MEDIA ADVISORY

                                      Contact: Marguerite Beck

U.VA.'S NEW CANCER CENTER CELEBRATES OPENING

     The Cancer Center at the University of Virginia Health
Sciences Center will officially open its doors on Wednesday,
February 22, bringing a new level of cancer treatment to the
Charlottesville area. 
     Housed on the fourth floor of University Hosptial West (old
hospital), the Cancer Center focuses on an illness-specific team
approach to cancer treatment. Treatment teams -- comprised of
doctors, nurses, educators, social workers, chaplains and
others -- are designated for each of eight types of cancer:
brain, breast, colon/rectal, gynecological, head and neck,
prostrate/pancreas, leukemia/lymphoma and sarcoma/melanoma.
Cancer centers at Georgetown University, Duke University and
Johns Hopkins University also use this type of illness-specific
approach to cancer care.
     "For the patient, this means that everyone involved in their
care is a specialist in their type of cancer and is familiar with
the latest research and most up-to-date treatment options," said
Dr. Charles Myers, director of the Cancer Center.
     "In addition, our patients will have the opportunity to
participate in closely-supervised clinical trials in which new
drugs and therapies are studied. Clinical trials are viewed as
key to the success of cancer prevention. All of the progress made
in cancer treatment has come as a direct result of basic science
advances, drug discoveries and clinical trials."
     The Center's open house, from 3 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, will
give area residents an opportunity to meet the staff and tour the
new facility. Live music and refreshments will be provided, as
well as classes on smoking cessation, cancer prevention and pain
management.
     For more information, contact David Cattell-Gordon at 924-
1849.
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