Question: How can an oncology social worker help me and my family?

Answer: An oncology social worker can meet with you and/or your family to explore ways in which help can be provided. Your individual concerns can often be matched with appropriate community resources. Just to name a few, an oncology social worker can provide assistance with transportation arrangements, financial concerns, disabilty applications, insurance concerns, and employment issues. Oncology social workers also provide individual, family and group counseling.

Question: Is there a particular time or phase of the cancer continuum where contacting a social worker is most important?

Answer: No. Your oncology social worker can be of service to you and your family at any time throughout your experience with cancer. Whenever possible, oncology social workers prefer to work with patients and families across the continuum of care.

Question: What can a social worker do for cancer survivors and their loved ones?

Answer: The services they can provide are focused on things associated with a cancer diagnosis and include the following:

-Accessing accurate information to help you understand and adapt to your diagnosis and treatments.

-Assisting with caregiving as well as relationship and family issues.

-Helping with sound decision-making, communication skills, work-related issues, and the development of coping strategies.

-Educating patients about the language, paperwork, and proceudres of the healthcare system and informing patients of their rights.

-Referring patients and their families to community resources for assistance with financial concerns, transportation issues, lodging during treatment, and support groups.

-Providing supportive one-on-one or group counseling for patients and their loved ones to promote optimal emotional health by addressing challenges such as stress, depression and anxiety.

-Acting as a liaison between patients and their medical team, arranging such things as meetings and phone calls and, in general, helping patients navigate the healthcare system.

-Providing guidance and support during the adjustment to the life changes precipitated by illness, such as fatigue, hair loss, fertility concerns, changes to body image, sexuality and intimacy issues, and the various side effects of treatment and hospitalization.

-Assisting patients in preparing an advance directive, a living will, and a medical durable power of attorney.

-Providing information about complementary and alternative medicine and clinical trials.

-Answering questions about life after cancer treatment.

-Assisting patients and their families with end-of-life care and bereavement if it becomes necessary.

Question: Why would I need an oncology social worker?

Answer: Oncology social workers are specially trained professionals who are available to assist you and your family with practical and emotional issues related to a diagnosis of cancer. Oncology social workers are knowledgeable about the usual course of cancer, its treatment and side effects and how difficult the experience can be for you and your family. They offer a broad range of services, particularly in the areas of support, education, resources, discharge planning and advocacy. Oncology social workers want you to know that concern is not only caring for your disease but also caring for your emotional and social well-being.