Some cancers require treatment with radiation, others with medications and some with both. At the Sands Cancer Center, we offer outpatient treatment and the opportunity to participate in clinical studies. An individualized treatment plan will be developed just for you by cancer specialists at the Center.
Chemotherapy Chemotherapy is the name for medications ("anticancer drugs") to treat cancer. There are more than 100 different medications, which have the ability to destroy cancer cells in your body by stopping them from growing or multiplying at one or more points in their lifecycle. While most are given intravenously (IV), some chemotherapy drugs are taken by pill or by injection (shot).
Chemotherapy treatments occur on site in our comfortable treatment area provided by Interlakes Oncology and Hematology, where patients find full-length windows and plenty of sunshine and natural light. Patients relax in comfortable lounge chairs, with blankets and handmade afghans, while receiving care from doctors and nurses who have specialized training and certification in chemotherapy treatments. Here, patients benefit from the warm smiles, gentle touches, and reassuring words tenderly delivered by our staff.
Radiation Therapy Radiation therapy uses powerful x-ray beams to destroy cancer cells. The Sands Cancer Center has a state-of-the-art, computer-controlled linear accelerator, which delivers these x-ray beams. It is operated by skillful specialists from Strong Health, who gently guide patients through the treatment procedures with care and words of encouragement.
Those visiting the Center for radiation treatment are warmly greeted and escorted to the treatment room, which features soothing, pastel colors and unique ceiling murals. The murals, depicting beautiful scenes of Canandaigua Lake and the surrounding countryside, offer a nice diversion during treatment. While enjoying the scenes overhead, patients are then carefully positioned by qualified radiation technicians who make sure everything is "just so" before radiation begins.
The computer control allows the Center to link the accelerator to a quality-assurance mechanism that continuously verifies treatment. This computerized link to Strong Health's Cancer Center in Rochester gives patients access to the very latest treatment planning technology - a real benefit for our local and regional community.
Radiation therapy at the Sands Cancer Center makes innovative, cutting-edge treatment easily accessible, making long trips out of town unnecessary. Thanks to our partnership with Strong Health, the best treatment protocols are right at our doorstep.