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Expert Colorectal Cancer Care at Providence St. Joseph Hospital Orange

Providence St. Joseph Hospital Colorectal Cancer Program at The Center for Cancer Prevention and Treatment is one of California’s leading programs in colorectal cancer treatment. We offer every healing advantage, from advanced treatment options to a highly skilled, fellowship-trained team that gives you confidence in your personalized treatment plan. Colorectal cancer which includes cancers of the rectum, anus and colon, are among the most common type of cancer in the United States. With expertise in restoration, management and promotion of colon, rectal and anal health, our experts in the St. Joseph Hospital Colorectal Cancer Program can help you make informed decisions about your care and provide a personalized treatment tailed to your individual needs.

2257.4 miles away
714-734-6235

Expert Colorectal Cancer Care at Providence St. Joseph Hospital Orange

Providence St. Joseph Hospital Colorectal Cancer Program at The Center for Cancer Prevention and Treatment is one of California’s leading programs in colorectal cancer treatment. We offer every healing advantage, from advanced treatment options to a highly skilled, fellowship-trained team that gives you confidence in your personalized treatment plan. Colorectal cancer which includes cancers of the rectum, anus and colon, are among the most common type of cancer in the United States. With expertise in restoration, management and promotion of colon, rectal and anal health, our experts in the St. Joseph Hospital Colorectal Cancer Program can help you make informed decisions about your care and provide a personalized treatment tailed to your individual needs.

2257.4 miles away

Meet the Team

At Providence, you'll have access to a vast network of dedicated and compassionate providers who offer personalized care by focusing on treatment, prevention and health education.

Our Multidisciplinary Approach

Colorectal cancer which includes cancers of the rectum, anus and colon, are among the most common type of cancer in the United States.

With expertise in restoration, management and promotion of colon, rectal and anal health, our experts in the St. Joseph Hospital Colorectal Cancer Program can help you make informed decisions about your care and provide a personalized treatment tailed to your individual needs.

Our Team of Cancer Experts

Our dedicated, experienced team includes board-certified colorectal surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, genetic counselors, pathologists and nurse navigators who will provide you with a broad spectrum of diagnostic services and advanced, minimally invasive treatments for your care, while also offering an unmatched level of sensitivity and expertise.

Through a multidisciplinary approach, we offer comprehensive prevention, screening and early detection, and state-of-art treatment options. To maximize your treatment’s effectiveness, our program has developed evidence-based clinical pathways.

The Colorectal Cancer Program at Providence St. Joseph Hospital is led by Anita Gregory, MD.

Treating Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is a complicated disease that may require a number of methods for treatment, such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation oncology. Our team incorporates current evidence-based practices into your treatment We know that no two cases of cancer are the same, so your treatment plan will be personalized to what works best for you.  We follow the guidance of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) to ensure the latest inpatient care, research and education in planning your treatment.

You can expect a multidisciplinary team of experienced professionals will oversee your treatment. Treatment options for colorectal cancers may involve a combination of procedures such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Each week your care team participates in a weekly Cancer Conference to review specific case and to ensure the latest evidence-based treatment practices are available to you.

Screening and Diagnosis

Early screening is important. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States but highly treatable if found early. We recommend the following screening exams: colonoscopy every 10 years, a CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years, or a flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years. 
The American Cancer Society recommends that anyone of average risk of colorectal cancer starts regular screenings at age 45, with a repeat screening every 10 years. To make an appointment for your screening, please call 714-734-6235.

Surgery

Surgery is often the main treatment used to treat your cancer. In some cases, it may be used after chemotherapy, radiation or after both have been administered to shrink your tumor. Types of surgery we perform include:

  • Minimally Invasive Surgery
  • Polypectomy
  • Hemicolectomy, Partial Colectomy or Segmental Resection
  • Total Colectomy
Medical Oncology

Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells throughout your body that have spread from the original cancer site. Currently, there are more than 100 chemotherapy drugs used most frequently in various combinations and your oncology team will determine the right combination for you to increase the percentage of cancer cells destroyed while reducing your chance of resistance to any particular drug and toxicity to any one organ.

You may be concerned about side effects of chemotherapy. Many new drugs have been developed that lessen the side effects of chemotherapy and provide a much better quality of life during treatment. These drugs can help increase white and red cell blood counts, decrease nausea and vomiting and increase appetite. The side effects will differ with each patient, but most side effects are temporary and will go away once treatment has ended.

Radiation Oncology

The Radiation Oncology Program at The Center for Cancer Prevention and Treatment is an integral part of our comprehensive, multidisciplinary cancer program, providing advanced technology and innovative care. With three state-of-the-art Varian Linear Accelerators, three board-certified radiation oncologists, dedicated on-site physicists, dosimetrists, therapists and nurses, the Radiation Oncology Program delivers nearly 14,000 radiation treatments per year to both adults and the pediatric population.

Our specialists offer the latest radiation techniques and technology necessary to target tumors while minimizing exposure to normal tissue.

Clinical Research Trials

Providence St. Joseph Hospital is among Orange County's most active community hospitals that participate in clinical trials. Continued advances in cancer care and prevention are the direct result of participation in clinical trials. National evidence from a wide range of studies suggests that cancer patients diagnosed and treated in a setting of multi-specialty care and clinical research live longer and have a better quality of life.

New treatments and procedures are constantly being developed. We are proud to provide our patients with access to some of the latest trials, many of which are not available elsewhere. Please view our clinical trials to see current studies available at The Center for Cancer Prevention and Treatment. Your oncology team will assist you in determining which may be appropriate for your diagnosis.

