Cancer Supportive Care

The Rush Approach to Cancer Support Services

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 program and services are only growing, helping to find more ways to improve your day-to-day life during and after cancer treatment.

Rush Excellence in Cancer Support Services

• 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 cancer support services 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 interfaith chaplain offers one-on-one support to help you work through questions of meaning and purpose, whatever your spiritual background.
• 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. Our supportive oncology team also has connections with a variety of community cancer support organizations that can help provide information about resources that best meet your needs close to where you live. Organizations include the Wellness House, Gilda’s Club, Cancer Wellness Center, Living Well, The Cancer Support Center, and the Cancer Resource Centre, among others.