As a young man, oncologist Aaron O. Williams MD envisioned serving on the forefront of the battle against cancer, consequently choosing to pursue a career in health care. Accepted to the College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences at Florida A&M University, he earned his Doctor of Pharmacy in 1985. It was during this matriculation that his interest in cancer began while doing biomedical research on potential anticancer agents.Upon completing his postdoctoral pharmacy residency in 1988, Aaron O. Williams MD began his medical school education at the University of South Florida, where he obtained his doctor of medicine. Working to become a radiation oncologist, he undertook his residency at The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute at the Detroit Medical Center, which partners with Wayne State University in training physicians. More recently, Dr. Williams supplemented his extensive credentials with a Master of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee. After 15 years of experience in radiation oncology in Kentucky and Mississippi, Aaron O. Williams MD established the Athens Cancer Center in Athens, Ohio, in 2006. In his practice, he provides attentive and leading-edge cancer treatment. He is board-certified by the American Board of Physician Specialties and is a member of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology. In recognition of his excellence in practice, the Consumers’ Research Council selected Dr. Williams as one of “America’s Top Radiologists” in 2007.
Chemoradiation May Benefit Elderly People with Head and Neck Cancers
Chemoradiation May Benefit Elderly People with Head and Neck Cancers
Dr Sana KaramImage: ucdenver.edu A Diplomate of the American Board of Physican Specialties, Aaron O. Williams, MD, founded and served as a radiation oncologist at Athens Cancer Center in Ohio. Also the author of several clinical studies related to cancer treatment and care, Aaron O. Williams, MD, strives to remain up-to-date with developments in his field. In early 2016, researchers released…
Aaron O. Williams, MD, an experienced radiation oncologist, is the founder and owner of Athens Cancer Center in Athens, Georgia. He is also a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine at Ohio State University. In 2015 Aaron O. Williams, MD gave an address that detailed ways to improve access to radiation therapy through Indian/American partnerships at the H3C…
H3C-Healthcare, Commerce, CareerImage: research.osu.edu Aaron O. Williams, MD is a skilled oncologist and founder of the Athens Cancer Center. Additionally, Aaron O. Williams, MD works as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. In 2015 Dr. Williams took the opportunity to speak at a landmark healthcare conference hosted by Ohio State University.…
Aaron O. Williams, MD, has nearly 20 years of experience as a radiation oncologist. A member of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Aaron O. Williams, MD, is the founder and medical director of the Athens Cancer Center in Athens, Ohio.
Patients receiving external radiation therapy on an outpatient basis often have misconceptions about the procedure, based on common stereotypes of cancer treatment. Two of the most common myths are that the therapy will be painful, especially over a long period of time, and that external radiation treatment will make a patient radioactive.
While it’s very rare that patients have any sensation at all of the radiation while being treated, some have reported warm feelings or tingling sensations at the radiation site. As treatment progresses, the skin around the treatment area may become itchy, dry, or sore. Although those symptoms can be uncomfortable, they are typically not painful or discomforting enough to prevent patients from continuing treatment.
In addition, external radiation treatment will not make you radioactive or dangerous to those around you. Once the treatment is over, there are no lingering effects of the radiation present in your body. The radiation is specifically targeted on a cancer or cancerous tissue, so there’s no at-large risk to the whole body, either. It’s only internal radiation therapy (either implanted radioactive isotopes or brachytherapy) that requires additional steps to reduce the risk of exposure to other people.
Fatigue from Radiation Therapy Can Lead to Other Issues
Fatigue from Radiation Therapy Can Lead to Other Issues
Fatigue from Radiation TherapyImage: cancer.about.com Aaron O. Williams, MD, has been a practicing radiation oncologist for nearly 20 years. In addition to his role as founder and medical director of Athens Cancer Center, Aaron O. Williams, MD, also teaches at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. Fatigue is the most common and perhaps the most frustrating side effect of…
In his role as a radiation oncologist at Athens Cancer Center, Aaron O. Williams, MD, treats individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer. Radiation oncologists like Aaron O. Williams, MD, provide treatment in the form of radiation therapy.
Radiation oncologists are medical doctors who have undergone a specialized postgraduate training in the use of radiation as a form of therapy for cancer and other non-malignant conditions. They usually work as a part of a larger medical team that comprises medical oncologists and surgeons.
In most cases, a cancer diagnosis is already available upon referral to a radiation oncologist. Together with other members of the patient’s medical team, a radiation oncologist performs clinical assessments to determine an individualized management plan for the patient. After which, radiation oncologists apply their specialized knowledge and skills to determine the type and dose of radiation to be used for the patient.
