Health/Disability Related Support Groups

The center provides health services for people of all ages who have been diagnosed with any type of cancer in Los Angeles County. The center provides a clinical cancer program, clinical social service program, clinical specialty program, diagnostic program, health/disability related support groups for diabetes, smoking addiction support groups, pediatric department, research department and a surgical department. Services include diagnostic radiology; hematology and bone marrow transplantation; medical oncology; pain management; patient support services; pediatric oncology and hematology; research and surgery. Patients needing only custodial care are not eligible for service. There are no geographic restrictions.

The clinical cancer programs include hematology and bone marrow transplantation which provide therapy for disorders of the blood system; transfusion medicine which collects and prepares blood through its blood bank. The program also provides medical oncology which include chemotherapy and immunotherapy; radiation oncology which include several types of radiation therapies, including tomotherapy. The respiratory diseases department provides clinical support in treating oncology patients for lung cancer and treatment for other lung diseases.

The clinical social services and nursing center provides support service which include an outpatient clinic, rehabilitation therapies, a positive image center and two on-site housing facilities for patients and their caregivers during extended outpatient treatments. The office of the chaplain conducts bereavement support groups that are open to anyone, and are scheduled both in day and evening hours.

The clinical specialty programs combine primary care and clinical research to diagnose and treat patients in the areas of diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism, including a diabetes education program; infectious diseases, which provides diagnosis for AIDS patients and other infectious disease patients, including heart diseases and congenital disorders; cancer screening and prevention programs.

The diabetes support group is for adults and is an educational class with speakers and facilitators who answer questions. It is open to any adult.

Tobacco cessation support groups are provided virtually in English and Spanish for patients, survivors and families who need help. The program includes information about tobacco cessation treatment and assistance navigating support resources. Groups are facilitated by experts and volunteers who are ex-smokers.

The diagnostic programs include anatomic and clinical pathology and diagnostic radiology. Techniques available include MRI, computerized tomography and ultrasound.

The pediatric department includes pediatric oncology and hematology which treats children who have all types of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies; pediatric bone marrow transplantation; and comprehensive care for pediatric hemophilia, sickle cell and several kinds of blood disorders.

The research component of the center is the Beckman Research Institute. Scientists in biological research, immunology, molecular medicine and neurosciences conduct studies in diagnosis and treatment of cancer, diabetes and other life threatening diseases.

The surgical department provides several types of service which include general oncologic surgery; plastic and reconstructive surgery; gynecological surgery; robotic-assisted surgery, neuro-oncoloogic surgery, and urological surgery.