Cancer care

Our cancer specialists are dedicated to your health and well-being, because you’ve got a lot of life to live.

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Cancer care

Dignity Health and Comprehensive Blood & Cancer Center (CBCC) provide world-class care here at home. Our cancer services extend beyond the traditional doctor-patient relationship. They start with a range of screening options for early detection and continue through personalized treatment following a cancer diagnosis-enabling you to take charge of your health.

Cancer Patient Navigator

There is a lot that comes with a diagnosis of cancer. But you don't have to manage it alone. Our Cancer Patient Navigator can guide you through every step of treatment, from paperwork to scheduling to coping with emotions.

Your Cancer Patient Navigator can:

  • Coordinate communication between you and your health care team
  • Help coordinate appointments
  • Explain procedures and treatments
  • Help you and your family connect with the variety of support services available to you
  • Offer support with educational, practical, emotional, or logistical issues
  • Be your compassionate, helping hand throughout your journey

The program is FREE and available to help anyone whether newly diagnosed, currently involved in cancer treatment, or experiencing a recurrence. With your Cancer Patient Navigator as your guide, you can focus on healing and continuing to live life to the fullest. Contact our Cancer Patient Navigator at (661) 865-2573.

 

Radiation oncology

Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center (CBCC) is one of the nation's largest freestanding cancer centers and is home to advanced options for the treatment of cancer. Staying at the forefront when it comes to technology is a priority. For example, CBCC is one of only a handful of locations on the West Coast to offer CyberKnife®, a revolutionary non-invasive alternative to surgery for the treatment of tumors anywhere in the body. The commitment means we bring the most advanced treatment options to our patients.

 

Pain-free, non-surgical, and given on an out-patient basis, the CyberKnife® can deliver targeted radiation therapy to a tumor located anywhere in the body from virtually unlimited positions.

 

The CyberKnife® System's advantages include:

  • The ability to treat tumors anywhere in the body
  • Continual tracking, detection and correction for tumor and patient movement throughout the treatment
  • Delivering high-dose radiation with sub-millimeter accuracy, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue
  • Treating tumors from virtually unlimited directions using flexible robotic mobility
  • Providing an option for patients diagnosed with inoperable or surgically complex tumors
  • Improving the patient's quality of life during and after treatment
  • Non-invasive alternative to surgery that can be completed in as few as one to five visits
  • Outpatient, pain-free procedure with little or no recovery time or side effects
  • Allows for an immediate return to normal activities
  • Ability to re-irradiate previously treated sites
Learn more about CBCC

Infusion Center

The Dignity Health Infusion Center is conveniently located inside the Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center (CBCC) and is a comfortable, peaceful environment for patients receiving infusion therapy. Infusion services provided by our specialized staff include:

  • Chemotherapy
  • Antibiotic therapy
  • Blood transfusions and vaccinations
  • Fluids for dehydration
  • Side-effect-prevention treatment via injection or intravenous infusion
  • Central line draws/dressing changes
  • Infusion education
  • Plasmapheresis
  • Surgical Service

Dignity Health also offers specialized surgical options for the treatment of cancer, including daVinci robotic-assisted surgery, available at both Memorial Hospital and the S.A. Camp Companies Robotic Surgical Center at Mercy Hospitals.

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Inpatient oncology services

The inpatient oncology unit at Mercy Hospital Downtown is the only of its kind in Kern County and brings patients with cancer together with specialized nursing care in a single dedicated space. This enhancement allows for improved coordination of care and a better overall experience for our patients and their families.

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At risk for lung cancer?

While lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States, it accounts for the largest number of cancer-related deaths. But, there's good news—pre-screening for lung cancer can detect cell mutation in the earliest stages, making lung cancer more treatable, and in some cases, even curable.

Take this quick assessment to:

  • Understand symptoms and causes of lung cancer
  • Determine your risk factors for developing lung cancer
  • Learn which lifestyle factors can increase or decrease your risk
Take the assessment

What is breast IORT?

Breast intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) is an advanced, patient-friendly radiation treatment option. With IORT, a complete, concentrated dose of radiation is delivered in one treatment during surgery. Traditional external beam radiation therapy involves daily radiation treatments for six to eight weeks, while IORT with the Xoft System can be completed in minutes, eliminating weeks of travel, disruption to your daily life, and emotional stress.

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