The Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center continues to earn recognition as one of the top institutions of its kind in the country. Our cancer center serves all of North Carolina, including Winston-Salem, Raleigh and Durham and is convenient to access for patients in South Carolina and Virginia.
The center’s designation by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as a comprehensive cancer center makes it one of three comprehensive cancer centers in North Carolina, one of 57 in the country and one of the very few to hold the designation continuously since 1990.
As an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest Baptist is recognized for the highest levels of expertise and a commitment to patient care, cancer research, including clinical trials, and education. The rapid pace of discovery and the early availability of many new cancer treatments at NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, gives us an advantage in offering our cancer patients early access to the latest therapies and treatment options, sometimes even months or years before non-NCI cancer centers. Studies show that patients who receive care at an NCI-designated cancer center can improve their long-term survival rates by up to 25%.
The Comprehensive Cancer Center has a team of over 400 physicians and researchers focused on preventing, detecting, treating and surviving cancer. Our clinicians represent all aspects of cancer care including those in the fields of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Gynecologic Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Surgical Oncology and Colon and Rectal Surgery. These specialists are committed to offering patients the latest treatments, technologies and clinical trials, including precision medicine, cancer genomics, immunotherapy and bone marrow transplant.
The cancer center’s Cancer Patient Support Program provides a range of support resources and programs to help patients and their family members successfully address the various non-medical issues they face while dealing with cancer.
Wake Forest Baptist offers expert cancer care in Winston-Salem and at Hayworth Cancer Center in High Point, along with locations in Clemmons, Elkin, Hendersonville, Hickory, Lexington, Mount Airy, North Wilkesboro, Sparta and Statesville.
Multiple Cancer Specialists Ensure Advanced Treatment
By combining views from multiple cancer experts, our patients can expect to have the best cancer treatment available. This “consensus treatment planning” not only ensures that every possibility is considered for the patient’s health, it streamlines the process to provide answers and care faster. Our multidisciplinary clinics are so effective that patients can see an entire group of physicians who specialize in treating their type of cancer in one day.
Meet Dr. Ruben Mesa, Our New Cancer Center Director
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Ruben Mesa as the new Executive Director of our National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and President of the Cancer Service Line.
Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down and talk one-on-one with Dr. Mesa. He shared his excitement for joining our integrated cancer center family and vision to decrease the burden of cancer across our communities. He also shared his philosophy that “the defeat of cancer is a team sport,” and how we can make an incredible impact together through science, cancer care, education, health equity, community outreach and survivorship.
I am so excited that Dr. Mesa will lead our Comprehensive Cancer Center forward with excellence! Please give him a warm welcome and take a moment to learn more about his vision in the video below.
The Story of Cancer at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
Being treated at our comprehensive cancer center means you not only have access to physicians who are leaders in advancing cancer care, but you also become part of our cancer family.
Our physicians, nurses and staff take pride in treating gynecologic oncology patients and their families with compassion and kindness, while working to achieve the best possible outcome for each patient.
Cancer Health Equity
The mission of the Office of Cancer Health Equity is to facilitate clinical care and research focused on improving outcomes for under-served populations in our community. We will succeed in this mission by supporting research focused on eliminating cancer disparities as well as assuring the highest level of culturally competent clinical care for all patients.
