Support and resources for patients and family

This diagnosis and treatment of cancer can be overwhelming for patients and their loved ones. Because Seattle CyberKnife Center is part of the Swedish Cancer Institute, our patients have access to many specialized services and resources that support the healing process and complement their treatment plans.

The institute has both in-person and online education centers, numerous educational podcasts for additional online learning opportunities, and a patient education newsletter and a survivors' newsletter. Swedish makes CaringBridge available to patients so they can stay connected to friends and family members, and it has partnered with several community organizations that offer support services and emotional support. Genetic counseling, support groups for patients and families, psycho-oncology and cancer rehabilitation programs offer additional information and help in coping with cancer.

American Cancer Society's Cancer Resource Navigator
(206-386-2587)

A social worker is available to link CyberKnife patients with the cancer-related resources in the community, and to provide information on coping with illness and treatment and refer patients to support groups and classes. This free service helps patients find financial assistance, medication, home-health care and transportation resources.

Learn more about American Cancer Society's Cancer Resource Navigator

Cancer Education Center (206-386-3200)

This unique resource center provides patient education materials to the public, free of charge. The center offers a variety of brochures, books, videos and audiotapes about cancer, along with a computer database that can be used to search for specific cancer types or clinical trials. The center is located on Level A-West of the Arnold Pavilion at 1221 Madison St. building. It is open Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Learn more about Cancer Education Center

Cancer Education Center/Online

Swedish has partnered with Cancer Consultants, Inc., to set up an online Cancer Education Center that offers several services, including: the latest treatment news, a cancer and drug dictionary, information on numerous cancer types and links to current research studies. To access this free service, go to www.swedish.org/cancer.

CaringBridge - Connecting Family and Friends

Swedish offers patients CaringBridge - a service that provides free, private, personalized Web sites. CaringBridge makes it easy for you or a family member to keep others informed without having to make calls. Create your Web site in three simple steps and fewer than two minutes you (or one of your family members/friends) can set up a CaringBridge Web page and start updating your loved ones immediately.

 Learn more about how to create your Web site

Cancer Rehabilitation (206-215-6333)

The main goal of cancer rehabilitation is to teach basic exercise skills to help patients maintain energy and strength. Cancer rehabilitation may include physical and occupational therapy, as well as supervised and personalized fitness programs. Cancer rehabilitation helps patients return to their highest levels of functioning.

 Learn more about Cancer Rehabilitation

The Hereditary Cancer Clinic (206-386-3200)

This clinic offers genetic testing and counseling to patients and families at risk for hereditary cancers, such as breast, ovarian and colon cancers. A genetic counselor will review a patient's medical and family histories to determine which blood tests are appropriate. Test results are available in about four weeks.

Learn more about the Hereditary Cancer Clinic

Patient Education Newsletter

Patient Education Newsletter is a newsletter produced by the Swedish Cancer Institute. It provides updated information, resources, services, classes, events and community resources.

 Read Patient Education Update Newsletters

Plugged In to Your Health: Cancer Podcasts

Searching the Web for reliable, trustworthy information can be confusing. Numerous Web sites provide news stories, information about new treatments and therapies, and access to multiple organizations that specialize in cancer education and research. Swedish offers online podcasts to make this process a whole lot easier.

 Learn more about / Listen to Cancer Podcasts

Psycho-Oncology (206-540-0477)

Cancer can lead to countless difficulties for patients' social, emotional and physical functioning. Psycho-oncology focuses on helping patients and their families maintain the emotional well-being needed to cope with the stress of a cancer diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. The Psycho-Oncology Program offers:

• Emotional support around distress, anxiety and depression
• Assessment and care coordination in the areas of insurance, financial and legal concerns; assistance with practical concerns such as housing, employment, child care and transportation; and help with long-term care planning, ranging from home care to respite care to hospice care
• Support groups for patients and caregivers that focus on a variety of topics, including breast cancer, gynecological cancers and advanced cancers

Learn more about Psycho-Oncology Program

Survivorship Newsletter

"Life to the Fullest" is an e-newsletter produced by the Swedish Cancer Institute. It looks at all aspects of survivorship and is for all cancer survivors, regardless of where they received treatment. It will help you address the issues, ask the questions and find the solutions that will allow you to embrace life as a cancer survivor. To sign up for a complimentary e-mail subscription, please send us your name and e-mail address at:full.life@swedish.org.

 Read Life to Fullest Survivorship Newsletters

Community Partnerships

Swedish has partnered with several organizations in order to offer an array of support services, classes and emotional support for cancer patients and their families, including:

• Gilda's Club offers support and networking groups, lectures, workshops and social events. Call 206-709-1400 or go to www.gildasclubseattle.org.
• Cancer Lifeline features a 24-hour telephone counseling service to provide emotional support, information and community referrals. Classes are also offered. Call 1-800-255-5505 or go to www.cancerlifeline.org.
• American Cancer Society is a national organization with local offices that feature various patient services. Among the various programs offered in this region are a wig bank and Look Good…Feel Better (a program to help cope with appearance-related side effects of cancer). Call 1-800-ACS-2345 or go to www.cancer.org.

Learn more about Community Partnership