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(727) 343-0600 |
Cancer FAQs.What Is Cancer?Cancer develops when cells in a part of the body begin to grow out of control. Although there are many types of cancer, they all start because of out-of-control growth of abnormal cells. Normal body cells grow, divide and die in an orderly fashion. Instead of dying, cancer cells continue to grow and divide. They outlive normal cells and continue to form new abnormal cells. Why do cancer cells develop?DNA is present in every cell and directs all activities. Most of the time when DNA becomes damaged the body is able to repair it. Not so in cancer cells. People can inherit damaged DNA, which accounts for inherited cancers. More often, though, a person’s DNA becomes damaged by exposure to something in the environment, like smoking or prolonged exposure to the sun. What are the most common types of cancer?brain cancer A complete list of types of cancer can be found at AboutCancer.com. What are the chances of getting cancer?The life time risk of developing cancer is now 45% for men and 38% for women (see more statistics). What is WellSpring Oncology?WellSpring Oncology is a cancer treatment center located in Pinellas County, Florida featuring a comprehensive collection of equipment and personnel specializing in cancer treatment and care. Who are the physicians?Dr. Frank Franzese M.D., Dr. Robert Miller M.D., and Dr. Zucel Solc M.D. are the primary physicians and founders of WellSpring. They bring extensive experience and are considered leading oncologists in Tampa Bay. Where is WellSpring located?WellSpring Oncology, a cancer care center is located in Pinellas County and is convenient to most Tampa Bay Area residents. Our address is 6600 Sixty Sixth Street North, Pinellas Park, FL 33781. You can get more detailed directions by visiting our Contact page. What treatment is right for me?Your WellSpring Doctor will discuss the specifics about your cancer treatment and how the three common treatments, chemotherapy, radiation and surgery will be used. We understand the challenges facing cancer patients, and our physicians are here to help you get well. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation. What insurance plans do you accept?We accept many insurance and health management plans. Please contact our Billing and Insurance Specialist at (727) 343-0600 to find out if WellSpring Oncology and Cancer Center is in your plan. What side effects should I expect during treatment?There have been dramatic improvements in delivering radiation therapy that have greatly improved the accuracy and lowered the risk of complications, but many patients still experience some side effects. The side effects of radiation depend on the area treated, the total dose and individual sensitivity. Patients who are getting chemotherapy at the same time as radiation will typically have more side effects. Avoiding things that can aggravate side effects (such as continued smoking or excessive sun exposure) can help along with good nutrition. For a detailed discussion of side effects by treatment area and nursing instructions, go here. | |
