We want you to expect more from you health care providers. Our Cancer Center in Belpre, Ohio provides our patients with the best opportunity for healing. With a focus on prevention, personalized treatment, the latest treatment options and our patients' health care experience, we have designed a space that enables greater collaboration and communication between our specialists, so our patients can gain more from their collective minds and expertise.
Our services are designed to help reduce wait times, improve patient flow, create easier access, offer multidisciplinary clinces, and create a healing environment while delivering the best possible care and support for our patients, including the newest and most advanced treatment options, such as CyberKnife® and TomoTherapy®. Our patients also have access to the latest clinical trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute.
We are proud to say that our team is one of Ohio's most comprehensive oncology programs. Service lines including a resource center, women's center, and medical, radiation and surgical oncology departments are under one roof for the patient-centered care our community expects.
Want to learn more about cancer? We caution patients against self-diagnosing as there are often subtle differences that can lead to significantly different outcomes. However, for patients looking to learn more, we offer a medical library resource, that can be accessed by clicking here.
A diagnosis of cancer is a very stressful and emotional time. The diagnosis can impact many areas of your life from your family dynamics to financial stress. At times, a cancer patient may not know who to contact to get questions answered, where to begin or what to expect. Our collaborative approach to cancer care focuses on prevention, early detection, treatment, and support. We want to be there every step of the way on your journey to recovery.
Caregiver Support
The patient is not the only one fighting the battle against cancer. Their family, friends, and caregivers are also affected. There are many challenges to being a caregiver for a cancer patient including managing the patient’s medicines, taking care of the patient, communicating with their medical team, and the legal and financial issues that sometimes come with battling cancer.
Feel free to attend any of the appointments or programs we offer with your loved one and ask questions to help you get through this difficult time so you can be a strong support system while taking care of yourself at the same time. Be sure to check out our calendar page for Cancer Center specific events or speak with one of our nurses by calling (740) 376-5000.
Financial Services
One thing that we do not want our patients or families to worry about during cancer treatment is how they are going to pay for it. Memorial Health System has different financial options for patients. Please click here to find out more about financial assistance. Please call one of our friendly and caring patient financial advocates if you have any questions.
Patient Financial Advocates
For questions or help with hospital or clinic bills, insurance, payment plans, assistance programs available, please contact our patient financial advocates. They can be contacted by calling (740) 568-5263.
Oncology Rehab Program/Lymphedema Management
If need be, we provide comprehensive rehabilitation programs of the highest quality as a part of your treatment plan to improve your mobility and mental outcomes. Our Outpatient Therapy Services Department works directly with your provider and care team so that you get the rehabilitation that you need.
Social Worker Support
Our social workers will assist you with psychosocial needs which may include emotional issues such as anxiety or depression, family relationships, changes in lifestyle, employment/financial stressors, linkage with available local resources, and more. To contact a Cancer Center social worker, please call:
Cancer Center Social Worker
Jane Skeen, LSW
(740) 568-5632
Cancer Center Social Worker
Cortney Beymer, LSW
(740) 401-0257
Cancer Support Groups
You, your family, and caregivers are welcome to participate at any time during this journey-at diagnosis, during treatment, and throughout survivorship. You don't have to go through this alone. Cancer support groups provide a setting in which cancer patients, former patients, caregivers, family or friends can talk about what it is like to live with cancer with others who may be having similar experiences. Please contact one of our social workers (listed above) for details.
Resource Center & Wig Boutique
Our Resource Center & Wig Boutique is available Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the 1st floor of our Cancer Center at 807 Farson St., Suite A.
Our Resource Center is supplied with books available on several cancer topics as well as computer access for patients to search for additional cancer related topics. Wigs are offered free of charge to patients undergoing cancer treatment. These wigs are made possible by donations from our local community and the American Cancer Society. We also have a limited supply of free breast prosthesis and hats.
More Than a Makeover
The Cancer Center presents a class designed for our patients diagnosed with cancer who would like to know how to overcome the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment. This experience will be more than a makeover. You will have the opportunity to meet other patients that understand firsthand what you are going through, speak with our social worker if you have any questions or concerns, and have a professional skin and makeup consultant help you.
This class is free to cancer patients that have undergone or are undergoing treatment. Participants will receive a beauty bag full of Merle Norman cosmetic products (valued over $200) that will keep you glowing during and after your treatments. The two hour class will cover skin care, makeup applications, wigs, and head coverings. This class will be facilitated by Sharon Shaner, owner of Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio in Marietta, Ohio. She brings 25 years of experience to this class.
To register, contact Cortney Beymer, LSW at (740) 401-0257.
Cancer Nutrition Services
Kayleigh Ticknor, our oncology dietitian, plays the role of providing guidance with your diet to keep you at your healthiest. Complementary nutritional services are offered to you throughout your treatment and include:
Kayleigh Ticknor, MS, RD, LD
(740) 376-5011
According to the National Cancer Institute, genetic testing is used to identify specific inherited changes (mutations) in a person's chromosomes, genes, or proteins. Genetic mutations can have harmful, beneficial, neutral (no effect), or uncertain effects on health. Mutations that are harmful may increase a person's chance or risk of developing a disease such as cancer.
Is Genetic Testing Right for You?Genetic testing is available at the Cancer Center and should be considered if you have a two to three generation involvement or diagnosis at a young age for certain types of cancer, for example:
Every patient who is diagnosed or receives cancer treatment is abstracted into a cancer registry database. This database includes information specific to your cancer: demographics, cancer specifics, treatment information, and lifetime follow-up. This information is submitted to the Ohio Cancer Surveillance System of the Ohio Department of Health and to the National Cancer Data Base of the Commission on Cancer. National and state published statistics and cancer reports are compiled with data for all facilities submitting information to these organizations. All information submitted follows reporting requirements of the Ohio Revised Code regulations, accreditation requirements, and HIPAA compliance.
