More than one in three people get some form of cancer during their lifetime, making the disease one of the most prevalent and costly medical conditions, according to the American Cancer Society.

Here in Nevada, the American Cancer Society estimates that more than 14,000 people will have been diagnosed with cancer over the past year. Recent data from the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health shows that cancer, along with heart disease, is more likely to kill Nevadans than any other cause of death. 

To help combat this deadly disease and improve access to care, OptumCare™ built a new Cancer Center – a centrally located 55,000-square-foot treatment center that provides a new treatment option for local patients. The OptumCare™ Cancer Center opened its doors in 2019 at Charleston Boulevard and Rancho Drive, at the gateway to the Las Vegas Medical District.

The services and level of care offered at the Cancer Center promote a higher level of cancer care in Nevada and provide patients with another local choice when seeking the right treatment. 

The significance of the Cancer Center goes well beyond bricks and mortar. With a focus on highly coordinated care, a holistic approach, individualized treatment plans, and shared decision-making between physicians and patients, the Cancer Center offers an extensive span of cancer treatments and services. 

Patients at the center benefit from a wide and increasing range of personalized services offered under one roof, including medical oncology, surgical oncology, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, breast care, imaging, nutrition and psycho-social services, palliative care, genetic counseling, laboratory services, and a patient and family resource library. By offering all these services in one location, patients benefit from a continuity of care and a dedicated cancer care team working together to meet their specific needs. The OptumCare Breast Care was recently established at the Center, offering breast care and surgery to patients in one location. 

The Cancer Center also features dozens of semi-private infusion centers for people undergoing chemotherapy, with plenty of natural light and space for friends and family. The infusion centers were built to maximize comfort and allow patients to connect while undergoing chemotherapy. 

The resource library offers patients and their families the opportunity to conduct research and remain as informed as possible. 

Another interesting aspect of the Cancer Center is the cause-based art that decorates the building. The unique artwork is created by artists with intellectual and related disabilities as part of the arts program at local nonprofit Opportunity Village.

Besides offering uniquely personalized and coordinated care for each patient, staff at the Cancer Center is committed to making the patient experience as pleasant and encouraging as possible. The services and treatments offer Las Vegans a close-to-home support and treatment option, rather than requiring them to leave Nevada to seek care. 

The Cancer Center is more than just a place for doctor visits and treatment. It’s a community resource that is a proud addition to the Las Vegas Medical District, helping  to advance the life-changing work being done in the district and serving as a catalyst for more growth in this vital area.

Las Vegans have long faced challenges when it comes to accessing highly specialized health care in a rapidly growing community. It’s something OptumCare Cancer Care is working to improve on a daily basis.

Photo: OptumCare Cancer Center exterior