Oncologists in Southeast Idaho

At Portneuf Medical Center’s Cancer Center, we understand that cancer is a personal journey, and no two experiences are alike. That’s why our oncology specialists provide comprehensive cancer care tailored to your individual needs and diagnosis. We pride ourselves on delivering patient-focused care that you and your loved ones can depend on. With a wide range of cancer treatment services that include radiation therapy, hematology, medical oncology, and clinical trials, our oncologists are prepared to find the precise treatment for your needs. We also offer various cancer support services, including educational resources, nutrition counseling, financial advising, and support groups. When you need exceptional cancer care, look no further than Portneuf.

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Oncology Locations

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About our Cancer Center

Welcome to the Portneuf Cancer Center; a comprehensive oncology clinic. We know that cancer is a personal journey. Your experience as a survivor won’t be exactly like any one else’s. On the other hand, many of the things you will need during the time you spend with us are the same as other patients. We are consistently refining our patient care to make sure we deliver to you an entire array of what is required during this important time.

Our care starts with finding the precise treatment for your ailment. A big part of this will involve learning all you can about cancer itself and how the treatments will affect you and the disease. This line of communication is vital and we will encourage questions and interaction from you. Although you are on a personal journey, you’ll have a team of experienced caregivers by your side every step of the way. We take great pride in the fact that we are prepared to assist you in everything from monetary issues and diet to your emotional well-being.

We call what we do “patient focused care,” which brings together all the knowledge we’ve gained from all the survivors that have passed through our doors. Today we offer that collective insight and personal attention to you, conveniently in one location, and promise to do everything possible to help you succeed.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, we invite you to visit our facility and meet our dedicated team of professionals.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy uses high energy particles or waves to destroy or damage cancer cells in a specified area. For most people, treatments are given 5 days a week for 1 to 7 weeks. The number of treatments you need depends on the size and type of cancer, where the cancer is, how healthy you are, and what other treatments you are getting. External radiation therapy is like getting an x-ray. It is painless and only takes a few minutes.

The side effects of radiation therapy vary depending on where the radiation is directed. New, advanced technology combined with our experienced, knowledgeable physician team and staff means your treatments are on par with facilities across the Northwest.

All the cancer care and services a patient needs are located here under one roof: medical oncology, radiation oncology, infusion therapy, financial counselors, social work and a cancer nutritionist. This level of care provides you the opportunity to stay at home during treatments. It allows you to be near the support of family and friends, which in itself is some of the very best care you can receive.

For any questions or concerns, please contact our staff.

Medical oncology

A medical oncologist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Over the years, there have been many advancements in treatment options, dramatically improving the prognosis for many different types of cancers.

Our dedicated team of medical oncologists work closely with a multidisciplinary team, which may include a surgeon, a radiation oncologist, a dietician, and more to help you navigate through a cancer diagnosis. We are committed to providing the latest treatment options and compassionate care, service and comfort from diagnosis through treatment

Hematology services

Hematology is a branch of medicine that deals specifically with the diagnosis and treatment of blood disorders and/or blood-related cancers. Typical diseases treated by a hematologist include:

Blood clots
Hemophilia
Leukemia
Lymphoma
Multiple myeloma

Our physicians and care team members are here to help you understand your treatment options and are with you from diagnosis all the way through treatment.

Cancer clinical trials

Clinical trials, or research studies, are an important aspect of cancer treatment. Clinical trials help to move the basic scientific research from the laboratory into treatments for people. By evaluating the results of these trials, we can find better ways to prevent, detect, and treat cancer. Very few adults with cancer (about three percent) actually participate in clinical trials. We need to test the best cancer prevention, detection, and treatment ideas in the shortest time possible, and this can only happen with participation.

At the Portneuf Cancer Center, we are here to assist you with a referral to a clinic trial available at other institutions. The National Cancer Institute has made a wealth of information available to better explain the clinical trials process. We invite you to explore the NCI’s website and read more about the opportunity that research provides. Please visit www.cancer.gov for more information. Clinical trials often compare the most accepted cancer treatment (standard treatment) with a new treatment that doctors hope will be better. Each study has rules about who can and cannot participate – such as age, sex, or type of cancer. Think about asking your doctor if you can take part in a study.

What kind of information will I get if I want to take part in a clinical trial?

Before you join a study, a doctor, nurse, or other person on the research team will explain why the study is being done, and what will happen during the study. You can ask any questions you have about the study. You will also be given a consent form to read. The consent form will explain the exact plan for each step in the study, what side effects you may experience, and how the study may affect your daily life.

You should ask questions about any part of the consent form you do not understand. If you decide to take part in the study, you will be asked to sign the consent form. Even if you sign the consent form, you can still change your mind and stop at any time.

Who makes sure my rights are protected?

Groups of experts at the national and local levels approve research studies before they begin. One of the most important groups is called an Institutional Review Board (IRB). The IRB’s job is to review research studies and make sure they are run safely and fairly. All clinical trials should be reviewed by an IRB, which includes doctors, nurses, and people from the community.

What are some benefits of being part of a research study?

If you join a study that compares treatments, you will get either the best accepted treatment for the kind of cancer you have (called standard treatment), or a new treatment that doctors hope will be better than the standard treatment. What doctors learn in studies also helps people who may get cancer in the future.

What are some risks to being part of a research study?

It is not known for sure if the new treatment in the study will help you more than the standard treatment for your cancer. Some treatments in studies may have side effects. In addition, research studies have costs, and health insurance does not always pay for all your costs in a study. It’s important to talk about these costs with a doctor, nurse, or social worker.

Do I have to take part in a clinical trial?

No. Taking part in a research study is up to you. It is important to look at all of your treatment options with the help of your family and doctor. This will help you decide if a study is the best way to treat your cancer. You and your family should ask questions before you decide to take part in a research study. Be sure to get all the information before you decide if you want to take part.

To find out more about clinical trials (research studies) in your area, ask your doctor or call NCI’s Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER. You can also visit the web at www.cancer.gov.

Contact our Cancer Center

Our office hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Thursday, and 8:00 am – 12:00 pm on Fridays.

To contact our providers or nursing staff, please contact the Cancer Center reception staff at 208-239-1720. Our physicians offer an on-call service after normal business hours which can be reached using that same number.

Should you have any questions or concerns during your course of treatment, please do not hesitate to alert any of the cancer center staff. Our goal is to not only meet your expectations but to exceed them.

Cancer support services and helpful links

It is important to learn all you can about your type of cancer and how the treatment may affect you and the disease. During your research, we encourage you to maintain a line of communication and interact with your care team to help answer your questions and to respond appropriately to your needs. While there are many websites on the internet that deal with cancer, not all of them contain correct information. The following websites contain information that is both correct and helpful as you navigate through a cancer diagnosis.

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