Supporting You Through Your Cancer Journey
We understand that a cancer diagnosis is a life changing event, affecting your life in many different ways. At St. Joseph’s Health, we combine our clinical expertise with superior support services to help you through your cancer journey. Our top priority is helping improve your quality of life throughout your cancer journey by addressing pain and other symptoms, nutritional concerns, social and emotional challenges, and your overall well-being.
We offer a comprehensive range of support services tailored to meet the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of our cancer patients. From physical discomfort to emotional stress, we are here to guide you through each stage of your cancer journey as you navigate from treatment to recovery.
Nurse Navigators
Nurse navigators are medically trained professionals with extensive knowledge about cancer symptoms, treatments and resources. They help patients receive the best possible medical care as well as provide emotional support and guidance throughout all stages of treatment. Our nurse navigators review diagnosis and treatment options, assist with coordinating appointments and follow up care, follow patients throughout the course of treatment, and identify appropriate resources and services that can help patients and caregivers deal with the stress of a cancer diagnosis.
Cancer Rehabilitation
Cancer and the demands of treatment can have a lasting effect on your health — physically, emotionally and cognitively. Cancer rehabilitation can help you prepare for treatment and maintain strength throughout, so you can get back to the things you care about most. Cancer rehabilitation therapists receive extensive training in oncology rehabilitation and understand the unique challenges of undergoing cancer treatment. Our team focuses on finding treatments and services that help restore function, reduce symptoms, maximize independence and improve quality of life. Services may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and/or speech therapy. We will work closely with you to develop a plan that best meets your unique needs.
To schedule an appointment or for more information, call 973-754-2946.
Spiritual/Pastoral Care
Spirituality can be a great source of strength, connection, hope, and meaning as you and your family cope with cancer and its impact on your lives. Through a compassionate and listening presence, our pastoral care team provides supportive counseling to cancer patients and their families who are dealing with the emotional, spiritual and social changes that a cancer diagnosis often brings. We are here to listen and to help guide you, regardless of your spiritual or religious beliefs, by talking about your unique story, faith issues, ethical concerns, and ways to think about this life-changing experience. Whether you are seeking emotional support, spiritual counsel, prayer, or a sacrament, you and your family are welcome to contact us before, during, and after treatment. You may also visit the St. Joseph’s Health chapel whenever you need a place for quiet prayer, reflection, or meditation.
For more information or to request a visit with a chaplain, call 973-754-3015.
Nutritional Counseling
Good nutrition is an integral part of well-being, but cancer treatment may make it difficult to get the nutrition needed to heal. Our team of oncology registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) are an integral part of your care team, working with your doctors to develop an individualized nutritional plan designed to help fight the cancer and improve health outcomes. During cancer treatment, optimizing your nutrition can help to minimize potential side effects from cancer and cancer treatments, improve your response to treatment therapies and enrich your overall health and well-being. Following cancer treatment, your dietitian will be able to help you develop a nutrition plan that best fits your needs to optimize your health, maintain a healthy weight and reduce risk of cancer recurrence.
To schedule an appointment or for more information, call 973-754-2683.
Genetic Counseling
Some cancers are hereditary and due to an identifiable genetic mutation. Genetic counseling provides an opportunity for patients with concerns for a possible hereditary cancer risk in their family to meet with a board-certified and licensed genetic counselor to receive a personalized cancer genetic risk assessment. Genetic testing allows a patient to determine if they were born with an increased risk to develop certain cancers. Knowing and understanding your risks can empower you to take steps towards cancer prevention and better manage your care.
To schedule an appointment or to determine if genetic counseling is right for you, call 973-754-4891.
Social Work Services
Social work services are available to provide support to patients, families and caregivers through their journey of treatment and care. The oncology-trained licensed social worker focuses on the psychological, social and emotional issues that people face during and after cancer treatment. They help patients process their feelings and manage the changes and challenges that can arise while going through treatment and beyond. In addition, they assist with benefits; refer to local and national resources; assist with home care needs or hospice care; and provide educational information to help patients adjust to living with their illness.
For more information, call 973-754-2832.
Support Groups
People with cancer are better able to deal with their disease when supported by others. Support groups can help you reduce anxiety and overcome feelings of helplessness. Our support groups provide a safe environment where you and your family members can share your journeys, thoughts, challenges with others who are going through it as well. These sessions provide an opportunity for patients, family members, and friends to meet others in similar circumstances, develop new relationships, and find out how others cope during this time of increased distress. The groups are facilitated by professionally trained licensed social workers and other members of the cancer support care team.
For more information, call 973-754-4891.
Palliative Care
Palliative care is an extra layer of support for you and your family members who are living with and adjusting to life with serious illness. We provide comprehensive, compassionate palliative care to our patients as necessary throughout their cancer treatment to relieve the pain, symptoms and stress of their illness. Palliative care is appropriate regardless of diagnosis or prognosis, and can help patients tolerate their medical treatments better and improve their quality of life.
For more information, call 973-754-2842.
