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Oncology Care at Piedmont
Cancer is a different disease in every patient. We understand your cancer is unique, so we keep our focus on you—all while delivering the highest standard of care to achieve the best possible outcomes. Through our dedicated, multidisciplinary team, we provide comprehensive cancer care in a supportive environment. Our doctors work closely with one another, you, your family doctor, and your family to ensure that your care is well coordinated, providing you with the peace of mind to know that your experience will be hassle-free, and seamless. Patients can have a sense of ease knowing they have access to our full list of patient services including early detection, advanced diagnosis, targeted therapies, innovative clinical trials, cancer navigators, social services, nutritional support, genetic counseling and a Cancer Wellness program.
Cancer Prevention and Screening Guidelines
Prostate Cancer
A blood test called PSA (prostate specific antigen) can detect the presence of prostate cancer.
Who gets screened, and when?
• Men
• Every two years starting at age 50
• Black men or men with positive family history
• Every two years starting at age 45
Breast Cancer
Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early when it is easier to treat.
Who gets screened, and when?
• Women aged 40+, every year
Other considerations
• Increased risk factors may include: prior diagnosis of a breast abnormality, family history of breast cancer, known BRCA mutation, known existence of densely fibrous breast tissue, and history of chest irradiation.
Lung Cancer
Screening with low-dose CT of the lungs can identify lung cancer at an early, curable stage.
Who gets screened, and when?
• Men and Women - 50 to 80 years old and a 20 pack-year* history of smoking and are still smoking or quit smoking within the last 15 years.
*Calculate your pack-years:
Pack-years = number of packs smoked/day x the number of years smoked. For example: two packs per day x 10 years = 20 pack-years
Colon Cancer
Colorectal cancer almost always develops from precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon or rectum. Screening tests can find precancerous polyps, so they can be removed before they turn into cancer.
Who gets screened, and when?
• Men and women
• Every 10 years from age 45
Provider Spotlight
Patricia Rich, M.D.
Patricia Rich M.D., has been practicing medicine for over 20 years. She is board certified in medical oncology and has a special interest in lung cancer. She is also a board member of the American Lung Association. Dr. Rich graduated cum laude from the University of South Florida. She earned her medical degree from the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine and completed her residency at the University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Hospital. She completed her fellowship in hematology and oncology at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida.
Prior to joining Piedmont Oncology, Dr. Rich worked at Cancer Treatment Centers of America. In addition to treating patients, she was the vice chief of staff and program director for thoracic oncology, as well as lead for five of CTCA’s thoracic institutes. Dr. Rich has published over a dozen research articles related to the targeted treatment of various metastatic cancers and served as the lead researcher for 10 clinical trials. Dr. Rich believes in compassionate service with a multidisciplinary approach to improve patient outcomes.
In her spare time, Dr. Rich helps her husband run their farm where they raise sheep, ducks, and chickens. She enjoys spending time with her family, drawing, arts and crafts, gardening, cooking and discovering and visiting new areas. She is also fluent in Spanish and speaks conversational French and Italian.
Dr. Rich is accepting new patients and welcomes most major insurance plans.
Windy Dean-Colomb, MD
Windy Dean-Colomb, M.D., PhD., earned her medical degree and completed her residency from the University of Illinois College of Medicine. She then completed her fellowship in Medical Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. She is board certified in Medical Oncology and Internal Medicine.
Dr. Dean-Colomb has been practicing medicine for over 16 years. Prior to joining Piedmont, she was a medical oncologist at JD Moncus Cancer Center in Lafayette, LA.
She specializes in breast and prostate cancer and her special interests include eliminating cancer disparity by increasing access to care for people from all walks of life and promoting personalized medicine through increased genomic testing. She treats all solid tumors and non-acute hematologic malignancies.
In her spare time, she enjoys reading, bowling, spending time with family and participating in medical missions around the globe.
Dr. Dean-Colomb is accepting new patients and welcomes most major insurance plans.
Q&A
For Oncology care, what can patients expect at Piedmont?
Patients can expect multidisciplinary, comprehensive care which includes medical oncology, hematology, radiation oncology, surgery and other disciplines needed as well as supportive care, including early detection, advanced diagnosis, targeted therapies, innovative clinical trials, cancer navigators, social services, nutritional support, genetic counseling and a Cancer Wellness program.
What does “Integrated Services” and “Holistic Care” mean? How is Piedmont’s integrated care beneficial for patients?
"Integrated Services" means the patient is at the center of our decision making and the care they receive. Integrated care is a holistic care approach in which the patient's needs are addressed by multiple services and is dynamic; able to change as the patient's needs change.
Cancer care can be a long process for some patients, what services or support does Piedmont offer to help patients along the way and after treatment?
We use our collaborative relationships among our healthcare team and partner with our patients to make sure they are cared for every step of the way. (Navigation, Social Work, Nutrition, Genetic Counseling, Cancer Wellness programs such as acupuncture, massage therapy, etc.)
When patients are in remission, what post treatment support can a patient receive at Piedmont?
Even though the patient's cancer has been treated, there is still a continuum of care. We work together with the patient's primary care provider and other services in Oncology to serve their general care needs.
What are some investments at Piedmont Oncology that the public may not know about?
Piedmont is always striving for the latest and most improved quality of care whether that be the newest approved drug, ground breaking clinical trials, state of the art robotics or new software to improve patient care and coordination.
Does Piedmont Oncology participate in Cancer Clinical Trials?
Yes, we pride ourselves on being on the cutting edge of new research, trials and treatments. We have partnerships with multiple institutions including MD Anderson and the NRG and we are involved in several clinical trials. Our program continues to grow as we identify more partnerships and trials that will benefit our patients.
Community/local convenient care question - I understand that Piedmont is really focused on Oncology and growing its capability. Why the expansion in services and what kinds of capability are you looking to offer patients?
Piedmont has been in oncology care for a long time, but we know the demand for cancer services is growing ACROSS Georgia. Piedmont Oncology expanding means patients can have quality cancer care closer to home. We have medical oncologists across Georgia to provide patients the convenient personalized, comprehensive care they require.
What symptoms should patients look out for or what preventive care is recommended for patients?
The key to preventative care is screenings. For breast that is mammograms, colon - colonoscopies, prostate - PSA blood tests, lung - low dose CT scans among others. Piedmont offers these screenings and other programs such as smoking cessation, offered virtually as well. Patients should talk to their primary care doctor about preventative care based on their personal medical history and being referred for screenings at Piedmont.
Additional Resources
