At St. Joseph Hospital Cancer Center, we are more than just a cancer treatment facility. We are an entire community of care, driven by the most advanced technologies and the heartfelt dedication of an expert team of cancer specialists. We offer comprehensive services in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all types of cancer. Working together, our team brings multiple perspectives and a wide range of expertise to develop a cancer treatment plan that is right for you.
We offer the latest in chemotherapy and radiation treatments, making it possible for you to receive innovative cancer care right here in your own community. We utilize advanced technology, including MRI, CT, Ultrasound and Linear Accelerators — and our PET scanner was the first in the Nashua area.
Our focus is on treating the whole patient with a full continuum of cancer care and support services, including pain and symptom management, infusion services, nutrition, spiritual care, psychiatric and social work, as well as cancer companions and support groups. We also offer a range of complementary therapies to help with relaxation and well-being that are designed to work together with your cancer treatment plan.
Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery is a free program dedicated to the emotional support of children 6–12 years old who have parents or grandparents with cancer.
Children attend four weekly group meetings, using conversation and art to identify and appropriately express complex feelings. They are given their own workbook to capture their progress, which they can share with their family at home. For more information or to enroll a child, call (603) 880-3408.
The sights, sounds and smells of our healing garden offer a bit of serenity and peace, even through the stress of cancer treatment. Patients and their loved ones have enjoyed the soothing environment of the Gerard L. Gagnon Cancer Care Healing Garden and the Mary Caprio Meditation Area since 2008.
At St. Joseph Hospital Cancer Center, we collaborate with other leading cancer centers to provide local access to advanced clinical trials. Clinical trials are cancer research studies that test new techniques and medicines to treat, control or prevent cancer. Our clinical trials always remain in compliance with the principles and ethics set by the Catholic Archdiocese, and we see them as a key part of our effort to eliminate cancer.
Cancer patients at St. Joseph Hospital receive access to radiation therapy at the Radiation Center of Greater Nashua — the only accredited radiation center serving southern New Hampshire and licensed by the State of New Hampshire’s Department of Public Health. To contact the Radiation Center of Greater Nashua, call (603) 880-1590.
Screenings and Prevention
At St. Joseph Hospital Cancer Center, we believe early detection and prevention are two of the most important tools we have in the fight against cancer.
Breast and Ovarian Cancer Screenings
Our Let No Woman Be Overlooked program provides free breast and cervical cancer screenings to women 18–64 years old who do not have health insurance or have insurance that does not pay for the screening tests. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the Breast Care Center at (603) 882-3000, ext. 67188.
Lung Cancer Screening
St. Joseph Hospital Cancer Center has been designated a Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology. This designation recognizes St. Joseph Hospital’s commitment to practicing safe, effective diagnostic care for individuals at the highest risk for lung cancer.
We offer an advanced Lung Cancer Screening Program, which includes a low-dose CT scan, community education and a personalized treatment plan for patients at high risk for lung cancer. Screenings are recommended for adults 55–80 years old who have a history of heavy smoking. Contact your primary care provider if you think you may qualify.
Smoking Cessation
About 30% of all cancer deaths in the U.S. are caused by smoking, according to the American Cancer Society. But we know that quitting can be difficult, which is why we provide a range of smoking cessation services. These include a full assessment and counseling, as well as pharmacologic treatments such as nicotine patches, lozenges and gum, bupropion and varenicline (Chantix®).
Commission on Cancer
St. Joseph Hospital is accredited by the Commission on Cancer (CoC) which is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients through standard setting, which promotes cancer prevention, research, education, and monitoring of comprehensive quality care.
The multidisciplinary CoC performs the following:
- Establishes standards to ensure quality, multidisciplinary, and comprehensive cancer care delivery in health care settings
- Conducts surveys in health care settings to assess compliance with those standards
- Collects standardized data from the CoC-accredited health care settings to measure cancer care quality
- Uses data to monitor treatment patterns and outcomes and enhance cancer control and clinical surveillance activities
- Develops effective educational interventions to improve cancer prevention, early detection, cancer care delivery, and outcomes in health care settings
Related Articles
October 15, 2021
Most women should schedule an annual mammogram starting at age 40
Early detection is important for diagnosing and treating breast cancer.
Written by Michelle Martin for St. Joseph Hospital
In the 1980s, doctors began recommending that women over 40 have a mammogram once a year. The outcome was significant: Breast cancer deaths fell by 35% due to annual mammography.
To read the full article on how most women should schedule an annual mammogram starting at age 40, click here.
