Supportive care therapies
In addition to delivering sophisticated therapies to treat your cancer, your personalized treatment plan may include supportive care services. Supportive care is designed to help you stay strong, support your immune system, combat side effects and maintain your quality of life.
Nutritional support
Treatment for cancer can cause side effects, including weight loss, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, low blood counts and increased risk of infection. These side effects can inhibit your ability to stay nourished and interfere with your treatment.
At City of Hope, a registered dietitian works closely with the other members of your care team. Together, they may suggest supplements and other therapies designed to support healthy digestion and nutrition, and to help you manage side effects.
Pain management
If you have pain, its severity and prevalence may depend on many factors, including the type and stage of cancer, your treatment plan and your tolerance for pain. You may experience pain from the cancer itself, or as a side effect of cancer treatment.
Throughout your treatment, the pain management team is on call 24/7 to help you anticipate and proactively manage cancer-related pain.
We ensure you are comfortable and continually receiving the pain relief you need. We also troubleshoot any side effects of pain medication, such as nausea, drowsiness and constipation. The goal is to find a balance between controlling pain and preserving quality of life.
Behavioral health
Many lung cancer patients experience anxiety, depression and other psychological stresses that may affect their immune system, digestion, sleep and concentration.
Our licensed mental health and allied health professionals are available to help you deal with concerns such as:
- Issues with intimacy
- Fertility concerns
- Sleeplessness
- Poor concentration
- Stress over loss of ability to work
- Concerns about relationships
Since caregivers play a major role in enhancing your quality of life and the healing process, they can attend support groups to help them manage their emotions and concerns.
Oncology rehabilitation
Oncology rehabilitation includes a wide range of therapies designed to help you build strength and endurance, regain independence, reduce stress and maintain the energy to participate in daily activities that are important to you. Here are a few of the rehabilitation therapies we offer patients:
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech and language therapy
- Manual therapy (which may include massage and chiropractic therapies)
- Lymphedema prevention and treatment
- Support programs related to healthy living, weight management and sexual intimacy
Naturopathic support
Upon your doctor's recommendation, a naturopathic support provider may suggest strategies to support your metabolism and digestion during cancer treatment and help relieve side effects. Patients may explore options including herbal and botanical preparations and dietary supplements designed to reduce side effects including nausea, fatigue or trouble sleeping. Lifestyle counseling may also be available, such as smoking cessation and stress management.
Spiritual support
Some lung cancer patients experience feelings of hopelessness, depression, guilt or anger. Spiritual wellness may bring a sense of calm and peace to help you cope with the disease and its treatment.
Our pastoral care team treats you with great sensitivity and respects your religious background and traditions. If you are more comfortable seeing clergy from your own faith affiliation, we are happy to contact local clergy to meet your specific religious needs.
Survivorship support
Our survivorship support services may help you maintain your health and improve your quality of life once your lung cancer treatment is complete.
We work with you to assess your health and identify potential short-term, long-term and late effects of treatment. Then, you receive an individualized wellness plan that may include help with managing medications and side effects, as well as nutritional, physical and emotional education and support.
