The best VA cancer centers in the U.S.

Unfortunately, as a consequence of toxic exposure at military bases during the last century, many veterans struggle with cancer today.

In addition to seeking legal recourse for their crippling diseases, most veterans affected by toxic exposure naturally want to receive the best healthcare and treatment possible for their cancer diagnosis. It is essential to find a VA center specializing in providing comprehensive healthcare to veterans struggling with malignant diseases.

We have compiled a list of some of the best centers in the country where veterans affected by cancer can receive the treatment they need in the hope of helping these brave people achieve the highest life quality possible.

1. Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center

Located in Houston, Texas, this medical center is the recipient of the 2019 Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Services by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center provides healthcare services to over 113,000 veterans in Texas. Along with the main VA hospital, there are ten outpatient clinics affiliated with it.

The center offers a program with diagnostic, treatment, prevention, and support services for veterans impacted by cancer. Their hematology and oncology program provides specialists experienced in treating patients with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center is also involved in clinical trials, testing promising cancer treatments for veterans.

2. Miami VA Healthcare System

As a medical center affiliated with the University of Miami Healthcare System, it provides healthcare for over 149,000 veterans in South Florida. In addition to its inpatient offering, the Miami VA Healthcare System operates two satellite outpatient clinics and five community-based outpatient clinics. The Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center is the primary inpatient building for veterans.

3. VA Boston Healthcare System

The VA Boston Healthcare System provides care to the veterans of the greater Boston area with three main facility sites located in:

  • Jamaica Plain
  • West Roxbury
  • Brockton

It also operates five community-based outpatient clinics in Boston, Farmington, Lowell, Plymouth, and Quincy. The campus's division of general thoracic surgery offers expertise in oncology care for veterans. Specialists at the Boston VA centers develop personalized treatment plans to treat cancer patients at a minimal cost. The doctors at the center are renowned for their expertise in cancer treatments and their involvement in research.

4. Fayetteville VA Medical Center

The Fayetteville VA Medical Center in North Carolina provides health services to over 74,000 veterans. The facility is located approximately 10 miles from Fort Bragg and Pope Army Air Base. All cancer care at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center is given through the Specialty Care Patient Program. Through this program, cancer patients are empowered during their journey and treated like equals by the medical staff.

The center has more than 50 beds for patients with general medical, surgical, or mental health needs. The Fayetteville VA Medical Center also operates a long-term care unit that can accommodate 69 patients. Doctors at this center specialize in extended care and rehabilitation, oncology, radiation, and surgery.

5. VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System

The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System serves approximately 1.4 million veterans in the greater LA area. In addition to three main centers operated by the healthcare system, it maintains eight community-based outpatient clinics. Dr. Robert Cameron is the chief of thoracic surgery at the West LA VA Medical Center. He and his team use the most innovative surgeries and supplemental treatments to treat cancer patients.

6. Albany Stratton VA Medical Center

Located in Albany, New York, this center is affiliated with Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and Albany Medical College. It serves veterans from 22 counties in upstate New York, western Massachusetts, and Vermont. The Stratton VAMC Cancer Program at Albany Stratton features top oncology doctors providing various support services. Oncologists offer specialized cancer treatment options, including:

  • cytoreductive surgery
  • immunotherapy
  • radiotherapy
  • palliative care

Each veteran receives a personalized treatment plan developed by a team of doctors in multidisciplinary fields.

7. VA Puget Sound Health Care System

Serving over 105,000 veterans living in the Pacific Northwest, VA Puget Sound Health Care System has two divisions in Lakewood and Seattle, Washington. It also operates seven community-based outpatient sites in Washington, which are:

  • Bellevue
  • Federal Way
  • Mount Vernon
  • North Seattle
  • Port Angeles
  • Silverdale
  • South Sound

The oncology division of the VA Puget Sound works to holistically treat veterans with cancer through multidisciplinary care. Its oncology division specializes in diagnostic testing, chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, stem-cell transplants, and follow-up care. The oncology division also has a cancer survivorship clinic. It helps develop a survivorship care plan to offer ongoing care and explain long-term side effects.

