What Should You Look for in a Quality Cancer Center?

With today’s advanced technology, hospitalization is rarely required for cancer treatment. Nearly 95 percent of cancer care is provided in an outpatient setting and not all outpatient cancer facilities are alike.

A cancer center should instill trust with a patient and employ physicians, nurses, technologists and support staff to handle all facets of cancer patient care. The cancer center must provide a continuum of top quality services dedicated to each patient they serve.

Points to remember:

• A cancer center should instill trust with a patient.
• The cancer center should offer technological advances.
• There should be a team approach by staff members.
• The facility should offer the patient and family education and other support services.

Who will help you make your choice for cancer care?

• A primary care physician can serve as an excellent resource when making decisions along with nurses or other cancer specialists with first-hand experience.    
• The staff of the cancer center should provide recommendations based on medical backgrounds, known success rates and overall quality of care.

You are a vital part of a cancer-fighting team and will need to make choices and decisions on your care.

What types of cutting-edge technology should a cancer center have?

• CT and MRI scanners
• PET Imaging (Positron Emission Tomography) or combination PET/CT
• IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy)
• Radioactive implants  

Advanced technology can change the approach to cancer treatment, so your doctor should have access to sophisticated technology, other resources and information.

Is there a team approach to patient care?

• Do the physicians and other doctors -- surgeons, radiologists, pathologists and oncologists meet to discuss patient care? 
• Are the nurses and technologists certified in their field of cancer care? 
• Do members of the cancer care team easily interact with the patient and the patient’s family?

Every cancer center team member should nurture communication and work to create a positive environment for each patient.

Does the center help families prepare for treatment and follow-up?

• Does the cancer center offer the patient and family education throughout the process? 
• Does the center staff include a nutritionist, chaplain, and social worker/patient navigator?
• Does the center offer complementary care such as a massage therapist, acupuncturist and herbalist?

These staff members will be knowledgeable in cancer treatment to provide information and education and address concerns about procedures, support services and outcomes. 

Does the cancer center offer clinical trials? 

• Ask if the facility is involved in national clinical trials to offer advanced treatment options. 
• What are the guidelines to participate in a clinical trial?

Many types of aggressive treatment are currently in the clinical trial stages which are conducted in groups of about 100 persons and tested throughout the country. These clinical trials build cancer knowledge, improve treatment and extend survival rates.

We are proud to say the June E. Nylen Cancer Center
meets the above criteria.

We welcome any questions you may have about our center, staff or care.