Cancer Institute
About the Cancer Institute: Team
Approach to Cancer Care
A diagnosis of cancer is not just a medical problem.
It can affect every part of your life—how well you feel, how hopeful
you are about recovery, how much of your former life you can still
maintain - and it also has an impact on the lives of your family
members and loved ones. At Holy Cross we believe that the best cancer care
is coordinated care that takes into account all the changes - physical,
emotional, and psychological -that can happen as the result of
a cancer diagnosis.
For that reason, we take a team approach to cancer care, coordinating
your care within an interdisciplinary team of medical professionals
who work together to plan and implement your treatment.
Your primary care physician leads your treatment team. In addition
to your own personal physician, your cancer care team may include
other board-certified radiology, hematology, oncology, surgery,
nephrology, internal medicine, neurology and gastroenterology specialists.
Our team approach to cancer care at Holy Cross Hospital includes
the following disciplines:
- Medical, radiation,
and surgical oncologists provide an interdisciplinary
approach to cancer care management.
- Oncology Nurses administer chemotherapy and other intravenous
(IV) therapies as well as emotional support. Licensed
practical nurses and nursing assistants provide supportive care around
the clock.
- Oncology Clinical
Research Team works closely with the medical
staff to pinpoint opportunities for participation in clinical
trials that may be testing the latest, state-of-the-art drugs
and therapies.
- Pain Management
Team provides a variety of analgesic treatments
to relieve cancer pain.
- Social Workers
and Case Managers coordinate financial and insurance
matters, home care needs and other issues surrounding the transition
from hospital to home.
- Pastoral Care Providers
and On-Call Clergy are ready to offer
emotional and spiritual support.
- Food and Nutrition
Staff develops diets to help ease the nausea
and loss of appetite that sometimes accompanies cancer treatments.
- Home Care Program
Skilled Nursing Services allow patients to
receive care at home during times of illness and recovery.
- A Psychiatric Liaison
Nurse is specially trained to provide
options for social and psychological support.
- Pharmacists work with your physician to ensure that your treatment
is safe and effective.
- At-Home Hospice Care, which includes
basic medical care and emotional support, is available for
patients in the final stages of terminal illness.
In addition, there are numerous individuals working to support
patients at Holy Cross throughout their treatment and recovery:
- Medical Imaging
Experts use the most up-to-date techniques,
including mammography, CT scans, nuclear medicine studies such
as PET, ultrasound, and MRI to accurately pinpoint tumors and
cancerous tissue.
- Radiation Therapy
Technologists deliver accurate radiation
therapy doses prescribed by radiation oncologists.
- Physical and Rehabilitation
Therapists instruct in physical,
speech, and occupational therapies.
- Cancer Registry
Staff works with you to ensure that Holy Cross
has the most current information for conducting patient follow-up.
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