What Patients Should Know About Kaleida Health Cancer Care

What Patients Should Know About Kaleida Health Cancer Care

BRADFORD, PA/OLEAN, NY - More than 11,000 Western New Yorkers are newly diagnosed with cancer every year. Patients in the Southern Tier and Northern Pennsylvania facing a cancer diagnosis will now benefit from a more coordinated approach to treatment through Kaleida Health Cancer Care, a comprehensive oncology program designed to guide patients through every stage of their cancer journey.

Formerly known as the Great Lakes Cancer Care Collaborative, Kaleida Health Cancer Care brings together specialists, advanced treatments and support services across the Kaleida Health system. The program connects care teams across multiple locations, helping ensure patients receive personalized treatment plans while remaining close to home.

Stephanie Guchone, vice president of oncology and imaging, and Roberto Pili, MD, medical oncologist and medical director of oncology, say the goal is simple: provide expert cancer care while supporting patients medically, emotionally and practically from diagnosis through survivorship.

Dr. Pili and Guchone answer what patients need to know about Kaleida Health Cancer Care.

What does the first step look like after receiving a cancer diagnosis?

After a cancer diagnosis, the first step is meeting with someone from the Kaleida Health Cancer Care team to begin planning treatment.

A nurse navigator or care coordinator reviews medical records, schedules the patient's first oncology appointment and ensures all necessary tests and reports are available before the visit.

During the initial appointment, a cancer specialist explains the diagnosis, discusses potential treatment options and answers questions. Patients are also connected with support services such as patient navigation, financial counseling and emotional support to help guide them through each step of their care.

What types of cancer services are available within Kaleida Health Cancer Care?

Kaleida Health Cancer Care integrates a full range of cancer services into one coordinated system. These services include diagnostics, medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, patient navigation and survivorship support.

Care teams from these specialties work together through a multidisciplinary approach, guiding patients from early detection to treatment, recovery and long-term health.

Kaleida Health Cancer Care treats a variety of cancers and the most common cancers diagnosed locally including gastrointestinal, genitourinary, lung, colorectal, breast and gynecological cancers, as well as many others.

How are treatment plans personalized for each patient?

Cancer care is not one-size-fits-all. Each patient's diagnosis, health history and personal goals are unique.

At Kaleida Health Cancer Care, specialists collaborate to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to each patient's specific needs. The care team continues to monitor progress throughout treatment and adjusts the plan as needed to ensure the best possible outcomes.

What does "complete cancer care" mean?

Complete cancer care means caring for the whole person-not just treating the cancer.

Patients receive a personalized treatment plan from a team of experienced specialists, along with guidance from nurse navigators and access to emotional support services. The team also helps with practical needs such as appointment coordination, financial questions and connecting patients to helpful resources.

This approach ensures patients never have to face cancer alone.

What support services are available beyond treatment?

Kaleida Health partners with Great Lakes Integrated Network (GLIN) to provide supportive services for patients and their families.

Nurse navigators play a key role throughout the cancer journey. These experienced oncology nurses serve as a consistent point of contact, helping patients understand their diagnosis, treatment plan and what to expect.

They coordinate appointments, connect patients with specialists and support services and help address challenges such as transportation needs, financial concerns and access to community resources.

By providing education, coordination and emotional support, nurse navigators help make the cancer care process easier to navigate from diagnosis through treatment and survivorship.

What advanced treatments and clinical trials are available?

Kaleida Health Cancer Care offers the latest approved cancer treatments across a wide range of tumor types.

Patients may also have access to clinical trials evaluating promising new therapies. These studies may include innovative delivery systems for chemotherapy or radiation therapy, as well as research exploring ways to reduce treatment side effects and improve the effectiveness of immunotherapies and hormone therapies by dietary interventions.

How does Kaleida Health make cancer care convenient for patients?

Kaleida Health offers cancer services at multiple locations across Western New York and now Northern Pennsylvania, allowing many patients to receive treatment close to home.

Care teams coordinate services across medical oncology, surgery, radiation therapy, imaging and support programs so patients can receive many aspects of their care within the same health system.

Patient navigators help schedule appointments, connect patients with resources and guide them through each step of treatment, helping reduce stress and delays in care.

What makes Kaleida Health Cancer Care unique in the region?

Kaleida Health Cancer Care combines the expertise of Western New York's largest health system with advanced acute care capabilities. Patients have access to surgery, chemotherapy and emergency support within one coordinated network.

Dedicated nurse navigators guide patients throughout their care-scheduling appointments, explaining treatment options and connecting them to supportive services-helping ensure a seamless and personalized experience.

What should the community know about the quality of care?

Kaleida Health Cancer Care is accredited by the Commission on Cancer, which means it meets nationally recognized standards for quality, safety and patient outcomes.

Through a multidisciplinary team approach and dedicated patient navigation services, Kaleida Health Cancer Care provides expert treatment and compassionate support every step of the way.

For patients and families facing cancer, this coordinated approach means access to advanced care, experienced specialists and comprehensive support-close to home.

"This transition strengthens the cancer care available to patients in the Southern Tier," added. Dr. Pili. "We will continue providing radiation therapy and medical oncology services locally, but now those services are supported by the experience and resources of Kaleida Health Cancer Care. With more than 40 oncology providers and surgeons, Kaleida Health brings deep expertise and a coordinated approach that helps ensure patients receive the comprehensive care and support they need throughout their cancer journey."

Learn more about Kaleida Health Cancer Care >.