Cancer Support Services and Education

Resources to support you through cancer treatment and recovery

A cancer diagnosis can turn your world upside down and bring up all kinds of fears and questions. What’s going to happen to me? How will my family handle my illness?

There’s a delicate balance between living with your cancer and becoming consumed by it.

In everything we do at the Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center, we have two goals:

• To offer compassionate, quality cancer care
• To minimize the psychological and physical impact cancer and treatment have on your mind and body as well as your loved ones.

We provide a range of services and resources to support you and your family during cancer treatment and beyond. Our dedicated staff will educate you about your disease and how to manage it. We will help you manage the physical side effects of treatment as well as assist you with transportation, lodging, finances and emotional and spiritual concerns.

Learn more about our education and support services:

Patient advocates
Community partnerships
Nutrition counseling
Genetic counseling
Integrative therapies
Managing side effects

Supporting Survivors

As patients finish treatment at the Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center, they have an opportunity to meet with a nurse practitioner for a survivorship care plan visit. The survivorship consultation allows patients to ask questions, share concerns and discuss their journeys with a trained professional.

UTMC's survivorship program is devoted to helping cancer survivors understand how to reduce their risk of recurrence, cope with emotional and physical effects of cancer and define what is important to them as they continue with life after cancer.

The goal of each consultation is to:

• Review individual treatment summaries and plans for follow-up care
• Discuss how to take an active role in your health and well-being
• Identify needs for resources and support
• Encourage coordination of care between the patient’s oncologist and primary care provider (Follow-up plan documents provide information about treatment and future observation to your family physician.)

Lymphedema Classes

Lymphedema is a swelling in the arms or legs caused by cancer treatment.  Experienced lymphedema therapists in the local community lead classes on how to identify and cope with the condition. Classes are held quarterly in the evenings at the Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center. For class times, call 419.383.5243.