The professionals at Shenandoah Valley Cancer Center (SVCC) and Winchester Medical Center’s (WMC) Oncology Unit are highly trained, caring people who understand the emotional as well as the physical problems that may be associated with cancer and its treatments.

Conveniently located on the ground floor of Medical Office Building 1 on the WMC campus, SVCC provides comprehensive care to cancer patients. The multidisciplinary staff consists of board certified physicians, oncology certified nurses, board certified radiation therapists, physicists and dosimetrists. The clinical staff is well prepared to meet the needs of both the patient and family members.

While sophisticated equipment and high-tech procedures are used to fight cancer, they are no substitute for the understanding and encouragement that the staff provides to patients.

Inpatient Oncology Unit
WMC proudly opened a 15-bed inpatient oncology unit in December of 2004. The unit was carefully designed with the helpful advice of oncology nurses, physicians, patients and family. The unit is very patient-oriented with an open, central nurse’s station which allows for easy access to staff. Each room offers a home-like environment with the latest in Hill Rom bed therapy. The unit also boasts a separate family waiting room which offers tea/coffee and other light refreshments.

The inpatient oncology unit treats patient in all stages of cancer. Staff provides specialty care for acute diagnoses, induction and consolidation therapies, patients with complications to cancer therapies, as well as patients with AIDS and AIDS-related complications. Cancer therapies including chemotherapy, bio-therapy, hormone therapy, and radiation therapy are offered in an inpatient setting. Brachytherapy is offered for patients with gynecologic and prostate cancers.

The Radiation Department is comprised of a team of three board certified radiation oncologists, six certified radiation therapists, one oncology certified registered nurse and other ancillary staff. Physicians oversee patient therapy, response to therapy, and surveillance for recurrence.

The Radiation Department offers 3-dimensional computer aided dosimetry that allows the dosimetrist to conform the radiation beam to the exact shape of the specific tumors.

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), appropriate for certain cancer sites, is a service that will be available by summer of 2005. This type of treatment can target the tumor with a higher dose of radiation with reduced dosage to the surrounding tissues. 

Support Services
Blue Ridge Hospice provides companionship, emotional support, nursing care, and assistance with other household chores for terminally ill patients and their families. They have opened a new eight bed inpatient unit for patients requiring more care than can be given at home but not requiring acute care.

A Time for Sharing meets at 11:00am the first Tuesday of each month at the Winchester Free Medical Clinic This support group is intended for all those who have been touched by cancer. This group includes family and friends of cancer patients as well as the patient. It is not limited in scope to any particular form of cancer but seeks to provide support to those touched by any type of cancer.

Look Good, Feel Better, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, offers free tips on skin care and hair loss to women undergoing cancer treatment. This group meets the first Monday each month in the conference room at the American Cancer Society offices from 11:00am – 1:00pm.

Reach for Recovery assists patients who have had or will undergo treatment for breast cancer. Volunteers can provide lists of prosthesis suppliers in the area and information on breast reconstruction and other options.

“Keeping a ‘Breast” is a breast cancer survivors support group that welcomes everyone who has had a diagnosis of breast cancer, no matter how recent or how distant. This group meets the second Wednesday of every month at 7:00pm in the Cancer Center Conference Room on Level 1 of Medical Office Building 1 at WMC.

Man to Man is an organization that brings together prostate cancer patients, physicians and other health care professionals and provides a forum for men to learn about diagnosis and treatment options. This group meets the first Tuesday of each month in the Cancer Center Conference Room on Level 1 of Medical Office Building 1 at WMC.

Road to Recovery is a support service provided by the American Cancer Society to assist patients with transportation to appointments with physicians and for treatments.

Faith in Action is a regional coalition of faith communities, human services and charitable organizations working together to bring supportive services to our neighbors in need. In our rural area, transportation to treatments and medical appointments can be very difficult. With the help of volunteers, Faith in Action seeks to fill this need.