Beacon Cancer Care Support Team

When you receive cancer care at Beacon Health System, you get a team of cancer specialists dedicated to your health and recovery.

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Your team may include:

• Medical oncologists – Doctors who manage your overall cancer treatment and oversee your chemotherapy
• Radiation oncologists – Doctors who oversee your radiation treatments
• Genetic counselors – Medical professionals who work with individuals and families to identify their risk for inherited medical conditions
• Oncology nurses – Nurses who have extensive training in caring for patients with cancer
• Nurse navigators – Experts who direct you and your family to resources that help you manage your care and cope with the emotional and financial stresses that come with a cancer diagnosis
• Dietitians – Clinicians who offer guidance for eating to enhance recovery and coping with eating issues caused by treatment side effects
• Physical and occupational therapists – Specialists who help you regain your strength and ability to perform tasks
• Social workers – Professionals who help you prepare for the care you need after you leave the hospital
• Health & Fitness – restorative fitness, classes that are tailored to patients with various energy levels

Services

Nurse Navigators

Having someone to count on during a very stressful time can help alleviate anxiety and improve your overall sense of well-being and quality of life. These vital members of the care team act as advocates for patients and their families, identifying and removing any obstacles to care – and serve as a familiar face throughout each patient’s cancer journey.

Your nurse navigator will:

• Communicate with physicians as needed; acting as liaison for patient and family
• Help patients and families understand the diagnosis and treatment care plan as well as how to support cancer patients 
• Assist in managing treatment schedules and decreasing barriers
• Provide educational information
• Resource identification and referral as needed
• Offer advice on common concerns of oncology patients, such as how to explain things to loved ones or dealing with daily life disruptions
• Seek support group information

Oncology Dietitians

Healthy eating habits have been shown to improve a patient’s ability to stay stronger before, during and after cancer treatment. Our dietitians work with your cancer care team to:

• Customize a comprehensive nutrition plan specifically for you
• Lead educational programs
• Offer individual consultations

Nutritional counseling is available to all patients receiving cancer treatment with Beacon Cancer Care.  Counseling includes guidance on proper feeding tube care, education on proper diets, encouragement to increase consumption, weight loss prevention and recipe tips customized to the patient’s needs.

Dietitians are onsite and available to meet with patients and their caregivers, working together to customize their recommendations to help manage treatment-related side effects such as nausea, vomiting, taste changes and bowel irregularities.

Social Workers

Chronic medical conditions such as cancer can be difficult to manage for you and your loved ones. You do not have to struggle alone. Beacon’s support team can help connect you with resources and tools to help alleviate the struggle. We realize it’s necessary to help address social needs that may affect your healthcare. Our goal is to help you eliminate any barriers to care and address basic living needs so you can focus on management of your condition.

Social workers are able to refer to many options for community and social resources, including financial support information. At Beacon, we are dedicated to making our services accessible to all our patients. If you need financial assistance, our team can help connect you with the right resources.