Support and Counseling

Social Work

Licensed clinical social workers can offer counseling to patients and families as they face the impact of illness on life, work and relationships. Available by request or by referral from a doctor or nurse, a social worker can help address any concerns about diagnosis, treatment or care.

Support Groups

Support groups can help patients and families cope with a cancer diagnosis and treatment, and find comfort and companionship from other patients.

Family Connections

Dana-Farber’s Family Connections program offers resources to help the families of parents with cancer prepare for the challenges ahead. Guidance, information and inspiration from other families are available by calling 617-632-4235 or visiting www.dana-farber.org/familyconnections.

Patient/Family Website

CaringBridge, a nonprofit organization affiliated with Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center, provides the opportunity for patients to set up a free, personalized, confidential website to share information with family and friends. For information, visit www.caringbridge.com.

One-to-One: Connecting with Someone Who’s Been There

Patients and family members may appreciate a telephone conversation with someone who has had a similar cancer experience. Through this Dana-Farber program, trained volunteers can help ease concerns, provide information, and offer reassurance and hope. For more information, call 617-632-4020 or visit www.dana-farber.org/onetoone.

Cancer Survivorship
Managing Your Follow-Up Care

Completing cancer treatment is a major milestone. While active treatment is behind you, there may be physical or emotional challenges that you face as a result of your cancer treatment. The survivorship program at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center in clinical affiliation with South Shore Hospital will soon be available to help you navigate these issues. We can help you develop a care plan that can be used to manage your ongoing care with your primary care and oncology care teams.

This care plan will:

The survivorship program at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center in clinical affiliation with South Shore Hospital will be available to patients late summer 2010. In the interim, please visit www.dana-farber.org/livingwellbeyondcancer for a host of resources to help you manage your health after cancer. For more information please call 781-624-3778.

Beyond Cancer

Support groups can provide guidance and companionship about surviving cancer or facing bereavement. In addition, the Perini Family Survivors’ Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston addresses the long-term physical and emotional needs of cancer survivors.