Our Support Services
We understand the worry and confusion that come with a diagnosis of cancer. In addition to superior medical care and the latest technology, Roswell Park provides a comprehensive range of services to help you cope with the emotional, financial and day-to-day concerns related to your illness.
When you walk through the doors of Roswell Park, rest assured that you’ll find the care and support you need — before, during and after your cancer treatment.
Communication in All Languages
Patients who do not speak English, or who would prefer to speak a language other than English, have easy access to interpreters. Roswell Park contracts with AT&T's Language Line, a phone service that provides professional interpretation by certified medical interpreters in more than 170 languages, 24 hours a day.
Non-English-speaking patients can access Language Line services by making arrangements through any member of their healthcare team or, if off-campus, by calling Roswell Park’s Cancer Information Program at 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724), available Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Psychosocial Oncology
Adjusting to a cancer diagnosis and coping with treatment is difficult for most cancer patients, but those with lung cancer face unique challenges, including the unfortunate stigma that is often associated with this disease (''Did you smoke?''). The psychosocial support at Roswell Park helps patients and their families cope with these challenges.
Our team of social workers and clinical psychologists work side by side with your medical team to provide individualized assistance and support to you and your family throughout the course of care. Services include:
- Educational programs about lung cancer
- Emotional support, including support groups and psychotherapy
- Assistance with sick leave and disability
- Arrangement of lodging, transportation or language/interpreter needs
- Linkage with financial assistance programs and other community resources
- Assistance with advance care planning, palliative care and/or hospice referrals as needed
Pain Management
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Of all the side effects of cancer, pain is most feared by patients. Unfortunately, this fear is not without grounds. Approximately 60 percent to 90 percent of patients with advanced cancer report significant pain, and one-third state that it interferes with daily activity. The truth is that 90 percent of all cancer-related pain can be alleviated, eliminated or significantly reduced by available means.
How should you determine the quality of a cancer pain management program? Look at the stats. Eighty-five percent of patients who receive treatment at Roswell Park report “very” and “totally” successful outcomes in controlling or eliminating pain after three months. According to our pain management doctors, there have been no patient reports of RPCI interventions being either ''not successful'' or ''mildly successful,'' (see chart) and our patients have had substantially lower hospital stays than similar patients at other comprehensive cancer centers.
Nutrition
Good nutrition is especially important while you are receiving lung cancer care. During your treatment, adequate intake of calories, protein, vitamins and minerals will help you to be strong, maintain your weight, and promote the healing process. Before and after your treatment, a healthy diet based on moderation, variety and balance will help to promote a good immune system, give you energy, and enhance your overall health. Our Nutrition and Food Service team is dedicated to providing nourishing meals and nutrition care to promote quality of life throughout the spectrum of your cancer care experience.
Group seminars are available on a variety of topics including eating during cancer treatment, healthy eating and cancer-related fatigue.
Genetic Assessment, Testing and Counseling
The Clinical Genetics Service was established to meet the needs of individuals at high risk for hereditary cancer syndromes based on their personal and/or family histories of cancer. This program is comprised of professionals who provide individuals and their families with a comprehensive, personalized cancer risk evaluation — based on the most timely, accurate information available — in a caring, confidential setting. Call 1-877-ASK-RPCI
(1-877-275-7724) for more information.
Educating Patients for Best Outcomes
A diagnosis of lung cancer can be overwhelming, and the new cancer vocabulary is often difficult to understand. Thanks to a Quality-of-Life grant, patient education facilitators at Roswell Park have the tools they need to work with nurses and other clinical and support staff to equip patients with accessible, clear information about their disease and treatment. Recently, staff members have created a series of short, easy-to-understand videos that provide critical knowledge for patients and their caregivers.
The Stacey Scott Lung Cancer Registry
When Stacey Scott, a 38-year-old nonsmoker, died of lung cancer in 2005, her husband Bill wanted to help researchers find the answers they need to save the lives of others. His fundraising efforts helped establish the Stacey Scott Lung Cancer Registry at Roswell Park, the first of its kind in the world.
