We walk beside you with love, support and respect.

Edwards Cancer Center has collected and created resources for you and your family to support your diagnosis, treatment and recovery. We believe that patients who take advantage of supportive care and services learn coping skills, find improved mood levels and sleep and may tolerate treatments with better ease. We invite you to explore the services, knowledge and resources here, realizing that you are not alone on this journey.

Resources

My Cancer Journey

Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming and trigger an abundance of emotions – shock, fear, anger, stress and even depression. Your care team at Edwards Cancer Center wants to walk by your side to help you understand the implications, begin to plan for treatment and changes you may experience, navigate your care plan and facilitate your recovery. Here, we don’t just treat your cancer, we care for you. 

  • Our Team of Nurses: Our nursing staff is not only highly trained in your clinical care but also has an unwavering commitment to your care experience and your unique journey. Our passion is providing you with the support, guidance and compassion that every cancer patient deserves during this challenging and difficult time.
  • Navigating the Journey: Many patients find it helpful to stay connected with loved ones and well-wishers through a personal online resource. CaringBridge enables you to tap into a community of care and helps others come together in support of your healing. For more information, visit CaringBridge.

Patient Portal

Your patient portal is a secure online website that gives you access to your health records. Click here to log in to your portal.

Patient Bill Pay

Access this easy and secure way to pay your medical bills online. 

Financial Support

Medical bills, insurance claims, benefits and deductibles can be confusing and overwhelming. You may request to meet with a financial counselor at Edwards Cancer Center during one of your initial visits and at any time you have questions about your account or insurance coverage. Our financial counselor can also discuss patient assistance programs or payment options.

Cancer Resources

For more information or to learn about other types of commonly and uncommonly diagnosed cancers, we encourage you to visit the American Cancer Society.

