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* Information & Links
# Cancer Care
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#### Available at:
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### (360) 678-7624
#### Fax: (360) 678-7653
### 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
#### Monday-Friday
## Service Overview
Cancer treatment is demanding enough without the long commutes, traffic jams and ferry lines you may experience going off-island for care. Save your energy for healing. You don’t have to leave Whidbey Island for high-quality cancer care.
WhidbeyHealth’s cancer care program is proud to have received **accreditation by the Commission on Cancer (COC)**. The CoC recognizes cancer care programs that are committed to high-quality, comprehensive care.
The CoC is dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients through standard- setting, which promotes cancer prevention, research, education and monitoring of comprehensive quality care.
After an extensive review of the quality of our care, the Commission on Cancer re-accredited our Cancer Care Program in 2021. The Commission on Cancer accreditation process occurs every three years.
WhidbeyHealth Medical Center’s Cancer Center has also received an **Outstanding Achievement Award** from the Commission on Cancer in the past.
Our goal is to make each visit as easy and comfortable as possible. Our multi-specialty team approach ensures:
* Access to the best treatment options close to home
* Treatment administered by oncology certified registered nurses
* Comprehensive range of state-of-the-art services including chemotherapy and targeted therapies
* Coordination between surgeons and cancer care treatment teams
* Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options
* Access to cancer-related information, education and support
* Insights gained from data collection on cancer types, stages, clinical trials and new treatment options by our certified tumor registrar
* Access to navigation and survivorship programs
## Early Detection
It’s better to prevent cancer than to treat it, and if cancer does develop, it’s important to detect it early. At WhidbeyHealth, we’re committed to supporting prevention and early detection efforts in our community.
Breast cancer and colon cancer are frequently treated at WhidbeyHealth Medical Center. The state-funded  screens qualified women for breast and cervical cancer, and both men and women for colon cancer — cancers that are curable if found early.
Everyone is encouraged to have a screening colonoscopy at age 50 and, based on results, regularly thereafter. A colonoscopy is an essential means of early detection for colorectal cancer, which may lead to a greater chance of surviving this form of cancer.
## Treatment Options
Whether you or someone you love has been diagnosed with cancer, knowing what to expect can help you cope.
Our competent and compassionate team is here to answer your questions and help you navigate the journey.
From the initial diagnosis to treatment options and their impact we’ll be with you every step of the way to ensure you have access to the support and resources you and your family need.
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Surgery is often the first treatment for cancer. A surgeon might obtain a biopsy for diagnosis or remove the tumor itself. Radiation and chemotherapy before surgery may shrink the tumor and make it easier to remove.
WhidbeyHealth has experienced, board-certified general surgeons. Even if you need specialized surgery off-island, you can return to WhidbeyHealth for medical oncology care – chemotherapy and ongoing monitoring of the cancer.
Chemotherapy/immune therapy is another form of treatment and can be given intravenously [IV] or orally in pill form.
Most chemotherapy is given intravenously [IV] in our light-filled outpatient infusion center by experienced oncology nurses.
We have eight treatment chairs with numerous amenities in a supportive and comfortable environment.
It is also becoming more common for oncologists to prescribe oral chemotherapy/ immunotherapy treatment that comes in the form of pills or capsules. Oral treatment allows you to receive treatment at home but still requires special instructions and needs close monitoring by your healthcare team.
We know chemotherapy can be a challenging experience for patients and loved ones. Our compassion, expertise and understanding come from years of providing excellent care to cancer patients receiving these therapies. You are in good hands.
Cancer care is usually managed by a medical oncologist. Our team of board-certified medical oncologists can order chemotherapy/immunotherapy and work closely with other providers involved in your care.
Most cancer care can be managed on Whidbey. If specialized care such as stem cell transplants or a research protocol is needed, your medical oncologist will refer you accordingly and help coordinate care. We want to help you stay in your community as much as possible.
Highly skilled nurses administer chemotherapy and immunotherapy as well as teach patients how to manage symptoms they may experience with these medications.
Better symptom management helps ensure the person tolerates treatment well and stays on schedule. If they do, there is a higher success rate to beat the cancer.
Radiation therapy is the third form of treatment and is usually given five days per week for two to six weeks. Radiation therapy is a portion of total cancer care, so patients do not need to get both chemo and radiation care off-island.
Therapy is coordinated with radiation centers in Sedro Woolley at United General Hospital, in Mt. Vernon at Skagit Regional Cancer Center and in Everett at Providence Regional Cancer Center.
Referrals are usually made based on patient preference and convenience. A van is available from United General for those with transportation concerns.
WhidbeyHealth Cancer Center has an 8-chair infusion suite. Our team can infuse most all chemotherapy/immunotherapy medications with the exception of trial medications.
We also provide infusion of blood products and non-oncology infusions such as hydration, antibiotics and medications ordered by outside primary care providers and specialists such as neurology, rheumatology and allergy.
You can receive infusion therapy here at WhidbeyHealth even if your doctor or oncologist is off island.
To get started, you will need a **referral** from:
* Your local primary care physician as part of your cancer treatment plan
* Your oncologist when requesting local infusion therapy
Our medical oncologists are partners within the Providence Regional Cancer Partnership.  Providence Everett has a large number of oncology clinical trials that our physicians participate in.
If your oncologist believes you are a potential candidate for a clinical trial they will discuss this option with you. They are also aware of other trials going on in Seattle. If they believe one of these trials would be beneficial, and you are interested, they will refer you to see someone.
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  ### Lena Bransom, OCN, FNP
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  ## Lena Bransom, OCN, FNP
  | Specialty | Hematology/Oncology |
  | --- | --- |
  * !
    ### Deepjot Singh, MBBS
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    ## Deepjot Singh, MBBS
    | Specialty | Oncology/Hematology |
    | --- | --- |
    | Board Certifications | + Internal Medicine - American Board of Internal Medicine + Medical Oncology - American Board of Internal Medicine + Hematology - American Board of Internal Medicine |
    | Areas of Expertise | + Medical Oncology + Blood Disorders |
### Our Providers
  #### Lena Bransom, OCN, FNP
  #### Deepjot Singh, MBBS
### Community Connection
As a Public Hospital District, WhidbeyHealth is owned by the taxpayers of Whidbey Island, and we are committed to providing local access to quality health care.
### Comprehensive Care
WhidbeyHealth offers a broad range of flexible, patient-centric care in more than 25 service areas with convenient locations across the entire island from Oak Harbor to Clinton.
### Close to Home
An exceptional team supports a broad range of inpatient and outpatient services so our community doesn’t have to travel off-island for many of their healthcare needs.
## New Patients
For the convenience of new patients, we’re providing background documents that can expedite your check in process. Please print out these forms, fill them in and bring them with you to your appointment:
*  & **** ─ These include contact numbers, clinic hours and important information about your appointments to print-out for your convenience.
*  ─ This will help your doctors and nurses better understand your medical history.
*  ─ Your agreement to allow the Cancer Care clinic to leave detailed messages with specific medical information on voicemail or answering machine.
*  ─ The medications – including vitamins, supplements and herbs – that you are currently taking.
*  ─ As a patient at WhidbeyHealth, you enjoy specific rights and also have certain responsibilities.
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