In addition to clinical work, many radiation oncologists are involved in clinical and laboratory research efforts.
ASTRO Awards over $700,000 to Radiation Oncology Researchers
Radiation oncologist Aaron O. Williams, MD, has treated patients as the medical director of Athens Cancer Center in Athens, Ohio, since 2006. Throughout his career, Aaron O. Williams, MD, has maintained memberships in several professional organizations, including the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), a nonprofit group that works to advance the field of radiation oncology through programs and activities aimed at education, research, and advocacy.
During a recent grant cycle, ASTRO awarded a total of $33,500 to 41 individuals from the United States, Canada, India, and China. The grant recipients were selected from a pool of more than 2,800 radiation oncology research abstracts submitted for ASTRO’s 57th Annual Meeting Abstract Awards.
In addition to the abstract grants, ASTRO awarded a total of $675,000 to support the work of seven physician researchers pursuing studies in several areas, including cancer biology, radiation physics, and translational research.
All 48 grant recipients were recognized at ASTRO’s Annual Meeting, which took place in October 2015, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. More information about the recent grant awards and ASTRO’s 57th Annual Meeting can be found at www.astro.org.
A member of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Aaron O. Williams, MD, is the founder and medical director of Athens Cancer Center. Aaron O. Williams, MD, has completed a number of research projects during his nearly 30-year career. He chaired the session on recent advancements at the 2015 H3C: Health Sciences Innovation Conference.
Recently, the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, and Physics, also known as the Red Journal, published the results of new research work conducted by the Moffitt Cancer Center. Researchers from Moffitt were working towards developing a more personalized therapy for cancer, and they discovered that certain gene expression patterns in the tumors may be the key to determining how a patient will respond to radiation therapy. Based on this discovery, researchers developed the first genetic test that can predict a tumor’s sensitivity to radiation.
The study was conducted using a radiation sensitivity index, or RSI, a system that was previously developed by Moffitt researchers to predict tumor sensitivity. In the current study, researchers looked at 1,362 primary colon tumors and 704 metastatic colon tumors, and attempted to determine their sensitivity to radiation. They found that metastatic colon tumors demonstrated a higher level of resistance to radiation than primary tumors, and that location may be the deciding factor on how tumors respond to the therapy. These results indicate that RSI may be an effective way of optimizing radiation therapy for individual patients to increase treatment success rates.
Aaron O. Williams, MD, has been working in the field of radiation oncology, and has won several awards for his work over the course of his career. He currently serves as the founder and medical director of Athens Cancer Center. When he’s not busy helping patients, Aaron O. Williams, MD, enjoys playing the drums.
A staple of many music genres, drums keep an even meter and allow for the melody to come through in songs, but music isn’t the only thing that benefits from drumming. Drum players may experience a wide range of benefits by regularly playing. Here are just a few examples.
1. Boosts the immune system: Drumming is often a very meditative activity due to its repetitive nature and high level of required focus. This often results in lower stress and anxiety levels. Additionally, recent studies have found that drumming in a group may decrease the risk of cancer and other viruses.
2. Improves cognitive functioning: Studies have found that just 20 minutes of playing rhythmic music can improve concentration and IQ scores among individuals who have ADD. Additionally, since drumming uses both sides of the brain, it helps improve synchronous brain activity, which in turn leads to increased insight and awareness.
3. Improves mood: Playing the drums is a great way for individuals to express various emotion. Drum therapy has been increasingly useful for those who suffer from PTSD and other emotional traumas because of its natural association with self-expression. It can also decrease other negative feelings common in individuals suffering from depression.
Aaron O. Williams, MD, presently serves as a radiation oncologist with the Athens Cancer Center. In his role with the facility, Aaron O. Williams, MD, treats patients living with a wide variety of cancers, including throat and lung cancer.
Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed forms of cancer. While the potential causes of lung cancer can vary, there are a number of behaviors an individual can practice in order to reduce the likelihood of their developing lung cancer. In the United States, up to 90 percent of lung cancer cases can be directly linked to regular tobacco use and cigarette smoking. Researchers have further confirmed that a person’s chances of developing lung cancer continue to rise along with the number of cigarettes they smoke. Similarly, pipe and cigar smoking can also elevate an individual’s odds of having lung cancer. A person who smokes a pipe or tobacco once per day is about five times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers.