  • Cancer Defined: Cancer is a group of diseases caused by abnormal cells in the body that rapidly divide and spread to other tissues and organs. To date, over 200 different types of cancer have been identified. Benign (non-cancerous) cell growths or tumors may not cause any harm or, depending on size and location, may cause some health issues if nearby organs and tissues are adversely affected. Malignant (cancerous) cell growths or tumors invade and cause damage to your body, with the potential to spread through organs, tissue, bloodstream and/or the lymphatic system. Early detection is key to effective treatment and healing.
  • Cancer Signs, Symptoms and Risk Factors: There is not one single cause for cancer, but there are general risk factors that may impact your personal risk. This list is not meant to be all-inclusive and is not specific to cancer type. 
    • Family history
    • Smoking
    • Environmental factors (exposure to environmental toxins)
    • Malnutrition
    • Hormone therapy (hormone replacement therapy for women)
    • Radiation exposure (UV rays from the sun or other sources; over-exposure to radiation therapy)
      • Watch for these signs or symptoms of cancer (below). While not an exhaustive list, a visit with your healthcare provider may be warranted if you experience changes in your body that last for more than two weeks. These symptoms don’t necessarily indicate cancer, but it is prudent to pay attention.
        • Blood in your urine or stool
        • Coughing up blood
        • Fatigue 
        • Fever (mostly at night)
        • Loss of appetite
        • New lumps or bumps
        • Night sweats
        • Persistent pain
        • Skin changes, including shape, color or size changes of a skin mole
        • Unexplained weight loss
  • Breast Cancer: A breast tumor can often be seen with mammography or felt as a dense knot in the breast tissue. Mammography screenings can detect some cancers before they can be felt and/or before symptoms appear. Many masses in the breast are benign, although some can increase the risk of breast cancer. Risk factors vary from age and lifestyle choices to medical and family history or certain medications. Types of breast cancer include:
    • Ductal (begins in the ducts)
    • Lobular (begins in milk-producing glands)
    • Phyllodes (rare and begin in connective tissue)
    • Angiosarcomas (rare and begin in cells lining blood vessels or lymph vessels)
    • Sarcomas (rare and arise from connective tissue such as fat, muscle or blood vessels)
    • Lymphomas (rare, affects the lymphatic system, can occur in breast tissue as primary or secondary)
  • Lung Cancer: Lung cancers generally start in the smaller branches of the bronchial tubes or in the alveoli (small air sacs). Most lung cancers (80-85%) are considered non-small cell (NSCLC), including:
    • Adenocarcinomas occur primarily in current or former smokers, but are also the most common lung cancer seen in non-smokers. This cancer can be found in the outer parts of the lung more easily, before it spreads.
    • Squamous cell carcinomas occur in the flat cells lining the lung’s airways and are often linked to a history of smoking.
    • Large cell carcinomas may develop in any part of the lung and can grow and spread quickly, making this type of cancer harder to treat.
        • Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) makes up 10 to 15% of lung cancers. It can grow and spread quickly, though it does respond well to chemotherapy and radiation. However, SCLC is also more likely to recur. About 5% of lung cancers are carcinoid tumors, adenoid cystic carcinomas, lymphomas, sarcomas or hamartomas — all of which are much more rare than non-small cell or small cell lung cancers. Risk factors for lung cancer range from everyday lifestyle choices, in particular tobacco use, to family history and environmental exposures (such as secondhand smoke, air pollution, radon or asbestos).
  • Prostate Cancer: Most prostate cancers are slow-growing, may never be detected and/or may never affect a man during his lifetime, while some may grow and spread quickly. Almost all prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas that develop from the gland cells (which create semen fluid) just behind the prostate.
    • Many risk factors for prostate cancer are out of one’s control, including age, race/ethnicity, geography and family history. Some lifestyle choices — such as diet, obesity, smoking, chemical exposures, STDs or others–– may potentially affect a man’s risk for prostate cancer, though the direct impact is much less clear.
    • General guidelines advise that men ages 55 and older have prostate antigen levels (PSA levels) checked every two to three years, depending on results. Digital rectal exams (DRE) are also used, whereby your physician can feel the prostate gland with a gloved, lubricated finger inserted in the rectum.
  • Colorectal Cancer: Colorectal cancer originates in the colon or rectum, comprising the large intestine in your digestive system. Most begin as growths (polyps) on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Though many polyps are non-cancerous, those larger than 1 cm are more likely to become cancerous, a risk that increases with multiple growths.
    • A polyp can take 10 to 15 years to develop into cancer. Regular colorectal screenings, via colonoscopy or other tests as recommended by your physician, facilitate the detection and removal of non-cancerous polyps and make cancerous growths more treatable. Guidelines suggest your first colonoscopy at age 45 and every 10 years, or as recommended by your physician. A family history or other risk factors may impact the recommended timing.
    • Risk factors for colorectal cancer include age, personal history of polyps or inflammatory bowel disease, family history, race/ethnicity and an inherited syndrome. Lifestyle choices can potentially affect your risk as well, including overweight/obesity, lack of physical activity, diet, smoking and/or alcohol intake.
  • Melanoma: Melanoma is less common than other skin cancers, but is considered more dangerous based on its likelihood to spread. It can develop anywhere on the skin, but more commonly on the neck and face, on the chest and back in men and on the legs in women. Self-surveillance of your skin is key to successful treatment — including moles, blemishes, freckles or other marks, as well as new spots or areas of redness, swelling, itching or pain. You may also consider an annual skin screening with a dermatologist. Early detection increases the effectiveness of treatment, potentially curing the disease.
