Information for Patients

Support Services

Patients and their families can take advantage of a wide range of support and educational programs. Support groups for patients and families, caregiver support groups and a patient resource room with Internet access are available. The Cancer Center team strongly encourages family involvement during the course of treatment.

Financial Counseling

An onsite financial counselor is available to assist with your concerns about payment for services. The counselor will work with you to answer questions about your insurance before your first visit so that you will know how much of the cost, if any, you will need to pay. He or she will also be able to help you with referral issues or changes in insurance coverage.

Support Groups:

Prostate Cancer Support Group
MAN TO MAN is a program sponsored by the American Cancer Society for men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The group is also open to the patient's support persons: partner, spouse, children, etc. Our physicians from Urology, Radiation Oncology and Medical Oncology, along with a nutritionist, pharmacist and prostate cancer survivors present on topics of interest. Topics include:

  • What is prostate cancer?
  • Treatment Options
  • Sexuality and cancer
  • Incontinence
  • Talking to my Family
  • Nutrition
  • Complementary medicines

The group meets on the 4th Thursday of the month at 5:00 p.m. at the Temple Cancer Center, and is facilitated by Mr. Robert White. To register to attend, please call 215-707-7569.

Breast Cancer Support Group
The purpose of this group is to provide information and support to women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. The group meets on the fourth Monday of the month from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m..

Topics include:

  • What is breast cancer?
  • Symptom management and side effects of Treatment
  • Lymphedema
  • American Cancer Society and other community services
  • Bras and prostheses
  • Sexuality
  • Stress management and pain mangement
  • Complementary therapies
  • Clinical trials

To register, please call faciliator Jeanne Chavious, at 215-707-8039

Latino Breast Cancer Support Group
Grupo De ApoyoPara Mujeres con Cáncer del Seno

El grupo está disponible para pacientes que hablan Espanol sin importer donde reciben o recibieron tratamiento medico. El grupo reune en el tercer miercoles de cada mes.

The group is in Spanish and is open to women regardless of where they receive their treatment. The group meets the third Wednesday of the month. 1:30 PM-3:00 PM. Almuerzo incluido, May al 215-707-2575.

Look Good, Feel Better
Look Good, Feel Better sessions are offered quartely and are sponsored by the American Cancer Society. The sessions address the needs of women who are receiving radiation and/or chemotherapy. Hari care, grooming, skin care, makeup and self-esteem are all covered in a relaxing day with lunch and free cosmetic products. Every woman on treatment should attend one of these sessions.

To register, call Jeanne Chavious at 215-707-8039.

Wellness Community Outreach Programs
The Wellness Community is offering a caregivers support group at Temple on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month at 5:00 p.m. A program for people living with cancer is being offered in a four week series. Topics covered are:

  • The Cancer Experience
  • Managing Fear, Anxiety and Other Difficult Feelings
  • Managing Side Effects
  • Communicating with your Healthcare Team

Temple physicians, social workers and Psychiatry staff are the presenters at these sessions. To register, call Barbara Davis at The Wellness Community at 215-879-7733.

Head, Neck & Esophageal Cancer Support Group
This group helps persons with these cancer diagnoses to address the issues of:

  • Recovery from head and neck surgery
  • Nutrition and feeding tubes
  • Oral care
  • Trach care
  • Stress management and taking care of yourself
  • Fatigue
  • Treatment issues and concerns.

This group is open to all persons who have been diagnosed and are in the midst of or have completed treatment. To register, call Robert White at 215-707-7569.