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Cancers
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treat

Your Partners on the Journey to Survivorship.

Our collaborative approach to cancer care ensures the Nassif Community Cancer Center brings together top area specialists to treat a wide array of cancers. Below are some of the most common types of cancer we treat.

Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer is most commonly a transitional cell carcinoma found in bladder tissue. This type of cancer is typically linked to smoking but is usually caught in the early stages, allowing patients to begin treatment sooner. Individuals with bladder cancer often notice symptoms like lower back pain, frequent and painful urination, and blood in their urine. Typically, a urologist diagnoses bladder cancer and refers you to the Nassif Community Cancer Center for treatment.

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer begins when harmful breast cells begin to grow uncontrollably in the tissues of the breast and develop into a tumor. This tumor can typically be felt as a lump in the breast or found in a mammogram. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women. It can occur rarely in men as well. Women over the age of 40 should have a yearly mammogram. The Helen G. Nassif Community Cancer Center is the first and only cancer center in Cedar Rapids accredited by the National Accrediting Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). Contact St. Luke’s Breast and Bone Health at (319) 369-7216 to schedule your mammogram today.

Hear From Our Experts

Breast Cancer Screening

Podcast Episode: 227

Therese Michels, manager of St. Luke’s Breast and Bone Health, returns to the podcast to discuss breast cancer screening recommendations, self-checks, the effect of COVID-19 shutdowns on breast cancer screening and more.

Learn More about screening

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is cancer that starts in the colon or rectum. The colon and the rectum are parts of the large intestine, which is the lower part of the body’s digestive system. Colorectal cancer often begins as a growth called a polyp, which forms on the inner wall of the colon or rectum. Symptoms can include a change in bowel habits, blood in the stool, sudden weight loss, tiredness, and vomiting. Positive prognoses have increased for men and women with the use of screening methods. Schedule a colonoscopy at St. Luke’s Gastroenterology by calling (319) 366-8695 or contacting our Colon Cancer Screening program.

Hear From Our Experts

Colon Cancer Screening

Podcast Episode: 248

Dr. Douglas Purdy, gastroenterologist at St. Luke’s Gastroenterology, joins Dr. Arnold to discuss colon cancer signs and symptoms, the importance of screening, how to reduce your risk and more.

Learn More about screening

Lung Cancer

The two main types of lung cancer are non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. The types are based on the way the cells look under a microscope. Non-small cell lung cancer is much more common than small cell lung cancer. Most cases of lung cancer are caused by smoking. Common lung cancer symptoms include chest pain, coughing and coughing blood, trouble breathing, and hoarseness. Our Lung Care Clinic offers screenings and can connect you with lung cancer experts to build a comprehensive treatment plan.

Hear From Our Experts

Lung Cancer Screening

Podcast Episode: 233

Mallory Kaemmer, supervisor at St. Luke’s Nassif Radiation Center, joins Dr. Arnold to discuss the Lung Check screening program, who qualifies, what the test is like and much more.

Learn More about screening
Lung Clinic

Prostate Cancer

The prostate gland makes fluid that contributes to seminal fluid. The gland lies just below the bladder, in front of the rectum. Prostate cancer often has no early symptoms and grows very slowly. Most men with prostate cancer are older than 65 years of age and do not die from the disease. Our partners offer a variety of prostate cancer treatment options to our patients. St. Luke’s and Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa Urology are among the first hospitals in the state to offer a new prostate cancer treatment called Radium 223. The Nassif St. Luke’s Radiation Center is the only provider in Cedar Rapids to offer brachytherapy, a seed implantation technique that results in a shorter treatment time.

Hear From Our Experts

Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer

Podcast Episode: 76

Dr. Thomas Richardson, urologist at Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa Urology, joins Dr. Arnold to discuss brachytherapy treatment for men with early stage prostate cancer.

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. It usually forms in skin that is commonly exposed to sunlight like the head, shoulders, arms and neck, but can occur anywhere on the body. Skin cancer symptoms commonly includes patches of abnormally colored or textured skin, a sore that doesn’t heal, and unusual moles. Skin has several layers and different types of cancer can manifest in each. Routine skin checks, like those offered through our Advanced Melanoma and Skin Cancer Clinic are the best way to detect cancer in its early, more treatable stages.
Advanced Melanoma & Skin Cancer Clinic

Hear From Our Experts

Skin Cancer

Podcast Episode: 116

Dr. John Vander Zee, plastic surgeon and skin cancer expert at the Nassif Community Cancer Center’s Advanced Melanoma and Skin Cancer Clinic, joins Dr. Arnold to discuss skin cancer. Types of skin cancer, prevention recommendations, and how the Advanced Melanoma and Skin Cancer Clinic is the one-stop-shop for skin cancer patients in the area.

Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer forms in the tissue of the thyroid gland, located in the throat. The four main types of thyroid cancer are papillary thyroid cancer, follicular thyroid cancer, medullary thyroid cancer, and anaplastic thyroid cancer. Common thyroid cancer symptoms include pain or difficulty breathing and swallowing, hoarseness, and a lump or nodule in the neck. Our partners at St. Luke’s and Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa have the expertise to diagnose and treat types of head and neck cancer like thyroid cancer.

Hear From Our Experts

Thyroid Cancer

Podcast Episode: 135

Dr. Michael Telisak, Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa Ear, Nose and Throat, joins Dr. Arnold to discuss Thyroid Cancer. Topics they cover include risk factors, symptoms, treatments, whether hypothyroidism increases the risk of thyroid cancer and more.

More Cancers We Treat

While these are the seven types of cancer we see most often in our clinic, we provide treatment and wellness services for patients with variety of other types as well.

Other Cancers We Treat Include:

  • Blood Cancer
  • Bone Cancer
  • Brain and Spinal Cord Cancers
  • Esophageal Cancer
  • Female Genital Cancers
  • Hodgkin Disease
  • Head and Neck Cancers
  • Kidney/Renal Cancers
  • Lymphoma
  • Male Genital Cancers
  • Pancreatic Cancer
Bladder
Breast
Colorectal
Lung
Prostate
Skin
Thyroid
More

Have You Been Recently Diagnosed?

The Nassif Community Cancer Center provides a personalized care plan and a devoted team of specialists at your side. Because when you see cancer, we see you. Call us today at (319) 558-4876.

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