Support Services for People with Cancer

Man and woman sitting together, listening to health professional who sits across from them. — Credit: iStock

There are a number of services available to help you cope during and after your treatment. Talk with your doctor to help you locate services such as these:

Counseling
Trained specialists can help you talk about your feelings, problems and concerns. Some forms of counseling available to you may include individual, couples, family, and faith and spiritual counseling.

Genetic Counseling
Trained specialists can advise you on whether to have genetic testing for cancer and how to deal with the results. It can be helpful for you and for family members who have concerns about their own health.

Long-Term Follow-up Clinics
All doctors can offer follow-up care, but there are also clinics that specialize in long-term follow-up care for cancer survivors. These clinics most often see people who are no longer being treated by an oncologist and who are considered free of disease. Ask your doctor if there are any follow-up cancer clinics in your area.

Pain Clinics (also called Pain and Palliative Care Services)
These are centers with professionals who are trained in helping people get relief from pain.

Quitting Smoking (Smoking Cessation Services)
Research shows that the more support you have in quitting smoking, the greater your chance for success. Ask your doctor, nurse, social worker, or hospital about available programs. Also see NCI's Smokefree.gov for tools and tips, or call NCI's Smoking Quitline at 1-877-44-U-QUIT (1-877-448-7848).

Stress Management Programs
These programs teach ways to help you relax and take more control over stress. Hospitals, clinics, or local cancer organizations may offer these programs and classes.

People in a support group seated together and listening as one man speaks. — Credit: iStock

Support Groups
In-person and online groups enable cancer survivors to interact with others in similar situations. (See Cancer Support Groups for more information.)

Survivor Wellness Programs
These types of programs are growing in number, and they are meant for people who have finished their cancer treatment and are interested in redefining their life beyond cancer. The programs help cancer survivors take steps to lead a healthy lifestyle, improve the quality and meaningfulness of their lives, and potentially reduce the risk of recurrence.

Vocational Rehabilitation
If you have disabilities or other special needs, vocational rehabilitation specialists can help you find suitable jobs. They offer services such as counseling, education and skills training, and help in obtaining and using assistive technology and tools.