Sentara RMH Medical Center - Cancer Services
Our goal at Sentara RMH Hahn Cancer Center is to provide you with the most innovative and comprehensive cancer care possible.
It's also important to know that you won't go through this alone. When you have questions, our experts will find you answers. When you aren't sure where to turn, our nurse navigators will be there to guide you. When you need the support of others that have been through it, we will connect you.
We're in this with you.
The team at the Sentara RMH Hahn Cancer Center knows you’re more than a patient, more than a person with cancer. You’re an individual who deserves the very best technology, the very best medicine and the very best care.
Our state-of-the-art center is equipped with the latest cancer treatment technologies, making it possible for you to receive the care–right in your hometown.
- A new linear accelerator, the Varian Trilogy®, requires shorter treatment times and spares surrounding healthy tissue as it treats with a beam that can be aimed with pin-point accuracy.
- Image-guided, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), which is the highest quality in cancer treatment.
- High-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy for certain types of cancers. HDR limits the amount of radiation that affects surrounding healthy tissues and is useful in treating certain cancers of the breast, cervix, prostate, rectum, uterus and lungs.
Our on-site dietitian, pharmacist, social worker and nurse navigators all specialize in oncology to bring unique added services to our patients.
Accreditation
The Sentara RMH Hahn Cancer Center has been awarded:
- Certification from the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®) Certification Program, an affiliate of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO); and
- The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer three-year accreditation with commendation.
At Sentara RMH Medical Center, we’re proud of our physicians, nurses and staff. Not just because they come from some of the finest institutions in our nation, but also because of their compassion, dedication and commitment to the health of our community.
The Hahn Cancer Center is no exception. The training and education of our team shows their commitment to excellence in cancer care.
- The Hahn Cancer Center is a recipient of the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer three-year accreditation with commendation.
- Many of our nurses are oncology certified through the Oncology Nursing Society. In order to receive this certification, a nurse must have worked in oncology for two years and must pass an examination proving their knowledge of oncology care.
- Our certified clinical nurse specialist, pharmacist, dietician and counselor all specialize in oncology.
- The Hahn Cancer Center has a full time board-certified medical physicist and a certified medical dosimetrist.
Find a radiation oncologist here.
Find a medical oncologist here.
Nurse Navigators
Our nurse navigators are here to guide you through your cancer care journey by offering emotional support, facilitating communication among care team members, answering questions about diagnosis, treatment and test results and helping to resolve any barriers to your care.
Breast Navigator: 540-689-6814
Lung/Head and Neck Navigator: 540-689-7067
From screenings to specialty treatments, Sentara RMH offers a spectrum of services to support you through your cancer journey.
We’re dedicated to bringing together the right team and latest advanced technology–both locally and through the resources available across the Sentara Cancer Network–to provide you with the best care.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the general term for any treatment involving the use of chemical agents to stop cancer cells from growing. Chemotherapy can eliminate cancer cells great distances from the original cancer. As a result, chemotherapy is considered a systemic treatment, meaning it treats cells throughout the whole body.
Infusion Center
Our infusion center is where our team of oncology nurses administers chemotherapy and biotherapy in accordance with Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) recommendations. Patients receive the latest chemotherapy and biotherapy available, as well as blood products, antibiotics and fluid replacement, proteins to boost immune function or agents to increase iron levels.
The infusion center is beautifully designed to provide maximum comfort for patients, with restful recliners in naturally-lit private or shared spaces, private televisions, wireless high-speed internet and extra seating for family and friends. Patients also have a view of our Reflection Garden with its water feature, native flowers, greenery and simulated stream.
Scalp Cooling
Hair loss can be an emotionally difficult side effect of chemotherapy. It can be challenging to feel like everything is out of your control, and you don’t look or feel like yourself. To help ease this burden, we offer Paxman Scalp Cooling to help you retain your hair.
Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells. Hair cells, which are the second fastest dividing cells in the body, are often affected by chemotherapy treatment. By cooling the scalp, blood vessels are constricted and cell division slows. This constriction reduces the amount of chemo that reaches your hair follicle cells and can prevent or reduce hair loss. If you choose to use a cooling cap, you wear the cap before, during and after receiving your chemotherapy treatment. Cooling caps are attached to automated machines that continuously circulate cooling fluid through the cap.
The FDA has approved the use of cooling cap systems for women with breast cancer. Cooling caps can be used in cancer patients with other solid tumors as well, depending on specific chemotherapy. The decision to use scalp cooling is personal so please talk to your oncologist to see if it is right for you.
Dealing with a serious or life-threatening illness and its symptoms can be very difficult. Palliative care is a medical specialty that focuses on how serious illness affects you as an individual, as well as your family. The goal is to relieve pain and symptoms to improve your quality of life.
