Research has consistently shown that cancer patients do better, live longer and generally have an easier experience -- if they feel supported by other people.
It’s no wonder, then, that oncology experts at the world's best known treatment centers are urging patients to stay in their own communities, near the support of family and friends when expert care is available where they live.
The Queen of the Valley Cancer Center offers patients and their families access to the most current cancer information, the best diagnostic techniques and the most innovative treatment in one centralized, comfortable setting close to home.
In the region we serve, only the rarest forms of cancer needing the most experimental types of treatments are referred to university hospitals for care. Over 700 patients a year are able to receive expert cancer care right here in Napa from physicians and nurses who are often their friends and neighbors.
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) surveys hospitals and cancer treatment centers nationwide and approves only those that meet its strict criteria for staffing, services and education. The Queen of the Valley Cancer Center has earned two prestigious awards from the ACS. We are the only facility in Napa and Sonoma Counties to receive both the Three Year Approval with Commendation, the highest level of approval offered by the ACS, and the Outstanding Achievement Award, an award received by only 19 percent of Cancer Programs surveyed.
Queen of the Valley Cancer Center is proud to have many board certified oncology specialists on our team. We have a multidisciplinary tumor board and offer access to clinical trials, nutritional, pastoral, and social services support, as well as a Cancer Wellness program. Our Center offers a totally integrated approach to cancer treatment. We are much larger than a building. We are a talented and experienced team of caring professionals, fully committed to you and your family's quality of life.
Expert Care Every Step of the Way
The Queen of the Valley Cancer Center provides a complete range of cancer prevention, diagnostic and the latest treatment options, as well as a wide array of rehabilitation and support services.
Our caring and talented medical team includes board-certified medical and radiation oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, and primary care physicians. Certified oncology nurses, social workers, psychologists, pharmacists, radiation therapists, physical therapists, dietitians and clergy round out the team. Supported by the latest technology and medications, they work together to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of cancer patients from initial diagnosis through recovery.
Our Health Library, located in the medical center, includes a wide selection of cancer resources covering an array of cancer-related topics. Our staff believes that communication is essential between a doctor and patient and is willing to provide intense personal attention to everyone we treat.
DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING
In the 1970's, Queen of the Valley supported one of the first whole-body CT scanners in Northern California. Today, we continue to provide the latest in imaging technology, such as digital mammography, a resource only available in the nation's top medical facilities.
We also offer advanced technology in ultrasound, nuclear medicine, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CT and PET/CT, eliminating the need to leave home for cancer diagnosis. Learn more ...
BREAST CANCER AND EARLY DETECTION
Women at risk or concerned about breast cancer have convenient access to numerous prevention and early detection services through our outstanding Women's Imaging Center / Breast Center .
Mammograms and state-of-the-art stereotactic detection, a more comfortable alternative to surgical biopsy, are available at the Center. We are also able to offer digital mammography, available in 11% of the nation's medical facilities, and stereotactic breast biopsy.
Mammograms and other breast health services are provided at no cost for under-insured and uninsured women through our partnership with the California Breast Cancer Early Detection Program. For more information about the California Breast Cancer Early Detection Program contact 1-800-511-2300. For more information about our Queen of the Valley Medical Center Breast Health Program contact (707) 257-4068.
NURSE NAVIGATORS
Our Queen of the Valley Cancer Center clinical staff includes both a Breast Health Nurse Navigator and a Cancer Center Nurse Navigator. Nurse Navigators are Registered Nurses with many years of experience who personally support and educate our patients and their families. They work collaboratively with physicians and multidisciplinary teams to integrate clinical services by coordinating resources, services and support. They provide education on disease specifics and treatment options to enable informed decision-making, thereby reducing patient and family anxiety. Our Nurse Navigators have extensive knowledge of other community resources. They help to ensure that patients’ physical, psychological, spiritual, and cultural needs are continually met, even after discharge.
CANCER WELLNESS
The mission of our Cancer Wellness Program is to help cancer “patients” become proactive cancer “survivors” who feel secure in body, mind and spirit. This 12-week program requires a physician referral and participants are fully supported by scholarships made possible through community donations and the Queen of the Valley Medical Center Foundation. Participants work closely with a Physical Therapist or Registered Nurse, Stress Mastery Counselor, Registered Dietitian and Spiritual Care representatives as needed. Cancer Wellness participants receive a membership to Synergy Medical Fitness Center that includes access to group classes such as yoga, Pilates, meditation, aquatic exercise, and more. An art instructor can also work with participants to help them creatively express their feelings and deal with their anxieties. Learn more
LYMPHEDEMA TREATMENT
Queen of the Valley Rehabilitation Services provides a highly regarded, comprehensive lymphedema treatment program. Our medical center and staff are recognized nationally and internationally for treatment of Lymphedema. Queen of the Valley is the only facility in the North Bay that offers such a comprehensive program.
Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants can utilize a variety of tools to reduce and control swelling following breast or other cancer surgeries. Manual lymphatic drainage, compression bandaging, compression garments, special exercises, and patient/caregiver education are some of the many highly effective therapies available to patients. Comprehensive post-breast cancer surgery rehabilitation is also available.
For more information, call 257-4089 or 257-4047. View brochure .
CASE MANAGEMENT
Uninsured and under-insured cancer patients in Napa County are eligible for free cancer case management services, called Cancer Care, through the CARE Network program of QVMC’s Community Outreach Department.
Cancer Care is a person-centered, medical and psychosocial case management approach that, with the client’s help, determines the needs of that client and helps identify appropriate resources to meet those needs. The goal of this approach is to empower each client to better deal with his or her cancer diagnosis.
For more information, call 251-2012 or 251-2013.
HOSPICE CARE
Hospice services for terminally ill patients, their families and caregivers are provided through Hospice of Napa Valley. Established in 1979, Hospice of Napa Valley's team of healthcare professionals includes physicians, nurses, medical social workers, chaplains, pharmacists, counselors and hospice aides who focus on making patients as comfortable as possible.
Services can be provided in a variety of settings based on individual patient and cultural needs. Whenever possible, hospice patients are encouraged and supported to remain at home in dignity and comfort. And they receive the same caring support if they are admitted to Queen of the Valley. Their families also receive expert help making decisions and arrangements.
When recovery is no longer possible, there is always someone on hand to talk to and who will listen -- someone who truly understands and cares.
SUPPORT GROUPS
Support groups meet regularly to share ideas and resources and to help one another through the cancer experience. Research from Stanford University has demonstrated that people who actively participate in a cancer support group have a significantly longer life expectancy.
Bosom Buddies is a particularly popular group supporting women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Bosom Buddies meets the 4th Tuesday of the month from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at 3448 Villa Lane, Napa.
The Cancer Support Group meets Wednesdays from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM at 3448 Villa Lane, Napa. It draws patients who have a cancer diagnosis. Cancer caregivers are also invited to attend Cancer Support Group meetings.
For more information, call 251-2000.
CANCER RESEARCH
The Cancer Center at Queen of the Valley is one of only four programs in the state of California to bring clinical trials of new chemotherapy treatments to local patients.
The Queen and local physicians are partnering with Stanford University Medical Center on an important study involving breast cancer and studies on a variety of other critical cancer issues.
Read more about one of our studies in:
2007 Annual Report and Kidney & Renal Pelvis Site Specific Study
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