ANNA MOORE

It ’ s a word no one wants to hear — cancer . In West Virginia , cancer rates are higher than the national average , with 482 new cases or events per 100,000 people annually compared to the U . S . average of 442 . The National Cancer Institute records the more common types of cancer in the state , including breast , with an average of about 120 new cases per 100,000 people annually , and prostate , with an average of about 98 new cases per 100,000 people annually . Lung and bronchus have the third highest average at about 76 new cases per 100,000 people annually . Given those numbers , our three health systems operate world-class oncology with care that extends to all involved in the circumstances . Regardless of age or diagnosis , it is possible to receive quality care and treatment right here at home .

WVU Cancer Institute

By Stephanie Bock

The WVU Cancer Institute is passionate about providing world-class cancer care in West Virginia and throughout the region . The Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center , located in Morgantown , WV , is the institute ’ s largest , most comprehensive cancer care facility , but the WVU Cancer

Institute also has a network of 14 regional hospital locations , with the goal of providing cancer care close to home .

The WVU Cancer Institute ’ s larger , regional sites offer medical oncology , surgery and infusion services , as well as highly advanced radiation oncology services , while the critical access hospitals and smaller community hospitals provide infusion services and outpatient medical oncology .

“ This is very intentional ,” says Hannah Hazard-Jenkins , M . D ., FACS , director of the WVU Cancer Institute and a breast surgical oncologist . “ We want our patients to have the care they need , right in their own backyard . A cancer diagnosis is a life-changing event . Finding and receiving cancer care should not add to that stress . That ’ s why the WVU Cancer Institute is dedicated to providing life-saving cancer care through a broad , integrated network .”

Modern treatments help more people survive cancer than ever before . At the WVU Cancer Institute , patients have an entire team of clinicians and support staff who are tirelessly working to support them through the continuum of cancer care .

“ Multidisciplinary care teams work together to plan and provide treatments ,” Hazard-Jenkins explains . “ Our medical , surgical and radiation oncology teams merge the latest cancer medications , therapies and surgical approaches with groundbreaking technology and patient-driven research to offer personalized care .”

As part of West Virginia ’ s top academic health system — WVU Medicine — the institute provides patients with access to cancer care not widely available in non-academic settings . In fact , the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center is the only facility in West Virginia that offers blood and bone marrow transplants , photopheresis and CAR T-cell therapy ; gamma knife radiosurgery for brain cancers and metastasis ; and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy and isolated hepatic infusion .

In addition to offering diagnosis and treatment in its physical locations , the WVU Cancer Institute is traveling the state providing cancer screenings . Close to 3,500 breast and lung cancer screenings will be provided this year alone through Bonnie ’ s Bus ( breast cancer screening ) and LUCAS ( lung cancer screening ).

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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE