We know that having cancer can take a heavy toll on your physical and emotional well-being. At RUSH MD Anderson Cancer Center, you’ll find cancer support services that make your quality of life a top priority, helping you gain strength, confidence and resilience.
What Are Cancer Support Services?
Cancer support services are programs designed to help you and your loved ones cope with the challenges of cancer and cancer treatment.
These programs — ranging from mental health support and care management to nutrition counseling and acupuncture — are designed to help you:
- Cope with a cancer diagnosis
- Manage your appointments and cancer treatments
- Alleviate symptoms side effects
- Incorporate lifestyle modifications to improve your overall health
- Live a full life as a cancer survivor
Benefits of cancer support services
Cancer support services can improve your quality of life during and after cancer treatment. In fact, research has found that the benefits of cancer support services include:
- Reduced pain, fatigue and emotional distress
- Decreased stress, anxiety and depression
- Improved adherence to treatment regimens
- Improved resilience and focus
- Fewer hospital visits
- Increased confidence and connection with values
Supportive cancer care can also help improve cancer caregivers’ well-being, helping them feel less overwhelmed and better supported.
Supportive Oncology Services at Rush
Approach to Cancer Support Services at RUSH MD Anderson
At RUSH MD Anderson, we believe in treating the whole person. That means we go beyond just treating the disease.
Our cancer support services can help you address:
- Side effects of treatment, such as nausea, fatigue and joint pain
- Nutrition and weight loss
- Anxiety, depression and other behavioral health challenges
- Spiritual strength and distress
- Sexual dysfunction and body image concerns
Your cancer supportive care team
Your cancer support services team will collaborate with your cancer care team at RUSH MD Anderson locations in Chicago, Oak Park, Lisle and Aurora. Together, they’ll ensure you have access to cancer patient support services that complement your treatment plan.
If you’re interested in cancer support services near you, talk to your oncologist, patient navigator or any other member of your cancer care team. They’ll connect you to cancer support services, and we’ll determine the right providers to help with your specific needs.
Your compassionate team of supportive care providers may include:
- Social workers and patient navigators
- Psychologists
- Psychiatrists
- Registered dietitians
- Acupuncturists
- Massage therapists
- Palliative care providers
- Interfaith chaplains
We know when you’re ready to seek support, you want to see someone quickly. Depending on the service you need, you can typically get an appointment to see a cancer support provider in Chicago, Oak Park, Lisle or Aurora within a few weeks of your call.
To make an appointment for cancer support services near you, call (312) CANCER-1.
Supportive care before, during and after treatment
At RUSH MD Anderson, we offer comprehensive care for cancer and beyond. That means, we offer a wide range of services to support you before, during and after cancer care. These programs include:
- Supportive oncology services, such as counseling, integrative medicine and social work to help you navigate all aspects of cancer and cancer treatment.
- Survivorship care that focuses on how to help you live a full, balanced life from the moment of diagnosis through your cancer treatment and beyond.
- Previvor care, which includes specialized prevention plans and care if you have a high risk for developing cancer.
- Medical oncology subspecialty care, such as cardio-oncology or endo-oncology, to address complications if cancer or cancer treatments affect other parts of your body like your heart, kidneys, hormones or bones.
Meet our cancer support specialists
Cancer Support Services at RUSH MD Anderson
RUSH MD Anderson offers some of the most comprehensive cancer support services in the Chicago area. These are the programs available to help improve your emotional, social, physical and spiritual health throughout your cancer journey.
Many of these services are also available for cancer patients’ caregivers and loved ones.
To make an appointment for these services, call (312) CANCER-1 or talk to your cancer care team.
Psychology care
When you’re diagnosed with cancer, it’s normal to feel shocked, scared, angry, sad and so much more. Our team can help you navigate and process these emotions through every step of your treatment and beyond.
Our goal is to help you stay connected with the roles, activities and values that matter most to you.
To do this, we’ll tailor your care plan to your needs and preferences. You’ll work with your psychologist to learn healthy ways to manage the emotional, mental and physical toll of cancer.
Some of the services we offer include:
- Counseling to help you find healthy ways to cope and gain confidence
- Behavioral interventions to help improve your quality of life and overall health
Psychiatry services
If cancer or cancer treatment is affecting your mental health, our dedicated cancer psychiatry team can help. Our goal is to decrease your emotional distress and improve your quality of life by addressing your specific mental health challenges.
