Daniel Campos (right) and wife Cecilia (left) sit side by side, grateful for the compassionate care he received at the same-day cancer clinic at Moores Cancer Center.
The pain was becoming unbearable. When Daniel Campos’ cancer spread from his kidneys to his hip and femur, the constant throbbing left him unable to walk and possibly facing surgical replacement. As the pain intensified and his prescribed medications led to side effects, he often turned to the emergency department, where long wait times made getting relief challenging. That was his only choice — but that was then.
Campos' life with cancer changed when he and his wife, Cecilia, learned about the same-day cancer care clinic at Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health. Designed specifically for the needs of patients with cancer, the clinic opened in June of 2024, and Daniel was among the first patients. As Cecilia recalls, the difference was dramatic.
"I called the same-day cancer care clinic and talked to someone within minutes. We were given an appointment for that day, and when we arrived, they were waiting outside to help Daniel out of the car."
Beyond the swiftness of just getting in the door, the Campos family was heartened by the clinic’s staff, all of them attentive and especially attuned to the nuances of cancer care. With access to Daniel’s treatment history and medical records, they were adept at quickly managing his symptoms, ensuring he received personalized support and compassionate attention.
"I called the same-day cancer care clinic and talked to someone within minutes. We were given an appointment for that day, and when we arrived, they were waiting outside to help Daniel out of the car."
— Cecilia Campos, wife of Moores Cancer Center patient Daniel Campos
"Our overarching goal is to prevent hospitalizations and give our patients direct access to the special services they need," said Victoria Bradford, RN, senior director of nursing and outpatient cancer services at UC San Diego Health. "We had found that patients with cancer often want to avoid the emergency department, so they might delay being seen or just wait until their next scheduled appointment, and by that time, their condition is much worse. But if we provide the expertise, the testing and imaging resources that they need, we can prevent complications and greatly improve our patients’ quality of life and experience."
Same-day treatment options are essential for patients with cancer due to the unique and often urgent needs that come with every type of cancer and its associated treatments. Symptoms and conditions can arise quickly and with a severity that requires immediate attention. Pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and other debilitating side effects greatly impact one’s health if left untreated for even a short period.
Specialized oncology expertise is critical when addressing and managing the complexities of this patient population. For example, being able to distinguish the side effects of treatment from the symptoms of disease progression is a vital part of delivering proper care and management.
"The same-day cancer clinic is driven by advanced practice providers, or APPs, specializing in oncology that allows us to provide personalized and specialized care for our patients," said Archana Ajmera, APP supervisor for the UC San Diego Health Division of Hematology Oncology. "From the provider to the nurse practitioner to the physician’s assistant, nowhere else in the region can you get such an expert, multidisciplinary clinic staff that provides the highest quality and compassionate care."
UC San Diego Health is the only hospital system in the county to offer a same-day cancer clinic. Given the success of the program, UC San Diego Health cancer services plans to expand the clinic’s reach and offerings.
"Our goal is to expand to seven days a week, 365 days a year because patients don’t just need us during the weekdays," said Bradford. "We will also be expanding our services to Hillcrest by the end of 2025, and we plan to offer more palliative care options and minor procedures, such as paracentesis."
The expanded offering is a welcome addition for oncology patients, who can easily schedule in-person or video visits with the clinic triage nurse online or by phone, making access convenient and straightforward. The clinic can quickly assess and treat a wide range of cancer-related symptoms, from pain, nausea, vomiting, swelling and bleeding to dizziness and fever.
The clinic offers comprehensive services as well, including imaging, infusion therapy, lab tests, paracentesis, urgent access to palliative care, and pharmacy support — all designed to serve the various needs of patients with cancer in one place.
The Campos family says the convenience and support of the clinic have been a "godsend" as Daniel continues his treatment.
"We’ve come to know many of the staff very well," said Cecilia, "and we want other patients to know that this resource is there." Cecilia now brings brochures to share with other patients while Daniel attends doctor’s visits. She hopes to raise awareness of the clinic so that patients know there is a dedicated place for them to be quickly seen and thoroughly supported.
"When I see the faces of other patients, I know what they are going through," said Daniel. "But this clinic can change their lives, just like it changed mine. It was unbelievable."
Same-Day Cancer Care
Our same-day cancer care team provides specialized symptom management for patients undergoing cancer treatment, offering prompt, expert care by appointment. Services include imaging, infusion therapy, lab tests and pharmacy support to address cancer-related symptoms such as nausea, pain, fever, dizziness, bleeding and swelling. The clinic is exclusively for patients receiving their care at UC San Diego Health.
