Tremendous strides and vast improvements in technology and therapies have helped increase the probability of surviving cancer, particularly breast cancer, with recovery and survival occurring much more commonly than was ever thought possible. However, that certainly does not mean that the war has been won, the battle continues on. Here we meet Dr. Cherylle Hayes, Radiation Oncologist, whose daily mission is to continue fighting, one day at a time, step by step until the answer is reached and cancer can be conquered.

Despite appearances to the contrary, Dr Hayes’ slight build and feminine demeanor hide a fierce, determined, passionate, crusader against cancer. Her dedication and compassion to this mission was further fueled by a very personal experience after her sister, Deborah, who lives with her family in California was diagnosed with stage four Breast Cancer, just three and half years ago. Thankfully, after undergoing extensive therapy and treatment with Dr. Hayes at her side for much of the time, Deborah is currently without any evidence of the disease.

The reality of a day in a doctor’s life with today’s medical advances, while improving the quality of and life expectancy of patients with cancer, has created increased time requirements for the both the administering of these life saving treatments and the follow-up care necessary, leaving little personal time for many physicians. Faced with escalating malpractice insurance premiums, insurance company demands, Medicaid and Medicare no longer covering many patients needs, it can prove a challenge; the goal being to be able to reassure anxious patients that they will receive the best care possible. Dr. Hayes, having experienced this with her family, knows first hand, both the practical and emotional toil cancer can bring, and is committed to the first class care of all her patients.

With her practice located at the North Florida Regional Medical Center, where Dr. Hayes is the Medical Director, very long hours and days are still filled with hope for the many patients she sees and cares for, she is looking forward to the opening of the new 60,000 square foot Comprehensive Cancer Treatment Center which will begin construction in January 2008 on the grounds of the North Florida Regional Medical Center. The first phase of this three-phase project will begin with the 16,000 square foot Radiation and Oncology Center, which will be anchored by a central Grand Lobby featuring a unique Resource Center, a coffee shop, and retail sales. Subsequent wings are slated to house the 40,000 square foot Medical Arts Center, a 300- plus seat Auditorium for community lectures and seminars and a covered parking garage. The beauty of this project is that is will centralize all the services necessary for Cancer patients in one state of the art facility under one (big) roof. These services will encompass many of the treatment and therapies a cancer patient may have to undergo which can include chemotherapy, surgical oncology and physical therapy, at the very least it provides one of the most comprehensive facilities for cancer patients, in the area or anywhere in the region. With the opening anticipated for fall 2008, this exciting and much needed project will more than double the number of patients who can be both accommodated for consultation and treated when necessary, and there is room for expansion, should the need arise.

Of the many treatment/therapy options available at North Florida Radiation Oncology, one of the major advances in treatment of breast cancer is the introduction of partial breast irradiation via 3D Conformal Irradiation or Mammosite RTS, a radiation balloon delivery system, which dramatically reduces the time of treatments to five days as opposed to the previous six weeks. However, Dr. Hayes states “that this is an option for patients who meet specified criteria” the goal is to make sure patients are informed about all of their treatment options.

For the treatment of other cancers, in particular tumors, the “Cyber Knife” is a state of the art stereotactic radio-surgery “robot” that delivers pin point external radiation while avoiding potential damage to surrounding organs and tissue as experienced in traditional delivery methods. This $5 million dollar, futuristic looking, piece of equipment built by Accuray is one of only 110 in use worldwide, and one of 52 in the United States. These life saving valuable treatments can be administered without hospitalization, within 30 -90 minutes, with the patient being able to resume normal activities on the same day.

Dr. Hayes’ motto is “Live Strong”. A necklace she proudly wears, which was given to her by one of her patients, supports this philosophy. Besides being strong against this disease, it also means making healthy lifestyle choices, such as a eating a well-balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, quitting smoking, together with regular screening/testing and preventive care. All these factors, as well as having a strong emotional support system of friends, family and maintaining a healthy spiritual balance can reduce stress which in turn, can also reduce ones risk for many types of cancer.

Today the survival rates of various cancers have improved dramatically due to advances in therapy options. Breast cancer patients especially have benefited greatly from these improvements over the past few years. Other factors such as early detection, increased awareness, early diagnosis, and aggressive targeted therapies, together with healthier lifestyle choices contribute to as many as 10 million people having survived cancer, being alive today, and that is something to be grateful for and what makes it all worthwhile!

To contact Dr. Hayes team, please feel free to call 352-333-1550 at North Florida Radiation Oncology.