Cancer Center

• All Cancer Support Group
• Breast Cancer Support Group
• Caregivers of Oncology Patients Support Group
• GYN Cancer Support Group
• Other support groups

The Hereditary Cancer Service at the Penrose Cancer Center provides cancer risk assessment, genetic counseling and testing services for individuals and families with concerns about inherited cancer predispositions.  Services are provided by a team of cancer professionals led by our genetic counselors.

Cancer genetic counselors specialize in educating individuals about inherited cancer risks identifying what type of inherited predisposition could be possible and knowing the appropriate type of test to order, interpreting results so that you and your doctor can make informed decisions regarding your medical care.

The genetic counselors at Penrose's Hereditary Cancer Service are experts at family history assessment.  Personalized risks are estimated for each patient seen in our service, based on their medical and family histories.  These estimates are used to:

• Determine the chance to develop cancer in the near future and over a lifetime. The chance for cancer determines risk management options. Management may include special screenings, surgeries or medications. 
• Determine the chance for an inherited predisposition to cancer. If this risk is high, genetic lab testing is an option. Certain inherited gene changes greatly increase cancer risk.

Our genetic counselors discuss risks and management options with each patient. A written summary of the discussion is sent to the patient and his/her referring provider. The patient and provider can then develop an individualized risk-management plan. Detailed information about family history and genetic risks empower patients to reduce their cancer risks, or to detect cancer at its earliest and most treatable stages.  Looking to the past, we can change the future.

For more information, please contact one of our genetic counselors.

Phone: 719-776-5279

Hearing the words "you have cancer" is a very overwhelming time in the life of any patient and family dealing with this complex and difficult disease. Cancer care can be very confusing in that multiple health care providers are involved from the screening process, to diagnosis, testing, treatment, and survivorship. Penrose Cancer Center has established a nurse navigator program to assist patients and families with this journey.

An oncology nurse navigator (ONN) is a professional registered nurse with oncology-specific clinical knowledge who offers assistance to patients, families, and caregivers to help overcome healthcare system barriers. An ONN also provides education and resources to facilitate informed decision making and timely access to quality health and psychosocial care throughout all phases of the cancer continuum.

Research has shown that when nurse navigators become involved early enough after a person has received a cancer diagnosis, they can help steer patients and their families to appropriate care and timely treatment that could dramatically improve patients' chances of living with cancer as a manageable disease.

Penrose Cancer Center currently offers the following oncology nurse navigation support:

• Breast Cancer Navigation
• Gastrointestinal Cancer Navigation
• Gynecologic Cancer Navigation
• Head & Neck Cancer Navigation
• Lung Nodule Navigation
• Prostate Cancer Navigation
• Thoracic Cancer Navigation

A cancer diagnosis can bring additional stress and anxiety into your life affecting self-image, relationships, employment, and finances. Our Oncology Social Workers hold Master of Social Work Degrees and are an integral part of our treatment team to support you through this challenging time.

We can teach you:

• To develop coping strategies to manage anxiety, depression sadness, anger, worry or fears
• To utilized relaxation techniques of deep breathing, progressive relaxation, and visualization
• To improve communication with your children, family, friends, co-workers, or healthcare team
• To manage stressful thoughts and beliefs
• To set health boundaries
• To learn to live with “the new normal”

We can help you:

• Access community resources (home-delivered meals, transportation to/from treatment, etc.)
• Apply for grants that offer financial assistance
• Understand social security and disability benefits (SSDI and SSI)
• Understand criteria for hospice, palliative, or home health care
• Complete advance directives (living will, medical power of attorney)

We provide:

• Support groups
• Counseling for you and your family members
• Referrals to our oncology psychiatrist or other community counseling services
• Referral to our naturopathic physician for holistic approach to treatment

John Zay House

Patients being treated at Penrose Cancer Center, who live more than 30 miles or more outside of Colorado Springs, may qualify to stay at the John Zay House. The John Zay house is a 22 room and /or suite hospitality residence available for patients and families of patients. Ask your Cancer Center team for additional information.

To increase awareness of cancer prevention, screening and early detection, Penrose Cancer Center offers community outreach education including:

• Ways to decrease the risk of developing cancer through prevention, avoiding high-risk behaviors and early detection
• Self-examination and symptom-identification techniques
• Screening guidelines for the public
• Access to community resources for early detection
• Hereditary risk evaluations
• Cancer research trials

As part of our mission of care, meeting the spiritual needs of the community is just as important as providing physical and emotional healing. We are especially committed to meeting the cultural, ethnic, and religious needs of high-risk groups. As proof of our promise, Penrose Cancer Center specializes in providing services to Spanish-speaking patients through JUNTAS and to African American women through the ANGEL Network.

Free Breast and Cervical Screening & Testing

If you have limited or no health insurance and meet the qualifications below, you may qualify.

• Between the ages of 40 - 64
• You do not have insurance or cannot afford your deductible or copay
• At or below 250% of the federal poverty level
• In need of screening exams or diagnostic testing following an abnormal screening

Persons in Household*250% of Federal Poverty Level gross (before taxes) monthly household income

If you fall near these guidelines or have symptoms, contact us.

Phone: 
English: 719-776-5610
Spanish: 719-776-8208

Regional Clinics

• Penrose Hospital
  Phone: 719-776-8200, option 4  
• Peak Vista Community Health Centers
  Phone: 719-344-6090 
• Dream Center
  Phone: 719-388-1594 
• Teller County Public Health
  Phone: 719-687-6416 
• St. Thomas More Hospital
  Phone: 719-285-2473 

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 719-776-5610.

*Income guidelines fluctuate frequently. Click here for the most up-to-date information.

