physician said. He added, \u201cWhile it\u2019s important to change approaches in step with evolving circumstances, one thing that won\u2019t change is our commitment to providing patients with the care they need when they need it. RCCA\u2019s doctors, nurses, and other team members are here for people with cancer, whether you\u2019ve just been diagnosed, are in the midst of treatment, or have completed active treatment and have a question or need follow-up care. If you have specific concerns, call your RCCA office and we will address them. Oncologists devote their careers to seeing people with cancer through the worst of times, and \u2013 together \u2013 we\u2019ll get through this trying time, as well.\u201d\nWith more than 80-plus cancer specialists practicing at more than 20 care centers located throughout Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey and the Washington, DC area, RCCA provides care to roughly 22,000 new cancer patients and 225,000 established patients each year. RCCA offers those patients immunotherapy, targeted treatment, cell-based therapy and other cutting-edge treatments and diagnostic modalities, as well as access to clinical trials.\nwe are here for you\nFor more information or to schedule an appointment, call 844-346-7222. You can also schedule an appointment by calling the RCCA location nearest you.\nRELATED ARTICLES\nRegional Cancer Care Associates is one of fewer than 200 medical practices in the country selected to participate in the Oncology Care Model (OCM); a recent Medicare initiative aimed at improving care coordination and access to and quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries undergoing chemotherapy treatment.\n\u00a9 2022 Regional Cancer Care Associates. 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Fight cancer with leading-edge treatments, experienced skill and local caring\/convenience from one of the nation's largest networks of cancer specialists.","email":"info@regionalcancercare.org","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/","url":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/","sameAs":["https:\/\/twitter.com\/rgnlcancercare","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/regionalcancercareassoc","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/10059183","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCFlVzU4UvZcyXBCe9ZSvAUQ"],"telephone":"+1 (844) 346-7222","name":"Regional Cancer Care Associates","@id":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/"}],{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Cancer Doesn\u2019t Wait \u2013 And You Don\u2019t Need to Either: How RCCA  Is Treating Cancer While Guarding Patient Safety During the COVID-19 Crisis","item":"https:\/\/www.regionalcancercare.org\/news\/cancer-doesnt-wait\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]