Cancer survivorship support programs help you live better

Cancer not only affects your body and interrupts your regular schedule, but it can also affect your fertility, mental health, finances, and more. If you or a loved one is going through cancer treatment, programs are available to help support all areas of your life.

“People with cancer and their loved ones can spend an incredible amount of time receiving cancer care. In some studies, patients with stage four cancer can spend every fourth day alive coming back and forth to the clinic or hospital,” said Arjun Gupta, MD, a gastrointestinal medical oncologist with M Health Fairview and an assistant professor with the University of Minnesota Medical School. “That’s one in four days. Think about it. This doesn't just affect the patient; it also affects their loved ones and the wider network around them. Cancer care can just consume your whole life.”

With everything going on, you might not have time to think about quality of life. That’s why – in addition to your clinical treatment – our health system offers a range of support services, including a world-leading survivorship program, rehabilitation, fertility treatment and assistance on financial questions. Scroll down for a complete list of our programs and how to get involved.

Support programs are available for all people with a cancer diagnosis, regardless of where you are in the cancer journey. These programs can be helpful in the early days and weeks after diagnosis. Some might find these services are most beneficial months or even years after your treatment.“Supportive care is an umbrella term for programs to support patients and their loved ones as they go through the cancer journey. We want to get people the support they need early in their journey,” Gupta said.

No question is too small to ask.

Your cancer care team wants you to ask if you have questions. You’re not expected to know how nutrition or exercise affects your disease or how to find a support group. Your healthcare team can connect you to programs and experts who can help. No issue is too small.

“You are never over communicating when you share information with your care team,” Gupta said. “If I have to give a single message to someone just diagnosed with cancer, it is to speak up. People in medicine, people in oncology particularly, enter the field because they're good, loving people who want to help.”

For example, if it would help you to schedule your appointments in the late afternoon because that’s when your child is free to drive you, tell your care team. If a medication is causing bothersome side effects, or if you are unable to afford your treatment, mention it to your care team. They might be able to make adjustments, so it works for you.

Sometimes the logistics and paperwork involved with accessing resources is overwhelming. Help is available.

“If you need something like a handicap sticker, we can help. If your employer is discriminating against you because of your cancer diagnosis, we can connect you to the appropriate resources. Our team can help you access benefits you may eligible for. We can help sort out and get through the jumbles of paperwork and logistics that come with cancer care,” Gupta said.

“We know you may have questions about how to live well during your cancer experience,” said Kaia Verich, RN, BAN, OCN, nurse clinician of oncology survivorship at M Health Fairview. “Exercise, nutrition, mental wellbeing, and sexual health are topics that patients with cancer commonly questions about. We have these experts right here at M Health Fairview. We know there’s a lot of information out there, but this is where your care team is. Let’s get them involved in your care to get you and your caregivers the answers you need. Our goal is to help you maximize quality of life and overall wellbeing and we have the team members available to help you achieve that.”

Cancer support services from M Health Fairview

Here are some programs that might be available to you and your family members or caregivers. Ask your healthcare team for a referral or learn more at Cancer Care (mhealthfairview.org).

• Cancer rehabilitation: This program includes speech language pathology and physical and occupational therapy. It can help you improve your physical strength and function, which helps reduce fatigue.
  

• Fertility treatment: Learn more about how your treatment affects your ability to have a child and what steps you can take to preserve fertility.

• Financial/employment/insurance questions: Get help with questions about the financial impacts of treatment, including insurance questions, disability eligibility, and managing bills. Lawyers at non-profits are also available to lend their services on your behalf.

• Health and wellbeing: Help take care of your mind, body, and spirit with reliable sources of information on mindfulness, nutrition, and mental health.

• Lymphedema therapy: Lymphedema therapists help with techniques to help manage lymphedema pain and swelling. Strategies include education, exercises, and more.

• Nicotine cessation: Use of nicotine can lessen the effectiveness of cancer treatments. Support is available to help you kick the habit.

• Nutrition: Oncology dietitians can help with a plan for good nutrition to optimize your health and wellbeing while supporting your goals.

• Palliative care: Palliative care focuses on relieving pain and other symptoms of treatment. The care team can also help with difficult decisions.

• Oncology psychology: Psychologists can help support your emotional health and that of your caregivers.

• Sexual health: Learn how to satisfy your need for intimacy while your body changes.

• Social work: Social workers are knowledgeable about hospital and community resources. They support patients’ emotional health and assist with any barriers to getting needed care.

Cancer survivorship programs

Survivorship programs offered by M Health Fairview in partnership with Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota provide support from the day you’re diagnosed throughout your life. Get more information at Cancer Survivorship Program | Cancer Survivorship Program (umn.edu).

Example programs include:

• The Thrive Series: A free weekly virtual series in the fall that provides education on common survivorship topics, such as nutrition, activity, emotional wellbeing, and sexual health. 

• The Survivorship Conference: A free annual hybrid event in the spring that focuses on questions and issues that survivors and their families often face after cancer treatment or following stem cell transplantation. Learn more and access videos from the conference.

• Living Beyond Breast Cancer: A free hybrid event for people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer prior to age 50. This series provides an opportunity to build connections and learn about menopause, sex after cancer, late and long-term effects of cancer treatment.