Cancer Care

When you schedule your visit, you may need to answer a few questions about your health and personal history, such as your age and any medications you may be taking. If you’re having a procedure, someone must accompany you home after your treatment.

Even if you are not having a procedure, consider inviting a family member or trusted friend to your appointment to assist as you gather information about your health and treatment.

Insurance Referrals & Co-Payments

Please check with your insurance company to see if your policy includes care and treatment at BIDMC. You may also need a referral from your primary care physician ahead of time.

If your insurance plan requires a co-payment, please be prepared to pay your co-payment for each specialty during the check-in process. If you have any questions, please contact our Billing and Financial Services department.

What To Do Before Your Appointment

• Forward imaging studies (X-rays, CT and/or MRI scans) ahead of time so our specialists can review your information
• Forward medical records and medical tests and their results

What To Bring To Your Appointment

• Your insurance card and hospital card (if you have one)
• A list of medications that you are currently taking
• All medical information regarding current diagnosis, MRI/CT scans, doctors' notes, pathology reports
• If you had any previous cancer treatment, bring records for review
• Your co-pay, if applicable

Interpreter Services

Bilingual interpreter services representatives are on staff. Please let us know if you would like one present at your appointment.

Our world-class pathologists provide expert interpretation of tissue samples. We understand the subtle nuances that help make an accurate diagnosis. Here, you’ll receive comprehensive, accurate and timely cancer screening, genetic testing and diagnostic services. We focus on preventive care, including early diagnosis and cancer prevention.

We offer a comprehensive suite of cancer screening services:

• Digestive diagnostics for gastrointestinal (GI) issues, including colonoscopy for colorectal cancer
• Gynecologic cancer screenings for women’s wellness, including routine Pap smears, human papillomavirus (HPV) tests and in-depth testing for unusual pap test results
• Laboratory services as part of your annual wellness visit
• Lung cancer screening
• Mammograms to detect breast cancer early
• Prostate cancer screening

Our oncologists each specialize in a type or group of cancers. You’ll benefit from access to the latest and most effective treatment options:  

• Biologic therapy (or immunotherapy). This treatment uses your own immune system to help fight cancer or use drugs that target specific weak points in the cancer cell.
• Chemotherapy (chemo). These are drugs that directly target and kill cancer cells.
• Hormone and targeted therapy. These treatments interfere with a process in the cancer cell that is critical to its function. They interfere with specific (targeted) molecules that fuel tumor growth, often sparing healthy cells. 
• Infusion services. During the course of your cancer treatment, you’ll likely need infusions of medications, blood or fluids.
• Interventional oncology. These are minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and treat certain types of cancer and cancer-related issues. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) uses radiofrequency waves to heat and destroy cells in the body. 
• Radiation therapy. This uses high-energy waves to shrink or even destroy cancerous tissue. Our radiation oncology experts offer comprehensive simulation and treatment planning for the most targeted care and best possible outcomes. We offer the latest radiation therapies including CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery.

You may qualify for one of our extensive clinical trials. We’ve designed these research studies to find better treatments for cancer patients based on the most updated information from around the world.

We are committed to bringing the latest in effective treatment options to you. As a founding member of the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, BIDMC has contributed to breakthroughs that improve the lives of patients around the globe.