How Cancer Patients Can Get Big City Treatment in a Resort Town

When US Airways Magazine published a recent profile section dedicated to the best things to see and do in Myrtle Beach, S. C., the magazine reported it had discovered something unexpected - a unique health service that capitalizes on the expertise of area physicians, as well as the special nature of this world-famous resort destination.

Of course, to those who know Myrtle Beach, it was no surprise when the magazine reported it is one of the best places in the country to kick back and relax. The amusements, golf courses, dining options and the spectacular 60-mile beach have made the place a popular vacation destination for generations of Americans. But, until now, there has been little reported about the influx of excellent healthcare professionals who have migrated to the area to practice medicine and, like everyone else, enjoy the area's great amenities.

US Airways cast a spotlight on that influx by revealing one of the hidden treasures that this coastal city offers both its local citizens and visitors in need of treatment for various types of cancer. Although it is located in a small community, Carolina Regional Cancer Center (CRCC) offers "big-city healthcare," says the magazine. With a track record of more than 25 years of independently serving the local area, CRCC recently upped the ante on what it could provide by becoming formally affiliated with The Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston, S. C. The affiliation gives CRCC access to all kinds of cutting-edge research, as well as enabling the small cancer treatment center to conduct its own on-site clinical trials in concert with MUSC personnel.

But the coverage in US Airways was not the first time that CRCC has gained some national media exposure. A few years ago, CRCC pioneered a revolutionary concept for patients from outside their area. Teaming up with one of South Carolina's premier resort and attractions companies, CRCC created the "Cancer Care Retreat" and became the first cancer treatment center along the East Coast to package radiotherapeutic treatment with recreational amenities.