Cancer Care

Cancer care is usually managed by a medical oncologist. Our board-certified medical oncologist can order chemotherapy/immunotherapy and work closely with other providers involved in your care.

Most cancer care can be managed on Whidbey. If specialized care such as stem cell transplants or a research protocol is needed, your medical oncologist will refer you accordingly and help coordinate care. We want to help you stay in your community as much as possible.

Highly skilled nurses administer chemotherapy and immunotherapy as well as teach patients how to manage symptoms they may experience with these medications.

Better symptom management helps ensure the person tolerates treatment well and stays on schedule. If they do, there is a higher success rate to beat the cancer.

Chemotherapy/immunotherapy is another form of treatment and can be given intravenously (IV) or orally in pill form.

Most chemotherapy is given through an IV in our natural light-filled outpatient infusion center by experienced oncology nurses. We have eight treatment chairs in a comfortable environment.

It is also becoming more common for oncologists to prescribe oral chemotherapy/ immunotherapy treatment that comes in the form of pills or capsules. Oral treatment allows you to receive treatment at home but still requires special instructions and needs close monitoring by your healthcare team.

We know chemotherapy can be a challenging experience for patients and loved ones. Our compassion, expertise and understanding come from years of providing excellent care to cancer patients receiving these therapies. You are in good hands.

Radiation therapy is coordinated with radiation centers in Sedro Woolley at Peace Health, in Mt. Vernon at Skagit Regional Cancer Center and in Everett at Providence Regional Cancer Center. Referrals are made based on patient preference and convenience.

Surgery is often the first treatment for cancer. A surgeon might obtain a biopsy for diagnosis or remove the tumor itself. Radiation and chemotherapy before surgery may shrink the tumor and make it easier to remove.

WhidbeyHealth has experienced, board-certified general surgeons. Even if you need specialized surgery off-island, you can return to WhidbeyHealth for medical oncology care – chemotherapy and ongoing monitoring of the cancer.

WhidbeyHealth Cancer Center has an 8-chair infusion suite where our team can infuse most all chemotherapy/immunotherapy medications.

We also provide infusion of blood products and non-oncology infusions such as hydration, antibiotics and medications ordered by outside primary care providers and specialists such as neurology, rheumatology and allergy.

You can receive infusion therapy here at WhidbeyHealth even if your doctor is off island. To get started, you will need a referral from your primary care physician as part of your cancer treatment plan.

Our medical oncologists are partners with Fred Hutch Cancer Center for consideration of patient enrollment into clinical trials. If your oncologist believes you are a potential candidate for a clinical trial they will discuss this option with you. If you are interested, they will refer you to see someone.

Palliative care helps people living with a serious illness like cancer by improving their quality of life through symptom management, emotional support, and coordinated care. It is beneficial at any stage of cancer and can be provided alongside curative treatments. Find out more about our Palliative Care program.