Posted 3 days ago
Bringing Breakthrough Cancer Care Closer to Home: Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers Lead the Way
At Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers, innovation meets compassion in the heart of the Phoenix metropolitan area. With 15 community-based locations and a team of over 100 multidisciplinary providers, Ironwood is redefining what it means to receive world-class cancer care—right in your neighborhood.
Clinical Trials: A Gateway to Tomorrow’s Treatments
Clinical trials are at the forefront of Ironwood’s mission. These trials offer patients access to cutting-edge therapies long before they become widely available. For those who have exhausted standard treatment options, clinical trials can be a beacon of hope. Dr. Ramesh Ramanathan, Ironwood’s Medical Director of Clinical Research, emphasizes the importance of these trials: “Even if the treatment doesn’t ultimately help the patient who is participating, most patients appreciate the opportunity to help others in the future.”
Ironwood’s robust clinical trial program includes promising studies on KRAS inhibitors for pancreatic cancer and new therapies for breast cancer. These advancements are not only improving outcomes but also reducing the need for patients to travel long distances for care.
A Team-Based, Patient-Centered Approach
Since 1993, Ironwood has championed a collaborative model of care. Every patient benefits from a coordinated team of specialists—including oncologists, surgeons, pathologists, nutritionists, and integrative medicine experts—who work together to craft personalized treatment plans. “We never make a decision for a patient’s treatment without consulting other specialists,” says Dr. Ramanathan.
This integrated approach ensures that patients receive comprehensive care tailored to their unique medical and lifestyle needs—all under one roof.
Breast Cancer Care: Innovation and Compassion
Dr. Anu Batra, a medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer, highlights the rapid evolution of treatment options in her field. From immunotherapy to targeted therapies, the landscape is changing fast—and Ironwood is keeping pace. Dr. Batra is set to lead a new clinical trial for endocrine receptor-positive breast cancer, further cementing Ironwood’s role as a leader in community-based research.
What sets Ironwood apart, according to Dr. Batra, is its ability to offer academic-level care in a local setting. “You don’t have to go from one physician to another at different sites. We’re all available right there on the same day as your initial consult.”
Hope, Healing, and Human Connection
Beyond the science, Ironwood’s strength lies in its humanity. “It’s a life-changing moment when people receive a cancer diagnosis,” says Dr. Batra. “We all work together to support patients in every possible way through their cancer journey.”
Whether it’s avoiding unnecessary ER visits through proactive monitoring or cutting through red tape to meet patient needs quickly, Ironwood’s commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care is unwavering.
Read the full article from Women’s Day and Good Housekeeping here.