Cancer Rehabilitation

Our team of rehabilitation experts have advanced training to provide specialized care for the unique needs for our patients. The Lymphedema Program is a leader in Southern California for manual lymph drainage, bandaging, compression, education and exercise.

Our therapists provide individualized treatment that includes:

  • Pre-op, prehab and postoperative therapy
  • Cognitive Rehabilitation Program
  • Pelvic floor rehabilitation
  • Exercise, education and surgical site massage
  • Cancer-related fatigue therapy
  • Audiology consults for possible chemotherapy-related hearing impairment.

At the Center for Cancer Prevention and Treatment, we believe in treating the whole person: body, mind and spirit. That's why, in addition to expert clinical care, we offer you and your family the resources you need to calm the mind, strengthen the spirit and concentrate on what matters most—healing.

Nurse Navigator

Our Nurse Navigators provide patient-centered care while facilitating timely access. These medical professionals have the clinical expertise, advanced knowledge and skills to effectively coordinate the care of our patients, assist in overcoming barriers, and provide education and resources to promote informed decision making throughout all phases of the cancer care continuum.

We are equally dedicated to helping our community stay informed about prevention, screening, early detection, and the latest advances in cancer treatment, as well as providing support for those affected by a cancer diagnosis through support groups and community education.

To connect with our Colorectal Cancer Program Nurse Navigator, please call 714-734-6235.

Survivorship Care Program

Cancer Survivorship starts from the time of diagnosis and continues throughout your lifetime. Our Survivorship Navigator helps cancer survivors transition to life after active cancer treatment.

After completing cancer treatment, our Survivorship Nurse Navigator is available to discuss the following with you:

  • Review of your personalized oncology treatment summary and follow-up care plan.
  • Discussion about potential long-term effects after treatment
  • Financial concerns
  • Recommendations for a healthy lifestyle
  • Referrals for follow-up care and a list of support resources.

To make an appointment with Survivorship Nurse Navigator, please call 714-734-6236.

Additional support services include:

Awards

U.S. News & World Report 2023-24 High-Performing Hospital for Colon Cancer Surgery

 

Why Choose Us for Colon Cancer Care?

At Providence, we see the life in you. Together, let’s finish cancer – so you don’t have to miss any of life’s special moments.

No two patients, or their treatment plans, are alike. This is why, at Providence, we take a highly personalized approach to your colon cancer care. You’ll experience this through our multidisciplinary tumor boards, where your oncology team collaborates with other cancer care experts about your specific diagnosis. We also offer a Providence Molecular Tumor Board, where we evaluate your genomic and clinical information to find the best genetically matched treatment for you. Your oncology team will work with you directly to design a treatment plan that fits your personal needs. It’s an approach that combines leading-edge treatment with the compassionate care Providence is known for. Why? Because we know this results in the best outcomes.

As a patient, you’ll be supported through your entire cancer journey by a multidisciplinary cancer care team. You’ll be treated by board-certified medical oncologists, surgeons and radiation oncologists. We have a team of over 60 world-class colorectal surgeons who use advanced techniques to find the least invasive treatment options when appropriate. In addition, the Providence network has a colorectal surgery fellowship program to train the next generation of surgeons. It’s a team-based approach to colon cancer care. Your care team may include gastroenterologists, oncology nurse navigators, ostomy nurses and other cancer specialists. We also provide you and your family with a full range of support services well beyond conventional treatment, from genetic counseling and education to nutrition and pain management.

Learn more about the experts who make up our multidisciplinary cancer care teams.

Cancer doesn’t discriminate, but access to great colon cancer care hasn’t always been the same for everyone. At Providence, we are deeply committed to making sure every patient we treat has access to the best cancer care. We offer various location-specific services to help our patients receive equitable care, such as translation for non-English-speaking patients, telehealth and transportation assistance. We value, respect and support the racial, ethnic, religious, spiritual, gender and sexual identities of each member of our diverse communities, and we welcome all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. We aim to make sure every patient is treated equally and with dignity – whoever you are, and wherever you're at.

As a patient at Providence, you have access to the largest community-based cancer network in the United States. Being part of a collaborative network means that your local colon cancer care team shares knowledge and experience with other world-class clinicians across 51 hospitals in seven states. The extent and power of our network is one of the reasons more than 2,600 new colon cancer patients, and over 4,200 new colorectal cancer patients, choose Providence each year. 

Providence is well known for offering options – and hope – to patients seeking the most advanced procedures and therapies to treat colon cancer. Providence researchers have led the development of immunotherapy for cancer, including T-cell therapy for patients with colorectal cancer. They are also researching novel treatment approaches that may limit or eliminate the need for surgery in the future. As a patient, you have the opportunity to participate in one of the many clinical trials for colon cancer treatment happening across the Providence network.

The Power of Our Network

Part of the Providence Cancer Institute of Orange County

From diagnosis to recovery and beyond, we’re with our patients every step of the way. We’ve integrated three nationally accredited cancer programs – Mission, St. Joseph and St. Jude – to provide you with:

  • Board-certified cancer specialists who collaborate across locations to provide convenient, connected care close to your home or work.
  • Innovative screening that can detect more than 50 types of cancer through a single blood draw.
  • Patient navigators for each cancer type who will help you manage your treatment and find the resources you need.

Learn More About the Providence Cancer Institute of Orange County

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Find Clinical Trials

Are you looking for a clinical trial for yourself or for a patient? We’d love to help you find one!