If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, treatment begins by assembling a dedicated healthcare team. The specialists will vary according to your personal needs and may include any number of oncologists, radiologists, surgeons, nurses and other health professionals. We would be honored to be part of your team.

Blue Ridge Regional Hospital provides diverse cancer services close to home. You may receive chemotherapy at the hospital as well as support that supplements medical treatment by focusing on the whole person. Count on us to help you eat well, maintain strength and weight, manage side effects and find community services to meet your needs throughout treatment and recovery.

For more information about cancer services, please call 828-766-1594.

Medical Treatment
We serve the region by granting hospital privileges to credentialed, board certified physicians specializing in medical oncology. We also provide a chemotherapy suite staffed by nurses certified in infusion and chemotherapy. Oncology services available at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital include:

• Chemotherapy for all types of cancer
• Infusion therapy for cancer and blood disorders
• Phlebotomy for polycythemia vera (overproduction of red blood cells)
• Full-service oncology clinic
• Education and counseling about your treatment, including side effects

Physicians providing the referenced services are credentialed members of Blue Ridge Regional Hospital medical staff; they are not employed by Blue Ridge Regional Hospital.

Holistic Support
Depending on the type of cancer, its stage and the goal of treatment, the first steps in cancer care may be surgical intervention, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiation therapy. Beyond medical intervention, it’s important to support the physical, emotional and social pieces of your life that are equally critical to recovery from cancer. Blue Ridge Regional Hospital has services in place and we will work with you and your physicians to deliver individualized support such as:

• Dieticians: Chemotherapy and other medical treatments may cause side effects that impact your appetite and cause weight loss. This in turn may weaken your immune system, delay treatment or reduce the treatment’s effectiveness. It’s very important to consume adequate nutrition to support your body through cancer treatment. However, this is a challenge if you don’t feel like eating. Our dieticians are available to recommend ways to increase calories and introduce nutrient-rich foods. Your physician may suggest meeting with a dietician before and during treatment to help prevent nutritional deficiencies. For more information about nutrition and dietician services, please call Disease Management at 828-766-1590.

• Physical therapy: During cancer treatment, it’s also important to maintain energy and strength. This may not be the time for strenuous exercise, and just like eating, you may not feel up to activity. However, there are many ways to gently include activity in your daily routine and if more support or a structured program might help, our physical therapists will develop a program that improves flexibility, strength and range of motion while considering your health and ability. Please talk to your physician about how physical therapy may benefit your recovery. If you have any questions, visit our web page or call 828-765-7901.

• Social services: Whether you’re looking for a support group, help with transportation, financial assistance or other community services, our staff in the Social Services Department are available to make referrals and recommendations.

Cancer Resource Room
Together with the American Cancer Society, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital created a cancer resource room for patients going through treatment and cancer survivors. These free resources include:

• Information and support
• Personal care – wigs, hats, scarves
• Prosthetics

Look Good…Feel Better
With support from the American Cancer Society, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital proudly hosts the Look Good…Feel Better program. Providing personal attention and complementary cosmetics, this program teaches female cancer patients beauty techniques to combat the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment.

As a group program, Look Good…Feel Better also offers a safe and comfortable environment for women to connect with others in the region, so they may find support and encouragement together with others facing the same issues and concerns.

Look Good…Feel Better is a free program, however pre-registration is required. Please call 828-766-1752 for more information.

Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program
Available through county health departments, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP) offers free or reduced-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings to women who meet eligibility requirements. Please call the health department in the county where you live:

• Avery County – 828-733-6031
• Mitchell County – 828-688-2371, ext. 19
• Yancey County – 828-682-6118, ext. 34

Additional Information
Your primary care physician is the first person to consult if you have any concerns about your health. He will work with you to determine a diagnosis and will make the appropriate referral for additional diagnostic imaging at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital, or to an oncology specialist. If you are diagnosed with cancer, your primary care physician will remain as part of your team throughout the process.

Oncology clinics are held at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital every Wednesday.

For information about chemotherapy or the oncology clinic call 828-766-1594.

If you have additional questions, or need more information, please call the appropriate department listed above, or call the hospital at 828-765-4201.

Blue Ridge Regional Hospital
125 Hospital Dr.
Spruce Pine, NC 28777