News and Blog

Oct
12
Provision takes healthcare safety and security very seriously

‘Healthcare Safety & Security Week’ highlights Provision’s commitment to patients

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Each year during the second week of October, healthcare facilities around the country recognize “Healthcare Security & Safety Week.” This is a chance to send our appreciation to all the professionals out there who work hard to make sure the facilities we rely on for our healthcare needs are safe and secure. This includes everything from the physical safety of patients and staff to virtual security of medical records and personal health information.

Provision is 100% committed to the health and safety of our patients and staff, as well as the security of their private information. Not only have we implemented robust safety policies and training, but we’ve even designated several staff members to serve on our dedicated Safety Committee.

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Sep
24
Knowing the common prostate cancer risk factors can help men detect the disease earlier

Prostate cancer risk factors: What men should know to help with early detection

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One of the keys to detecting prostate cancer early is understanding the most common risk factors. Since September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, this article will focus on raising awareness of early detection. By knowing which groups of men are most at risk, you’ll be better equipped to make educated decisions about when to begin screening and what to ask your doctor.

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Sep
10
Members of Blue Origin's Radiation Effects Team pose while testing space travel equpiment at Provision CARES Proton Therapy Knoxville

How protons created an unlikely connection between cancer treatment and space travel

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What do you envision when you look at the sky and think of outer space?

We recently had the pleasure of chatting with Merek Chertkow of Blue Origin, an aerospace company whose mission is to benefit the Earth by one day sending millions of people to live and work in space. (Side note: Just days after we spoke to him, Blue Origin made headlines by successfully completing New Shepard’s first human flight!)

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Aug
12
Eddie Check offers men an annual PSA test for prostate cancer free of charge

Annual event offers free PSA test for prostate cancer to combat delay in cancer screenings

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The COVID pandemic has led to an increase in delayed cancer screenings. Many people postponed routine tests that could help with early detection, such as the PSA test for prostate cancer. That made this year’s Eddie Check more important than ever. After postponing the annual blood drive and free PSA screening event in 2020 due to COVID, organizers got to work to make sure the 2-day event would return in 2021. On Thursday, September 9 and Friday, September 10, hundreds of men across East Tennessee received a free PSA screening, which can indicate various prostate issues, such as infection, inflammation, or even cancer.

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Apr
20
Felicia rings the bell after completing proton therapy for breast cancer

Breast cancer patient says proton therapy allowed her to ‘go on with life’

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The way Felicia sees it, her cancer journey wasn’t a marathon. It wasn’t even just one race. Instead, it was a series of short courses, each with its own finish line.

And proton therapy was her final finish line. The one that meant the most.

“I took it in chunks. I looked at everything as a finish line,” she says. “Like going through chemo. Just get to that finish line. And proton therapy is my last finish line, so I’m excited!”

The road to that final finish line included mountains of research. She chose to be her own health advocate and made sure she knew each and every one of her treatment options. Ultimately, she took a path that led her to Provision CARES Proton Therapy.

“I still have a lot of life ahead of me. I’ve got things I want to do. Proton therapy makes me feel like my cancer is truly out of me and I’m done. Let’s go on with life. Let’s move forward!”

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Mar
29
Cancer patient holding covid vaccine information card

COVID vaccine and cancer: What patients need to know

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It seems like new information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic is coming out every day. Most recently, the development and availability of vaccines have stirred up many questions, as well as some confusion. The influx of COVID vaccine information (and misinformation) can be even more daunting for cancer patients and survivors.

To help cancer patients better understand the vaccines, Provision CARES Proton Therapy hosted a special chat session with our Proton Ambassadors. Dr. James Gray, Medical Director and board-certified Radiation Oncologist at our Nashville center, gave a great presentation on “COVID-19 Vaccine and Cancer: Facts vs. Fiction.”

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Mar
16

The importance of nutrition for cancer prevention, management, and survivorship

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March is National Nutrition Month – an opportune time to raise awareness about the important role of nutrition for cancer prevention, cancer management, and survivorship.

Nutrition is an often overlooked, but essential, piece of the puzzle when considering a cancer patient’s overall health. That’s why we’ve invited our Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Jennifer Wilson, to be this month’s guest blogger.

In this article, Jennifer outlines a few keys to nutritional success that can help lower your risk of cancer. She also discusses how cancer patients can help manage their nutrition during treatment, along with some tips to continue living a healthy life after treatment.

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Feb
26
Proton therapy can help reduce heart radiation exposure from cancer treatment

If you have one of these cancers, proton therapy can help keep your heart safe

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When it comes to treating cancer with radiation, many patients are concerned about the long-term effects the treatment will have on their heart. For cancers near this vital organ, traditional x-ray radiation can cause several cardiac health issues, including heart attacks, heart failure, and arrhythmias.1

Heart radiation from cancer treatment is especially worrisome for breast, lung, and esophageal cancer patients. If any part of the heart is exposed to radiation, the risk of heart disease is increased. Often, these cardiac side effects don’t appear until several years after the cancer treatment.

In this article, we’ll look at each of those cancers and identify the risk associated with radiation, as well as how proton therapy cancer treatment can help alleviate some of the concerns.

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Feb
15
James rings the Provision CARES victory bell after completing proton therapy treatment for prostate cancer

Proton therapy a ‘beautiful experience’ for popular Knoxville musician

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The first time James walked through the doors at Provision CARES Proton Therapy, he knew he’d made the right decision. He hadn’t even spoken with a physician yet or stepped foot into a treatment room. He hadn’t even gotten the proton therapy brochure that he’d come to pick up in the first place.

On Day 1, as he stood in the lobby waiting for that brochure – an aggressive prostate cancer diagnosis looming large on his mind – a man approached him. As is often the case in the Provision lobby, the two strangers got to talking. They talked about cancer. They talked about proton therapy for prostate cancer . They talked about the weekly lunch and learns at Provision. And the sandwiches. Oh, James remembers the sandwiches!

But above all, one thing stood out to James during that conversation. The man said five memorable words that proved to James he was exactly where he needed to be:

“This place saved my life.”

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