VA treatment centers offer a wide range of services, including critical care, surgery, mental health, and physical therapy. Most centers provide medical and surgical specialty services such as cancer care. VA treatment centers also offer services that meet a variety of patient needs, including:

  • community-based outpatient clinics: these provide common outpatient visits and checkups, and patients may access these clinics no matter where they live in the U.S.
  • community living centers: the VA has community living centers where patients can live and receive 24-hour care, and some patients who require end-of-life or palliative care may also qualify for at-home care through the VA
  • services for LGBT+ veterans: LGBTQ+ veterans can receive specialized care at any VA medical center in the country, as each VA facility employs an LGBT Veteran Care Coordinator to assist these veterans in accessing their desired service
  • veterans integrated services network: this network collects data and coordinates the administrative and clinical activities for each region, allowing a better distribution of services to veterans in need
  • women's healthcare services: every VA treatment center has a women veteran's program manager to help female veterans access specific types of care, so women can access primary care, specialty care, and telemedicine through the VA

If you are looking for a VA cancer center in your area, we have compiled a list for you, so check it out and feel free to contact these centers by calling their phone number if you suspect you have cancer or require cancer treatment as a veteran.

Alabama

  • Birmingham VA Medical Center in Birmingham (205) 933-8101

Arizona

  • Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center in Phoenix (602) 277-5551

Arkansas

  • Central Arkansas Veterans Health Care System in Little Rock (501) 257-1000

California

  • VA Long Beach Medical Center in Long Beach (562) 826-8000
  • VA Palo Alto Health Care System in Palo Alto (650) 493-5000
  • VA San Diego Medical Center in San Diego (858) 552-8585
  • San Francisco VA Medical Center in San Francisco (415) 221-4810

Colorado

  • VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System in Denver (303) 399-8020

Connecticut

  • VA Connecticut Health Care System in West Haven (203) 932-5711

Illinois

  • Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago (312) 569-8387

Indiana

  • Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis (317) 554-0000

Iowa

  • VA Central Iowa Health Care System in Des Moines (515) 699-5999

Kentucky

  • Lexington VA Medical Center in Lexington (859) 233-4511
  • Louisville VA Medical Center in Louisville (502) 287-4000

Louisiana

  • Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System in New Orleans (800) 935-8387
  • Overton Brooks VA Medical Center in Shreveport (318) 221-8411

Maryland

  • VA Maryland Health Care System in Baltimore (410) 605-7000

Massachusetts

  • VA Boston Health Care System in Jamaica Plain (617) 232-9500

Michigan

  • John D. Dingle VA Medical Center in Detroit (313) 576-1000

Minnesota

  • Minneapolis VA Medical Center in Minneapolis (612) 725-2000

Mississippi

  • G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center in Jackson (601) 364?4471

Missouri

  • Kansas City VA Medical Center in Kansas City (816) 861-4700
  • St. Louis VA Medical Center, John Cochran in St. Louis (314) 652-4100

New Jersey

  • VA New Jersey Health Care System in East Orange (973) 676-1000

New Mexico

  • New Mexico VA Health Care System in Albuquerque (505) 265-1711

New York

  • Albany VA Medical Center, Samuel S. Stratton in Albany (518) 626-5000
  • James J. Peters VA Medical Center in Bronx (718) 584-9000
  • VA Western New York Health Care System in Buffalo (716) 834-9200
  • Northport VA Medical Center in Northport (631) 261-4400

Oregon

  • Portland VA Medical Center in Portland (503) 220-8262

Pennsylvania

  • VA Pittsburgh Health Care System in Pittsburgh (866) 482-7488

South Carolina

  • William Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center in Columbia (803) 776-4000

Tennessee

  • James H. Quillen VA Medical Center in Johnson City (423) 926-1171
  • VA Medical Center, Memphis in Memphis (901) 523-8990
  • Tennessee Valley Health Care System, Nashville in Nashville (615) 327-4751

Texas

  • Amarillo VA Health Care System in Amarillo (806) 355-9703
  • VA North Texas Health Care System, Dallas VA Medical Center in Dallas (214) 742-8387
  • Michael E. Debakey VA Medical Center in Houston (713) 791-1414
  • South Texas Veterans Health Care System in San Antonio (210) 617-5300

Utah

  • VA Salt Lake City Health Care System in Salt Lake City (801) 582-1565

Virginia

  • Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond (804) 675-5000

Washington

  • VA Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle (206) 762-1010

Washington, DC

  • Washington DC VA Medical Center in Washington (202) 745-8000

Wisconsin

  • Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee (414) 384-2000

If you are a veteran or a family member of a person who spent at least one cumulative year at a contaminated military base and now struggles with cancer, we encourage you to contact Atraxia Law. With over 35 years of experience in reviewing toxic exposure and personal injury claims, we can efficiently help you find out whether you are entitled to financial compensation for your physical and emotional distress.

File your military base toxic exposure claim with the assistance of our expert team

Our team of professionals has the necessary experience, resources, and knowledge to assist you in finding out whether you are eligible to file a military base toxic exposure claim as a veteran or a family member of one exposed to toxic substances on military bases. The process is simple and will require minimal involvement from you, as we understand how overwhelming struggling with cancer can be.