Author: Christina Engle

From the New England Oncology Foundation, save the date for our National Survivors’ Day Celebration. A no-cost event.

Sunday, June 14, 2026 from 1–4 PM
Sheraton Sable Oaks
200 Sable Oaks Drive
South Portland, ME

 A day to honor the courage of survivors and their care partners, celebrate their journeys, and support those living with cancer.

This family-friendly event will include door prizes, massages and wellness offerings, plus inspiring guest speakers and community partners. Guests can share experiences and connect in a supportive community. All are welcome as we celebrate cancer survivors and those who stand beside them.

To learn more or register, click the image to be redirected to the registration site: NorthernLightHealth.org/SurvivorsDay2026. Space is limited, RSVPs are encouraged.

Introducing our new podcast: On The Subject of Cancer, hosted by NECS’ Jessica Fidalgo.

From patient stories to expert insight, this podcast explores the human experience of cancer. Each episode is emotional. Each episode is educational. Tune in to hear more on our website at OnTheSubjectofCancer.com, or on ​Spotify, Apple or YouTube podcasts.

Our first episode of our podcast is available to stream now. In this two-part episode, we sit down with Trevor Maxwell, a stage IV colon cancer survivor and community advocate, and Dr. Devon Evans, Trevor’s Oncologist and President of NECS. Listen as we discuss how you can support patients in their cancer journey, the importance of community support in your own cancer journey, ​and how screening can save your life​.

LEWISTON (WGME) — Mainers got an inside look at a larger than life colon Monday.

It’s all part of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

Central Maine Medical Center hosted its “Strollin’ Colon” exhibit at the cancer care center.

People walked through the interactive display while learning more about colon health and cancer prevention.

A New England cancer specialist hopes this interactive exhibit will encourage patients to get screened.

“Colon cancer is very treatable, it’s a very treatable disease, with screenings and early detection is the key to curing it,” New England Cancer Specialists Administrative Supervisor Karena Field said.

Field says the first step is going to your primary care doctor to create a prevention plan.

News article found here.

New England Cancer Specialists (NECS) is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Safa, a board-certified Hematologist and Medical Oncologist, to its growing team of providers. Dr. Safa will see patients at NECS locations in Kennebunk, Maine and Portsmouth, New Hampshire, further expanding access to high-quality cancer care across the region.

Dr. Safa joins NECS from Beth Israel Lahey Health in Beverly, Massachusetts, bringing extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of complex blood disorders and cancer. His clinical approach emphasizes compassionate, comprehensive, and evidence-based care tailored to each patient’s individual needs.

“Expanded access to exceptional oncology care is central to our mission,” said Dr. Devon Evans, President of New England Cancer Specialists. “Dr. Safa’s expertise and patient-centered philosophy strengthen our ability to serve more patients across southern Maine and New Hampshire.”

Dr. Safa views medicine as both a calling and a lifelong journey of growth. He is deeply committed to staying at the forefront of rapidly advancing oncology treatments while building meaningful relationships with his patients. His care philosophy extends beyond treating disease to understanding each patient’s goals, values, and life circumstances.

“I am honored to join New England Cancer Specialists,” said Dr. Safa. “Oncology is a field that requires both scientific rigor and deep human connection – both are deeply aligned here.”

Dr. Safa is an active member of several leading professional organizations, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Hematology, and the European Society for Medical Oncology, underscoring his commitment to continuous learning and clinical excellence.

With the addition of Dr. Safa, NECS continues to expand its regional footprint, increasing capacity and improving access to advanced cancer care services closer to home for patients throughout Maine and New Hampshire.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit NewEnglandCancerSpecialists.com.

Portsmouth, NH — New England Cancer Specialists (NECS) is pleased to announce that Dr. Christine Wasilewski, MD, a respected medical oncologist with deep roots in the Seacoast community, has begun seeing patients in Portsmouth and across Southern New Hampshire.

Dr. Wasilewski’s return marks a meaningful homecoming. While she has continued to serve patients across the region, she is now welcoming new and existing patients back to Portsmouth—reinforcing NECS’ long-standing commitment to New Hampshire and ensuring that patients can receive the highest level of cancer care close to home.

“New Hampshire patients deserve access to the same advanced therapies and clinical expertise available at major academic centers—without the burden of traveling long distances,” said Dr. Devon Evans, President of New England Cancer Specialists. “Dr. Wasilewski’s strengthens our ability to deliver that promise.”

NECS is an Affiliate Member of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a distinction that reflects the practice’s dedication to evidence-based care, precision oncology, and access to the latest therapies and clinical trials. Through this affiliation, NECS brings Boston-level cancer expertise directly to communities across New Hampshire and Maine. 

Dr. Wasilewski has proudly called New Hampshire home for more than 15 years. She previously cared for Seacoast patients at Massachusetts General Hospital / Wentworth-Douglass in Dover and served as an attending physician at Portsmouth Regional Hospital. Her return to Portsmouth with NECS represents a continuation of her long-standing commitment to local patients..

She earned her undergraduate degree from Duke University, her medical degree from Tulane University, and completed her residency at Oregon Health Sciences University. Dr. Wasilewski has held attending physician roles across New England, including at Maine Medical Center, and is known for her thoughtful, patient-centered approach to oncology care.