GCS Physician Dr. Richard Loyd Recently Featured in The Athens Banner-Herald

August 21, 2011 (ATHENS) — Georgia Cancer Specialists (GCS) physician Dr. Richard Loyd recently discussed the opening of the GCS Research Center in Athens, the importance of clinical research in cancer care, as well as the future of cancer drug reseach in Athens’ largest news source, The Athens Banner-Herald.

Athens is the newest of five GCS locations that offer clinical trials across the state. 

“Our goal is for us to improve our patients’ survival and their quality of life,” said Dr. Loyd. He continued, “Patients who qualify for the studies will have access to medicines not yet on the market and they likely will pay less for the new treatment.”

The clinical research program at GCS—a Top 10 cancer practice in the U.S.—focuses on making targeted cancer therapy accessible to patients in their local communities. The GCS research program currently offers Phase I-IV clinical trials for all major tumor types, including lung cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma, colon cancer, and prostate cancer, and is the only private cancer practice in Georgia to offer Phase I clinical trials. 

When asked about the misconceptions surrounding clinical trials, Dr. Loyd said “I think the biggest misconception is that people think of themselves as a guinea pig (in clinical trials) and guinea pigs don’t do so well.” However, as Dr. Loyd further explained in the interview, “Really, the life blood for cancer research is clinical trials.”

Georgia Cancer Specialists is a Top 10 private cancer practice in the U.S. and a leader in advanced cancer treatment and research. The practice supports more than 200,000 patient visits each year. GCS offers community-based medical oncology and hematology services and is the first private oncology practice to also provide a full range of support services for patients in Georgia, including nutritional counseling, pain management, wellness counseling, and home health coordination. The GCS research department, whose focus is bringing targeted cancer therapy to communities, is the first in Georgia to offer Phase I clinical trials, the most novel cancer therapies available. GCS has 29 offices, 44 physicians, and more than 500 support staff members located in Metro Atlanta, North and Central Georgia. Georgia Cancer Specialists can be found on the web at www.gacancer.com. GCS is The Cancer Answer.