For patients in the Andalusia area currently battling cancer, loved ones of those fighting the disease or people who simply have general questions about treatment and prevention, a free forum will be offered next week by the staff of 21st Century Oncology.

Lawton Armstrong, regional administrator for 21st Century’s Alabama market, said Dr. Hejal Patel will be on hand next Wednesday to chat with the public and answer any questions people may have about cancer.

“Dr. Patel is over here in the clinic on Wednesdays, and next Wednesday, he’s planning on having a ‘coffee and donuts with the doctor’ event,” Armstrong said. “He can really answer anything relating cancer. It’s really informal, but we are asking people to RSVP so we know about how many are coming.”

Armstrong said, not only is Patel a knowledgeable regional oncologist, he is also a cancer survivor himself.

“When he was about 13, he was diagnosed with a form of bone cancer and had his right arm amputated,” Armstrong said. “So he can certainly relate with the fight.”

Armstrong said the forum will give people a chance to pick the doctor’s brain, but will also allow them to see just what 21st Century Oncology offers local residents.

“He knows that there are people who have questions, and just wants to give them the opportunity to come in and see our facility and what’s available right here in Andalusia,” Armstrong said. “We do the radiation portion of the treatments. We offer the same treatments offered in big metropolitan areas like Montgomery and Birmingham, and you don’t have to travel near as far.”

Next Wednesday’s forum will begin at 8 a.m. To RSVP, call 334.427.5001.