The Space Coast is home to multiple high-caliber cancer treatment facilities offering cutting-edge cancer eradicating technology, as well as support groups and foundations to help patients and loved ones through the fight of their lives. Here are a few of the area’s leading cancer care organizations.

 

Space Coast Cancer Center
With a dedicated team of hematologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, nurses and support staff, Space Coast Cancer Center (SCCC) offers state-of-the-art evidence-based medical care, providing patients the best opportunity to defeat cancer. The practice is nationally recognized as being the first and only oncology practice in the state of Florida to be nationally certified for quality by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

The Varian Linear Accelerator (Linac) Trilogy and TrueBeam machines are the most advanced radiation therapy machines in the country and are currently in use at SCCC’s Titusville and Viera locations. What makes the Trilogy and TrueBeam so effective is that they have the ability to deliver precise radiation using RapidArc technology. This allows a 10-minute treatment to be completed in two minutes, delivering higher doses to the tumor while sparing more healthy tissue.

The physicians and staff of SCCC offer more than just medical care. There are a multitude of patient and caregiver support services available through the Space Coast Cancer Foundation (SCCF) including support groups, seminars, Celebration of Life events and a Survivorship Summit on October 14 co-sponsored with Moffitt Cancer Center.

To help patients who need financial assistance, SCCC offers monetary support for patients needing medical transportation, pain medication, anti-nausea medication and help with living expenses. There is also a patient-assistance program for patients who are uninsured or under-insured. The foundation will work with pharmaceutical companies and cancer foundations, obtaining funds to treat patients.

Cancer Care Centers of Brevard
For more than 20 years, Cancer Care Centers of Brevard (CCCB) has dedicated itself to providing Brevard County patients innovative medical oncology and radiation oncology treatments and diagnostic imaging services that rival even the finest academic-based cancer centers in Florida.

CCCB is the first and only cancer treatment facility in Brevard County to provide patients access to the CyberKnife Radiosurgery and Radiotherapy system. CyberKnife® is used to treat tumors of the body and brain with sub-millimeter accuracy using state-of-the-art robotics and real-time tumor tracking. Consisting of a robotic arm system that continuously tracks, detects and corrects for tumor and patient movement throughout the treatment, CyberKnife® delivers hundreds of beams of focused radiation from up to 200 different angles. Its radiation oncology services also include Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), three-dimensional brachytherapy and radionuclide treatments for both curative intent and palliation.

Founded in 1993 by Dr. Silas Charles, Cancer Care Centers Foundation (CCCF) was established to assist those who have been touched by cancer. As a non-profit organization that strives to provide comprehensive patient and family support services, community outreach and education, CCCF is widely recognized for its outstanding efforts in assisting patients and their loved ones to more effectively cope with cancer. The foundation seeks to ease the burden of cancer through financial assistance programs that helps patients with basic living expenses, and transportation. CCCF also assists by coordinating with various insurance groups such as Medicare.

TEPAS Breast Cancer
TEPAS Breast Center, a comprehensive breast screening and diagnostic center, offers compassionate care coupled with top-quality medical expertise and cutting-edge technology. The center offers the most up-to-date techniques and technology including digital mammography, which produces detailed images of the breast through low dose X-rays; as well as positron emission mammography (PEM), a high-resolution breast imaging technology that shows not only location, but also the metabolic phase of masses within the breast. An alternative to the operating room, TEPAS also performs biopsies in-house with Mammotome®, a newer, gentler breast biopsy. It uses ultrasound to accurately pinpoint suspicious tissue and gently removes it for further examination.

Women with early stage breast cancer may choose SAVI™ brachytherapy/partial breast irradiation which conveniently provides radiation to the lumpectomy site. There are no chest wall or spacing restraints. SAVI™ treats only the tumor bed so the patient is exposed to less radiation. This minimizes radiation exposure to healthy tissue, which reduces damage to critical structures such as the skin, heart, lungs and ribs.

TEPAS is committed to increasing breast cancer awareness in the community by supporting non-profit organizations and facilitating health fairs, which encourage women to perform monthly self-examinations, undergo routine annual mammograms and see their physician annually for a breast examination. The center also offers an on-site clinical psychologist and monthly support groups.

One of Brevard County’s only American Cancer Society (ACS) resource centers, TEPAS donates office space to the ACS to offer wigs, turbans, scarves, prosthetics and bras, as well as helpful information to those battling cancer. Patients also have the option to purchase retail items including custom breast forms and lingerie.