Prostate Cancer Patient Is Among Friends at Inova Alexandria Hospital

Hospital provides expertise and familiarity

With a long career in the healthcare field, Tom (whose name was changed to protect his privacy) instinctively knew he’d seek a second opinion about his medical care after being diagnosed with prostate cancer last year. But it was equally obvious to him that Inova Alexandria Hospital (IAH) Cancer Center was the ideal place to both confirm his choices and pursue treatment.

Tom, whose cancer hadn’t spread beyond the prostate gland, finished eight weeks of external beam radiation therapy at IAH this past spring and will continue hormone therapy over the coming year. But despite the rigor of his daily treatments, the 74-year-old looked forward to seeing the Cancer Center’s staff, whom he now counts among his friends.

“They’re very loving people,” Tom says. “In the course of this extended time together, you get a wonderful sense of familiarity with people and relate to them as friends, not patient and staff.”

Tom carefully considered his treatment options — which also included surgery — when first diagnosed with the malignancy. Inova physicians reassured him that radiation was “the treatment of choice” to optimize his results while reducing side effects.

“I would describe my experience there very simply: I felt safe,” Tom adds. “What could be better than that?”

IAH Cancer Center Director Cori Ashton says Tom’s observations exemplify the type of care Inova seeks to offer every cancer patient.

“One of the things I really care about is giving back to our patient population, which is something Inova does exceptionally well,” Ashton says. “We go above and beyond not only for prostate cancer patients, but all patients.”

Find Personalized Cancer Treatments

For more information about Inova Alexandria Hospital’s Cancer Center, call 703-504-7900.