At RUSH MD Anderson, you’ll find the services and care you need, including:
- Psychiatric evaluation
- Medication management in close collaboration with your cancer care team
- Supportive psychotherapy
Social work and patient navigation
We know that it’s hard to get the cancer care you need when you have personal challenges, like financial concerns and lack of transportation. Our social workers and patient navigators work hand-in-hand with your cancer care teams and Rush financial counseling and assistance programs.
Our social workers and patient navigators will help you and your caregivers get the support and resources you need. This level of support allows you to focus on getting better throughout your treatment and beyond.
To get started, you’ll meet with a social worker to discuss your situation and assess your needs. From there, we’ll put together a plan and resources to address anything from:
- Transportation to appointments
- Financial concerns
- Work-related concerns
- Food insecurity
- Housing insecurity
- Advance care planning
We’ll also connect you to additional community resources that can help support and guide you through this difficult time.
Our patient navigators are also available to provide an extra layer of assistance connecting you to resources. Patient navigators can hold your hand through each step of the process, particularly if you’re facing complex barriers to care (e.g., language or literacy challenges).
Nutrition services
Cancer and cancer treatment can have a significant effect on your nutrition. Some cancer treatments have side effects like nausea, decreased appetite and weight loss. These can all take a toll on your body and overall health as you go through treatment.
RUSH MD Anderson offers one-on-one nutrition counseling with registered dietitians who specialize in working with people who have cancer. Our dietitians are leaders in the field and provide recommendations on:
- How to get the nutrients you need throughout treatment
- Managing side effects and symptoms with diet and lifestyle modifications
- Weight-related goals
You’ll also have access to nutrition counseling and lifestyle modifications for cancer prevention and cancer survivorship after you’ve completed your cancer treatment.
Spiritual care
When you’re facing cancer, it’s natural to get in touch with your spiritual self, whether or not you identify as religious. Our chaplains can help you connect with and nurture your spirit before, during and after cancer treatment.
Our interfaith chaplains are dedicated to supporting your personal beliefs and preferences. As you face some of life’s biggest questions, they’ll help you find connection, meaning and purpose.
Integrative medicine
Our integrative medicine services are designed to accompany traditional cancer treatments by helping:
- Manage side effects from treatment
- Improve quality of life throughout treatment and survivorship
- Build and maintain a healthy lifestyle during and after treatment
Our cancer integrative medicine services include:
- Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine practice that includes very thin needles inserted into specific points on your body. Acupuncture helps manage cancer treatment side effects like pain, nausea, fatigue and stress, while restoring balance and promoting healing.
- Massage therapy, a gentle, hands-on technique that manipulates your muscles and soft tissues to enhance physical and emotional well-being. Massage can alleviate pain, reduce anxiety, improve circulation and promote relaxation. This can all help you manage the side effects of cancer treatment and feel better.
- Meditation and relaxation techniques that can alleviate stress and anxiety, address sleep challenges and improve your overall emotional resilience.
- Exercise programs, which can help alleviate side effects of cancer treatment, such as pain, muscle weakness and deconditioning. Added benefits include improved endurance, strength and flexibility.
Cancer palliative care
Palliative care focuses on managing your symptoms to ease suffering and improve your quality of life. This medical approach is available at every stage of cancer treatment, starting at diagnosis.
Your palliative care team will tailor your care plan to your unique health needs and lifestyle. The plan may address pain, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, mood concerns and other cancer and treatment-related symptoms — along with advance care planning.
Specialized support for women’s sexual health
Cancer and cancer treatment can cause side effects for women including changes in intimacy and sexual functioning, menopause-related changes and body image concerns.
At our Gynecologic Empowerment for Menopause and Sexual Health Clinic, a gynecologist and psychologist can help you manage gynecologic, sexual health and menopause issues associated with cancer treatment.
Support for parents who have cancer
In the Parenting With Cancer clinic, our social workers will help you face the challenges of going through cancer treatment while raising your kids.
Your providers will offer you guidance on how to share your diagnosis, how to plan for your future and what to expect with your family during this difficult time. They’ll also help connect you with community resources like therapy, support groups and more.
Cancer support groups and programs at RUSH MD Anderson
Joining a cancer support group can help you find strength and community. RUSH MD Anderson offers several support groups and programs to help you find strength, community and comfort throughout your treatment.
Mindfulness program
Mindfulness-based cancer recovery is a six-week virtual group where you’ll learn mindfulness skills.
Mindfulness focuses on helping you become fully present, aware of where you are and what you’re doing. This practice can help cope with stress and other emotions during cancer treatment and survivorship.
In each session, you’ll learn a component of mindfulness, participate in group discussions and practice guided mindfulness.
