Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center will open the second phase of its outpatient facility on April 1, a major addition which will greatly expand specialty cancer treatment services and prevention programs in Arizona.
The three-story addition includes The James M. Cox Center for Cancer Prevention and Integrative Oncology, additional clinic and infusion space, a separate hematology/stem cell transplant clinic, and expanded radiation oncology space.
The Cox Center, established through a $5 million grant from The James M. Cox Foundation, will provide preventative health consultations for patients to determine their risk for cancer. Medical experts also will offer integrative health consults for patients undergoing cancer treatment as well as cancer survivors. The center will feature services to assist patients during their cancer journeys, such as acupuncture, massage, exercise, nutrition programs and counseling.
“Expansion of our cancer services will allow us to continue advancing the level of cancer care in Arizona through multidisciplinary treatment and access to cutting-edge research,” said Dr. Edgardo Rivera, medical director of Banner MD Anderson. “These expansion projects are more than just adding rooms, space and equipment. Our team approach ensures each patient receives a comprehensive plan of care for his or her individual diagnosis.”
For radiation oncology, the expansion adds two new linear accelerators to the current three. These advanced radiation devices are used to treat a broad spectrum of tumors throughout the body, while enabling treatment of highly complex cancers that require extreme targeting precision. The new machines are housed in rooms with patient amenities such as ceiling-mounted video screens, featuring a variety of relaxing nature scenes patients can choose to watch during their treatments.
Patients undergoing treatment for blood cancers will receive care in the new stem cell transplant/hematology clinic, located on the third floor. This clinic will care for patients with a variety of blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and many more, as well as stem cell transplant patients.
Additional infusion treatment areas will provide more space for patients receiving chemotherapy and other intravenous treatments.
Thirty additional clinic rooms will expand the capacity of the Multidisciplinary Clinic. Physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists and additional care providers see patients in this clinic, which is usually divided by disease type.