At the heart of our cancer program is our sincere commitment to making a difference in the life of each patient we serve. We guide patients through every step of their treatment plan with comprehensive educational, emotional, and spiritual support. We believe this is so important to the healing process that we offer a dedicated team of care navigators to help guide you on your journey towards wellness. These compassionate healthcare providers deliver care in a logical, connected, and timely manner, so that your medical and personal needs are met.
Services provided by our oncology team include:
Cancer Center Breast Navigator
Jane Kessler, RN, OCN, CN-BN
jankessler@mhsystem.org
Office: (740) 568-5461
Fax: (740) 568-5212
Diagnostic Breast Navigator
Vickie Miller, RT(M)
(740) 568-2172
The Cancer Center's Breast Clinic reduces the time between our patients' diagnosis and their treatment, by providing a collaborative, multidisciplinary care plan for each patient all in one day.
Every Wednesday, our newly diagnosed breast cancer patients will meet individually with our physicians, who will then collaborate to develop their care plan. Our specialists will then meet again with the patient later than day to share with them their unique treatment plan and to answer any questions that they may have.
Memorial Health System is one of the most active clinical trial sites in Ohio. Through ongoing nationally recognized cancer research and trials, we are able to offer treatments that won't be available to the general public for months or even years from now. These clinical trials are conducted by our expert team of surgeons, specialists, and providers who are dedicated to improving the detection, treatment, and outcome of cancer related diseases. We are proud of our role in finding new ways to treat and beat cancer on all fronts. Currently, there are over 100 clinical trials available through The Cancer Center. These trials include cancer treatment and cancer prevention studies.
The Cancer Center provides access to clinical cancer trials to our community through an affiliation with National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). NCORP is a program of the National Cancer Institute that provides benefits including designing and conducting cancer prevention, supportive care and symptom management, screening, and surveillance clinical trials.
For more information about cancer clinical trials, please contact Lori Parker, RN, clinical research coordinator, at (740) 568-5386.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that kills or limits the reproduction of cancer cells. It may be prescribed in an attempt to cure cancers, to control the spread of cancer when a cure is not possible, to decrease the size of tumors prior to surgical removal, or to relieve pain or other symptoms caused by the cancer.
Chemotherapy may be administered by intravenous route, by injection, or in pill form depending upon the type of cancer being treated. Some chemotherapy may be injected directly into the tumor under surgical or radiology guidance.
Targeted Therapies
Some types of chemotherapy target certain antibodies specific to the cancer cells; these are called monoclonal antibodies. Additionally, there are specialized medications which stop the formation of blood vessels to the cancerous tissue. These block oxygen and nutrients from reaching the tumor causing it to die.
Immunotherapy
Another type of medication used to treat cancer is immunotherapy which stimulates the body's immune system to fight cancer cells. Certain cancers develop protective proteins that disguise the abnormal cells from our immune system. Immunotherapy exposes the tumor cells so that a healthy immune system can identify and attack the cancer.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy is the practice of stopping the production of certain hormones within the body that fuel the cancer cells. By doing this, the cancer cells cannot grow as they normally would. This treatment is commonly used with breast and prostate cancer.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy treats cancer by using x-rays or similar forms of radiation. The following is a list of our equipment and different forms of radiation therapy.
Our Advanced Equipment:
CyberKnife
A fully robotic radiation delivery system that treats cancerous tumors precisely and accurately anywhere in the body. The CyberKnife is a non-invasive treatment option for patients who have inoperable or sugically complex tumors. Treatments are typically completed in 1-5 sessions using real-time image guidance to deliver radiation from thousands of beam angles, enabling SBRT and SRS treatment options.
Elekta Versa HD
Equipped with sophisticated conformal beam shaping technology and high dose rate mode delivery, the Versa HD is designed to provide the precision and speed necessary to deliver advanced stereotactic radiotherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery techniques that demand the maximum accuracy in tumor targeting and protection of critical structures.
Intrabeam
An intraoperative form of radiation therapy that allows the radiation treatment to be delivered simultaneously with surgery. This treatment approach can reduce or eliminate the need for several weeks of external radiation therapy following surgery in some patients.
Tomotherapy
A versatile, efficient system enabling delivery of highly effective radiation therapy to a wide range of disease types. The Tomotherapy system utilizes daily imaging while enabling treatment delivery from 360 degrees around the patient allowing a precise dose delivery to the tumor while sparing normal tissue.
Our Radiation Treatment Delivery Options:
Our Outpatient Infusion Therapy Services
Memorial Health System's Outpatient Infusion Therapy team offer a wide variety of services to you including:
Treatment Side Effects
Nearly every type of treatment, whether it be medication or chemotherapy, will have side effects. These side effects are specific to the type of medication being administered and can be short or long term in duration. All side effects should be promptly reported to your healthcare team so that supportive measures can be initiated or potential adjustments can be made to your chemotherapy regimen.
Each of our Cancer Center physicians have a direct lines to their offices. Call these numbers for prescription refills, questions on chemotherapy/radiation treatment, lab/imaging results, questions on side effects, or questions on symptoms.
Medical Oncology/Hematology
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Debbie Hoppe's Breast Cancer Journey  |
How Carol Beat Cancer |
