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Cancer Care

Your Care Team
for Life.

Call to schedule an appointment (716) 884-3000
Kaleida Health Cancer Care logo

We don’t just treat cancer. We treat the whole patient.

At Kaleida Health, we’re with you every step of the way — from diagnosis to treatment to survivorship. Plus, as the largest healthcare provider in Western New York with five major hospitals and expert care in every area, we’re also here if you need additional support — from emergency care to treatment of other conditions, whether or not they are related to your cancer diagnosis.

About usCancer is big. But together, we’re bigger than cancer.

At Kaleida Health, patients have access to a full continuum of oncology care, from preventative screenings facilitated by their primary care provider to testing, treatment, emergency and critical care if needed. By working as a comprehensive, integrated team, we put the best medical minds together to create an individualized treatment plan for each patient to ensure the best possible outcome. And with the largest health system in the region supporting you, that means you get wraparound care no matter what comes your way.

Patient InformationSupport and Guidance for Patients & Caregivers

Whether you just received a cancer diagnosis yourself or you're part of a patient's support system, we understand that navigating the cancer care experience can be difficult. As a compassionate team of people who take your care personally, we understand the challenges-and we're here to help. Below, find the information that you'll need to get started from us as a patient or caregivers, and learn how we can help in the process.

Getting cancer care can be an overwhelming and confusing process, but it doesn't have to be. From your first appointment to your last, we want to make your experience with us as simple as possible. Our Patient Navigators provide personalized care and specialize in guiding patients through every stage of cancer care. So whether you need help scheduling an appointment, understanding treatment options or managing paperwork, we're here to guide you and provide you with the support you need need through our trusted partnet, GLIN IPA.

Learn more about our nurse navigators

Your First Appointment

Thank you for choosing Kaleida Health. We know that cancer can be intimidating. We're here to help. From the forms you need, to frequently asked questions, we're will ensure your first appointment-and every appointment-goes smoothly.

To schedule your first appointment please call (716) 884-3000 to coordinate the best location and physician for your care. Once your appointment is set, please review the following list of required items to bring with you on your first visit.

Required Items

  • Official photo ID (e.g., passport, driver's license)
  • A list of your current medications
  • Any imaging studies including X-ray films, CT scans and MRI scans from other groups or hospitals
  • Insurance information and card
  • Information about what treatments and medications have been used in the past
  • Medical records from other visits that you think may be helpful

Frequently asked questionsHelpful Answers for Your Care Journey

Discover answers to your most common questions about cancer care at Kaleida Health — from how our patient navigators support you at every step, to what makes our approach different, to insurance details, expected timelines for treatment, and more.

Convenience. We want treatment to be as simple as possible for our patients. With multiple locations, it’s much more likely one of our facilities will be close to where you live.

See our Patient information section. There you’ll find everything you need to prepare for your appointment and save time when you visit.

Every treatment plan is different. Your care team will walk you through every step of the process and make sure you understand what to expect before, during, and after your treatment.

We provide comprehensive, coordinated, and compassionate care through a team of specialists who collaborate to give you the most effective, personalized treatment available — close to home.

Patient navigators are trained professionals who guide you through your cancer care journey — from diagnosis to treatment to survivorship — ensuring you understand your options and get the support you need.

We accept most major insurance plans. Our financial counselors can review your coverage and answer questions before you begin treatment.

It depends on your diagnosis and treatment plan. Some therapies may last weeks, others several months. Your care team will provide a clear timeline based on your individual plan.

Our centers treat a full range of cancers, including breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, and hematologic malignancies, among many others. We provide access to leading-edge therapies and clinical trials.

Please bring your insurance card, photo ID, a list of current medications, and any recent test results or medical records related to your diagnosis.

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Multiple Community-Based Locations

Through collaboration across facilities and care teams, we're minimizing the obstacles and shrinking the frustrations that patients have experienced for too long.

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Comprehensive Treatment

From imaging and chemotherapy to surgery and radiation, we're bringing you the broadest set of resources for the highest quality of care—and the highest quality of life.

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Collaborative Team

Utilizing the best experts, resources and services from top medical leaders in the region, we're working together to make cancer's impact on your life as small as possible.

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Compassionate Care

Taking your care personally starts with you. Understanding your situation as if it were our own is the first step to providing you with the most positive outcomes, comfortably and conveniently.

The support you need at every step

Every patient is unique and every cancer journey is different. We provide personalized treatment plans that tap into the strength of the region’s largest health system, coordinating and collaborating on your care from diagnosis to survivorship. Our experienced physicians, oncologists and specialists from UBMD, General Physician and WNY Urology share the same goal - providing expert, compassionate care through your treatment and beyond.

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Kaleida Health Spindrift staff
Dr. Tambar with staff in surgery
Dr. Mills discussing treatment with patient

Your cancer care path.

We’re with you across the continuum of cancer care.

Cancer patient with relative

If you or a loved one are diagnosed with cancer, it can be difficult to think about anything else. While every patient’s experience is different, the following information outlines what a typical treatment path may include and how Kaleida Health is here to help.

