New Ohio State Center Provides Immediate Access to Cancer Diagnostic Services
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to reduce barriers to safe and timely cancer diagnoses, allowing patients to begin treatment as quickly as possible, no matter the circumstances.
To meet this goal, cancer experts at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute have launched The James Cancer Diagnostic Center, where doctors and nurse practitioners will meet with patients — virtually or in person — and manage testing in order to diagnose a patient’s specific type of cancer, leading to expedited care with expert oncologists.
“We’ve established this center to provide a point of contact where individuals who are suspected of having cancer can come to The James to be diagnosed and then connected with the appropriate oncologist,” says the OSUCCC – James chief medical officer David Cohn, MD, MBA. “This center will help us direct patients to the right experts at the right time — minimizing delays and eliminating the burden on patients who are already concerned.”
To connect with the Cancer Diagnostic Center or schedule another appointment, call The James Line at 614-293-5066.
Read on as Dr. Cohn shares more info about the new center.
Immediate access
“The goal is same-day or next-day visits — so, immediate access. Our staff of oncology-trained physicians and nurse practitioners will spend each clinic day seeing new patients and conducting follow-ups while also reviewing test results and coordinating care.”
Virtual and expedited cancer diagnoses, during and after the pandemic
“COVID-19 has created challenges for patients trying to access care. This center provides rapid access to diagnostic testing, leveraging our expertise in telemedicine to assess patients and get them to the next steps in their evaluation.
“Those advantages will still be of great benefit after the pandemic — access and timeliness are always important because we don’t want to have any delays in the diagnosis of cancer. Virtual platforms will also still be relevant because if a patient doesn’t have to be seen face to face, we can bring care closer to their homes rather than have them travel to the hospital or clinic physically.”
Addressing disparities to improve outcomes
“COVID-19 has exposed health care disparities in Columbus and beyond, and this center will provide cancer diagnostic testing to our most vulnerable populations and communities. “This is an important part of the process of increasing access to world-class cancer care in central Ohio. Combined with our screening programs, The James Cancer Diagnostic Center will enable our doctors to work with patients to create treatment plans as quickly as possible, increasing the chances of successful outcomes.”
Benefits beyond cancer care
“When someone requires diagnostic testing, that doesn’t mean they have cancer, but it does mean that they need further evaluation. The reason that they’re coming to The James is not only the testing but also the consultation they’ll receive from our experts because there is no routine cancer. For those who aren’t diagnosed with cancer, we can connect them with appropriate experts from across the Wexner Medical Center to address any issues that are affecting their health. For example, for someone with an abnormal lung X-ray who turned out not to have lung cancer but instead another lung disease, we can connect them with a pulmonologist who has expertise in that condition.”
To connect with the Cancer Diagnostic Center or schedule another appointment, call The James Line at 614-293-5066.