Download this information in Spanish. (See last bullet point for updates to the Spanish form)

Penrose Imaging Services is an active partner in the multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment of cancer at Penrose Cancer Center. They offer a broad spectrum of imaging services including low-radiation CAT scans, angiography, ultrasound, digital mammography, and nuclear medicine.

The superDimension® navigational bronchoscope extends the reach of the bronchoscope to regions deep within the lung, enabling physicians to locate small lung lesions for diagnostic testing and potential treatment. The system uses natural airway access, minimizing the need for more invasive, surgical procedures to access lung lesions in the distant regions of the lung. One of the reasons the Penrose Cancer Center uses the superDimension® is because it also provides the ability to detect lung disease and lung cancer earlier, even before symptoms are evident, enhancing treatment options for patients.

Full-service laboratory serving clients in the south state area and surrounding communities.

A broad range of tests using advanced instrumentation and technically proven methodologies with delivery of rapid and accurate laboratory results

• Anatomic Pathology
• Hematology
• Coagulation
• Clinical Chemistry, Urinalysis, and Immunoassay
• Cytogenetics
• Flow Cytometry
• Molecular Pathology
• Microbiology
• Transfusion Service

Penrose Cancer Center offers all modalities of radiation treatments including brachytherapy, cranial and extracranial stereotactic radiosurgey with CyberKnife®.

Radiation treatment plans and technologies are customized by Penrose Cancer Center to each patient's individual needs, incorporating a highly effective dose of radiation to destroy cancer cells while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. Depending on the location, size and type of tumor, treatment may include one or more therapies featuring various forms of external beam radiation including CyberKnife®, the ultimate in new cancer-fighting technology, either alone or sometimes in combination with brachytherapy, an internal treatment technique. 

As part of our multidisciplinary approach to cancer care, Penrose Cancer Center offers Gynecologic Oncology, a highly specialized field that offers leading-edge treatment to women with cancer of the reproductive system including both internal and external anatomy. The care is provided by a physician specially trained in gynecological oncology.

Our thoracic oncology program integrates the most up-to-date technology with dedicated physician specialists and non-physician support in order to improve outcomes and minimize delays in evaluation and treatment of patients with possible chest cancers.

We are the only institution in southern Colorado that offers a full-range of care for thoracic oncology patients. This experienced surgical team can care for patients with lung cancer, as well as complex problems of the trachea, esophagus and mediastinum.

Surgery is often recommended in conjunction with chemotherapy and/or radiation for cancer treatment. If surgery is recommended, you can be assured the team at Penrose Cancer Center has the expertise needed for your specific situation.

• Brain Surgical Oncology
• Breast Surgical Oncology
• Colorectal Surgical Oncology
• General Surgical Oncology
• Head and Neck Surgical Oncology
• Hepatobiliary Surgical Oncology
• Urologic Surgical Oncology

Medical oncology services are provided by Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers, located on the 4th floor of Penrose Pavilion, adjacent to Penrose Cancer Center. Their team of Medical Oncologists work closely with our Radiation Oncologists, Surgeons, Pathologists and Radiologists to provide comprehensive treatment.

Is a cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. There are several different techniques that can be utilized for your cancer treatment. Your Radiation Oncologist will talk to you about your options and explain the most effective treatment for you.

CyberKnife®, a new and exciting option in external radiation therapy is now available at Penrose Cancer Center. This ultimate cancer-fighting technology can attack hard-to-reach tumors anywhere in the body and offers a non-surgical alternative to cancer treatment with no incisions, anesthesia or inpatient hospital stay and little or no side effects.

Because it uses stereotactic radiosurgery technology, CyberKnife® attacks cancer from all angles using a focused beam of radiation with pinpoint accuracy and can treat tumors previously thought to be inoperable including:

• Brain cancer 
• Liver cancer
• Lung cancer 
• Pancreatic cancer
• Prostate cancer 
• Spine tumors 

This form of treatment is ideal for both cancerous and benign brain tumors because of the importance of protecting healthy tissues and structures - other radiosurgery systems simply can't treat tumors with the same level of accuracy.

With extreme accuracy, CyberKnife® can attack cancer with more powerful and effective doses of radiation with little or no side effects in as few as one to five treatments. All without attacking your quality of life thanks to no incisions, drugs, pain, fatigue or recovery time, with most patients returning to normal activities after treatment. 

Phone: 719-776-5281

External Beam Radiation Therapy comes from a machine that aims radiation at your cancer. It is a local treatment, targeted to treat a specific part of the body.

NAPRC-accredited facilities have a dedicated focus on rectal cancer care. They often employ multidisciplinary teams consisting of surgeons, oncologists, radiologists and other specialists who have extensive experience and training in managing rectal cancer.

These facilities provide comprehensive care throughout the entire continuum of rectal cancer treatment, from diagnosis to survivorship. This includes advanced diagnostic imaging, surgical interventions, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and supportive care services.

NAPRC accreditation signifies that the facility has met rigorous standards for quality and safety established by the American College of Surgeons. Patients can have confidence in the quality of care provided at these accredited facilities.

NAPRC facilities emphasize a multidisciplinary approach to care, ensuring that patients benefit from the collective expertise of various specialists who collaborate to develop personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient's unique needs.

Many NAPRC-accredited facilities are actively engaged in clinical research and may offer patients opportunities to participate in clinical trials evaluating new treatments and interventions for rectal cancer.

NAPRC facilities prioritize patient-centered care, focusing on the individual needs, preferences and concerns of each patient. This includes providing education and support to help patients make informed decisions about their care and promoting shared decision-making between patients and their health care providers.

NAPRC-accredited facilities typically offer structured follow-up care and monitoring for patients after treatment to monitor for recurrence, manage side effects, and address any ongoing medical or supportive care needs.