Cancer care | veterans affairs

CANCER CARE TREATMENT If you’re diagnosed with cancer, our team will work with you to develop a specialized treatment plan. Our treatments include: MEDICAL HEMATOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY: Some

cancers respond best to treatment with medications. A medical oncologist is a physician trained to treat cancer using medications such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy. RADIATION ONCOLOGY:

Some cancers respond best to treatment with just radiation or a combination of treatments that include radiation. A radiation oncologist is a physician trained to treat cancer using

radiation therapy. SURGICAL ONCOLOGY: Surgical oncology is a field of medicine that uses surgery to treat cancer. The main goal is to find harmful tumors in your body and remove them.

Doctors who practice surgical oncology can also screen you for cancer or find out if the disease has spread to other parts of your body. Minneapolis VA has many surgeons who work with the

oncology teams to make sure the treatment plan is right for you. WOMAN VETERANS CARE: Our women's health program offers complete health care for Women Veterans of all ages. Areas of

cancer care available at Minneapolis VA include comprehensive breast care and cervical cancer screening. For cancer care not available at the VA, we will coordinate community referrals.

Comprehensive breast care includes: * 3D screening mammography * Diagnostic imaging * Breast biopsies * High-risk screening * Breast surgery and reconstruction * Nurse navigation Cervical

cancer screening and surveillance includes: * Pap and HPV testing * Colposcopy and biopsy * Clinic-based treatment, such as a LEEP (loop electrosurgical excision procedure) * Surgery-based

treatment, such as a hysterectomy  * Nurse coordination and navigation * Preventive care, such as smoking cessation counseling and HPV vaccination YOUR CANCER CARE TEAM Cancer care is

provided by a team, including: PHYSICIANS: Physicians specialize in the use of medications such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy to treat your cancer. ADVANCED PRACTICE PROVIDERS: Trained

to prescribe medications to treat and manage your symptoms from cancer. CLINICAL PHARMACY SPECIALISTS: Pharmacists trained to support your cancer team and you to make sure you are receiving

the right medications. They also help monitor you if you are taking chemotherapy by mouth or answer questions you may have about your symptoms caused by chemotherapy. REGISTERED DIETITIANS:

Some cancer treatments can change how food tastes or curb your appetite, a registered dietitian is specially trained to work with your diet to keep your body healthy when you have cancer.

REGISTERED NURSES: Specialized nurses trained to administer medications to treat your cancer and help you navigate the system during your cancer treatment. Many times this is the nurse you

will talk with to ask your cancer care provider questions or address problems you may have while receiving cancer treatment. LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSES: Nurses trained to work with your

cancer team when you come to the clinic to see your cancer care provider. ADVANCED MEDICAL SUPPORT ASSISTANTS: An advanced MSA is the person you generally meet first, who helps coordinate

your appointments and communication with your cancer team. SOCIAL WORKERS: Oncology social workers can help you understand your diagnosis and treatment plans and help you improve

communication with your team. The social worker will also be able to help find community resources to make your cancer treatment less stressful. REHABILITATION SPECIALISTS: A rehabilitation

specialist is a medical or psychosocial professional who assists patients in their recovery from cancer treatment. Different rehabilitation specialists include physical therapists working on

your strength and conditioning, occupational therapists who help make sure you can take care of yourself and speech therapists who help with your ability to swallow and talk. CLINICAL

PSYCHOLOGISTS: Clinical psychologists are trained professionals who works directly in the mental health field with you, one-on-one or in a group setting, diagnosing and treating patients for

various different mental health issues that impact you when you have cancer.