St Joseph's Cancer Institute - Dignity Health - St. Joseph's Medical Center

At St. Joseph's Cancer Institute, we tailor our care to address the unique needs of every patient. Your multidisciplinary team may include:

• Medical oncologists

• Nurse navigators

• Oncology nurses

• Radiation oncologists

• Radiation therapists

• Surgical oncologists

Your care team at St. Joseph’s Cancer Institute works together to develop your highly specialized treatment plan.

Oncologists guide patients through every stage of care, from diagnosis through treatment and follow-up. They help explain test results, recommend treatment options and manage side effects. 

Your oncologist collaborates with a multidisciplinary care team that may include medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and surgeons. Their goal is to provide personalized cancer care while supporting physical, emotional and spiritual health.

St. Joseph's Cancer Institute is dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate care, offering a full range of screening, advanced treatments, and supportive services for patients and their families. Our screening and treatment services include:

• Access to clinical trials

• Cancer screening services, including our lung cancer screening program

• Chemotherapy

• Comprehensive breast cancer care

• Infusion therapy

• Medical oncology

• Radiation therapy

• Surgical procedures

We offer radiation therapies designed to precisely target tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Some of those therapies include:

• Aquablation therapy: Uses highly targeted water pressure to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy: An advanced technique that adjusts the intensity of radiation doses to precisely target tumors

• Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (stereotactic body radiation therapy): High doses of radiation that precisely target tumors while sparing healthy tissue, delivered over a few short visits

• Stereotactic radiosurgery: One-time, nonsurgical high-dose radiation focused on a very small area

Our surgical oncologists at St. Joseph’s Cancer Institute are committed to delivering expert surgical care as a first-line cancer treatment. Surgeries we perform include: 

• Bronchoscopy and lung biopsy

• Cholangioscopy

• Esophagectomy

• Hepatobiliary surgery (including Whipple surgery)

• Lobectomy

• Mediastinoscopy and endobronchial ultrasound

• Nissen fundoplication

• Radiofrequency ablation

• Radiosurgery

• Thoracotomy

• Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS)

At St. Joseph’s Breast Center of Excellence, we deliver expert breast cancer diagnostic and treatment services in a supportive, healing setting. Our comprehensive approach to breast cancer care includes personalized treatment plans and access to:

• Advanced medical and radiation oncology services

• Breast imaging services at our Women's Breast Imaging Center 

• Cancer support programs and activities

• Clinical trials

• Genetic counseling

At St. Joseph’s Cancer Institute, we understand the importance of caring for the whole person throughout their cancer journey. Our holistic approach includes support and survivorship services, including a dedicated patient navigator to guide you every step of your journey, from paperwork and scheduling to emotional support. 

Other support services we offer include: 

• Complementary services and programs

• Counseling

• Education, including access to our cancer research library

• Information about alternative wellness methods

• Supervised cancer exercise program

• Support groups

A cancer patient navigator is trained to guide patients and their loved ones through a cancer journey. They are your compassionate, helping hand every step of the way, helping:

• Connect you with support services

• Coordinate your appointments and treatments

• Explain procedures and treatments

• Facilitate communication between you, your caregivers and your care team

• Offer guidance and advice

For more information about our program, call (209) 939-4526.

Most health insurance plans cover cancer care, including visits with an oncologist, diagnostic testing and treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Coverage details can vary based on your plan and provider network. Before your appointment, our team at (209) 467-6560 can help review insurance coverage, explain benefits and answer questions so you can focus on your care.

Referral requirements depend on your health insurance plan. Some insurance plans in California require a referral from a primary care doctor, while others allow you to schedule an oncology appointment directly. It’s important to check with your insurance provider before your visit. Our cancer care team at (209) 467-6560 can also help with referral questions, insurance verification and appointment scheduling.

Our Patient Medication Assistance Program (PMAP) connects patients with a liaison for support with high-cost infusion medications. We help patients find and enroll in manufacturer medication assistance programs, such as copay assistance, when available. These programs may lower out-of-pocket prescription costs. The front desk staff at our infusion center can connect you with a PMAP liaison.