People diagnosed with cancer may need a range of physical, practical, or emotional support resources to help cope with their diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. A good place to start finding help is to talk with your doctor, nurse, or other member of your cancer care team, letting them know of your specific concern or challenge. You can also check the website of the place you are receiving treatment or contact the facility or doctor’s office directly for more information about available resources for you.
There are a range of health care professionals that can help you with a specific challenge and/or connect you with on-site or nearby services or with programs offered by advocacy groups and others. These resources can help improve quality of life both during and after cancer treatment. Professionals who can help you may include patient educators, oncology social workers, cancer case managers, and nurse navigators.
“Almost everyone going through cancer and cancer treatment will need help at some point. Exploring available resources and sources of assistance is a thoughtful decision that will ease the experience and ameliorate some problems. Ask for help; no one has to do this alone.” – Hester Hill Schnipper, LICSW, BCD, OSW-C, Manager of Oncology Social Work, Emeritus at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Here, learn more about some of the resources that may be available to you. Talk with your health care team about how you can access local resources to help.
1: Financial resources
The costs of cancer care can be high. This may be called “financial toxicity.” Ask your health care team about resources to help, such as referrals to local and national financial support organizations that help people with cancer and/or direct financial assistance that may be available to eligible patients. This may include talking with a financial counselor, case manager, pharmacist, and other specialists to help you understand your health insurance benefits, treatment cost estimates, billing, and payment options. Learn more about talking about the cost of cancer care.
2: Counseling and emotional support resources
Counseling with a licensed mental health professional can help people with cancer and their loved ones manage the mixed and difficult emotions cancer can cause. There are different types of counseling, including individual counseling or marriage and family counseling. If you are looking for a counselor or therapist in the community, be sure to ask if they have worked with people with cancer before. It is important to connect with someone who has that experience and knowledge. There may also be in-person cancer support groups for people with cancer, caregivers, and survivors going through similar experiences at your center or nearby, or you can ask about online support groups. Ask a member of your health care team how to find information on these and other social support resources.
3: Interpreter resources
Did you know U.S.-based cancer centers that accept Medicaid and Medicare are required by law to offer free language services to patients? Medical interpreters help people with limited English and their cancer care teams communicate clearly and help resolve cultural misunderstandings. Interpreter services, including American Sign Language for people with hearing problems, may be provided in person, via video chat, or on the phone. Some cancer centers can also translate medical documents. If you need interpreter services, request them when you schedule appointments at your treatment facility.
4: Complementary therapy resources
Scientific evidence shows certain complementary therapies can improve the physical and emotional well-being of people with cancer. That’s why integrative medicine programs are becoming more common at medical centers. These programs are focused on safely using these therapies alongside standard cancer treatments. Local service providers may also be available. Complementary therapies may include music therapy, art therapy, animal-assisted therapy, acupuncture, massage, and yoga.
5: Body image resources
People with cancer and survivors may need help adjusting to body changes caused by cancer and its treatment. For instance, many people with hair loss decide to wear wigs, scarves, or other head coverings. Some cancer centers offer on-site help with this type of service, or there may be local support resources. In addition, there may also be nearby support programs focused on how physical, emotional, and sexual changes caused by cancer can affect how you think about yourself. You can also ask your team about cancer-related body image support programs, like Look Good Feel Better.
6: Legal resources
An advance directive is a legal document that notes the care you want if you become too sick to make health care decisions in the future. It also appoints the person you want to speak on your behalf if this kind of situation arises. Legal and health care professionals can often explain the different parts of an advance directive and provide the forms to patients. They can also share online resources that allow you to print and complete your state’s advance directive form on your own. (Please note this link takes you to a separate website.) Ask how you can find on-site, local, or online resources on these topics.
7: International patient resources
There are some cancer centers that give specialized support to international citizens seeking treatment in the United States. These services may include interpreter resources (see above), an assigned patient contact, travel and transportation guidance, or medical and appointment documentation that may be needed for medical visa applications. Social workers may be able to assist with locating local community resources based on different needs, such as places of worship and banking services.
8: Food resources
Some people with cancer do not have consistent and reliable access to food, called food insecurity, and this can lead to worse treatment outcomes. Good nutrition is a vital part of cancer care. Let your team know if you are experiencing food insecurity. Team members often know of local food banks and other resources that may help, and a growing number of centers run their own food pantry for patients. Oncology dietitians may be particularly helpful in connecting those in need to available food resources.
9: Transportation and travel resources
Some people with cancer receive treatment near their homes, while others travel for treatment far from home. Expenses such as gas, tolls, parking fees, bus or train fares, taxi or ridesharing fees, plane tickets, and lodging can all add up. To help reduce the burden, ask whether there are any travel-related resources available to patients, such as gas cards, taxi vouchers, transit coupons, free local shuttles or ride share services, free or low-cost lodging during treatment, and reduced-fare partnerships with airlines. There are also local and national transportation and housing resources available to people with cancer.
10: Educational resources
Many treatment facilities offer an area dedicated to providing patient education materials. This may be called a learning resource center or a library, and this can be led by health care staff and volunteers. Offerings may vary, but common items offered include books, videos, audio recordings, brochures, and research journals in order to provide information about cancer, its treatment, clinical trials, prevention, and supportive care and wellness. They can also provide information about community resources that may be available, as well as access to computers, the internet, and printers. There are also many groups that offer free online education about cancer and other resources such as helplines and buddy programs.
Be sure to talk with your health care team about these and other resources that may be available to you. Remember that you are not alone as you navigate cancer treatment, and there are often many resources available to help.
