Counseling and Emotional Support
Through this referral-based service, our social workers provide emotional support to patients who may be unsure of how to move forward with survivorship and wellness and help reconnect them to what is meaningful in their lives. We offer individual on-site counseling and a variety of cancer-specific support groups. When needed, we also provide referrals to behavioral health specialists in the Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health network and the community. We also coordinate care with other survivorship service providers such as physical or holistic therapists, and connect patients with local and online resources for help with legal, financial, insurance, and work-related issues.
Cardio-oncology
Cardio-oncology is a team based service that identifies patients who are more likely to have cardiac effects of chemotherapy and radiation and who have pre-existing cardiac questions. Our cardio-oncology service makes sure that patients recovering from chemotherapy and radiation have a plan for care of hypertension and any cardiac risk factors that may affect long-term survival.
Dermatology and Skin Care
Cancer treatments such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy and other drugs, and even surgery, can have lasting impact on a patient’s skin, including changes in texture and sensitivity to touch, temperature, or sun exposure. Our experts understand the unique skin care considerations that follow a cancer diagnosis and treatment, and offer customized recommendations for bathing, sun protection, moisturizing, monitoring for changes, and more. In addition, aestheticians in our Cancer Institute Boutique offer gentle, organic products for skin, hair, and nails, as well as cosmetic solutions for scars and brow or lash loss, hair salon services, manicures and pedicures, and more.
Fertility
Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and cancer surgery can potentially affect reproductive organs or cause infertility. The team at Penn Fertility Care – Lancaster General Health are experts on the most current fertility preservation options for men and women whose fertility was impacted by cancer. Read more about fertility preservation.
Genetic Testing and Counseling
Patients who meet certain criteria related to their cancer diagnosis, pathology, personal medical record, or family history are referred for consultation with a genetic counselor through our Cancer Risk Evaluation Program. At this initial session, the counselor will review these criteria with the patient and discuss their options for genetic testing and how test results will inform their survivorship care. Patients who wish to proceed with genetic testing may have blood drawn for genetic testing that same day. Test results can shed light on why a person developed a specific cancer, indicate a patient’s risk for recurrence of the original cancer or development of a second primary cancer, and can inform the hereditary risk for other family members such as children or siblings. Genetic testing and counseling can inform risk reduction through dietary and other lifestyle recommendations as well as additional screenings for early detection. Relatives of patients or those who meet the criteria for testing based on their own family history of cancer may also be eligible for this service.
Holistic Therapies
We offer massage and acupuncture to patients throughout their cancer treatment and in survivorship. These holistic therapies can help reduce anxiety, mild depression, fatigue, nausea, and peripheral nerve symptoms. Our therapists are experienced in working with patients who may have physical sensitivity from radiation therapy, surgery, or chemotherapy. We also teach classes in yoga and Mindfulness-Based Stress Management that are tailored to cancer patients. These classes utilize breath work and mindfulness, which can help alleviate fears and promote calm inner peace. Patients often find the groups dynamic, supportive and healing.
Nutrition
During active cancer treatment, nutritional recommendations may be focused on managing symptoms such as nausea, loss of appetite, changes in taste, and unintentional weight loss. In survivorship and wellness, our registered dietitians offer nutrition counseling to help patients recover from treatment effects, and to adopt healthy eating habits that support them in resuming an active lifestyle. Nutrition is also an important factor in healing and reducing the risk for cancer recurrence. Certain treatments for cancer have been known to increase a patient’s risk for heart disease, and our dietitians have expertise in heart-healthy diets to mitigate some of that risk. When appropriate, we will refer patients to other providers and programs in the Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health network, including our renowned Heart & Vascular Institute, and our Diabetes and Endocrinology and Healthy Weight Management programs.
Palliative Care and Pain Management
Palliative care is specialized medical care that focuses on relieving the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. The team is led by a team of doctors and may also include other physicians, nurses, social workers, and chaplains. The team works with a patient’s other doctors to provide an extra layer of support. During active treatment, the care is individualized to each patient and may focus on managing physical symptoms, emotional distress, or supporting patients as they make treatment decisions. In the weeks and months beyond treatment, the role of palliative care is to ensure that any residual side effects of treatment are controlled and to help the patient return to wellness. When appropriate, the palliative care team will help coordinate transition of care back to the patient’s primary care provider.
Pelvic Floor Therapy
Patients who have undergone treatment for ovarian, endometrial, and other reproductive cancers, as well as colorectal, bladder, and prostate cancers, may benefit from our pelvic floor therapy program. In addition, pelvic floor therapy can also be helpful for patients who are taking anti-hormonal therapies. The program is for women and men who may be coping with pain, bladder or bowel incontinence, or sexual dysfunction after surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or hormonal therapy. Pelvic floor therapy can greatly improve the patient’s symptoms and quality of life.
Rehabilitation and Exercise
Our cancer rehabilitation services can help patients regain strength, endurance, mobility, and function after active treatment. Patients who have recently completed treatment may be hesitant to start a new exercise regimen or resume a former activity they put on pause. We help with that because exercise and moderate activity are beneficial for overall physical wellness and mental health. They can also decrease the risk of recurrence in many types of cancers. Our physical therapists are trained to evaluate and work with patients to make activities safe and reduce the risk of pain or injury. We provide medical clearance and referrals for community-based programs and help patients map out an exercise plan they can adhere to and enjoy. Our cancer rehabilitation therapists are part of Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health outpatient physical therapy & rehabilitation.
Smoking and Nicotine Cessation
Many types of cancers are linked to smoking and other nicotine use. We encourage patients to stop or decrease using tobacco and nicotine and offer a variety of ways to help. Our program for quitting nicotine includes telephonic or virtual one-on-one counseling, virtual group support, and links to community resources for adults and teens.
Spiritual Care
Our chaplains offer comforting one-on-one support to patients of all religious affiliations and spiritual beliefs. While some of our patients meet with chaplains after a cancer diagnosis or during treatment, survivorship is a time that often brings up fears or questions that can be difficult to process alone. When a patient transitions from having a team guide them through active treatment to facing the next phase of their life, our chaplains can provide a support bridge between treatment and survivorship.