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Enloe Regional Cancer Center

The American Cancer Society projects one out of every three Americans will develop some form of cancer in their lifetime. This growing need for cancer care deepens our commitment to providing the best care possible in our community. The Enloe Regional Cancer Center is dedicated to helping patients overcome, survive and thrive throughout their cancer journey.

Learn more about us:

Diagnosis and Treatment

Being diagnosed with cancer is a frightening experience for most patients and their families. Lab tests, X-rays, scans, biopsies and often surgeries are included in the process. It may sound like everyone speaks a "foreign" language when hearing some of the cancer terms for the first time.

At the Enloe Cancer Center, we understand your fears and hope to minimize them by providing you with a highly professional and skilled staff. They will take the time to answer your questions, guide your through the language and provide you with some of the latest cancer treatment techniques. Our cancer program distinguishes itself through:

  • Highly skilled, specialized staff, including oncology-certified nurses and certified radiation therapists.
  • Membership in various cooperative research groups allowing us to participate in clinical trials.
  • Complimentary therapies to support the psychological, social and spiritual needs of cancer patients.

Radiation Oncology

State-of-the-art radiation therapy is one of the hallmarks of Enloe Medical Center. The Enloe Regional Cancer Center helped pioneer the development of a 3-D treatment system, and it continues to use new and innovative technologies. The nurses, physicists and radiation therapists at the Enloe Regional Cancer Center collaborate closely with the radiation oncologists to provide efficient and compassionate care.

Some of the treatments and technologies we provide in our Radiation Oncology department include:
  • Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). Divides the intensity of the radiation beam into a matrix of "pixels," which destroys the cancer cells and minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
  • High-dose radiation therapy (HDR). Employs implanted catheters to direct radioactive sources directly into the tumor.
  • Accelerated partial breast irradiation. For a select group of breast cancer patients, this treatment may be an option. If appropriate, this shortens the course of therapy from six weeks to less than a week.
  • Prostate cancer treatments. A multitude of options are available to our prostate cancer patients. These include IMRT, seed implants and high-dose brachytherapy.

For more information about Radiation Oncology at the Enloe Regional Cancer Center, please call 530.332.3917.

Infusion Therapy

Enloe Medical Center's Infusion Therapy clinic provides treatments to cancer patients and non-cancer patients in a serene and friendly atmosphere. Our nationally certified oncology nurses give expert care to minimize any treatment side effects.

Some of the treatments we provide in our Infusion Therapy
clinic include:
  • Chemotherapy
  • Intravenous hydration
  • Antibiotic treatment infusions
  • Blood transfusions
  • Phlebotomies
  • Bone-marrow biopsies
  • Insertion of PICC (Peripheral Inserted Central Catheter) lines
Healing garden

The Infusion Therapy clinic overlooks our beautiful healing garden, which provides a soothing atmosphere. Since chemotherapy infusions may take many hours, the garden provides a welcome diversion for patients and their families.

For more information about Infusion Therapy at the Enloe Regional Cancer Center, please call 530.332.3834.

Clinical Trials

Enloe Medical Center participates in clinical cancer trials, giving patients access to technologies and expertise typically found in major teaching hospitals. By taking part in these research studies, the Enloe Regional Cancer Center can offer some of the newest drugs and treatments through national cooperative and pharmaceutical trials not available outside of clinical research.

The Cancer Center currently is participating in radiation group trials. One such trial compares traditional breast irradiation, using a catheter technique, with the newer technique of partial breast irradiation, through Mammosite, to compare survival and response rates.

A number of patients at Enloe have been treated with the Mammosite technology. Many are enrolled in a national registry to monitor their treatment and outcomes over the next several years. Enloe also participates in a registry database, which monitors prostate cancer patients.

The Clinical Trials office resides in the Enloe Regional Cancer Center. From here, it also acts as a conduit for all clinical research performed throughout the medical center in many specialties.

For more information about clinical trials at Enloe Medical Center, call 332-6881.

Oncology Tumor Rounds

Physicians at Enloe Medical Center meet regularly to collaborate and share information about patients and decide on the best individual cancer treatment plan.

