Oregon Cancer Alliance: With You at Each Step
From diagnosis through treatment and survivorship, Oregon Cancer Alliance of Eugene-Springfield brings together leading cancer specialists to provide coordinated expert care close to home. Our tumor boards convene providers from across Lane County to consult and discuss individual patient cases and determine the best course of action to achieve the best outcome.
Coordinated Care Through Collaboration
The 3 Steps of a Patient’s Journey
If you’ve recently learned you or a loved one has cancer, know that you’re not alone. In addition to friends and family, you have a coordinated network of health professionals in your corner—the Oregon Cancer Alliance.
In Oregon’s greater Eugene-Springfield area, your circle of care includes a wide range of specialists who are with you at each step of your cancer journey.
Diagnosis
If cancer is suspected, your health care team may take the following steps to reach a conclusion and, if necessary, to determine its degree.
- Imaging: Conducting MRI scans, CT scans, or ultrasounds.
- Biopsy: Taking a sample of tissue suspected to be cancerous. This may involve a procedure, such as a colonoscopy.
- Pathology: Studying the tissue to provide a definitive diagnosis.
- Staging: Determining the extent of the cancer and next steps.
Treatment
Depending on the type of cancer, you may undergo one or multiple types of procedures.
- Chemotherapy: Using drugs to attack tumors
- Immunotherapy: Boosting your body’s immune system to fight it
- Radiation therapy: Sending beams of intense energy to destroy cancer cells
- Interventional radiology: Destroying it by ablation, or extreme heat or cold
- Surgery: Removing cancerous tissue; may also include plastic or reconstructive surgery
Survivorship
On the path to recovery, it’s important to keep in contact with your healthcare team and pursue a path of monitoring and prevention.
- Ongoing screening: Scheduling well checks and regular screenings
- Follow-up tests: Having imaging or bloodwork to watch for reoccurrence
- Wellness: Meeting with dietitians and others to guide and support you in eating well and maintaining a healthy lifestyle