Scott & White center to focus on comprehensive cancer treatments

Watson said the goal behind the center is that as soon as someone gets a cancer diagnosis, the patient can focus on themselves and let the Scott & White doctors focus on treatment.

“It can be incredibly overwhelming for patients to have to think about [treatment options] and also try to navigate from different systems to different facilities,” he said. “We wanted them to think they’re here now, and we’re going to take care of them. [...] They get to focus on their well-being.”

Watson said in addition to its radiology treatments the center will feature a palliative and supportive care wing.

“Palliative and supportive care is really crucial to oncology because they’re really built to deal not only with the aspects of pain-management that come along with cancer treatment but the psychological aspects as well,” he said. “We’ll have in the same building our pain-management services that help treat the pain that can occur with cancer care.”

Furthermore, Watson said the center will feature preventive aspects as well, with its breast center providing screening and diagnostic mammography. The center will also feature a clinic focused on those with a high risk of breast cancer.

“[The high-risk clinic is] built to help people who have a strong history of breast cancer and maybe above average risk to understand what is their risk, and what do they need to do to lower that risk,” Watson said. “We’re absolutely committed to preventing cancer where we can.”

Watson said the system looked closely at the area’s demographics, and the cancer center was a natural evolution of rapid growth.

“Our demographics in the area—which were very strong in terms of growth—were also strong in the sense that, unfortunately, a significant number of patients in our community will get cancer, and we wanted to be able to service the full spectrum of their needs,” Watson said.