New cancer care unit opens at Reston Hospital Center

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (7News) — Reston Hospital Center in Fairfax County, Virginia, just expanded its oncology care with a new inpatient unit.

The eight dedicated rooms allow patients personalized care with specialized nurses, rehabilitation, physical therapy and pharmacy teams, all in one place.

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This is the first phase of the hospital's oncology program expansion. Cancer research and cancer immunotherapy treatment will be added next.

Tuesday is World Cancer Day and according to the National Cancer Institute, more than 611,000 people died of cancer in the United States last year alone. But advancements in treatment are making a big difference.

“There’s so much initiative surrounding oncology right now, which is great for our patients in the community," said Rozelle Cacatian, the oncology director at Reston Hospital Center.

“Having a separate space for them, especially as we work more towards those with blood cancer and those who are more neutropenic, or immunocompromised, we now have the ability with this eight-bed unit that is completely closed off," explained Laura-Anne Cleveland, the chief nursing officer.

The new unit already cares for patients in western Fairfax County.

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