The Walker Family Cancer Centre builds on more than a quarter century of quality care and treatment of cancer patients in Niagara, providing cancer services to patients in the region.
The 67,000-square-foot cancer centre is introducing new radiation therapy services to Niagara, enabling many patients who currently travel to Hamilton or Toronto to receive the life-saving treatment in the region. Chemotherapy treatment, which was formerly available to Niagara cancer patients at St. Catharines General Hospital is now offered at the Walker Family Cancer Centre.
The NHS Oncology Program saw almost 1,300 new patients in 2012/2013. It is estimated that approximately 28,379 visits will be made to the Walker Family Cancer Centre in 2013/2014 for treatment, referral or follow up visits. This is compared to 17,589 visits last year (2012/2013).
Bringing much-needed radiation services to Niagara will reduce the need for many patients to leave the region for care. However, in some instances, patients like those requiring complex, specialized cancer care will continue to go to Hamilton for services, particularly during the first year of operation as the services ramp up. Our main priority will always be safe, quality care.
Some highlights of the Radiation Therapy Program housed at the Walker Family Cancer Centre, since the St. Catharines Site opened on March 24, 2013:
- 123 new patients seen*
- 330 radiation treatment visits* provided; primarily focused on providing pain relief for palliative care patients who typically would not receive this treatment due to the complications associated with traveling out of the region
- Have begun utilizing CT Simulator technology to begin treatment planning for breast cancer and will begin providing radiation therapy for breast cancer next month
- Will soon focus on providing radiation treatment for Gastrointestinal cancers
- The Oncology Program is in the early stages of developing a diagnostic assessment program for prostate cancer
The Oncology program has a longstanding relationship with Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) and the Hamilton Health Sciences’ Juravinski Cancer Centre (JCC). A coordinated, supportive relationship with CCO and the JCC ensures comprehensive, integrated cancer services are available for the people of Niagara.
For more information on the Walker Family Cancer Centre:
www.niagarahealth.on.ca/site/cancer-care-oncology
