Wichita ? Wichita area residents will have an improved institute to help them battle cancer.

Via Christi on St. Francis will open its $9 million Via Christi Cancer Institute next week on the hospital’s seventh floor.

Hospital officials say the 40,700-square-foot unit will provide a more welcoming environment for cancer patients. A public open house is scheduled for Sunday.

Patti Moser, an administrator for the hospital’s oncology services, says the unit will begin taking patients July 7.

The Wichita Eagle reports that the new unit replaces two former cancer nursing units. It offers surgical and medical oncology areas, providing one place for people who have to undergo surgery and chemotherapy or radiation.

The unit is provides such non-medical amenities as a yoga room, two massage therapy rooms and a media room.