When you’re diagnosed with cancer, one of the most important things you can do is get your treatment plan in place and get started on it right away. Research shows that a shorter period to first treatment can mean substantial improvements in the outcome of your care.

The NECS Promise: The national average for time to first treatment after an initial cancer diagnosis is 4–6 weeks. We pledge to schedule appointments for new patients within 1 week – often sooner. No physician referral is needed – we streamline the process, ensuring you get started promptly.

Your cancer journey deserves the utmost care and expertise to ensure you get a chance at the best outcome. You want an oncologist with extensive experience and a comprehensive specialty practice that puts it at the forefront of cancer care, with access to new testing methods, new treatments, clinical trials, and the latest advancements in technology.

The NECS Promise: You’ll feel confident in the approach and care you receive with New England Cancer Specialists, the largest independent oncology practice North of Boston, the only ASCO-certified oncology medical home in the Northeast, and the only Affiliate Member of the esteemed Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, anywhere. We are proud to offer world-class care, right here in southern Maine and coastal New Hampshire.

There are so many aspects to successful cancer treatment — blood work, infusion or other treatment, supportive services, insurance coverage, maintaining communication with your primary care doctor and other specialists — that it is often overwhelming.

The NECS Promise: We are committed to timely, collaborative communication with your entire care team — including your PCP — keeping everyone informed and on track. We pledge to be your fiercest ally, fighting for you every step of the way.

While we are often chosen for our expertise, your care plan is not just about access to the best care—sooner or later, patients recognize their appreciation of genuine compassion on those hard days.

The NECS Promise: We strive to provide a compassionate, welcoming environment for you and your family—to give comfort and to support better healing. Many of our staff have had loved ones treated at NECS. We know first-hand that a healing environment like ours can bring much-needed rest and a hopeful outlook during your cancer care experience.

Aside from oncology, hematology or other specialized cancer-specific care, virtually all cancer patients need other kinds of related medical and non-medical support.

The NECS Promise: Beyond medical treatments, we are prepared to address an array of holistic needs that may come with a cancer diagnosis, such as helping you and your family with the emotional challenges of your cancer journey. We also offer nutritional guidance, pain management, genetic testing, and more. What we don’t offer directly, we often have local partners who can provide the expertise and personalization needed. Know that we are here to listen, guide, and walk with you through this process.

Dealing with cancer can bring financial challenges, even if you have solid health insurance. Limits placed by your insurance company, coupled with the impact of treatment on your ability to work, may create substantial financial stressors.

The NECS Promise: Because we see such financial impacts so often, we offer dedicated financial advocacy services to help identify available programs and grants, ensuring that financial concerns do not stand in the way of your care. Further, as an independent oncology practice, we are often able to provide more affordable cancer services over health systems that don’t focus solely on cancer care.