A Tulsa Hospital Helps Cancer Patients Regain Lost Time

A new report says cancer not only steals your health, but your time. <br/><br/>The National Cancer Institute says all of the hours spent in waiting rooms, taking blood tests, and getting chemotherapy

Wednesday, January 3rd 2007, 2:17 pm

By: News On 6

A new report says cancer not only steals your health, but your time.

The National Cancer Institute says all of the hours spent in waiting rooms, taking blood tests, and getting chemotherapy really add up.

One Tulsa hospital tried to make up for some lost time, spent in waiting rooms, instead of in treatment. Using input from patients, Cancer Treatment Centers of America launched a program to shave waiting time. And after just three months, the program is already working.

Cancer patient Tom Schueler: "even for doctor's appointments the time is shortened. 15 to 20 minutes to see a doctor is unheard of in most places. That's the norm here."

Schueler is being treated for lung cancer. He says waiting time for chemotherapy has been cut in half.