Cancer Supportive Care

cancer-supportive-care

Cancer Supportive Care

Our top priority is helping improve your quality of life throughout your cancer journey by addressing pain and other symptoms, nutritional problems, social and emotional challenges, and your overall well-being.

Our top priority is helping improve your quality of life throughout your cancer journey by addressing pain and other symptoms, nutritional problems, social and emotional challenges, and your overall well-being.

Our top priority is helping improve your quality of life throughout your cancer journey by addressing pain and other symptoms, nutritional problems, social and emotional challenges, and your overall well-being.

Spotlight

Among the Best in the U.S. for Cancer Care

U.S. News & World Report ranked RUSH University Medical Center among the best in the nation for cancer care.

See our rankings

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The RUSH Approach to Cancer Supportive Care

When you have cancer, all aspects of your life get more complicated. At RUSH, we are committed to providing you with the social, emotional and physical support you need to address your new — and often overwhelming — needs.

We understand that there are many different ways a cancer diagnosis, treatment and long-term effects can affect your life. We'll work with you to determine the factors that contribute to your distress — which will help us connect you to the appropriate services. Our goal is to help you improve your day-to-day life during and after cancer treatment.

Cancer Supportive Care Providers

RUSH has cancer supportive care providers in Chicago and Aurora/Fox Valley.

Meet our cancer supportive care providers
stethoscope Meet our cancer supportive care providers

Rush Excellence in Cancer Supportive Care

  • Distress screening: Your cancer care team will continuously check in with you about your overall well-being. Each time you come to the Cancer Center we'll ask you about any social or emotional concerns or other challenges that may be making it difficult for you to cope with your diagnosis and/or treatment. We'll then use this information to connect you to the resources you want and need.
  • Psychological support: Patients often come to us for help managing stress, worries, depression and anxiety, or difficulty coping with cancer. Our team of psychologists specialize in psychosocial oncology and provide compassionate care to guide you through these difficult times. Our on-site psychiatrist is also available to help you manage medications that may provide another layer of psychological support.
  • Immediate support when you need it: We understand that when you're in distress, you may need supportive care right away. So if you need supportive care during an appointment with your cancer team, your primary cancer provider can page a member of our team to see you during your appointment. We'll address your immediate needs and then help coordinate any follow-up visits.
  • Evidence-based integrative therapies: Our highly experienced Chinese medicine provider offers acupuncture to complement traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy. Many studies have found that acupuncture helps relieve pain, decrease nausea, reduce hot flashes and improve fatigue associated with cancer and cancer treatments.
  • Healthy living guidance for people with cancer: Our registered dietitians specialize in providing nutritional support and counseling to people undergoing cancer treatment. They will provide comprehensive nutrition care to help address your symptoms and side effects of treatment. We also offer a nutrition and physical activity virtual class, where you’ll learn about food choices and exercise routines that to help keep you healthy. Register for our next class today. 
  • Speech therapy support: Speech-language pathology services are an integral part of your care plan for certain cancers, such as head and neck cancers. Our expert speech-language pathologists specialize in managing and treating difficulties related to speech, voice and swallowing. We work with you before you begin treatment to get a baseline assessment of your speech and swallowing function, and we help you understand how these functions may be affected by treatment. During and after treatment, we provide comprehensive therapy and support to help you maintain and/or return to normal function. 
  • Spiritual support: A cancer diagnosis may cause you or your loved ones to question your spirituality or experience other challenges related to faith. Our on-site non-denominational chaplain offers one-on-one support to help you work through questions of faith.
  • Caring for anyone affected by cancer: Waterford Place Cancer Resource Center 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. Our supportive oncology team also has connections with a variety of community cancer support organizations and can help provide information about resources that best meet your needs close to where you live.
Teresa Deshields
Testimonials

Cancer care is increasingly individually tailored, and there are many different treatment options depending on the diagnosis, patients’ biomarkers and other factors. We tailor supportive care in the same way. We recognize that each patient has their own set of challenges through treatment. The more resources we can offer, the more likely we’ll be able to meet any particular patient’s needs.

Teresa Deshields, PhD, Psychologist

RUSH Cancer Supportive Care Locations

Select a location to see options

Chicago

Oncology doctors with  a patient

RUSH Cancer Center

1520 W Harrison St
Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building
Chicago, IL 60607

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Hours:

Mon – Fri: 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
Sat – Sun: Closed
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Aurora/Fox Valley

Waterford Place Cancer Resource Center

Waterford Place Cancer Resource Center

1310 Waterford Drive
Aurora, IL 60504

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Hours by Phone:

Mon – Fri: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sat – Sun: Closed
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Oak Park

RUSH Hematology, Oncology and Cell Therapy - Oak Park

610 S Maple Ave
Rush Medical Office Building - Suites 5400, 2100
Oak Park, IL 60304

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Hours:

Mon – Fri: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sat – Sun: Closed
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Lisle

RUSH Hematology, Oncology and Cell Therapy - Lisle

430 Warrenville Rd
Suite 200
Lisle, IL 60532

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Hours:

Mon – Fri: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Sat – Sun: Closed
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Built for you.

When the Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building opens its door to patients in February 2023, it will be a destination for state-of-the-art outpatient care in cancer, neurosciences, digestive diseases and more. Read stories that highlight what RUSH means to its patients, providers, employees and community — and illustrate how the Rubschlager Building will support RUSH in providing excellent patient care, in 2023 and beyond.

Read Their Stories
RUSH Impact - Eunice