How the Affordable Health Care Act Affects Patients with Cancer
Since founding Athens Cancer Center in 2006, medical director and board-certified radiation oncologist Dr. Aaron Williams has worked to provide patients in southeast Ohio with access to advanced cancer treatments. As an oncologist and medical professional, Dr. Aaron Williams strives to ensure that patients are aware of their rights for medical coverage. Below is a brief look at some of the major changes of the Affordable Healthcare Act.
Available insurance for everyone.
Individuals can no longer be denied coverage because of their medical history, which means that everyone who can afford it is required to obtain health insurance, or pay an increasing fee (in addition to the cost of their own healthcare). The fee schedule can be found at www.healthcare.gov/what-if-i-dont-have-health-coverage/.
Ban on revoking coverage for pre-existing conditions.
As of 2014, health care plans are required to charge individuals with pre-existing conditions the same rates as healthy individuals. They are also prohibited from denying children up to age 19, even those with chronic conditions, coverage.
Ban on lifetime/annual dollar limits.
Health plans are prohibited from placing yearly or lifetime dollar limits on coverage, meaning that individuals will not be prevented from receiving necessary cancer treatments. The law also prevents insurance plans from revoking coverage because a patient becomes sick.
Coverage for preventative screenings.
Under the Affordable Healthcare Act, there are no out-of-pockets costs for preventative screening. That means more people will have the opportunity to catch cancer early.
Radiation Therapy - A Powerful Weapon in the Battle Against Cancer
An oncologist who has devoted his career to research and treatment, Dr. Aaron Williams founded Athens Cancer Center in 2006. He continues to serve the Athens, Ohio-based facility as its medical director. Dr. Aaron Williams' research as an oncologist includes a paper he co-wrote on the use of radiation therapy as an adjuvant method of treatment.
Of all the science, technology, and medicine at the oncologist's disposal, radiation therapy proves one of the most potent. Radiation therapy involves directing radiation at tumors, which shrinks them and kills off cancer cells. A multi-faceted tool, radiation therapy comes in many forms, including x-rays, charged particles, and gamma rays.
Many individuals understand the basics of radiation therapy, but fail to comprehend how it works. Radiation therapy eradicates cancer cells by targeting their DNA. Just like other types of cells, cancer cells propagate by passing their DNA on to other cells. With their DNA expunged, cancer cells cannot reproduce.
Radiation therapy has numerous benefits for patients eager to continue their lives while battling cancer. Although radiation therapy is applied directly, it is painless. Most appointments take no longer than 30 minutes, so patients can resume normal activities immediately following their appointments. Additionally, radiation therapy usually doesn't cause hair loss unless applied to the head.
Brachytherapy is One Treatment Option for Prostate Cancer
The founder and medical director of Athens Cancer Center in Athens, Ohio, Dr. Aaron Williams has more than 17 years of experience as a radiation oncologist. Throughout his career, oncologist Dr. Aaron Williams has stayed at the forefront of oncology research, focusing on treatments such as brachytherapy for prostate cancer.
Brachytherapy is a type of localized radiation therapy that minimizes the risks of damaging healthy surrounding tissues. Prostate brachytherapy is typically used on men who are in the early stages of prostate cancer. This may be the only treatment needed, but sometimes external beam radiation or other treatment methods are added.
Internal radiation therapy of the prostate is administered in one of two ways. Small radioactive pellets can be injected into the prostate that give off a low dose of radiation for a few weeks or months. Alternatively, a higher dose of radiation can be delivered via thin catheters during two or more sessions lasting a few minutes each.
As with any type of radiation therapy, brachytherapy can carry risks, including urinary problems, erectile dysfunction, and bowel issues. The radiation oncologist can prescribe medications to address these issues, which may lessen over time on their own.
Advanced Treatment Planning at Athens Cancer Center
A radiation oncologist at Athens Cancer Center in Athens, Ohio, Dr. Aaron Williams makes use of innovative technologies to deliver the most current medical care. Dr. Aaron Williams begins patient treatment planning by using state-of-the-art imaging devices. Through the integrated use of computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), he and his staff can identify the dimensions of a tumor and determine the feasibility of its treatment using radiation therapy.
Before beginning radiation therapy, oncologists take into account the past and current health of the patient as well as pathology results. Radiation therapy at Athens Cancer Center begins with tumor “mapping,” a technique that involves CT simulation. Using an on-site computed tomography simulator, the center’s oncologists create a precise representation of the tumor and surrounding tissues. By generating accurate imagery of that area of the body, professionals can deliver optimized doses of radiation to the tumor without putting healthy tissues at risk.
The professionals at Athens Cancer Center work closely with medical physicists during the treatment planning process to ensure that radiation is custom tailored to the needs of each patient.
