Cancer is not only a physical ordeal, it is also an emotional one, affecting cancer patients, their family and friends. To help address the whole person, we offer resources to help patients and their loved ones cope in this difficult time.

Counseling Services

Specialists in the cancer program recognize the importance of addressing patients' social and emotional issues in the context of their cancer care. We offer counseling and other services to help patients and their families cope with the disease and its treatment. Psychologists with special training in the needs of cancer patients offer courses in how to cope more effectively with cancer, how to quit smoking, stress reduction, pain control and communicating with children about adult cancer.

Integrative Support Services
(includes complementary therapies)

The cancer integrative medicine program at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, has been designed to combine traditional cancer treatment methods with complementary therapies for cancer patients who are experiencing:

• Stress and anxiety, pain or fatigue
• Side effects of treatment
• A desire to play a more active role in enhancing their health

For more information on the types of integrative services offered at Rush, visit the Cancer Integrative Medicine Program home page.

Patient Navigator

The Rush Cancer Resource Program is staffed by a patient navigator, a licensed clinical social worker who is an employee of the American Cancer Society. The patient navigator meets with patients and family members either by phone or in person to assess individual needs and provide the necessary support.

For more information on the type of support the patient navigator provides, visit the Patient Navigator home page.

Support Groups

The Division of Psychosocial Oncology sponsors several facilitated drop-in support groups, all held in Room 855 of the Professional Building, 1725 W. Harrison Street. These include:

• Cancer Support Groups
  Tuesdays at 2 p.m.
  Kellogg Building, 10th floor
  Thursday at 4 p.m.
  Kellogg Building, 11th floor
  Call the chaplain at Religion, Health & Human Values, (312) 942-5571, for more information.

• Caregiver Support Group. This group meets on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of every month from noon to 1:00 p.m., and is open to anyone who cares for a cancer patient, including family members and health care professionals. Topics include self-care, juggling responsibilities and stress management.

• Leukemia and Lymphoma Support Group. This group meets on the 4th Thursday of every month, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. This group invites those living with hematologic cancers to meet and share ideas and experiences. From time to time, the group features guest speakers who provide information about the latest developments in treating hematologic diseases.

• Pain Management. A cancer pain management group meets on Wednesdays, from 12:30 to 2 p.m.

For information on other support groups at Rush, visit the Support Groups home page.

Wellness Resource Center

The center offers free educational information about cancer, its treatment, symptom control, pain management, quality of life and hospice care. Resources include books, tapes, fact sheets and videos. Information on community services and support groups is also available. By offering information and support, the center strives to promote patients' sense of well-being and control.