The Huntsman Cancer Institute: Making Breakthroughs in Cancer Studies

When the tragedy that is Cancer affects your life or the life of a loved one what can you do? Do you roll over and let it halt you in your tracks or do you fight for your life or the life of the person that you care so strongly for? For those that are unfortunate enough to have to face Cancer in their lifetime, there is hope yet. The hope that you may need could be found at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Huntsman Cancer Institute was founded by Jon M. Huntsman Jr. and his wife Karen, in hopes of finding a cure for Cancer through genetic research. Mr. Huntsman is a Cancer survivor, and is committed to finding a cure for Cancer through the research done by the Institute. Mr. Huntsman is an Industrialist and Philanthropist and has donated an excess of $500 million dollars to the Institute and the homeless during so far in his lifetime. Mr. Huntsman and his wife Karen are not only the founders of the Institute, but the benefactors as well.

The Huntsman Cancer Institute offers cutting-edge technology to aid in the research of Cancer via the world's largest database for genetics. The Institute has a three-fold approach to researching and fighting Cancer. First, they research the primary causes of Cancer mostly through genetic studies. Second, they work as a team instead of alone on researching and treating various types of Cancer. And third, they have a wonderful outreach program that is used to help educate the public, the patients, and the families.

The Huntsman Cancer Institute is one of the most unique Cancer facilities in the world. They have many high-risk clinics that focus on several types of Cancer such as: Colon Cancer, Breast Cancer, and Melanoma. The Institute does not focus solely certain kinds of Cancer, but instead treat all types of Cancer. The Institute also has a branch specifically for Children with Cancer.

The facilities contain 50 private rooms for patients, 19 exam rooms, four operating rooms, state-of-the-art imaging machines such as a digital mammogram machine, separate suites for radiation therapy, a complete full-service pharmacy, a facial prosthetic lab, a complete staff to assist patients and families with their needs, a library (what they call the Learning Center) full of books, videos, newsletters, audiotapes, and computers (for online information) to aid in any research needed by patients, the family, or the public, and a cafeteria named "The Point Bistro", which cooks high-quality food for the patients and family members.

One of the greatest breakthroughs that the Institute has found has been the use of zebrafish in assessing and trying to cure various forms of Cancer. The zebrafish is very close to human genetics, and so this allows the scientists to use the zebrafish to identify drug compounds that could help their human patients. With this breakthrough in medical science, the Institute hopes to be able to continue using the zebrafish and genetic research to better cure and even possibly prevent certain Cancers in the future.

The Institute has an outpatient clinic that is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM (except on Holidays) as well as the Huntsman Cancer Hospital that is open 24/7/365. If you or someone you know is in need of Cancer treatment, you can contact the Institute for general information at: 1-866-275-0243. To schedule an appointment as a new patient, you can call the general number for information or visit their website for the list of direct number for each type of Cancer. Once you are at your visit to the clinic or the hospital, they do ask that you pay the co-pay and/or deductibles on your insurance at the time of check-in. If you do not have health insurance, you may call a financial counselor through the general number and they can make financial arrangements for you.