The Douglas & Nancy Barnhart Cancer Center

❗IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ❗
Effective Feb. 10, The Douglas & Nancy Barnhart Cancer Center page will begin the process of merging with Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center. Our goal is to unify our communication efforts so that our followers have access to a broader view of all that we do at Sharp Chula Vista.

We are also excited to share that Sharp HealthCare recently launched the Sharp HealthCare Cancer Patient Community Facebook group that is geared towards patients with cancer and their loved ones to create a sense of community and connection, as well as providing reliable information, thoughtful content, live discussions and more! Click here to join the Facebook group, http://spr.ly/6187KzFNf.

Sharp HealthCare emergency rooms are currently experiencing high volumes of patients. If you are in need of a COVID-19 test, please go to a designated testing location, not the ER.

If you do not have COVID symptoms, have not had an exposure, or are under the age of 65 with no underlying health issues, please visit a County of San Diego testing location or consult other community resources for testing options.

If you need to be tested due to a confirmed exposure, please visit one of these options offered by our community and health care partners to be tested sooner. For more information and a list of community testing locations, visit: http://spr.ly/6188JAmx6

As you might imagine, this year has been a particularly challenging time for many families, especially for those who have lost someone special to COVID-19 or cancer. The staff at the Barnhart Cancer Center teamed up and made the holiday season a little brighter by collecting toys, clothing and gift cards for two families they chose to adopt for the holidays.

From our Barnhart family to yours, we wish you all the joys of the season and happiness throughout the coming year.

It's never too late to quit smoking. The earlier a smoker quits, the more life/years they will gain.

From our Sharp family to yours, we wish you a happy, safe and healthy Thanksgiving holiday.

Operation Gobble, hosted annually by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, kindly made a stop at the Barnhart Cancer Center last week and donated 50 turkeys to grateful patients in celebration of Thanksgiving. Thank you for your support and generosity during this season of giving! 🦃

Did you know that ci**rs may contain more toxic substances than ci******es? All to***co products are risky. To learn more, visit http://spr.ly/6189JgdID.

Lung cancer is common in older people, but can rarely occur in young adults and children. To learn more, visit http://spr.ly/6180JbIZK.

Smoking is associated with 30% of all cancer deaths in the US, and yet some non-smokers still get the disease. To learn more, visit http://spr.ly/6183JXfwZ.

Symptoms of a dry cough and breathlessness can be concerning in the age of COVID-19. It is important to know whether your symptoms are due to the coronavirus or underlying lung cancer.

“If you have a cough or other symptoms that persist for more than a few weeks, you should consider talking with your doctor about whether lung cancer could be a significant concern,” says Dr. Norman Chen, diagnostic radiologist affiliated with Sharp Chula Vista. Learn more about the overlapping symptoms and whether or not you should take the next step of getting screened.

Could my symptoms be a sign of lung cancer or COVID-19? It is important to understand the difference between symptoms of a virus and those of cancer.

Breast tomosynthesis has a higher cancer detection rate and fewer patient recalls for additional testing than standard digital mammography. San Diego Imaging – Chula Vista affiliates, Dr. Howard Schiffman, medical director, and Larry Rosberg, executive director, share how this technology new to Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center helps our patients.

3D mammography lets experts see cancer more clearly Breast tomosynthesis, also known as 3D mammography, offers patients many benefits.

Good nutrition is important during cancer treatment. According to Jessi Janes, a clinical dietitian at the Barnhart Cancer Center at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, “You should include a variety of colorful vegetables, fiber-rich legumes, fresh fruits and whole grains. These foods give your body the vitamins and minerals it needs as well as fiber to support a healthy gut.” Read more about how to build a healthy diet.

Eating right during cancer treatment Eating a well-balanced and healthy diet can help you stay strong and keep you feeling your best.

Sharp Chula Vista is thankful to all of our dedicated cancer care providers every day. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we recognize Dr. Ryan Bair, radiation oncologist at the Barnhart Cancer Center, for helping our patients through treatment and beyond. 💗

“It’s an honor and privilege to be on our patients’ team when they come to us for breast cancer treatment," says Dr. Bair. "Breast cancer doesn’t just affect the patient, but the whole family, and we try to really prioritize family involvement during treatment. Our patients are never alone. We are here for them, using our skill and hearts to help see them through a diagnosis of breast cancer.”

