Centra Alan B. Pearson Regional Cancer Center

Important Phone Numbers
To schedule a mammogram: (434) 200-4048
Schedule a mammogram on-line
To schedule mobile mammography: (434) 200-7890
General Cancer Care Information: (434) 200-3498

Click here for indepth information about various types of Cancer

Radiation Oncology
Breast Imaging
Diagnostics
Dieticians
Patient Support Fund
Support Services for Cancer Patients
The Witness Project
MAAM

Lung cancer survivor testimonial - Shirley Campbell

American Cancer Society
ASTRO-American Society for Therapeutic Radiology & Oncology

From physical and emotional support to spiritual care, our physicians and cancer professionals help patients fight disease while making treatments as comfortable as possible.

Physicians who specialize in treating cancer, including medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, internists and other physicians, lead each person's care. Nurses and support staff include social services, home health, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, pharmacy, pastoral care, enterostomal therapy, nutrition and hospice.

Centra Health's Mammography Screening Center is unique. It was designed, not only by architects and builders, but by women. Women who've had breast cancer and know and understand the special needs required to treat, and live with, this disease. These women provided us with input on how a mammography center could best work for them.

We took this valuable information and implemented it in our design. This includes a spacious and luminous waiting room, private changing rooms, state-of-the-art equipment, a library with computers that have Internet connections, and much more. To schedule a mammogram, call (434) 200-4048, or schedule on-line.

Breast Imaging
Our Breast Imaging Center is located in the Oak-Vassar Medical Building at Virginia Baptist Hospital. If a physician found something suspicious on your mammogram, you would be sent here. At the Breast Imaging Center, we use diagnostic mammography to better identify and locate any suspicious areas that were present on your mammogram. Physicians read this mammogram, and then pass it through the R-2 ImageChecker. We are proud to be among the first health care systems in the nation to add R-2 ImageChecker, a new, computer-aided technology that helps radiologists double-check mammograms for breast cancer.

Radiologists use the system's software to analyze the image a second time. If the image is marked, the radiologist can go back to the original mammogram and review that area in more detail.

An independent study in Texas found an increase of nearly 20 percent in cancer-detection rates when the computer was used and a 37 percent increase in detection rates for the earliest, most curable forms of cancer. The FDA says that for every 100,000 breast cancers detected by screening mammography, the use of the R2 ImageChecker could result in detection of 20,000 more cases in the earliest, most treatable stage.

We also offer mobile mammography, which allows us to bring life-saving screenings to you in convenient locations throughout Central Virginia. Our mobile unit goes to businesses, churches, and other locations. It has two screening units, and is designed to provide privacy, comfort, and convenience. To schedule mobile mammography, call (434) 200-7525.

From our compassionate, highly specialized staff to our state-of-the-art linear accelerator, Virginia Baptist Hospital's oncology services offer comprehensive cancer care to Central Virginia.

Lymphedema Clinic

A critical part of our care involves diagnosing a patient's cancer and determining the extent of the disease.

We use the latest diagnostic technology, from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to computerized tomography scanners. These medical vision devices allow physicians to actually see a cancer tumor inside the body, while surgery and X-rays can pinpoint the extent of the cancer.

We also provide diagnostic mammography, which allows a physician to find the exact location of a breast tumor and track the cancer after treatment.

Support Services for Cancer Patients
Because cancer affects every part of a patient's life, Centra Health offers physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech and hearing therapy to help cancer patients regain maximum function and independence. Our dietitians help patients meet and plan for special nutritional needs during and after treatment. And our nursing staff helps manage the treatment of side effects and provides ways to control cancer symptoms and pain.

We also offer a number of support groups–-in cooperation with the American Cancer Society–for cancer patients and their families or close friends:

"Coping At Home" is a series of classes that provide practical information for caregivers on topics from bed making to giving pain medication and more.
"I Can Cope" is a series of programs that include physicians, nurses and other health professionals who talk about the day-to-day issues of living with cancer.
A cancer survivor support group and a cancer caregivers support group allow a free exchange of ideas and fellowship among people who are undergoing similar problems.
Man-To-Man is a prostate cancer education and support group that meets the third Tuesday of each month.
Breast cancer support groups are offered for women through our comprehensive breast program.

The Witness Project
The Witness Project is a health program for women in churches and community centers throughout central Virginia. It features a group of women who "witness" about their triumph over breast or cervical cancer. Together, they preach the good news that cancer doesn't have to be an automatic death sentence. The key is to catch it early and get it treated.
The project offers more than just hope, though. It also teaches women some simple things they can do in their own lives to protect themselves against breast cancer and cervical cancer. Things like breast self examination.
Trained health instructors at each program use special breast models to show the audience how they can check themselves for signs of breast cancer. The audience then gets a chance to practice what they've learned by searching for lumps in the models.

In addition, the instructors answer questions about things like Pap tests (a test to find cervical cancer) and mammograms (a special kind of X-ray to look for breast cancer). Women will have a chance to find out where in their community they can have tests done at low (or even some cases no) cost.

The Witness Project is a program that saves lives. If you want to know what you can do - or if you want to have this program at your church or organization, please call (434) 947-5127.

MAAM
MAAM (Mammography Annually A Must) is a local volunteer group associated with the Centra Health Foundation with a mission to raise awareness of the importance of screening mammograms. MAAM members have been touched by breast cancer and want to make a difference in the health of the region. The MAAM group increases awareness and promotes screening mammography by ensuring access to mammograms and increasing awareness about the importance of annual mammograms. MAAM helps to fund and organize free mammography screening days for the community and supports media campaigns to build awareness about mammography. For more information about the MAAM group please contact the Centra Health Foundation at (434) 200-4790.

For more information about our cancer care services, please call us at (434) 200-3498, or write to us at:

Pearson Regional Cancer Center
1701 Thompson Drive
Lynchburg, VA 24501

Our extensive home health program also provides nursing and skilled care at home for cancer patients.

2005 Annual Report

2004 Annual Report

2003 Annual Report

2002 Annual Report