Livestrong Cancer Institutes

Depending on the treatment plan that you and your care team decide upon, you may have the opportunity to participate in clinical research. Clinical research is critical to helping improve care for cancer patients in the future. Some clinical research, such as tissue donation, helps our clinical team better understand cancer. Other forms of clinical research, such as clinical trials, explore new ways to treat some cancers.

Caring for the whole person means addressing the mind, body, and spirit. Cancer is stressful, can be emotionally challenging for you and your loved ones, and impacts all areas of life. Your clinical social worker will be an integral part of your care team and will work with you to understand what is most important in your life. They will help you develop a plan to connect you to the support and resources you need to improve your coping and quality of life throughout your cancer experience. Clinical social workers are trained to help individuals and families address and prevent any psychological, emotional, behavioral, and/or social challenges from impacting their function and ability to live their best lives. They also have a strong knowledge of available resources in the community.

Diet and nutrition play an important role during the cancer treatment and survivorship journey. Having a dietitian as part of your care team can help you feel better and maintain good nutrition throughout your treatment. Your oncology dietician will work to support your nutritional and dietary needs before, during, and after your treatment, in a way that fits in to your lifestyle and everyday routine.

For those who are in their reproductive years, sometimes cancer or its treatment may impact fertility and the ability to have a family. Our fertility advanced practice provider is here to educate patients of reproductive age about any risks of infertility and options to preserve fertility. Through the Cancer Fertility Preservation service, our advanced practitioner will work closely with your care team to ensure that you have all the fertility preservation education and resources you need and that you can access affordable fertility preservation options before cancer treatment begins.

Your medical assistant ensures you have everything you need from the moment you enter the clinic. They will help you to your room, document your medical history, record your vital signs, including blood pressure and temperature, and speak with you about what to expect during your visit and address any concerns you may have. Between appointments, they will work through the logistics of your care, scheduling appointments and procedures, coordinating care with other providers, and gathering any needed medical records.

Your medical oncologist is a doctor who treats cancer and provides medical care for people diagnosed with cancer. You may have a medical oncologist with a special focus on the type of cancer you have, and they will oversee your cancer treatment if your treatment includes chemotherapy or other medications, such as targeted therapy or immunotherapy. Your medical oncologist may act as your main health care provider for directing your treatment. They may also provide supportive care and coordinate cancer treatments given by other specialists.

Your nurses and advanced practice providers will work in collaboration with your disease management team (your medical, radiation, or surgical oncologist) to manage the symptoms, treatment, and side effects of your cancer. They prioritize supporting your day-to-day physical health as you move through the cancer journey. They are your go-to expert in supportive care to help manage any pain and discomfort and optimize your healing. They are also dedicated to helping you meet your treatment and care goals and improving your quality of life.

Your oncology nurse ensures you have everything you need from the moment you enter the clinic. They will help you to your room, document your medical history, record your vital signs, including blood pressure and temperature, and speak with you about what to expect during your visit and address any concerns you may have. Between appointments, they will work through the logistics of your care, scheduling appointments and procedures, coordinating care with other providers, and gathering any needed medical records.

Your oncology pharmacist is here to counsel you about new medications as well as educate you and your loved ones about chemotherapy, if chemo is part of your treatment plan. The pharmacist works closely with the medical oncologists and nurses and advanced practice providers to determine appropriate dosing and adjustments to your medications as needed. The oncology pharmacist is here to support your physical, mental, and emotional well-being as you move through the treatment journey to make sure that you are feeling your best while taking medications and receiving chemo.

Physiologic and emotional changes related to cancer and its treatment can bring about changes in mood, anxiety, and overall psychosocial wellness. Our team includes a psychiatrist with specialized experience in cancer care to address mental health concerns that impact your quality of life so that you can maintain a sense of meaningful engagement with the things that matter most to you.

If your treatment includes radiation therapy, you may be referred to a partnering facility that provides radiation. This is a team of clinicians who have special training in the use of radiation to help treat your cancer. Your radiation oncology team will work with your care team at the Livestrong Cancer Institutes to ensure you receive the best possible treatment.

Your team includes an expert in supportive care. A palliative care clinician adds expertise in symptom management and complex healthcare decision-making to your cancer care team for your entire treatment trajectory.

If your treatment includes surgery, your team may include a surgical oncologist from Surgical Oncology. Our surgical oncologists are surgeons who have special training in surgically removing tumors and/or nearby tissues that may be affected by your cancer. Your surgical oncologist will work with your care team to ensure you receive the best possible treatment.