In these tumor rounds, input is received from surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, other physicians and ancillary staff. These clinicians have real-time access to information about patients' latest treatments, diagnostic images, scans and pathology. A case can be presented at any general tumor rounds, and Enloe also has specialized rounds for discussing all of the breast cancer patients diagnosed.

For more information about Oncology Tumor rounds at the Enloe Regional Cancer Center, please call 530.332.3855.

Breast Care

The Breast Care Center provides a network of mammography, diagnosis, treatment and prosthetic services for women. The center is a collaboration between Enloe Medical Center and North State Imaging.

Mammography: Located next door to the Breast Care Center, North State Imaging provides mammography and breast ultrasound services. Should a mammogram or physician's clinical breast exam reveal an abnormality requiring a biopsy, one phone call will launch the next course of action. 1702 Esplanade, Chico, CA, 95926, 530.898.0500. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Diagnosis: Our staff at the Breast Care Center will set a biopsy appointment and answer questions. Many women can have a breast biopsy through one of two minimally invasive procedures. The center is a nationally accredited facility offering stereotactic biopsy procedures. 1700 Esplanade, Chico, CA, 530.332.5715; Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Treatment: The Enloe Regional Cancer Center offers state-of-the-art breast cancer treatment. We team up with the oncologists, participate in clinical trials and offer comprehensive treatment options. 265 Cohasset Road, Chico, CA, 530.332.3808.

Breast Fitting Services: The Center's Reflections Cancer Care Shop offers a custom-fitting service with an assortment of products and clothing for women who've had mastectomies. Call for an appointment with a certified fitter. 265 Cohasset Road, Suite 110, Chico, CA, 530.332.3815.

Lymphedema Program

Enloe Medical Center's Lymphedema Program specializes in the treatment of lymphedema and other edemas with comprehensive services for the control and self-management.

ABOUT THE LYMPH SYSTEM AND LYMPHEDEMA

Lymph fluid is formed in the tissues of the body. The fluid is heavy with proteins and cellular wastes. Lymph vessels absorb and transport this fluid to lymph nodes. Nodes filter impurities in the fluid and propel it to the great veins of the neck where lymph joins the blood on its way to the heart. When the lymphatic system is impaired, the flow of tissue fluid slows. Fluid floods the tissues and causes swelling of an extremity, the trunk, head/face or genitals. The two classifications are:

  • Primary lymphedema has no obvious cause and may occur at birth or through life. It more commonly affects the legs and is more common among women.
  • Secondary lymphedema is best known as a consequence to treatment of cancers. It may develop due to any surgery, severe trauma, infection or venous disease. Onset may occur at the time of illness or trauma or it can develop years to decades later.

Symptoms of lymphedema: Heaviness, discomfort and/or pain and limitations of movement/endurance/function
Symptoms of Advanced Lymphedema: Repeated infections; lymph leakage and/or slow healing wounds; cosmetic changes and difficulties; decreased self-confidence

ABOUT ENLOE'S LYMPHEDEMA PROGRAM

A therapist provides Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT), which includes:

  • Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD), a gentle massaging therapy that enhances functioning of the weakened lymphatic system
  • Compression Therapy, using bandages, devices and garments to reduce swelling and prevent re-accumulation
  • Skin Care and Hygiene, to minimize risks of infection
  • Myofascial Release, a hands-on technique that provides sustained pressure into myofascial restriction to eliminate pain and restore motion.

Outcomes of treatment are:

  • Reduced swelling
  • Reduced skin abnormalities
  • Reduced risk for or incidence of infection
  • Reduced discomfort
  • Improved appearance
  • Increased function and endurance
  • Confidence and competence with  self-management of the condition

Getting started in treatment

Treatment and support greatly improve the quality of life for persons with lymphedema. Ask your physician about a referral to this program (a prescription is required). Therapy fees are generally covered by Medicare and most private insurance plans. For further information, please call: (530) 332-3800.

Location

The Lymphedema Program is located in the Radiation Therapy department of the Enloe Regional Cancer Center, at 265 Cohasset Road, Suite 140, Chico, CA.