Sharp Chula Vista has once again lit up their Ocean View Tower in pink in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Today, the significant color continues to be used to represent breast cancer support, early prevention and hope for the future. 💗

“The most difficult thing I have ever gone through went seamlessly thanks to them, and now I am a cancer survivor!” – Shannon Low on facing cancer.

Join us for this free online educational event Saturday, Oct. 2, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., where Sharp experts will discuss a variety of topics important to health and well-being during the cancer treatment journey. Patients, families and caregivers are welcome to attend. Click here to register, http://spr.ly/6181JBhsf.

The Sharp Experience from the other side A Sharp nurse shares her cancer diagnosis and the exceptional care she received.

As national lockdowns threatened to restrict access to quality care for millions of patients, telehealth played a critical role in supporting the delivery of health care services. This new way of communicating has allowed our teams at the Barnhart Cancer Center to better protect a population that is frequently immunocompromised and would be especially vulnerable to COVID-19.

This , we recognize the growing value and acceptance of virtual care.

Liliana Aguilar drew from her inner strength to prepare for chemotherapy and radiation therapy treatment for cervical cancer at The Douglas & Nancy Barnhart Cancer Center. Learn more about her story. http://spr.ly/6186yxzzI

Finding strength in a cervical cancer diagnosis Liliana Aguilar was ready to give it her all when preparing for treatment for cervical cancer.

“I would tell anyone facing a diagnosis like mine to get yourself a really good doctor.”

Reverend Adlai Mack was treated for prostate cancer with high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy, a treatment offered at the Douglas & Nancy Barnhart at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center.

“HDR brachytherapy offers many benefits to patients,” says Dr. Ryan Bair, Reverend Mack’s radiation oncologist. “We can get it done in 2 to 3 days, the side effects are minimal, and cure rates are high.”

Meet Dr. Bair during a free webinar, Advanced Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer, this Thursday, July 29, at 6 p.m. Visit sharp.com/prostatewebinar to sign up.

High-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy is a unique treatment option that offers patients with prostate cancer a number of benefits, including fewer side effects, shorter treatment times, precision and accuracy. Our radiation oncology team, led by Dr. Ryan Bair, are experts in the use of HDR brachytherapy to treat prostate cancer. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with, or is at risk for, prostate cancer, attend our free webinar on Thursday, July 29, at 6 p.m. to learn more and ask Dr. Bair your questions. Visit http://spr.ly/6186ykaIs to register.

Rona Linatoc is a dedicated nurse of 18 years, celebrating the last 5 years working in Sharp Chula Vista's 5T Progressive Care Unit and Oncology department. Her vital role as a caregiver to people with cancer quickly reversed when she became a patient. Learn more about how her experience as an oncology nurse guided her journey with breast cancer.

Oncology nurse and cancer survivor Rona's role as a caregiver for people with cancer changed when she became a patient.

Facing a diagnosis of lung and brain cancer, Francine Maigue turned to her doctor and nurses at the Barnhart Cancer Center at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, where she found skill and compassion in navigating treatment.

June is National Cancer Survivor Month. Every current patient with cancer is also considered a survivor. Francine wishes every cancer warrior, their support systems and medical teams the very best this month and beyond.

Navigating brain cancer treatment with skill and compassion The Ommaya reservoir can deliver targeted chemotherapy and withdraw fluid to test for cancer cells.

When Reverend Adlai Mack was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, his radiation oncologist, Dr. Ryan Bair, at the Douglas & Nancy Barnhart Cancer Center advised him of the benefits of high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy, a unique treatment option that offers fewer side effects like urinary incontinence, shorter treatment times and high precision and accuracy. Learn more about how Rev. Mack credits his treatment, a lifestyle change and faith with helping him overcome his diagnosis.

If you or someone you love is at risk for or recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, join us for a free webinar on July 29 to learn about advanced treatment options available at the Barnhart Cancer Center. Dr. Bair will discuss prostate cancer symptoms, diagnosis and advanced treatment options, including HDR brachytherapy. Visit sharp.com/prostatewebinar to register!

Unique treatment option for prostate cancer Rev. Adlai Mack credits his faith and high-dose rate brachytherapy for surviving prostate cancer.