Comprehensive Cancer Care Services at UCLA Health Santa Monica

UCLA Health offers comprehensive cancer care services in Santa Monica, providing patients with access to advanced treatments, specialized expertise, and a supportive environment. With a multidisciplinary approach and a commitment to innovation, UCLA Health strives to deliver the best possible outcomes for cancer patients and their families.

Why Choose UCLA Health for Cancer Treatment?

Choosing a cancer treatment center is a crucial decision. UCLA Health distinguishes itself through several key factors:

Comprehensive Cancer Center: Patients benefit from a wide array of care and support services, integrating expertise from over 40 scientific and medical disciplines. UCLA Health's cancer center is recognized by U.S. News & World Report.
Advanced Treatment Options: UCLA Health has a strong reputation for developing cutting-edge cancer therapies, offering both experimental and traditional treatments. Breakthroughs like Herceptin®, Gleevec, and Sprycel originated from UCLA laboratories and clinical trials.
Interdisciplinary Approach: Patients receive individualized care from teams of specialists, including oncologists, surgeons, pathologists, radiologists, nurses, and genetic counselors. This collaborative approach ensures every aspect of care is coordinated.
Personalized Guidance: Dedicated nurse navigators assist patients in understanding their diagnosis, scheduling appointments, accessing resources, and managing side effects, providing support throughout their cancer journey.
Comprehensive Support Services: Beyond treatment, patients can access early detection programs, prevention strategies, integrative oncology services, wellness programs, nutrition counseling, psychological support, and survivorship care.

Cancer (Oncology) Services in Santa Monica

UCLA Health offers a wide range of cancer services in Santa Monica, from outpatient care to hospital services. The community oncology practice in Santa Monica features a state-of-the-art chemo infusion center, providing convenient access to comprehensive cancer care and clinical trials.

Hospital Care at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center

The Oncology Unit at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center provides a comfortable environment for cancer patients to receive advanced care. Highly skilled physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals specialize in cancer care, supported by state-of-the-art imaging technology.

Daltrey/Townshend Teen and Young Adult Cancer Program

UCLA Health addresses the unique needs of adolescent and young adult cancer patients through specialized programs.

The UCLA Health Approach to Cancer Care

UCLA Health patients in Santa Monica benefit from advanced cancer treatments and comprehensive supportive services. Teams of specialists, including psychosocial experts from the Simms/Mann UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology, collaborate to support patients and their families, addressing both immediate and long-term effects of cancer. The Simms/Mann Center provides tools to maximize well-being throughout treatment.

Bench-to-Bedside Translational Research

UCLA Health has established an international reputation for developing new cancer therapies and providing innovative and traditional treatments. Targeted therapies like Herceptin (for breast and gastric cancers) and Gleevec and Sprycel (for leukemia) were developed based on basic science research and clinical trials at UCLA Health.

Focus on Patient-Centered Care

UCLA Health is committed to providing comprehensive, patient-focused care that meets the medical and cultural needs of individuals diagnosed with cancer. A multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, care partners, and administrative support staff, along with physical and occupational therapists, a clinical social worker, a case manager, and a nutritionist, works collaboratively to ensure the highest quality of care. Specialized nurses are nationally certified in oncology nursing and chemotherapy administration.

Managing Chemotherapy and Neutropenia

Patients receiving chemotherapy may experience neutropenia, a decrease in white blood cell count that increases the risk of infection. Neutropenic patients may require antibiotics and should avoid items with high bacteria counts, such as fresh flowers and fruit.

Education and Support

Education is a vital part of the care provided at UCLA Health. The team provides verbal and written information about the plan of care and encourages patients and families to ask questions. UCLA Health values suggestions and ideas to improve care and service.

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Amenities and Services

Food Services provides Signature Dining meal service between 7 am and 7 pm, allowing patients to order from a menu. Visitors are welcome, and visiting hours are flexible. Wireless Internet service is available.

UCLA Health Santa Monica Parkside Cancer Care

UCLA Health Santa Monica Parkside Cancer Care offers a warm and supportive environment for breast cancer patients.

Expertise and Innovation

As part of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, patients have access to advanced breast cancer therapies, clinical trials, and oncology specialists.

Personalized Treatment

The breast cancer multidisciplinary team creates treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs, history, and goals.

Comprehensive Support

The multidisciplinary breast cancer clinic brings together specialists from breast oncology, genetics, and supportive care. Nurse navigators guide patients through each step of care, while survivorship wellness clinics and scalp cooling treatments offer additional support.

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Support Beyond Diagnosis

Patients benefit from free supportive services through the Simms/Mann UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology.

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