Chemotherapy Services
The Cancer Center at South Carolina Oncology Associates (SCOA) provides chemotherapy cancer treatment.
Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and destroy healthy tissue nearby. Cancer can spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body. Chemotherapy, or “chemo” for short, is the use of chemicals to kill cancer cells. Other therapies used to treat cancer include hormonal therapy, immune therapy and targeted therapy. Treatment decisions are based on the diagnosis, cancer stage and overall health of the patient. The goal of cancer treatment is to stop cancer from spreading, slow the growth of cancer, relieve symptoms caused by cancer or cure cancer.
The board-certified oncologists at South Carolina Oncology Associates are expertly trained and dedicated to providing compassionate care.
What You Can Expect During Chemotherapy at SCOA
SCOA provides comprehensive cancer care by offering chemotherapy, pharmacy, laboratory and other services in one convenient location.
At SCOA we understand navigating all the information that comes with a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. Before your first chemotherapy session, we will schedule you for a chemo teaching appointment with an oncology certified nurse, who is dedicated to educating and empowering cancer patients and their caregivers. During this one on one education hour you will learn specific details about your treatment as it pertains to your individual care. As with our other oncology services as SCOA, we create personalized chemotherapy care plans for every patient we see.
Your visit starts when you check into our reception area located downstairs in the SCOA facility, where you will also find our pharmacy, phlebotomy station for lab draws and chemotherapy infusion center.
After one of our skilled phlebotomists draws your blood for lab work, a member of our nursing staff will measure and record your weight and vital signs. With the preliminary work behind you, you can begin your chemotherapy in our comfortable infusion center.
Because we value your time and want to reduce waiting time whenever possible, SCOA has over 100 chairs in our chemotherapy infusion center. Your comfort is also important to us, so we offer amenities such as blanket warmers, a refreshment center and free Wi-Fi.
Patient Education Guide
The staff of SCOA are here to help you develop a plan and to decrease your stress as you deal with your cancer. Review this guide to learn more about SCOA and what to expect during your care journey.
Chemotherapy Cycles
For optimal effectiveness, oncology physicians typically schedule chemotherapy treatments in repeating cycles. The length of a treatment cycle and number of cycles given varies according to the specific diagnosis and the chemotherapy drugs administered.
Cycles typically range from two to six weeks. Most patients undergo several cycles of chemotherapy.
The oncology physicians, oncology certified nurses and other healthcare professionals at SCOA have extensive training and expertise in the administration of chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer.
Director of Clinical Services
Lea Moser RN, BSN, OCN
After 17 years working in inpatient oncology, Lea Moser joined the SCOA team in April of 2013.
Lea Moser’s interest in oncology was sparked as a student after having several oncology nurses as nursing instructors. Lea’s first nursing job was on the medical oncology unit at a hospital and she immediately knew this was a special area of nursing with special people and most of all, special patients.
Nine months after starting her journey as an oncology nurse, Lea’s father was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. During her father’s illness, Lea experienced what it was like to be on the other side of the bed and gained a much deeper appreciation for the impact the oncology staff have on patients and families. That experience continues to be a driving force behind her dedication to and compassion for patients, families, and the staff that works tirelessly to care for them.
"You can tell SCOA is special the moment you walk in the door. The staff and volunteers at South Carolina Oncology truly care about the patients and families they serve and it is evident from the front desk throughout the clinic. We know a diagnosis of cancer is not only scary but disruptive, we offer a wide variety of services that allows patients to consolidate their trips and minimize the disruption to their lives.”
Lea believes the collaborative nature of the providers at SCOA offer the best opportunity for patients to receive optimal care. As a patient at South Carolina Oncology, you don’t just get a provider you get a team. Another aspect of the clinic she finds special is the way the patients bond with each other, they get to know one another and their families. When one patient rings the bell they all celebrate.
In her free time, Lea enjoys spending time with family, cooking, gardening, and reading. She loves live music and theater.
Education
- Associates Degree, Nursing: Midlands Technical College, 1996
- Bachelor of Science, Nursing: 2009
Visitor Policy for Chemotherapy:
For the safety and consideration of all patients please limit visitors in the infusion area to 1 per patient.
An excess amount of people can cause increased noise and make the infusion area difficult to navigate for patients and staff. In the event of an emergency, staff need to have a clear pathway to the patient, unobstructed by chairs and crowds.
If more than 1 visitor accompanies a patient, they are more than welcome to sit in the lobby and rotate in and out of the patient care area.
Children: Due to the risk of exposure to hazardous materials, children under 10 are not permitted in the infusion area during treatment. If a child accompanies a patient to a treatment appointment they will need to wait in the lobby with an adult or treatment may have to be rescheduled due to safety concerns for the child.
