The Queen’s Medical Center

The Queen’s Health System (Queen’s) is a nonprofit health care organization and a health care leader for the state of Hawai‘i and the Pacific Basin. Our mission is to fulfill the intent of Queen Emma and King Kamehameha IV to provide in perpetuity quality health care services to improve the well-being of Native Hawaiians and all of the people of Hawai‘i. As the leading medical referral center in the state, The Queen’s Health System offers a comprehensive range of primary and specialized care services.

Queen’s is one of the largest providers of cancer care in Hawai‘i. Not only do patients from the island of O‘ahu receive high quality, specialized cancer care at The Queen’s Medical Center’s Manamana Cancer Center, The Queen’s Medical Center’s West O‘ahu Cancer Center, and the outpatient clinics, but over 15% of our cancer patients travel from the neighboring islands to receive care at Queen’s. Breast cancer is the leading cancer site at Queen’s with almost 400 analytic cases reported (Cancer Committee Report 2021). Our multi-disciplinary approach allows Queen’s to provide complete breast cancer care, from prevention and screening, diagnosis and treatment, to our survivorship program. Queen’s physicians and staff are focused on providing care, support, and guidance to patients throughout their journey. This means that medical treatments are fully integrated with oncology services, which may include medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists, as well as oncology-certified registered nurses, clinical coordinators, patient navigators, licensed social workers, registered dietitians, pain and palliative practitioners, physical therapists, and spiritual care providers. Our cancer program is accredited by the Commission on Cancer and was rated as “High Performing” (U.S. News & World Report 2023).

In addition to providing comprehensive cancer care, the Queen’s Women’s Health Center (WHC) offers a full spectrum of preventative, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic services for primarily women, as well as men, of all ages who are in need of breast services. Services include mammography, breast ultrasound, stereotactic and ultrasound-guided biopsies, bone density testing, physical therapy, MFM services, general ultrasound, and acupuncture. The WHC is a Breast Center of Excellence and is accredited by the National Accreditation Programs for Breast Centers (NAPBC).

“A diagnosis of cancer is often extremely devastating, and frequently our patients experience added distress when they learn that their treatment may cause hair loss which can weigh heavily on a person’s self-image. Through the support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation grant, the Queen’s Cancer Center will be running a pilot program that our breast cancer patients on specific chemotherapy regimens may qualify for that can help to dramatically reduce hair loss, and thus reduce the visible consequences of their cancer journey. This pilot project is non-invasive and simply integrates a specialized scalp cooling cap that is worn by the patient in the Cancer Center during their chemotherapy session. The intent of this pilot is to give our patients one more tool in their tool box that may not only reduce their hair loss, but will give them the added value of feeling a sense of empowerment during treatment.” — Amanda Cambra, RN, Manager, Specialty Care Physician Practice, Oncology