Bellevue’s Overlake Cancer Center: A one-stop-shop for cancer care

It’s not an easy journey, managing a cancer diagnosis.

“It’s boom — go to the emergency room and all of a sudden you’re thrown into a different world,” Beata Baker, of Sammamish, said, describing her experience rushing her husband into the hospital right before they found out he had bladder cancer.

She said, even though her husband received great care, “it is a thousand different pieces floating around. It would have been wonderful to have a one-stop-shop.”

Now, thanks to a $20 million project, Overlake Medical Clinic is offering just that — an all-in-one facility with comprehensive care in a single location.

“We want the care centered around the patient,” said Dr. Kristi Harrington, medical director of cancer services, during a June Sammamish Chamber Luncheon at the Sahalee Way Country Club.

The project provides a “total care” clinic, delivering care and treatment — from lab work to chemotherapy and surgery — as well as genetic counseling, acupuncture, physical therapy and psychological and palliative care — all in one site.

Harrington calls it “the big warm hug of cancer care.”

“Our new state-of-the-art facility will be designed to help cancer patients and their families return to wellness by combining the very best in prevention, screening, diagnostic, treatment and integrative services — all in one location,” according to the regional medical center. “The Cancer Center will allow us to enhance our focus on wellness, prevention and survivorship.”

Washington state, which has one of the highest incidence rates, expects to see more than 38,000 new cancer cases this year alone, according to Overlake. Nationwide, there will be 1.7 million new diagnoses this year, according to the clinic.

Despite the rising rates, the clinic says the story of cancer treatment is one of hope.

“The five-year survival rate is currently at 68 percent, up from 49 percent,” according to Overlake. “By 2020, we expect this to climb to 73 percent. All of this is possible because of more effective treatments, better and earlier detection, and the addition of complementary services in cancer care. Yet as more and more people overcome cancer, there is a growing demand for post-treatment approaches to ongoing care so we can better meet survivors’ needs.”

The grand opening of the Cancer Center is scheduled for September.

“The new Overlake Cancer Center was designed from the ground up by cancer survivors, patients, doctors, nurses and blue-ribbon advisory board,” according to Overlake. “This collaboration resulted in an all-inclusive facility that allows the newly-diagnosed cancer patient to remain in one place — a single location that provides access to both the best possible technology and compassionate care. This unique holistic approach to treatment is not found at any other facility in the Puget Sound region — Overlake’s Cancer Center brings all the services directly to the patient.”

Available treatment options and integrated services include radiation oncology, medical oncology, surgical oncology, breast health and breast surgery, cancer screening and diagnostics, clinical trials and research, genetic counseling, nutritional oncology, integrative oncology, psychological oncology, outpatient palliative care, wellness and resource center and survivorship.

In addition, the center will provide patients and their families with one, easy to access entrance and a single check-in, centralized treatment spaces and confortable consultation rooms.

Overlake boasts a “healing environment with welcoming spaces and natural light.”

This $20 million project is the first phase of Project futureCARE, which is a $242 million project “that will transform health care on the Eastside by growing Overlake’s campus and services in many significant ways,” according to the clinic.

Project futureCARE will include a new East Tower, build a new childbirth and mother baby center, upgrade and expand the behavioral health unit, add two more surgical suites, create more laboratory space and create a new campus entrance.

Overlake Medical Center is a 349-bed, nonprofit regional medical center based in Bellevue. It is led by a volunteer board of directors and employs 2,500 people.

The Overlake Cancer Center is located in the Medical Office Tower at 1135 116th Ave. NE, Suite 200 in Bellevue.

Beata Baker of Sammamish examines the Overlake Cancer Center model at a June Sammamish Chamber Luncheon at the Sahalee Way Country Club. Megan Campbell/staff photo