1

Diagnosis & Screening

The first step of the cancer care path is diagnosis and screening. This may include:

  • CT Scans
  • MRIs
  • PET Scans
  • Biopsies
  • Colonoscopies
  • Skin Checks
  • Bloodwork
  • Other diagnostic services

Screening tests are done when there are no symptoms present. Regular screening tests are highly recommended so that breast, cervical, and colorectal (colon) cancers are found early, when the cancer treatment is likely to work best. Lung cancer screening is recommended for some individuals who are at high risk.

Examples of common screening tests include:

  • Mammograms to detect breast cancer
  • Pap and HPV tests to detect cervical cancer
  • Colonoscopies to detect colorectal cancer
  • Low dose CT scans to detect lung cancer

If cancer is detected, your health care team will most likely recommend additional follow up tests to learn more about your cancer diagnosis. Additional tests are necessary to help determine your treatment strategy and rule out other conditions.

Your care team will likely recommend:

  • A biopsy is test that involves removing a small amount of tissue to examine under the microscope. Types of biopsies might include a needle, endoscopic, surgical, skin and liquid.
  • Lab tests might include blood tests for cancer, tissue tests, and urinalysis.
  • Imaging tests are also used to look inside the patient’s body to determine where cancer is present. Physicians might order additional images using Computed Tomography (CT scan), Ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Nuclear Scan, Positron Emission Tomography (PET scan) and X-rays.
2

Treatment

Cancer patients often have surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy as part of their cancer care path – the three main treatments and therapies for cancer. Your Kaleida Health care team gives you access to experts in all three areas.

If cancer is diagnosed, you will typically see a medical oncologist. Medical oncologists treat cancer using treatments such as:

  • Chemotherapy – the use of drugs to kill cancer cells
  • Immunotherapy – boosting a person’s own immune system to fight cancer
  • Hormone therapy – used to treat cancers that use hormones to grow
  • Other drug treatments

Radiation therapy is used in the treatment of many cancers. Radiation oncologists use different methods to kill cancer cells, including delivering high energy rays to the tumor from outside the body and implanting radioactive "seeds" directly into the tissue. Kaleida Health radiation oncologists are experts in some of the most advanced technology available. Radiation oncology services are offered with Cancer Care of Western New York and the Mildred Milliman Radiation Medicine Center in Olean.

Kaleida Health surgical oncologists treat cancer by surgically removing tumors and surrounding tissues. They are also the specialists who perform biopsies by removing and examining tissue samples. Your care team connects you with the area’s leading surgeons in oncology, performing surgery at Commission On Cancer (COC) accredited hospital facilities.

3

Survivorship

Every patient is considered a survivor at diagnosis and throughout the course of their life. The goal of Kaleida Health’s Survivorship Program is to help you stay mentally and physically healthy. After treatment, you can access wellness services including nutrition, physical therapy, support groups, and ongoing education. Our partner, GLIN IPA, provides these services in tandem with your providers at Kaleida.

About Survivorship Services

Cancer patient hugging relative
Elderly man sitting in a treatment room with IV

Types of Cancer

Kaleida Health offers the most advanced treatment options with comprehensive support services to treat most all types of cancer.

Learn more about the most common cancers diagnosed in Western New York and how Kaleida Health can help. If you require information on a type of cancer not listed, please give us a call at 716-884-3000. Talk with Kaleida Health, your physicians for life.

Treated Cancer Types

There are more than 100 types of cancer. The list found on this page represents the most common cancers diagnosed here in Western New York. However, our team of experts can and do treat all types of cancer—even the rarest forms. If your cancer is not listed, please call us at (716) 884-3000. We can help.

Lung Cancer Screening Program

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S.—but when caught early, it’s often curable. The Kaleida Health Lung Cancer Screening Program helps identify cancer in its earliest stages, when treatment is most effective.

Call (716) 254-LUNG to schedule a consultation.

Why Get Screened?

  • Early Detection: Screening can find lung cancer before symptoms appear
  • Better Outcomes: Early-stage cancers are more treatable
  • Quick & Painless: The test is a low-dose CT (LDCT) scan—fast, noninvasive, and covered by most insurance plans
  • Peace of Mind: Know your lung health and take action early

Who Should Be Screened

You may qualify if you:

  • Are 50–79 years old
  • Have a 20 pack-year smoking history (for example, 1 pack per day for 20 years)
  • Currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years

If you’re unsure whether you qualify, our team can help determine eligibility.

A personalized approach to cancer care

Find a provider that specializes in your specific health and cancer needs.

Breast Care Providers

Colorectal Surgery Providers

Genitourinary & Urology Providers

Gynecologic Oncology Providers

Interventional Pulmonology Providers

Kidney Cancer Providers

Lung Cancer Providers

Medical Oncology/Hematology Providers

Thoracic Surgery Providers

Radiation Oncology Providers

Find a location

Each of our locations is staffed by leading cancer experts using the most advanced therapies and technologies available.

Begin your search by selecting a location name on the leftbelow to view in the map:

Awards & Certifications

We strive to provide the best possible care to our patients. We are honored to have our services recognized by local, state and national publications and organizations for our unwavering commitment to quality and outcomes.

We want to hear from you

Whether you or a loved one has cancer, we're here to help you through it. If you would like to schedule an appointment, or just ask a question, feel free to call us at (716) 884-3000 or fill out the form.

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