Support Programs
Educational Resources
Understanding your disease and having the latest information will help you feel more comfortable making choices about your care. Our cancer care team has extensive knowledge of cancer-related challenges and vast resources for information about the various types of cancers and their treatments. We will help connect you with the services and programs you need—many of which are offered within our various locations. Find more information on these resources.
Resource and Volunteer Services
Our resource center volunteers will be happy to assist you on your road to recovery. With resources such as wig rentals and breast prosthetics, to touch therapy, counseling and support groups, we will make sure that you have the tools that you need to get you through your treatment process. For more information, or if you would like to be a volunteer please
call (520) 275-6616 or click here.
Patient Benefits Representatives
The financial aspect of dealing with cancer can be complex and overwhelming. Patient Benefits Representatives are here to help answer your questions about the cost of treatment and, on your behalf, handle insurance inquiries, verifications and claims processing. For patients whose insurance coverage is inadequate or the insurance company chooses not to cover services, our patient benefits representatives can help identify assistance programs that may offer help in meeting financial obligations. Additionally, our social worker can connect you to services and resources in your community, such as disability, supplemental Medicaid programs and medication assistance programs.
ASCO Recommends Steps to Improve Advanced Cancer Care Planning
ASCO issued a new policy statement which recommends steps to ensure that physicians initiate candid discussions about the full range of treatment and palliative care options soon after patients' diagnosis with advanced cancer. Later this year, ASCO will issue clinical guidance to help oncologists initiate these conversations and better integrate palliative therapy into oncology practice. To help guide patients through these difficult yet important doctor-patient discussions, ASCO has also developed a free comprehensive educational booklet for patients with advanced cancer.
End of Life Care
For patients who may reach a point in their illness where further attempts at active therapy are either not possible or not advisable, we offer palliative care to maximize quality of life through pain control and aggressive symptom management. Our physicians and nurses have extensive experience in this area. Hospice care is an important part of palliative care and, when appropriate, is carefully coordinated by a patient's physicians, nurses, hospice nurses, medical directors, social workers, clergy (if desired) and volunteers. Hospice focuses on maintaining the comfort and quality of life for patients up to the time of death and providing support for the family during and after a patient's illness. Patients in the greater Phoenix and Tucson areas have access to a number of hospice programs, depending on where they live, and our staff is very comfortable in working with the hospice team members to achieve these goals.
