As my 2 year anniversary of cancer surgery passes, I am overcome with so many emotions. Finding out I had skin cancer was one of the most difficult times in my life and in Matt’s life. As a first time cancer patient, there was so much information, the options were overwhelming, and the treatment seemed endless (I was seen multiple times a week for 7 months).
Today, I’m honored to partner with City of Hope OC who is building a network of highly specialized cancer treatment centers in Orange County, California. When many patients are diagnosed, their only option for treatment is generally far away from home or difficult to access. City of Hope OC has care centers throughout Orange County and is building a cancer campus in Irvine to make advanced treatments for the 20% of patients who still travel more manageable.
As it turns out, 1 in 3 Americans are diagnosed with some form of cancer in their lifetime. Statistically, Orange County is seeing certain cancers like breast cancer on the rise as the population ages. With this percentage of the population seeking care at some point, City of Hope OC’s network of care centers makes it easier for patients to get the care they need.
City of Hope OC is also advocating for more clinical trials in the cancer space. Clinical trials are often the most effective and sophisticated treatments available for patients. This also means they require frequent visits. With so many locations, City of Hope OC makes it easier for patients to access these clinical trials so more patients can benefit from lifesaving research.
City of Hope OC takes a personalized approach to cancer – every cancer is different and requires targeted therapy to target an individual’s specific gene changes of proteins. Having this capability available at severe locations throughout Orange County is rare and yields better outcomes for their patients.
42% of cancer cases and 45% of cancer deaths in the US are due to preventable risk factors. New technology available at City of Hope OC can help predict a patient’s cancer risk while highly specialized experts assist in taking effective preventative measures. Accessibility and availability of this technology reduces cancer incidents from the start.
The accessibility of City of Hope OC’s cancer centers also reduces the emotional and financial stress patients who travel greater distances to receive cancer care undergo. Additionally, it means it’s more likely they can have someone by their side during their cancer journey. Having a loved one able to provide emotional and physical support makes the road to recovery easier and contributes to the mental health of the patient.
Environmentally, Southern California is known for its poor air quality in several major counties – The American Lung Association, which gave Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Ventura an “F” for particle and ozone pollution. While improving air quality has been a focus in recent years, City of Hope OC hopes to contribute by reducing the time in car for patients to travel to receive treatment.
If you are diagnosed with cancer, keep the faith and make sure you check out City of Hope OC’s world class care as a top-rated option!
Let me know what you think!