Bon Secours expands cancer care treatment options

Radiation Oncology Program Grows with Addition of New High-Tech Equipment

Bon Secours is adding some advanced new equipment to expand the radiation therapy options at its St. Francis Cancer Center, providing cancer patients with more non-surgical treatment options.

Today, staff gathered for a blessing of the new linear accelerator, a machine that uses X-rays to treat tumors throughout the body. This new device is designed specifically to perform Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) and Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), both minimally invasively and effective means to treat a wide range of lesions and cancers, including prostate, lung, brain, spine and more.

“This new machine gives us the ability to treat small lesions with pinpoint accuracy. It offers a faster delivery of radiation, cutting down on the time a patient has to stay still, and it’s a lot better at tracking the patient to make sure they don’t move which improves accuracy,” said Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Albert Attia.

Patients also face a shorter course of treatment with this new technology. Instead of taking several weeks, it takes just one to five treatments over the course of 1 to 2 weeks. The new addition will also increase access to patients who can now receive better treatment closer to home, instead of having to travel to other regions seeking out this level of care.

That’s why the Cancer Center’s current linear accelerator was also upgraded to provide the same accuracy, efficiency, and enhanced patient experience as the new device. Having both up and running will help answer some of the demand, as the current machine has been functioning above capacity since the program’s inception four years ago.

Additionally, Bon Secours debuted its new permanent Positron Emission Tomography / Computed Tomography (PET/CT) scanner. This will take the place of a mobile PET scanner that Bon Secours was leasing for a few days a week. By installing a permanent one, the health system will save money while also increasing capacity and reducing patient wait times. The new scanner will also be more easily accessible than its mobile predecessor.

Bon Secours St. Francis – Greenville

Bon Secours St. Francis is part of Bon Secours Mercy Health, one of the 20 largest health systems in the United States and the fifth-largest Catholic health system in the country. The ministry’s quality, compassionate care is provided by more than 60,000 associates serving communities in Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia, as well as throughout Ireland. Bon Secours St. Francis – Greenville provides compassionate medical care to thousands of area residents through Bon Secours St. Francis Downtown and Bon Secours St. Francis Eastside, as well as a network of primary and specialty care practices, and ambulatory care sites across the Greenville region. Consistent with its commitment to serve each patient with dignity, Bon Secours Mercy Health provides nearly $2 million per day in community benefit. The mission of Bon Secours St. Francis – Greenville is to extend the compassionate ministry of Jesus by improving the health and well-being of our communities and bring good help to those in need, especially people who are poor, dying and underserved. For more information, visit BonSecours.com.