This page contains some answers to probable questions you might have surrounding Cancer, Cancer treatment options and the services that we offer. You are welcome ask more questions through any one of our media platforms or at our treatment center.

What if I don’t have a doctor of my own? Can I still come to Oncocare?

Yes — more than half our patients are “self-referred.” No matter how many specialists are on your treatment team, you will have one resident practitioner on your care as an inpatient or outpatient. That doctor will see you on a regular basis for examinations and to discuss your progress and answer all your questions.

Do you accept my Medical Aid / Insurance?

Oncocare Comprehensive Cancer Center accepts private and public Medical Aid and Insurance plans. To find out if yours is one, please call our New Patient Referral office at +263-4-776009/10.

We work with patients to make sure they are getting the full benefit of their health plan. Please remember that insurers have different requirements that need to be met before your appointment.

For those not on Medical Insurance we offer flexible payment plans to ensure that treatment is available.

A family member has been diagnosed with cancer, and I want him/her to be treated at Oncocare. How do I arrange that?

For assistance in deciding whom to contact and what the first step should be, we invite you to call Oncocare on +263-4-776009/10.  The care advisors and oncology nurses staffing the service know our practitioners and are familiar with the various cancers and treatment modalities and the special services that we offer. They can help you with finding the right expert for your particular needs.

Will radiation therapy make me radioactive?

No. You can continue to enjoy the same contact with family and friends without fear of exposing them to radiation.

If you are hospitalized for insertion of internal radioactive sources, you will stay in a protected room until the source of radiation is removed. If you need this type of radiation, your doctor will explain it in detail.

As a patient, what can Oncocare offer me that I might not find elsewhere?

As a patient, what can Oncocare offer me that I might not find elsewhere?

At Oncocare, the sole focus is the patient.

The benefits of being treated at Oncocare include:

  • The most advanced methods of diagnosis and treatment, including new therapies that may not yet be available in other centres.
  • Everything you might need to take care of your cancer: diagnosis, treatment, psychosocial support, pain management, rehabilitation, and assistance in returning to your life after cancer.
  • A patient-focused approach where quality of life is always a priority, both during and after treatment.
  • Support for patients’ friends and family, who are often intimately involved in the complex medical and emotional issues surrounding cancer and its treatment.
  • Assistance in locating additional treatment and support services in your own community, especially important if you travel to Oncocare from a distance.
  • Answers to your questions. Cancer treatment is complicated, and you and your family will have many questions. At Oncocare there is no such thing as an unimportant question. Your questions are encouraged and will receive answers from the appropriate specialist or support person. A large collection of patient education materials is available to help explain the specifics of cancer and its treatment complexities.

Does radiation therapy hurt?

No. However, the treatment table can be a little uncomfortable. If you do experience pain during treatment, tell the radiation therapist. He or she will turn off the machine and come into the room. The radiation stops when the machine is turned off.

What are the possible side effects of radiation therapy?

Side effects are usually limited to the radiation site. Patients receiving radiation in the abdomen may have nausea, while radiation to the pelvis may trigger diarrhea. Other possible side effects include:

  • Red, itching and peeling skin in the treatment area
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Hair loss in the treatment area

Always let your health care team know about any side effects you may be experiencing, even if they seem minor.