Screenings & Healthy Habitstogetherwith Patient Education

Join us for a Survivorship Event
The Thomas A. Alberico, MD Lectureship and Retreat

REGISTER NOW

Please join us for this premiere event designed to educate, support and honor cancer survivors and their families as well as healthcare professionals.

June 24, 2023, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Westin at Virginia Beach Town Center

Featured Speaker:

Eric

Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee

Oncologist and Pulitzer
Prize-winning Science Writer
Male Patient Talking with Doctor In Hospital Lobby

Screenings & Prevention

Early detection really does save lives, and we encourage you to talk to your doctor about your risks and cancer screening schedule. While there is no way to completely avoid some cancers, you can reduce your risk by:

  • Avoiding tobacco
  • Eating a healthy, balanced diet
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Protecting yourself from the sun
  • Getting immunized
  • Avoiding risky behaviors
  • Following a screening schedule, including self-exams
Learn more about Sentara screening recommendations, as well as available services.

What Happens After a Diagnosis

When you or a loved one gets a cancer diagnosis, many thoughts, questions and feelings will be going through your mind. Our team is here to support you on every step of your journey. In addition to checking out additional resources on Sentara.com, here are a few topics that might be helpful on your journey. We also have additional information about community resources, support groups and financial support in our Support section of the site.

Tests Your Doctor May Order

In many cases, the first step after diagnosis is seeing a surgeon. During this appointment, the surgeon will examine you, ask lots of questions, and then tell you their initial impressions for treatment. Before you leave the surgeon’s office, you may be scheduled for an MRI, CT, PET scan, bone scan, and have appointments to see the Medical Oncologist and the Radiation Oncologist.

The Sentara Network functions as a team. We have you see all of the doctors that will be involved in your care and follow national guidelines for treating cancer to decide on the best treatment for you. After the tests and appointments have taken place, you will return to the surgeon’s office for final treatment recommendations.

Learn more about tests your doctor may order
How to Tell Family and Friends

If you have recently been diagnosed, you will probably want to tell your trusted friends and family members fairly soon. What is the best way to share this personal information so that you can inform them and enlist their help and encouragement?

Learn how to share with family and friends
Recognizing Signs of Anxiety and Stress

Anxiety (a feeling of worry or unease), fear, uncertainty, anger, and sadness are common feelings that patients and families sometimes have when coping with cancer. They are normal responses to the stress of cancer, especially when the cancer is first diagnosed.

Learn more about the signs of anxiety and stress

Treatment Options

At Sentara, our first priority is helping to raise awareness of risk factors and the importance of screenings in catching problems as early as possible. If you do find out that you are facing cancer, the Sentara Cancer Network and our new Sentara Brock Cancer Center become a partner in your fight. We are dedicated to bringing together the right team with the latest advanced technology to provide the best possible results in treating your type of cancer. Combined with the comfort of knowing that whatever you need can be found across the Sentara Cancer Network, you can be assured that we will be here to support you every step of the way.

Learn more about the three types of treatment generally used to treat cancer.Visit Sentara.com for information on treatment options.

Patient Education

Cancer is not one disease but a group of many related diseases, but all types of cancer have one thing in common: They are life changing. Our Patient Navigators will work with you to provide information and education on your specific type of cancer. Knowledge is powerful and understanding your condition is the first step to becoming engaged in your care and an advocate for your health.

Learn more about different types of cancer.