    • Risk factors include family history, a weakened immune system, age, gender, presence of moles and fair skin, freckling and/or light hair. Lifestyle choices that potentially affect your risk include ultraviolet light exposure from the sun, tanning beds and/or sun lamps.
    • Use this memorable method (ABCDE) to check your skin:
      • A is for Asymmetry: One half of a mole or birthmark does not match the other.
      • B is for Border: Edges are blurred, ragged, notched or irregular.
      • C is for Color: There are variations in shades of coloration.
      • D is for Diameter: A mole or blemish is larger than 6 mm across.
      • E is for Evolving: Changes are occurring to the shape, size or color.
  • Bladder Cancer: Urothelial carcinoma is the most common type of bladder cancer, starting in the urothelial cells on the inside lining of the bladder. Other types of bladder cancer are far less common. Urothelial cells also exist in other areas of the urinary tract, including the kidney, ureters and urethra. Because tumors may develop in those locations, the entire urinary tract should be checked if bladder cancer has been diagnosed. If the cancer is invasive, cells may grow into other layers of the bladder wall, spread to lymph nodes or even to the bones, lungs or liver. Early detection and treatment are essential to optimal outcomes.
    • In addition to race/ethnicity, age, gender, chronic bladder infections or irritation, personal or family history, some lifestyle factors can potentially affect your risk for bladder cancer, including smoking, workplace exposures, certain medicines or herbal supplements, arsenic in drinking water, or insufficient fluid intake.
  • Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a diverse group of blood cancers arising from lymphocytes (white blood cells that help fight infection). It generally develops in the lymph nodes and lymphatic tissue found in organs such as the stomach, intestines or skin. Other sites may include the spleen, bone marrow and blood, thymus, adenoids and tonsils. Different subtypes can be slow-growing (indolent) or fast-growing (aggressive). While NHL occurs mostly in adults, children can also get it.
    • Risk factors include age, gender, race, ethnicity, geography, family history, certain chemicals and drugs, a weakened immune system and autoimmune diseases. While many symptoms may be caused by something else, if you experience possible signs and symptoms — such as enlarged lymph nodes causing a lump or bump under the skin or prolonged fever or chills, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, abdominal swelling and/or fatigue — consult your physician for evaluation.
  • Kidney Cancer: Our kidneys remove excess water, salt and waste products from blood coming in from the renal arteries and turn those substances into urine. Their function is essential, although most people can live with only one kidney. Some people can survive the loss of both kidneys with dialysis and/or transplant.
    • Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer, developing in the lining of the kidney’s tiny tubules. Other types include transitional cell carcinoma and Wilms’ tumor. Early-stage disease often has no symptoms. As it progresses, signs may include blood in the urine, pain in your side or back and unexplained weight loss.
    • Risk factors might include smoking, obesity and high blood pressure, as well as gender, race, family history, certain medicines and genetic and hereditary conditions.
  • Endometrial Cancer: Endometrial cancer begins in the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium, and is the most common type of uterine cancer. Most are classified as adenocarcinomas, which develop in gland cells. There are also different grades of endometrial cancer.
    • The primary symptom of endometrial cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding – especially bleeding that worsens over time, occurs between periods or after menopause. Timely medical care is recommended if you have these symptoms. Risk factors may include obesity and hormone factors (estrogen therapy, birth control medicines, no history of pregnancy), as well as age, diet, lack of exercise, breast or ovarian cancer and family history.
  • Thyroid Cancer: Thyroid cancer occurs when malignant cells form in the tissues of your thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck. Your thyroid produces hormones that help regulate your metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature. The thyroid’s follicular cells make hormones that regulate metabolism, and C cells help control how your body uses calcium. Different cancers can develop from each type of cell.
    • Many thyroid issues are non-cancerous (benign, including typical cases of general enlargement or small lumps or bumps, also called nodules. The most common thyroid cancer is papillary adenocarcinoma, which tends to grow slowly but can spread to lymph nodes in the neck. Other types include follicular, medullary and anaplastic thyroid cancer.
    • Risk factors include obesity and iodine in your diet, as well as gender, age, family history and exposure to environmental or medical radiation. If you notice swelling in your neck, you should see your physician. Routine checkups and imaging tests, blood tests or a thyroid ultrasound can identify changes in the thyroid, as recommended by your doctor.
  • Ovarian Cancer: Ovarian cancer forms in the ovaries, and the cells multiply quickly, potentially invading and destroying healthy tissue. Knowing the symptoms is crucial. There may not be noticeable symptoms when it first develops, and when they happen, they may be attributed to other, more common conditions. Treatment usually involves surgery and chemotherapy.
    • Risk factors can include age, family history, genetic factors and reproductive history. For instance, early menstruation or late menopause, infertility or no history of pregnancy can elevate a woman’s risk for ovarian cancer. Signs and symptoms include abdominal bloating or swelling, fast-to-feeling-full when eating, unexplained weight loss, pelvic discomfort, fatigue, back pain, frequent need to urinate and/or changes in bowel habits.

Contact Us

Call Us: 229-890-3414
Please note that we are unable to provide medical assistance by email. Please contact your physician or, in case of emergency, dial 911 or visit the Colquitt Regional Emergency Department.

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