Class: Healthy Steps

Gentle therapeutic exercise class with movements designed specifically to reduce lymphedema. Call (530) 332-3855 for information. Visit www.lebedmethod.com or www.enloe.org/classes.

Cancer Registry

Once a patient is diagnosed with cancer at Enloe Medical Center, our registry works diligently to collect statistics about the type and extent of cancer and the treatments received.

This data collection, mandated by the State of California, is conveyed to the state to help determine the trends, causes, prevalence and outcomes of cancer. Physicians also have access to the information to help them better treat patients with cancer. Information is collected throughout a patient's life. The privacy of health information is protected under HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) federal guidelines.

For more information about Cancer Registry, please call 530.332.3831.

Physicians

Supported by a professionally trained staff, these specialists work with patients' primary-care physicians to ensure the highest-quality care. The physicians take part in a Oncology Tumor Rounds, meeting regularly to share information about patients and determine the best individual treatments. These practitioners are currently on the medical staff at Enloe Medical Center. This means they have met the requirements to care for patients at Enloe.

Cancer Connections

A critical part of caring for and healing patients with cancer is helping them stay "connected." The staff of social workers, nurses and volunteers at Enloe's Cancer Center unites to provide these needed connections, whether to doctors, insurance companies, family, friends or the community. The staff is dedicated to connecting with each patient throughout his or her cancer journey.

Education: Working as advocates for patients, the caring Cancer Connections staff members offer assistance in finding educational resources, transportation and nutritional support, or by just being there to listen.

Connecting Your Journey: Upon starting treatment at the Cancer Center, each patient is offered a Connecting Your Journey binder with information and resources to use as a guide. As patients visit with their physicians, have cancer tests ordered or receive test results, they can add this information to their binders. This gives patients one convenient place to keep everything, from their appointment calendars to their instructions for care after surgery. These personal guides are made possible by generous donations to the Enloe Foundation. The Connecting Your Journey binders are available from Cancer Connections.

Options for Care: At times, patients are diagnosed when their cancer is widespread. Sometimes the cancer has recurred and treatment does not seem to be helping. Many patients want to be with loved ones in the comfort of their home. The Enloe Hospice team can be invaluable in providing care. The nurses, physical therapists, medical social workers, nursing assistants and volunteers offer physical, emotional and spiritual support to those in need. Respect and dignity are enhanced through personal care planning and education for family members on patient comfort. For information on hospice, visit www.enloe.org/hospice or call 332-6060.

Help in the Home: Cancer Connections can call upon the resources of Enloe HomeCare & Hospice and help to screen eligibility and expedite referrals for those programs. Enloe's multidisciplinary team reviews patients to best meet their needs. For information about help in the home, please call 530.332.3854.

Housing: For those patients and their families who need temporary housing during the course of treatment, Cancer Connections can provide a list of local motels, hotels and other facilities. Many proprietors give preferential rates to patients and their families, and some have extra services, such as meals and transportation. In addition, Enloe offers the Arcadian House to patient families for a small fee on a space-available basis. For information about housing, please call 530.332.3854.

Outpatient Acupuncture Clinics

Licensed acupuncturists provide weekly low-cost clinics in a group setting for cancer patients. Treatments are provided in group settings for fatigue, hot flashes, nausea, neuropathy (inability to feel their fingers and toes) and xerostomia (dry mouth).

Wednesdays, 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., by appointment
Enloe Regional Cancer Center's Infusion Therapy Department
265 Cohasset Road, Suite 160
Chico, CA
Appointments & Information: (530) 332-3857

Physician referral not required. Payment is due at the time of service, and paperwork will be provided to clients to allow them to submit for any insurance or medical savings plan reimbursements. 

Acupuncture's effectiveness: Many studies have found acupuncture very effective, and it can be used alone or with medication treatments. People who have completed radiation treatment some time ago are also reporting some relief. Acupuncture does not take the place of medicines or surgery, but usually helps patients feel better by stimulating the immune system and releasing endorphins in the brain, which initiates the relaxation response. Ideally this treatment is used before an issue is problematic.