Support for young adults who have cancer
Our Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer program offers young adults specialized assessment and connection to resources for your unique needs. Young Adult Cancer Connect is a peer group that offers young adults who have cancer a place to connect with others going through cancer treatment.
Support for people with advanced cancer
Our Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy program is an eight-week virtual support group for people who have advanced cancer.
This groups allows you to connect with others facing advanced cancer. Together, you will share your experiences as you find sources of meaning and purpose while living with cancer.
Well-being bootcamp
Well-being Bootcamp is a virtual four-week program that focuses on teaching you acupressure and other techniques to reduce cancer-related fatigue and improve overall health.
Art therapy for people who have cancer
In partnership with Rush MD Anderson, Twist Out Cancer offers creative arts programs for anyone touched by cancer.
The monthly art therapy workshops are available at RUSH MD Anderson.
Register for our monthly art therapy workshops.
Support for caregivers
Caring for Caregivers at Rush aims to support caregivers by developing a plan for their health and well-being that incorporates the care needs of your loved one. The program includes brief psychotherapy and can help caregivers connect to resources.
For additional information about the program, ask your care team or email caregivers@rush.edu.
Choosing RUSH MD Anderson for Cancer Support Services
- Supportive care is a RUSH MD Anderson value: We offer some of the most comprehensive cancer support services in the Chicago area. From social work and acupuncture to nutrition counseling and palliative care, our program has something to help everyone. This dedication to comprehensive care beyond cancer aligns with Rush’s overall values and dedication to caring for the community at large.
- Support providers who specialize in cancer: Our cancer support service providers all specialize in working with people who have cancer and their loved ones. And many of providers, including our dedicated dietitians, social workers and patient navigators, specialize in specific types of cancer. With this advanced level of expertise, your provider will understand your distinct needs and the most effective ways to help you.
- Assessing your well-being: We know your physical, social and emotional needs can vary throughout your cancer journey. That’s why your cancer care team will regularly assess how you’re feeling both physically and emotionally. At every appointment, your care team will do a distress screening to evaluate your overall well-being. From there, they’ll connect you to resources that can help if or when you need it.
- Caring for anyone affected by cancer: Waterford Place Cancer Resource Center in Aurora offers a wide range of free services and supportive care for anyone affected by cancer, including patients and their loved ones. This includes support groups, a salon and spa with a wig boutique, and mindfulness, meditation and relaxation classes.
- Connections to community cancer resources: Our cancer support services team works closely with a variety of community cancer support organizations that can help you find the resources you need close to home. These organizations include Wellness House, Gilda’s Club, Cancer Wellness Center, Living Well, Pickles Group, The Cancer Support Center and the Cancer Resource Centre, among others.
Cancer Support Services FAQs
Cancer survivorship programs include services that provide support and guidance to help you stay healthy after you complete your cancer treatment. The goal of cancer survivorship is to improve your quality of life as you move toward long-term recovery after cancer.
At RUSH MD Anderson, we support cancer survivors with survivorship services that include follow-up care, emotional support and wellness programs.
We offer cancer support services to anyone who has cancer and their loved ones. You can start by talking to your cancer care providers about what services may be right for you. Or you can simply call (312) CANCER-1 to make an appointment. Our goal is to get you in to see a provider quickly, in a way that is convenient with your other appointments.
Some of our services are offered free of charge, while others may be billed to you or to your insurance. Our teams will review costs with you at the time of scheduling and work to navigate any financial barriers to receiving services.
Cancer support services focus on helping to alleviate the side effects of cancer treatments, such as nausea, fatigue and pain.
We offer the full range of integrative medicine services, including acupuncture, massage, meditation and relaxation and exercise programs. These treatments have all been shown to help improve symptoms. Our integrative therapy providers work closely with your cancer care team.
Cancer palliative care focuses on managing your symptoms to ease suffering and improve your quality of life. Palliative care is combined with traditional cancer treatments.
At RUSH MD Anderson, you can access palliative care at any point during your cancer journey. Talk to your cancer care team about palliative care or call (312) CANCER-1 to make an appointment with a palliative care provider.
Yes, RUSH MD Anderson offers several virtual and in-person support groups at locations across the Chicago area. We also work closely with community organizations like the Wellness House and Gilda’s Club, which offer cancer support groups in locations near you.
Talk to your cancer care team or call (312) CANCER-1 to find out about support groups at RUSH MD Anderson.
U.S. News & World Report ranked Rush University Medical Center among the best in the nation for cancer care.
