 The Providence Cancer Centers are committed to staying on the forefront of bringing breakthrough cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment methods to our patients. Our Cancer Centers were one of the first in Southern California to offer Prostate Brachytherapy implanting tiny radioactive seeds into the prostate to destroy cancer cells with pinpoint accuracy while sparing surrounding organs and tissue. And because it's less invasive than conventional surgery, it has fewer risks, and patients experience a faster recovery with fewer side effects. Recently, we armed ourselves with sophisticated 3-D diagnostics, and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans helping to identify cancer in its earliest stages. We also offer hypothermia treatment and stereotactic biopsy. Soon we will be equipped with the latest state-of-the-art digital mammography equipment.
Making Breakthroughs in the Fight
Against Cancer
In battling cancers of all types, oncologists at the Providence Cancer Centers are using many of the most advanced diagnostic techniques and taking advantage of the latest research findings in their efforts to locate, identify and treat cancers in their earliest stages. While cancer is the second leading cause of death in our country, it is also a disease benefiting from many of the leading advancements in medicine. The Providence Cancer Centers are on the forefront of these innovations, continually bringing breakthroughs in techniques, procedures, equipment and medications to patients suffering from cancer.
The Providence Cancer Centers also have a respected research center. Our distinguished team of oncologists, scientists, nurses and staff are actively involved in groundbreaking cancer research. Our physicians include national leaders of the American College of Radiology, Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG), and American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology with access to cutting edge research protocols available from the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Program, the Southwest Oncology Group, the Gynecologic Oncology Group, and the RTOG. The team participates in nationally recognized clinical trials to continually provide improved care and research related to cancer treatment and prevention. This means our patients have access to a number of therapies not generally available.
Recognized for Quality
 We are proud to have some of the best cancer survival statistics in the country. For breast cancer, in comparing our data base stage by stage to the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB), our survival rates are 10 percent higher than the national average. Our excellent breast cancer survival outcomes have been obtained with less invasive surgeries meaning that both our breast preservation rates and survival rates are high. For ovarian cancer, the survival rate of our patients for the most recent years studied (1993-1999) is 20 percent higher than the national average. For colorectal cancer, the five-year relative survival rate is comparable or better at Providence Health System than the results reported by the NCDB. For prostate cancer, the five-year relative survival rate is comparable or better at Providence Health System than the results reported by the Surveillance Epidemiology End Results (SEER) study.
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