Research: The Enloe Regional Cancer Center is evaluating symptoms and collecting data to determine if acupuncture minimizes the side effects of treatment, such as dry mouth and sores in the mouth for head and neck cancer patients and neuropathy for certain chemotherapy drugs.

Support Groups and Programs

Cancer Connections understands that patients can support each other in a group setting. To encourage this camaraderie, the Cancer Center provides meeting spaces and refreshments for discussion groups. Support groups and programs have included:

  • Healthy Steps: The Lebed Method, gentle therapeutic exercise class with movements designed to reduce lymphedema
  • Prostate Cancer Support and Education, in association with the American Cancer Society
  • Telling Our Stories, free writing workshops for people who want to learn more about writing to heal. Read an online interview with one of the group's facilitators and writing samples and testimonials from participants.
  • Get Connected Newsletter & Calendar: Featuring articles and information about events and support groups.
  • VIVA!, a support program for youth living with loved ones who have cancer
  • Women's Cancer Support Group

For details, see Enloe's complete listing of support groups and classes. The Cancer Center also keeps a list of in-person, telephone and online support groups that are available through other agencies, such as the American Cancer Society.

For more information about Support Groups and Programs, please call 530.332.3855.

Healing Art

Art can go a long way in helping people to feel better -- and that's very important when one is dealing with cancer. The Enloe Regional Cancer Center offers many healing art programs for patients, family members, friends, caregivers and loved ones.

Healing Art Gallery: Enloe’s Healing Art Gallery, in the Enloe Regional Cancer Center, displays works by local artists touched by cancer. Each quarter, the gallery features a new exhibit, which is often introduced at a special artists’ reception. The gallery is open to the public, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Enloe Regional Cancer Center, 265 Cohasset Road in Chico. Admission is free. To learn more, call 332.3855.

Faces of Hope: Faces of Hope is a rotating installation of beautiful photographic portraits located in the Enloe Regional Cancer Center. Alongside the portraits is information on various forms of cancer.

Support Programs with Art: Telling Our Stories, Lebed Method: Focus on Healing and VIVA! are three of the support programs at the Enloe Regional Cancer Center that make use of art -- be it writing, dance or fine art -- as part of the healing process.

Cranes Project: You can still find strings of beautiful, colorful origami cranes brightening the halls of the Enloe Regional Cancer Center. Many local people of all ages created thousands of paper cranes, some with special messages and prayers inside, as part of Enloe's Cranes Project. This healing arts project, which took place in 2005, was designed to lift the spirits and symbolize hope by raising awareness about cancer and prevention.

Cancer Center Library

The Cancer Center houses a library with free services and resources available to the community, including patients, their families and friends, caregivers, health care providers and students. Many materials are available in English and Spanish.  The offerings include:

  • Books, brochures, videos,CDs/CD-ROMs, and audio cassettes related to cancer, health and wellness.  Resources may be checked out and renewed.
  • Booklets published by primary cancer organizations in our "Giveaway" section.
  • Internet access - Search assistance by appointment.
  • A list of nationally recognized cancer-related Web sites

Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday: 9 a.m. to Noon

For more information on the Cancer Center Library, call 530.332.3856.

Reflections Cancer Care Shop

Located within the Enloe Cancer Center is the elegant Reflections Cancer Care Shop. Serving the region since 1994, the shop carries a variety of locally produced for cancer patients as well as gift items. Products and services include:

  • Custom-fitting service for women who have had mastectomies
  • Attractive specialty garments, including bras, swimsuits, scarves, loungewear and prosthesis
  • Products designed to reduce some of the common side effects of cancer treatment, such as skin changes
  • Jewelry, soy products for the skin and home, and hand-woven caps
  • Cancer-related books by local authors (And we're just down the hall from the extensive Resource Library, which features many books, periodicals and other helpful information.)
  • Handmade greeting cards

Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday, 8 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
For fitting, appointments are encouraged, to allow as much time as is needed for personalized and individualized attention and care

For more information, please call 530.332.3815.

Contact Us

Enloe Cancer Center
265 Cohasset Road
Chico, CA 95926
530.332.3808 - Cancer Information Line
cancer.access@enloe.org