What community cancer centers do best

Cancer patients can find support during treatment.

Hearing the words, “You have cancer,” is one of the most difficult and life-changing things a person could ever experience. Knowing what to expect is daunting at best, and the pending list of appointments, physicians, medications and side effects, not to mention navigating one’s personal life, can be overwhelming.

Community cancer centers often offer services that can’t be found at larger centers that are focused on research. Ideally, finding a center that combines a community setting with services provided by a university-level center can give patients the best all-around experience. Why? Community cancer centers often provide more of the integrative services — like support groups and nutrition and exercise classes — that larger research-focused centers may not provide.

Social workers specializing in oncology support services acknowledge that fear and anxiety often accompany a  diagnosis and that there are psycho-social-spiritual-physical needs that must be met in addition to the actual treatment of chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy or other medical treatment.

Community cancer centers often provide classes for support and education, partnering with oncology nurses and oncology social workers to lead support groups. Experts note that treatment of the whole person means not only talking about feelings, but discussing how the patient is feeling in relationship to the medications being used for treatment. Classes in stress management, massage, nutrition and exercise in addition to support groups all provide the integrative experience that create the best experience for patients.

Movement and exercise

Research shows a direct relationship between regular exercise and treatment outcomes. For some patients, it means getting up and moving from the bedroom to the kitchen or living room and back again. It really depends on what stage of treatment the patient is in. For patients able to participate in special exercise classes, there can be a variety of options, including strength training, walking, Tai Chi and yoga.

Take action — questions to ask your physician about cancer

If you’ve been diagnosed, educate yourself. The American Cancer Society® is a great resource for patients, as well as their families and loved ones. Their web site provides several printable pdfs such as Questions to Ask My Doctor about Cancer. For more information, visit cancer.org.

Subscribe
Elizabeth Wholihan

Recent Posts

Eisenhower Health Launches New Multidisciplinary Clinic for Comprehensive Breast Cancer Care

Eisenhower Health has long been dedicated to providing top-tier care for diagnosed breast cancer patients,…

1 week ago

Discover TMS Treatment at Eisenhower Health: A Breakthrough in Mental Health Care

Eisenhower Health is at the forefront of mental health care, offering innovative solutions like transcranial…

2 weeks ago

Stay Active and Healthy with Eisenhower Health

Injuries and pain can quickly put a halt to your active lifestyle, whether you’re a…

4 months ago

Deep Dive Video: A Women’s Guide to Healthy Aging

Many women have demanding lives caring for family, professional commitments, volunteering, crisis management and just…

1 year ago

Deep Dive Video: Bunion Treatment Innovation

By some estimates one in three Americans have bunions – that’s a lot of misery!…

1 year ago

Deep Dive Video: Advances in Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Therapies

If you’re looking for an understanding of the range of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) therapies available…

1 year ago