Today, we are looking at cancer in a new way, because we are experiencing a paradigm shift regarding the disease. An estimated 10.5 million Americans are now living with and beyond a diagnosis of cancer.

One in every two American men and one in every three American women can expect to hear a doctor say, “You have cancer.” Those numbers are staggering. Thanks to the dedication of oncologists, researchers and other medical professionals, we continue to make dramatic progress with new treatments, therapies and approaches to fighting the many different forms of cancer.

It is common now to read news reports about breakthrough advances that are making a difference. VOA, along with our affiliate network, US Oncology, is involved in more than 70 clinical trials involving chemotherapy, immunotherapy, stem cell transplantation and gene therapy. The network has contributed to the development of 36 of the latest cancer-fighting drugs approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration.

The importance of research cannot be overstated. Research and the participation in clinical trials are vital parts of our mission at VOA. Bringing the latest in investigational therapies directly to our patients is an important component in our providing the best cancer treatment possible. In doing so, we are extending lives, improving conditions and learning more about defeating cancer.

These new therapies and protocols are bringing hope to thousands of patients with cancers of the prostate, breast, colon, lung, pancreas and ovaries. We are learning more, too, about the prevention and early diagnosis of cancer. Breast cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer are three cancers that can be diagnosed at early stages and treated successfully. More diagnostic tests are in development for a host of other cancers.

VOA celebrates the hope and faith of our community’s cancer survivors – men and women who have shown incredible strength and resolve. But we also celebrate the hope of a future where cancer is a manageable disease, where our knowledge and understanding enable us to prevent, diagnose or treat any cancer.

Together, as medical professionals, as patients, as family members and friends, we stand united. Let us celebrate the compassion, commitment and dignity of our patients, who steadfastly choose life, hope and faith in the face of significant challenges. And let us recognize and thank the compassion and dedication of our medical professionals who choose to join them in the fight for a cancer-free tomorrow.

The guiding mission of Virginia Oncology Associates is to provide compassionate, comprehensive and state-of-the-art cancer care for our community throughout Hampton Roads, Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina, and to avail the most effective and modern new developments in cancer and blood disease therapy to our patients. This is accomplished through our collective clinical experience, strict adherence to the latest quality measures, cutting edge clinical research, and a tireless effort to maintain trust and to protect the interests of our patients, both locally and throughout our national network.

VOA has been in practice for more than 30 years. Through a common need and desire to advance and improve cancer care in our community, physicians from the Hamptons Roads area came together to form what is now the largest practice of Oncology/Hematology in Virginia. As we have increased in size, we have been able to offer to the community important, comprehensive resources that allow us to advance cancer care. In addition to our size and reputation for quality, we continue to attract top physicians from the best training programs throughout the country.

In a collaboration with Sentara Health System for Radiation Therapy services, VOA brings a multiplicity of disciplines oriented towards streamlining, simplifying and personalizing cancer care for our patients. This collaboration allows multimodality treatments under one roof, which serve to improve the efficiency of complicated care protocols, making it easier for patients and family members to navigate the cancer care experience.

VOA has recognized and responded to its responsibility of community educator with our collaboration with the Eastern Virginia Medical School, whose students and postdoctoral trainees avail themselves of our physicians’ expertise in their instructional process. Additionally, collaborative efforts with Duke University in research and continuing education, further meets our goals of comprehensive services to the community. Finally, our affiliation with US Oncology, a network of over 40 community-based cancer centers throughout the country, has also brought the best of national and international developments in oncology to our area.

QUALITY ONCOLOGY PRACTICE INITIATIVE (QOPI) In 2008, VOA was awarded the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) Certificate of Participation by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). QOPI is an oncologist-led, practice-based quality improvement program.

QOPI's goal is to promote excellence in cancer care by helping practices create a culture of self-examination and improvement. The process employed for improving cancer care includes measurement, feedback and improvement tools for medical oncology practices.

QOPI is a tool that helps us keep current with nationally recognized practice guidelines and compare our achievement relative to these guidelines with other practices.

FOUNDATION FOR THE ACCREDITATION OF CELLULAR THERAPY (FACT) ACCREDITATION After meeting rigorous clinical standards, the Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Program at VOA received accreditation by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT). The program remains the first and only transplant program in Hampton Roads to earn this prestigious distinction.

VOA’s Stem Cell Transplant program is one of three in the state of Virginia and 135 nationally. Sanctioned through FACT, the program adheres to the most stringent clinical standards. FACT accreditation is the gold standard insurance companies often demand. It is the benchmark for quality care.

VOA first achieved accreditation in November 2003.

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY (ASCO) AWARD RECIPIENT In 2004, VOA was one of ten practices nationwide to receive ASCO’s prestigious award for accruing the highest number of eligible patients for clinical trials.

As part of US Oncology, one of the country’s largest networks of cancer care practices and the nation’s largest integrated cancer research program, we are able to participate in many clinical trials and provide the latest, most promising drugs and treatments to patients right here in Hampton Roads. Since 1993, more than 30,000 patients have participated in clinical trials managed by US Oncology network practices, and the network has contributed to the development of 36 of the latest cancer-fighting drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use.