Advanced Technology at SPHN
Sierra Providence Health Network makes innovative tests and treatments for cancer available here in El Paso.

Sierra Medical Center offers outpatient chemotherapy through its Ambulatory Infusion Center so that patients can include their treatments in their everyday lives.

Providence Memorial Hospital offers inpatient chemotherapy as well as outpatient chemotherapy for both children and adults. For children, Providence has the Pedi Oncology Outpatient Clinic, staffed by nurses trained in children's needs. Treatment for adults is available in the Adult Oncology Outpatient Clinic.

Advance procedures include:

• Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
  Available at Sierra, Providence Women's Center and at Sierra Providence Eastside Center, stereotactic breast biopsy is designed to accurately and quickly take a core sample of breast tissue for lab testing without requiring surgery. Please consult your doctor to determine if this approach is feasible.
  
• Brachytherapy
  Available at both Sierra and Providence , brachytherapy is internal radiation. It involves implanting radioactive isotopes inside or near a tumor, or ingesting a radioactive substance by mouth or tube. Brachytherapy can be permanent, temporary or may be a radiation source that the body eventually sheds by itself. Brachytherapy delivers a concentrated dosage of radiation directly to the tumor.
  
• Gamma Knife Radiosurgery
  The Gamma Knife at Sierra Medical Center can treat certain malignant brain tumors by destroying them with a concentrated dose of gamma radiation. This surgery is non-invasive (meaning there is no incision or actual "knife"), and is designed to cause less pain and cost less than conventional surgery.
  
• High-Dose Chemotherapy with Stem Cell Infusion
  High doses of chemotherapy or radiation can damage a patient's bone marrow, but can kill cancer effectively. A transplant of healthy bone marrow after such rigorous treatment can "rescue" a patient from damaged bone marrow.

  Peripheral stem cell transplant is a procedure performed in stages, and includes both doctor's office procedures and some hospitalization. Both Sierra and Providence have worked with local oncologists to perform peripheral stem cell transplant.

Facilities Support
The oncology programs of both Providence and Sierra have been accredited by the American College of Surgeons.

Both hospitals work with oncologists who routinely consult with other physician specialists and major referral institutions throughout the United States on cases as needed.

Providence has worked with Houston's U.T. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center jointly on research projects, and continues to do so. Both Providence and Sierra often refer patients to the El Paso Cancer Consortium, a not-for-profit group which helps low-income cancer patients navigate the complex care plans that cancer requires. The Consortium also assists these patients financially with mammograms, pap smears and other testing.

Research and Education Support

• Oncology Grand Rounds
  At both Sierra and Providence , interdisciplinary specialists attend sessions on specific aspects of comprehensive cancer care and a variety of cancer-related topics.
  
• Tumor Board Conferences
  Four times each month, physicians and nurses meet to review adult cancer cases, explore opinions and make recommendations for treatment and prognosis. Each case is thoroughly reviewed, not only to assure coordination of therapy, but to serve as a teaching forum for participating interdisciplinary specialists.
  
• Nurse Oncological Education Program
  Sponsored by the State of Texas, this program works with local oncology nurses to provide advanced education for nurses on the latest therapies and care measures for patients and their families.

Research
The research department at Providence works with physicians to enroll patients in research trials for new medications that are not yet available commercially. Cancer patients can receive some of the latest innovative treatments that were once only available at larger cancer centers outside El Paso.

• Breast Cancer Prevention Trial
  Providence Memorial Hospital participated in this study, beginning in 1993, which established the drug Tamoxifen as effective in preventing breast cancer among high risk women. STAR (Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene) Providence Memorial Hospital is currently participating in this study on the comparative benefits of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene in the prevention of breast cancer.
  
• FUMA
  This ongoing study at Providence is investigating the use of a new drug as compared with generally accepted therapy in the treatment of advanced metastatic colorectal cancer.
  
• Tumor Registry
  Both Providence and Sierra maintain a full-time tumor registry in which every new cancer diagnosis is recorded. These records help identify national, regional and local trends and concerns.
  
• Conferences
  The annual Western Regional Oncology Conference for health care professionals has been hosted by Providence for more than 15 years. This conference provides a way for physicians and other cancer care professionals to present innovative treatment approaches to their colleagues. Both Sierra and Providence assist in program planning.

Cancer Support Groups

• Dialogue
  Open to the community, this support group meets at Sierra Medical Center and helps patients and families better understand and learn to live with cancer. The group serves as an informational forum where people can share common experiences, problems and solutions under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

  The group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each, month from 6:30 to 8:30 pm in Lower Level Classroom A. Dialogue is also available in Spanish, or tailored for breast cancer patients. Dialogue is co-sponsored by the American Cancer Society.
  

• At-Ease Relaxation Program
  This Sierra program helps patients overcome nausea and stress which may be associated with cancer treatment.
  
• Breast Cancer Program
  At Sierra and Providence, specially trained oncology nurses may visit new breast cancer patients to help them understand their disease and the life changes it has caused. The nurse provides the patient with an information book on breast cancer, a dressing change kit and a heart-shaped pillow for post-surgical arm support. Visits may be coordinated with the American Cancer Society's Reach for Recovery program, which includes a personal visit from a breast cancer survivor.
  
• Pedi Oncology Support Group
  This Providence support organization includes families of El Paso and northern Mexico whose children have cancer. This caring group celebrates life and helps children and their families cope with cancer care and family issues. For more information, please call (915) 577-6000.

Outside Support Groups and Programs

• Reach to Recovery
  This American Cancer Society program helps women recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast cancer survivors visits with them to share information about recovery exercises and more.
  
• El Paso Cancer Consortium
  A not-for-profit group which helps low-income cancer patients navigate the complex care plans that cancer treatment requires. The Consortium also assists these patients financially with mammograms, pap smears and other testing.
  
• Man to Man
  This support and education group for men with prostate cancer also welcomes young men 16 and older who want to support family members with the disease. Some sessions include wives or partners. More information, call (915) 747-2879.