Cancer does not discriminate against age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 1.6 million new cancer cases are diagnosed in the U.S. annually, and more than a half-a-million deaths are associated with cancer.   

Radiation Oncologist John Devine, MD, was recruited in 1985 when South Georgia Medical Center (SGMC) opened its first cancer treatment facility, which was located at the east end of the hospital’s main campus in a building shared with Outpatient Services. At that time, radiation oncology was the primary form of cancer treatment, along with surgery. Several years later, the center added a third cancer treatment modality, hematology/medical oncology, and a larger facility was needed.

In 1995, the Pearlman Cancer Center (PCC) was constructed at a cost of $5.5 million. This state-of-the art facility joined SGMC's medical oncology and radiation oncology programs into one facility. In 2010 and 2011, a major renovation of the PCC along with a 6,000-square-foot addition changed virtually everything about the interior design of the facility.  The renovation and expansion included technology, laboratories, and patient service areas, as well as adding an outdoor garden and meditation area. 

In addition to Devine, who serves as the Medical Director of Oncology Services for Pearlman, the Center has grown to include medical oncologists  Eric Anderson, MD; Samuel Ofori, MD.  SGMC is actively recruiting for the third medical oncologist position. The PCC also recently increased its physician staffing model to include three nurse practitioners. 

The PCC has received numerous recognitions and awards for its design and functionality that offers patients and guests a tranquil environment, which includes private patient education and counseling rooms, an information center and a large conference room for support group meetings. An on-site satellite pharmacy, laboratory, and 27-bed outpatient infusion room provide convenient, accessible facilities for cancer patients.  

Regarded as the region’s choice for cancer care, the PCC utilizes progressive medical technology and nationally-recognized best practices that meet or exceed national benchmarks. Clinical trials are an important component in progressive cancer care. Similar to larger teaching hospitals, the PCC uses advanced clinical trials to help in finding new ways to detect, diagnose, and reduce the risk of disease. 

According to Devine, the PCC is currently involved in more than a dozen clinical trials (also called protocols) that help develop better treatments to improve survival and understand the growth of cancer and manage the side effects. These clinical trials, sponsored by the National Cancer Institute as well as pharmaceutical companies, include kidney and lung, adjuvant (suppressing secondary tumor formation), and metastatic (cancer spreading from primary site to other areas of the body) research. 

“When a patient comes to the Pearlman Cancer Center they are first evaluated to see if they meet the criteria for one of our protocols,” said Devine. “These protocols are very organized and have specific criteria, and we enroll the patient just like the hospital or organization that is administering the protocol.”

Devine explains that many patients do not have the ability to travel to a cancer research facility where the principal investigations are being conducted.  “Pearlman’s strong research program offers patients the ability to participate in the same clinical trials offered at these larger institutions, while remaining in comfort of their own community surrounded by their loved ones and support systems.”

While the PCC medical team is actively engaged in cancer research, they also emphasize the importance of developing a healthy lifestyle as a means of preventing some types of cancer. For example, making simple diet and lifestyle changes can reduce a person’s risk for cancer, as well as developing other chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.

Because education and early detection is key to saving lives, the PCC also offers a variety free cancer screenings including breast, skin, colon, and prostate.  These screenings provide access to vital healthcare services for uninsured or underserved individuals.

With more than 14 million cancer survivors alive today in the U.S., the journey after cancer treatment has become an important part of the overall recovery process. To help meet the needs of these cancer survivors, the PCC developed the Survivorship Plus: Pathway to Wellness program. 

Once a patient has completed their cancer treatment, they are scheduled to meet with a nurse practitioner to perform a needs assessment, review treatment summary, and discuss ways to stay healthy after the cancer treatment is completed. Also, the survivorship program provides valuable information on how to reduce the risk of recurrence of cancer through diet and exercise, and how to maintain a proper dialogue with their primary care physician. 

Treating cancer patients close to home, the PCC medical staff and affiliated oncologists are committed to providing timely, efficient, and effective cancer care to more than 700 new cancer patients and an average of 8,000 follow-up patients annually.

The PCC also provides individualized patient education, financial counseling, nutritional support, nurse navigation and support groups, integrative medicine, clinical social work services, cancer rehabilitation, and free cancer screenings, as well as smoking cessation classes. 

The PCC is accredited by the American College of Radiology, the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, and the Commission on Cancer; and has received the Women’s Choice Award as one of America’s Best Hospital for Cancer Care for three consecutive years. 

For more information on the Pearlman Cancer Center, visit online at www.sgmc.org/services/cancer.aspx