Press / Events / News

Saturday, August 7, 2010. Shred Works will be in our parking lot at 400 Taylor Boulevard in Pleasant Hill helping us raise money for the Wellness Community (a cancer support organization).

Bring your old tax returns, bank statements, credit card statemtents, bills, receipts and any other documents containing personal information to our community wide event. $20 for first box, $5 for each additional box (standard record size/banker storage box)

All proceeds benefit the Wellness Community of Walnut Creek. Tell everyone and start boxing up your old stuff TODAY!!!

The California Cancer and Research Institute is looking for volunteers to help staff our new Information Desk. Minimum age 15. 2 hour shifts availabe from 8am – 4pm. If you are interested call Sam at 925-395-7630.

California Cancer and Research Institute and Diablo Valley Oncology/Hematology Medical Group are hosting their second blood drive this year. Open to everyone eligible to give blood. Tuesday, June 22, 2010 from 10am – 2pm Conference Room, 3rd Floor. Call Lora Sanders at 925-826-1904 to register. Or go to: www.bloodheroes.org, click donate blood, and enter our code: NRES

June 19, 2010 Making Strides Inaugural Event
The American Cancer Society will be ‘Making Strides Against Breast Cancer’ this Saturday from 8:45-11am at Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek. Diablo Valley Oncology/Hematology Medical Group is a flagship sponsor and will be there participating with a big team of patients, employees, and family members. The event raises money and awareness for the fight against breast cancer.
Everyone is welcome to come out for this non-competitive walk . There is no registration fee or minimum donation. http://makingstrides.acsevents.org/contracostacounty

Tiffany Svahn, MD has been awarded the Patients’ Choice Award for 2009, for a second year in a row. More than 800,000 patient reviews and ratings were gathered by the American Registry and this top rating is only awarded to a select few of the nation’s most beloved doctors.
Patients rated Dr. Svahn in the following areas: bedside manner, the amount of time she spends with them, the courtesy of her staff, appropriate follow-up, and their overall opinion of her as a physician.
Dr. Svahn practices at Diablo Valley Oncology/Hematology Medical Group. She sees patients at the California Cancer and Research Institute in Pleasant Hill, CA and at a satellite office in San Ramon, CA. She specializes in breast cancer and is board certified in Medical Oncology. Join her team “Making Strides for Breast Cancer” – June 19, 2010 at Heather Farms, Walnut Creek.

Breast Cancer Breakthroughs – A review of the latest therapies and treatments for breast cancer. This free and informative lecture will include a question and answer session. John Muir Outpatient Center, Tice Valley/Rossmoor – Conference Room
Speaker: Matthew Sirott, M.D., May 7, 2010 at 11am.
No charge, RSVP required call 925-939-1220

Our registered nutritionist, Tinrin Chew RD CSO, has special training in the area of oncology nutrition. She will cover these topics:
-Not all Fats Are Equal
-Phytounutrients/Phytochemicals
-Phobiotics and Prebiotics.
Join us and learn practical tips on nutrition and supplements.
May 4, 11, 18. 6-7pm $50 for series, $20 per class.
Call 925-677-5041, extn 260 to register.

Diablo Valley Oncology/Hematology Medical Group at the California Cancer and Research Institute is pleased to announce that they recently received state approval to be the only facility in Northern California to offer a new breakthrough radiation therapy for cancer patients. Advances in the world of radiation therapy have led to the development of a new procedure for the treatment of early stage breast cancer, non-melanoma skin cancers, and some gynecologic cancers.

Diablo Valley Oncology’s new advanced Electronic Brachytherapy system is very different from conventional brachytherapy because instead of a radioactive source, the eBx system uses a miniaturized X-ray tube that is inserted directly into the tumor site. “This means that the source is not continually radioactive; it can be turned on and off as appropriate to deliver precisely localized, targeted radiation treatments which protect healthy tissues,” says Sachin Kamath, MD, Director of Radiation Oncology at the cancer center. “The fact it can be used to deliver radiation in minimally shielded therapeutic settings gives us a different way to administer therapy. Treatment can be performed without the need for a shielded room, allowing the radiation oncologist and other medical personnel to be present during treatment delivery and minimizing patient anxiety.”
“Electronic Brachytherapy allows us to focus the radiation ‘more tightly’ around the tumor target, compared to external beam radiotherapy or radioactive isotope-based brachytherapy systems,” says Dr. Kamath. Xoft eliminates the use of radioactive isotopes, resulting in less exposure to radiation, fewer side effects, and excellent outcomes for patients.
Shorter treatment, less radiation, which is one of the biggest benefits to Electronic Brachytherapy is that it requires fewer sessions than traditional radiation:
- Most women with early stage breast cancer who need radiation treatment undergo whole breast irradiation, which usually requires 6 to 7 weeks (30 to 35 treatment sessions). Some of these women are candidates for partial breast irradiation with Electronic Brachytherapy, which can be completed in 5 days.
- Non-melanoma skin cancers are often treated with 6 to 7 weeks of conventional external beam radiotherapy. With Electronic Brachytherapy, skin cancers can be treated in as little as 5 sessions.
- Some women with gynecologic cancers require radiation treatment after surgery. The treatment may involve a combination of external beam radiotherapy and/or brachytherapy. With Electronic Brachytherapy the treatment can generally be completed in less than 5 sessions.

Diablo Valley Oncology encourages newly diagnosed patients with early stage breast cancer, skin cancers, and some gynecologic cancers to call to learn if this newer and safer form of radiation treatment is right for them.

Doctors Improving Healthcare in partnership with NBC Bay Area has selected Dr. Mathew Sirott as a “Top Doctor in the Bay Area” in Oncology. The distinction is based on his professional qualifications and reputation (education, residency, hospital appointment, and disciplinary record, for example) and for his skills in dealing with patients (listening and communicating effectively, demonstrating empathy, instilling trust and confidence) as well. Congratulations to Dr. Sirott!

The Pap smear screening test has shown to decrease cervical cancer incidence and mortality. Consensus guidelines advise screening starting three years after starting sexual activity or at age 21, whichever comes first. It is recommended every one to two years for women less than 30 years old, and every two to three years for women above 30. Women with increased risk should be tested more frequently.

We pause this month to commemorate women suffering from cervical cancer and to recognize that it is a treatable disease if detected early.

When was your last Pap smear test?