Palliative care provides:
- Treatment of symptoms including pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, numbness and problems with sleep
- Assisting family with decisions by providing a better understanding of a patient’s medical condition and choices for medical care
- Coordination of care among all health care providers
- Emotional and spiritual support for patient and family
- Assistance with discharge from the hospital by helping with referrals for care at home or another setting
- If death is near, palliative care can help with strengthening relationships and creating special memories
Palliative care can occur at the same time as all other treatments. Unlike hospice care, which is meant for people in the final months of life, palliative care does not depend on whether or not a condition can be cured.
Learn more about palliative care.
The team at the Hahn Cancer Center treats more than just your cancer. They also treat you. We realize that treating the entire person, not just the illness, can reduce recovery time, lessen side effects, improve energy levels and more. Our integrative health programs provide personal support combined with the latest medical technologies right here at home.
On Site Pharmacy Services
Our on site pharmacy provides medications for patients treated at the Hahn Cancer Center or for those admitted to our oncology unit. It’s overseen by a clinical oncology pharmacy specialist and staffed with technicians who specialize in preparing chemotherapy and biotherapy agents. The oncology pharmacy specialist provides instruction to patients and family members concerning medication, side effects and drug interactions. They also consult with physicians to try to predict, prevent, identify or resolve any complications that may arise from medication.
On Site Laboratory Services
The Hahn Cancer Center has an on site clinical laboratory for easy, convenient and fast turnaround of lab tests. Our state-of-the-art laboratory is certified by Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and staffed by certified medical technologists with more than 20 years of experience. This service enhances quality of care and minimizes the time patients need to spend at the Center.
Nutrition Counseling
We offer nutrition counseling for all of our cancer patients with our board-certified dietician who specializes in oncology nutrition.
Nutrition services can help you:
- Eat for optimal health.
- Avoid weight loss during treatment.
- Manage side effects of treatment such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, sore mouth or throat, difficulty swallowing, poor appetite and taste changes
- Plan meals based on your specific needs (weight loss/gain, diabetes, etc.)
- Find information on complementary nutrition/supplements
Learn more about nutrition services.
Counseling
Our family therapist specializes in stress reduction and the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis in addition to guided imagery and biofeedback. Guided imagery teaches you how to shift emotional distress that depletes energy to positive images that enhance healing. Biofeedback is an alternative medicine practice that helps you to recognize and control stress in certain parts of the body.
Individual and family counseling is available to help cope with the stress of cancer, depression, anxiety, family and marriage issues, sleep issues and pain management.
All group counseling is free. Individual sessions are billed to insurance, if appropriate. The first session, however, is free.
To learn more about counseling options, please call 540-689-7065.
Case Management
Oncology care managers assist patients and families through the often complex cancer treatment process. This service is designed to help patients with issues related to transportation, medication, home care and more. Care managers work with patients and their families to identify care issues and make referrals to appropriate sources.
The Something Special Shop offers many choices in post-mastectomy products.
Personal fittings are available for products by:
- American Breast Care
- Amoena
- Anita
- Jodee
- TruLife
Among the products we offer are:
- Bras: Fashion seamless, soft and molded cup, leisure and full support
- Breast forms: Traditional and lighter weight silicone
- Swim and leisure breast forms: Cooler less weight for active wear
- Camisole: Fashion colors with built-in shelf bra
The Something Special Shop is located within the Sentara RMH Funkhouser Women's Center, and can be reached by calling 540-689-4700.
At Sentara RMH, we believe in the value and potential long-term benefits of clinical trials for both our current patients and the future of cancer care.
Participants in clinical trials often gain access to newly researched treatments before they are widely available while contributing to medical research. Patients benefit from these studies because they offer the standard chemotherapy or radiation, plus the opportunity to receive cutting-edge drugs or other therapies.
Learn more about research and clinical trials at Sentara.
To learn more about enrolling in a clinical trial at Sentara RMH Medical Center, please contact our oncology research nurse at 540-689-7033.
The Sentara RMH Hahn Cancer Center provides patients and their families with expert cancer care right here in our community. From chemotherapy to counseling, we’re devoted to enhancing and saving lives. And your support makes it possible.
Donations to the Sentara RMH Hahn Cancer Center have provided:
- Cutting edge digital mammography equipment that better detects breast cancer
- Training for nurses on the latest advancements in care
- Assistance in providing medications to patients in need
Your donation to the Sentara RMH Hahn Cancer Center will provide live-saving equipment, upgrades in technology and training for staff to learn about the latest treatment techniques.
If you’d like to support Sentara RMH, please visit our Sentara RMH Foundation website.
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