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736 Battlefield Blvd., North • Chesapeake, VA • Directions

Cancer Services

At Chesapeake General Hospital, cancer patients know from the moment they walk in the door that they'll find everything they need to fight their disease with the help of caring healthcare professionals. From radiation, chemotherapy, pain management and nutrition consults to social services, home care and financial aid, service is one-stop, personalized care at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center.

Breast surgeon brings her lifelong work and innovations to Chesapeake Regional’s new Breast Center

For 23 years, Dr. Catherine Z. Hayward has witnessed first hand the physical, emotional and financial effects of breast cancer on her patients.

There have been a lot. Breast cancer ranks second only to lung cancer as the leading cancer diagnosis for women. And most patients are not optimistic about their prognosis. Even today, with the many advances in the care and treatment of the disease, some still worry about their survival rate. MORE

New breast care coordinator ensures seamless care

From the time patients get an abnormal mammogram to the day they go into remission, R.N. Pat Thornton personally guides them through a treatment process that can often be confusing and frightening.

As Chesapeake Regional’s new breast care case manager, Thornton also works closely with physicians to ensure they are updated as fast as possible on all aspects of their patients’ treatment. MORE

Patient Navigator

New to the Chesapeake General Hospital is the Patient Navigator Program. Serving in the position is Ellie Duarte, formerly the mission delivery manager at the Hampton Roads’ chapter of the American Cancer Society.

In her role, Duarte will work to steer patients to the appropriate cancer society programs, services and information; as well as hospital and community resources. She has direct access to information on cancer types and treatment, national clinical trials, local screenings, area support groups and such programs as “Look Good, Feel Better,” “Reach to Recovery, Road to Recovery,” “I Can Cope,” “Man to Man” and others. Ellie can be reached by email at Ellie.Duarte@chealth.org.

The hospital offers comprehensive cancer care including:

  • A dedicated 24-bed inpatient unit devoted exclusively to cancer patients.
  • Nurses who specialize in the care of oncology patients.
  • On-site, board-certified radiation oncologists.
  • A complete menu of the latest diagnostic services including MRI, CT scan, nuclear medicine, mammography with ImageChecker, X-ray testing and pathology lab.
  • Two linear accelerators for radiation therapy, one with IGRT technology.
  • A full range of surgeons and other medical specialists on-site for consultation with radiation oncologists.
  • A pleasant, soothing environment designed with patient comfort in mind.
  • Reserved parking and a covered drop-off area for patients convenience.
  • A resource library with Internet access.
  • Outdoor landscaped "Garden of Hope" area for reflection.
  • 24-hour availability of emergency and operating rooms, and pathology and diagnostic services.
  • Convenient weekday appointments for radiation oncology and chemotherapy (including hours before and after typical business hours)
  • Affiliation with the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Institute of Hampton Roads.

Within the Chesapeake Regional Medical Center family of providers, cancer patients have access to:

  • IV therapy. This service often allows patients to go home after being hospitalized sooner than expected or prevents them from being hospitalized at all by bringing the skilled treatment and attention of medical professionals right into their homes.
  • Lymphedema therapy. Breast cancer patients suffering from accumulated fluid and proteins in their body tissues often find relief through a specially developed massaging procedure, called "manual lymph drainage." The technique employs a gentle, rhythmic massage to remove toxins, excess water and metabolic waste from body tissues and help the body to heal more quickly.
  • Pain management. The goal of this service is for the patient to achieve pain control and comfort with minimal side effects.
  • Palliative care. Palliative care aims to relieve suffering and improve the quality of life for the families and patients with advanced illness.
  • Registered dietitians. These certified practitioners are experienced in medical nutrition therapy and health education counseling.
  • Community education. The resource center, housed within the Sidney M. Oman Cancer Treatment Center, provides patients and their family members with a place to find the latest materials on cancer, including brochures, videos and books for loan.
  • Home Health. Chesapeake Regional Medical Center's Home Care Services staffed by a specialized team of healthcare professionals including nurses, occupational and physical therapists, speech and language pathologists, dietitians, home health aides and social workers who are eager to provide the most personalized and caring medical attention to patients requiring follow-up care at home. Hospice program brings together the skills of dedicated healthcare professionals to treat and comfort terminally ill patients and their families.
  • Social services. Chesapeake Regional Medical Center counselors serve as a liaison between healthcare professionals and any community resources needed by patients and their families.
  • Support groups. An array of support groups focus on various medical conditions for patients and caregivers, including the American Cancer Society "Look Good, Feel Better" classes.
  • Pastoral care. A team of interdenominational clergy are based within the hospital and on-call for family counseling and consolation.

For more information call 757.312.6294, email us at cancerresourcecenter@chealth.org.

Cancer Resources:
American Cancer Society
American Brain Tumor Association
American Institute for Cancer Research
National Cancer Institute
National Institutes of Health - Clinical Trials
National Institutes of Health - Cancer Facts
University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

The Cancer Program offered by Chesapeake Regional Medical Center has been accredited by the American College of Surgeons since 1976. Its mission is to provide the best possible medical care to patients with cancer, to assure the availability of total-support services both to patients and to their families, and to supply educational and preventative programs to our staff, our patients, and the community.

Chesapeake Regional Medical Center is a proud sponsor of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.