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Comprehensive Cancer Care

When faced with a cancer diagnosis, fear and uncertainty can make navigating next steps difficult. Having an entire care team at your side is critical to your journey back to health. Nebraska Cancer Specialists has a comprehensive approach that includes a dedicated physician team, integrative services, a cutting-edge research department, on-site pharmacy, and specialty care clinics, all designed to provide a higher level of comfort for cancer patients and their families.

With more than 200 dedicated oncology professionals and eight clinics across the state and growing, Nebraska Cancer Specialists does much more than just provide chemotherapy treatment. Kelly Horn, Physician Liaison, explained that every patient has a dedicated physician team that includes a medical oncologist, nurse practitioner or physician assistant, medical assistant, a nurse case manager, and a scheduler. Because trust between patient and physician is crucial, the physicians rotate clinics for flexibility so that a patient sees the same physician every time. The physicians also serve on a local tumor board to discuss challenging cases and share best practices.

Nebraska Cancer Specialists also recognizes that cancer care involves much more than just medical treatment for a patient. Their well-being as well as that of their family and caregivers is just as important, so they offer services such as occupational therapy, mental health, genetics, nutrition, and even on-site fitness classes such as yoga, Tai chi, and strength training—all essential to a patient’s recovery. Nebraska Cancer Specialists doesn’t want a patient to forego these additional services due to cost, so patients meet with a Patient Financial Advocate to assess their need for financial assistance. There are many organizations, including the HOPE Foundation, that can help with expenses such as rent, car insurance, and medication co-pays to alleviate those stresses.

Research is another critical area that contributes to a patient’s care. Horn said Nebraska Cancer Specialists is a regional leader in cancer diagnosis, treatment, and research. In some cases, they have been elected as the first site in the world to offer certain trials, and have enrolled more than 200 patients in oncology clinical trials over the past two years. “We have a cutting-edge research department that seeks out these trials, and we can get a patient up and running on a trial in as little as two weeks,” she said.

They also offer cutting-edge treatment such as the DigniCap® Scalp Cooling System, which reduces chemotherapy induced hair loss associated with the treatment of solid tumors such as breast, ovarian, uterine, and prostate. “We are the first in the region to have one, and it helps retain dignity during a critical time,” Horn explained.

Additionally, Nebraska Cancer Specialists offers specialty care clinics, such as geriatric care, palliative care, and survivorship. They also have an accredited on-site pharmacy that includes three pharmacists Board Certified in Oncology and 10 dedicated pharmacy technicians. “We are lucky to have this caliber of care right here in our community,” Horn said. “Providing innovative, cutting-edge, robust care for our patients makes all the difference in the world.”

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