Cancer Care in Castle Rock

No matter what specific cancer diagnosis you receive, we’ll get you the resources you need for treatment.

We specialize in a variety of cancer types, including:

• Bladder cancer
• Brain tumors
• Breast cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Colon cancer
• Gastrointestinal cancer
• Gynecologic cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Leukemia
• Liver cancer
• Lung cancer
• Lymphoma
• Neurological cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Rectal cancer
• Sarcoma
• Skin cancer, including melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma
• Spine tumors

Our experts specialize in knowing the causes of cancer and how to treat it. Understanding cancer, how to reduce your risk and preventing future disease are all part of how we care for your whole health.

Defining Cancer

Cancer starts when abnormal cells grow out of control or lose their ability to die. Cancer can start in almost any organ or tissue, such as the lung, prostate, colon, breast, skin or bones. Once cancer forms, it can get into your bloodstream or lymph vessels and travel to other parts of your body, causing cancerous cells in new locations. This process is called metastasis.

Cancer cells often form tumors, although not all tumors are cancerous. But in some cases, such as leukemia, the cancer cells affect the blood and can circulate through other tissues where they grow.

Types of Cancer

Cancer is the general name for a group of more than 100 diseases. Different types of cancer behave in unique ways. For example, skin and lung cancer grow at very different rates, as do pancreatic and prostate cancer. Your cancer type will determine the kind of treatment you’ll receive.

The three most common cancers in men in the U.S. are:

• Colon cancer
• Lung cancer
• Prostate cancer

The three most common cancers in women in the U.S. are:

• Breast cancer
• Colon cancer
• Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in both men and women in the U.S.

Cancer Causes

Many cancer causes are unknown, but some known causes include:

• Genetic conditions
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Environmental toxins
• Excessive exposure to UV rays
• Obesity
• Radiation
• Tobacco products
• Viruses

According to the American Cancer Society, half of all men and one-third of all women in the U.S. will develop cancer during their lifetimes. Ask your doctor about recommended cancer screenings to help you detect cancer early. Early detection significantly improves outcomes. You can also take control of your health by making healthy lifestyle changes.

To reduce your risk of cancer, our experts recommend:

• Getting regular cancer screenings and physical exams
• A healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables
• Discontinuing the use of tobacco products
• Limiting alcohol consumption
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Protecting your skin from the sun
• Staying physically active
• Understanding your family history and risk factors

Screening for cancer can help find it at an early stage, even before symptoms start. When we find cancer early, it’s easier to treat and cure. We also have a better chance of removing it before it spreads to other parts of the body.

We offer screenings for a range of cancers, such as:

• Breast cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Colorectal cancer and polyps
• Endometrial (uterine) cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Skin cancer
• Thyroid cancer

We work together as a team — bringing together your surgeon, therapists and other providers to customize a complete cancer treatment plan. After your initial diagnosis, you’ll first meet with your oncologist. They’ll do a physical exam, review your medical history and study any imaging and lab reports.

Your treatment may include a combination of options, such as:

• Chemotherapy: the delivery of cancer-killing drugs through an IV or orally that is usually given in rounds — before or after surgery — with a recovery period in between treatments
• Hormone therapy: medication for treating cancers that rely on hormones to grow by blocking or reducing the hormones your body makes
• Radiation therapy: uses high-powered X-rays, particles or radioactive seeds to damage the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from growing or multiplying
• Targeted therapies: specific drugs that target the cancer cells, work differently than standard chemo and often have less severe side effects

Along with conventional treatment tools, we also offer complementary therapies. These include nutrition support, mind-body physical therapy, pain management and spiritual support. You may also benefit from chiropractic care, massage therapy or stretching.