When you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, you want answers right away. Norton Cancer Institute is now offering same-day appointments.

Published: March 17, 2016 | Updated: November 27, 2019

Anyone who has ever heard the words, “You have cancer” — or who loves someone who has heard them — will tell you these are life-changing words. As you struggle to figure out where you go from here and what happens next, the last thing you want to hear is: “It will be a week or two before you can get an appointment with a cancer specialist.”

“We know it’s natural to have lots of questions after learning you have cancer,” said Joseph Flynn, D.O., executive director and physician-in-chief, Norton Cancer Institute. “Good care and service, and basic human compassion, mean we should be here for patients when they need us most.”

Norton Cancer Institute offers same-day appointments Monday through Friday for number of specialties, including breast, colon and lung cancers. In most cases, depending on the level of care needed and the time of day when a call comes in, patients can be seen by a physician that day.

Cancer patients, their family members or caregivers who want to schedule an appointment can call (502) 629-HOPE (4673).

Here’s what callers can expect when they call the HOPE line:

1. Those who call between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, will speak personally with a nurse navigator who will ask for basic identifying information, such as address, phone number and insurance carrier. 
2. You will be asked questions about your symptoms to help find the most appropriate doctor to treat you. In most cases, appointments can be scheduled with this information. 
3. Those who call weekdays after 4:30 p.m., or on weekends, will reach an automated voice message system. Messages left through this system will be returned by the next business day. 
4. Those who have a complex diagnosis or situation may be asked for additional information or medical records prior to having an appointment scheduled to help ensure they receive the best possible care.

“We rolled out our same-day appointment policy on Feb. 1. It’s about shifting the emphasis away from the convenience of our schedules to the needs of our patients,” Dr. Flynn said. “No-wait appointments are the right thing to do.”