The Registry collects and stores biological samples, scans, and medical and lifestyle information from thousands of cancer survivors and others at high risk for lung cancer. Researchers track them for five years, aiming to learn why the disease progresses in some people, but not in others. The information collected by the Registry has the potential to reveal how lung cancer begins and how it can be detected earlier so treatment can be more effective. The way forward toward earlier diagnosis and longer survival from lung cancer is to combine clinical information from thousands of high-risk individuals and lung cancer survivors with biologic samples. Roswell Park has brought national and international leaders in clinical surveillance and research onto its team — each of whom share our commitment to making a global difference in lung cancer outcomes.
How to Read Your Pathology Report
Cancer treatments are becoming more and more targeted, so an accurate and comprehensive analysis by a pathologist is critical in determining the best approach. Learn how to read your pathology report.
Other Resources and Information
Community Cancer Resource Center and Cancer Call Center: The Community Cancer Resource Center (CCRC) and Cancer Call Center provides information and expertise to patients, their families and the public. Cancer information specialists are uniquely qualified to help locate, evaluate the overwhelming amount of online information — from searching the National Library of Medicine’s MEDLINE® database to finding information on clinical trials. Trained cancer information specialists use easy-to-understand terms to explain medical information and provide each visitor with a thorough and personalized experience. Free wigs are also available through the CCRC. For more information, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI or email askrpci@roswellpark.org.
Patient Navigators: Roswell Park’s Lung Cancer Program provides “navigators” to guide patients and their family members through and around healthcare barriers, and find the answers and assistance needed to chart a course to recovery. Patients, who will meet their navigators in the Thoracic Clinic, should feel free to ask them any questions.
The New York State Smokers’ Quitline: Based at Roswell Park and supported by the New York State Department of Health Tobacco Control Program, the NYS Smokers' Quitline has logged well over one million calls since its inception. Call 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487). Roswell Park was the first healthcare facility in Western New York to go entirely smoke-free.
High Risk Clinics: Individuals at high risk for certain cancers like lung, breast and ovarian may participate in the high risk program to receive state-of-the art screening and diagnostic services, early or preventative treatment and surveillance.
The Office of Cancer Health Disparities: The Office of Cancer Health Disparities proactively identifies and addresses disparities in vulnerable and medically underserved populations and patients. Its programs include efforts to increase cancer awareness, screening and treatment among medically underserved or uninsured populations like Latino or African American, Arab immigrants and Native Americans. For information, call 716-845-4557 or email Terry.Alford@roswellpark.org.
CancerConnect: To expand care beyond the hospital’s walls and hours of operation, Roswell Park has launched an online community for people affected by cancer. CancerConnect is intended as both a source of information for patients, family members and caregivers and a 24/7 extension of the support networks that are a crucial resource for those affected by cancer. Visit the CancerConnect website to register.
Data Bank and BioRepository: The Data Bank and BioRepository (DBBR) is a large database of information from patients and healthy individuals that may help us understand why some people get cancer and others do not. It may help shed light on the roles of lifestyle, genetics and environment in cancer; and explain why some patients do better with certain treatments. Participants must be over 18 and give a blood sample. Call 716-845-7774 to speak with a staff member and/or schedule an appointment. All information is confidential.
Roswell Park's Amherst Center: The Amherst Center (100 College Parkway in Amherst, New York) provides both chemotherapy infusion and specific types of clinical care, including care for lung cancer patients, in a beautiful and comfortable setting. With 20 chemotherapy chairs, eight examination rooms, and three nurses’ stations, the facility was designed specifically to reduce both wait times and travel time for residents living in the northeast suburbs of Buffalo.
Lung Cancer Alliance Telephone Support Group: The Lung Cancer Alliance Telephone Support Group is for patients and caregivers whose lives have been affected by lung cancer. Led by a licensed clinical social worker, the groups “meet” via phone for one hour a week over eight weeks. There is no cost to participate. Please call our Information Line at 1-800-298-2436 to learn more.
Social Media: Follow Roswell Park on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates on events, services and other relevant information.