Challenges of Treating Gynecological Cancers in the Greater Phoenix Area

Shana Wingo, MD, a gynecology specialist with a subspecialty in gynecology oncology with the American Oncology Network (AON) affiliate. Cancer & Blood Specialists of Arizona, talks about the challenges of treating patients in the Greater Phoenix, Arizona area.

According to Wingo, gynecological cancer services are centered mainly in Tucson and the area around Phoenix. This is partly due to the rarity of certain gynecological cancers and the fact gynecologic oncology is a very niche field. Patients on the outskirts of Phoenix often have to travel distances in order to seek care. In addition, those requiring complicated surgeries to treat their cancer often require long hospital stays.

Now that Cancer & Blood Specialists of Arizona has become an AON affiliated practice, it will be able to provide surgical specialists for patients, as well as chemotherapy and follow-up services. Wingo says she hopes these additional services will help to serve previously underserved communities.