Local Veteran, Breast Cancer Survivor Raises Awareness for Community Cancer Care

LAS VEGAS - Nov. 11, 2014 - PRLog -- When Las Vegas resident and U.S. Air Force veteran Merle Voight, 49, learned she had breast cancer, she was in disbelief. She had no family history of the disease, but knew it was time to learn everything she could about cancer, and how to navigate the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health system. Voight soon learned about the treatment choices offered through the Non-VA Care program.

“It was a shock when I learned that I actually had breast cancer,” says Voight. “I had a scare last year and thought this one would be negative too. After consulting with the VA, I learned that I could get radiation therapy outside the VA system in a more convenient location.”

Voight qualified for a VA program called Non-VA Care – medical care using facilities outside of the VA system. This is offered to eligible veterans when the VA does not offer the specialty care, technology or physicians close to a veteran’s home. In Southern Nevada, the VA Hospital does not offer radiation therapy.

“Many veterans may not know that they can request treatment at a specific location outside the VA,” says Voight. “Once the VA authorization came through, I requested to get radiation therapy closer to my home with Dr. Paul Treadwell at 21^st Century Oncology."

“Patients now have even more flexibility to choose where they go for their radiation oncology needs,” says Paul Treadwell, M.D., Board Certified Radiation Oncologist with 21^st Century Oncology of Las Vegas. “Our dedicated VA clinical care team is available to help veterans navigate paperwork and facilitate Non-VA Care authorizations. Our practice works continually with the VA Hospital to ensure that the care of the patient is uninterrupted between both facilities. We are a community partner offering exceptional radiation therapy care to the Veteran’s of our community.”

Now finished with radiation therapy, Voight is hoping to raise awareness among veterans about their right to quality medical care.

“Veterans do have a choice in where to go for medical treatment,” says Voight. “Everyone at 21^st Century Oncology was very pleasant and they just made me feel comfortable. It helped reinforce in my mind that everything was going to be alright.”

For more information about our services, visit http://www.21stCenturyOncology.com/Veterans, or call 844-21C-4VET/844-212-4838.

About 21^st Century Oncology:

21^st Century Oncology is the largest global, physician led provider of Integrated Cancer Care services. The company offers a comprehensive range of cancer treatment services, focused on delivering academic quality, cost-effective patient care in personal and convenient settings. The company operates 175 treatment centers, including 140 centers located in 16 states. The company also operates 35 centers located in six countries in Latin America. The company holds market-leading positions in most of its domestic local markets and abroad.