There’s good news in the battle against cancer, and tactics are changing with the times. Because of advances in cancer treatment, people are living longer, fuller lives in spite of the disease. Even so, survivors must adjust to a new normal, and often they need assistance.
That’s where El Camino Hospital’s cancer survivorship program comes in. It features an array of services designed to meet patients’ ongoing needs—physical, emotional and social.
Monitoring patients’ health is a key aspect of the program. Patients return for regular visits with healthcare providers to undergo medical testing. El Camino Hospital’s dedicated clinical team includes a nurse practitioner, a navigator and a clinical psychologist. Oncology-experienced nutritionists meet with patients as well, throughout treatment and afterward. They consult with patients’ families, too, so they‘ll know what to expect and how to help. A clinical social worker is coming on board to make any needed referrals for consultations or community services.
El Camino Hospital’s new Cancer Center also has facilities that o er additional programs and services at one convenient site. Any day of the week, patients can find something up-lifting. The Healing Space is a dedicated room at the center for various support services. Activities here include yoga (chair and laughter), Healing Touch, art therapy (a drop-in, open studio staffed by two art therapists) and cooking demos. The space is also available for lectures and evening support groups that are open to the community, not just El Camino Hospital patients.
El Camino Hospital Foundation has provided vital financial support for the center’s various programs and services, and is to be applauded for its commitment and engagement. With the benefit of the foundation’s involved and generous donors, El Camino Hospital is able to offer a full range of services for survivorship, and bring new hope to patients and their families.
Learn more about El Camino Hospital’s cancer survivorship program call 650-988-8338.
This article first appeared in the Summer 2015 edition of the El Camino Hospital Health Beat magazine.
