As many people avoided health screenings and checkups because of COVID-19, medical leaders at Ohio State moved forward with a new plan to streamline the cancer diagnosis process, helping reduce the time people spent in hospitals and care centers before starting treatment. The James Cancer Diagnostic Center opened during the early stages of the pandemic, increasing the efficiency of cancer screening and treatment planning at a time when many people were weary of hospitals and doctors’ offices. During the first year of the center, Ohio State experts have diagnosed a wide variety of cancers at many stages, according to medical director Raquel Reinbolt, MD. “In the midst of the pandemic, so many patients shied away from doctor’s appointments, screenings and hospitals,” she says. Get the full story of The James’ innovative new approach to cancer diagnosis on our Cancer-Free World Podcast. Listen via the video player above or on SoundCloud. While avoiding care centers may have reduced some COVID-19 concerns, for many people, it also raised anxiety about suspicious lumps and growths and unexplained night sweats, as well as preliminary screenings and X-rays at a local medical center that showed abnormalities. For central Ohioans, The James Cancer Diagnostic Center came along at the perfect time, providing a safe environment to undergo important testing. “Draw a large circle around Columbus and that’s where the patients for the diagnostic center come from,” Reinbolt says. At the center, patients meet with members of The James team to schedule and conduct the appropriate diagnostic tests, and then to discuss the results, all in a matter of a few days. When diagnoses are confirmed, patients quickly meet with the oncology team that specializes in their specific cancers. Patients who aren’t diagnosed with cancer may still need expert medical attention and will be advised on next and necessary steps for treatment. While the new process has enabled Ohio State oncologists to work toward the immediate goal of increasing access to cancer screening and treatment amid COVID-19, the center will remain in place — and continue to grow — long after the pandemic ends. “We’ll continue to build on what we’ve started,” Reinbolt says. You can schedule at appointment at The James Cancer Diagnostic Center by calling 800-293-5066.