Living with
pancreatic cancer or getting back to normal life after treatment can be
challenging. As cancer specialists, we want to make sure we address each patient’s
unique needs at every point in the cancer journey.
At UT Southwestern
Medical Center, we offer two different ways to receive support: through our
partnership with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), a nationwide
organization whose mission is to advance pancreatic cancer research
and provide hope to patients and their families, and through our own supportive
services program on campus.
Our partnership with PanCAN
has led to the development of resource-rich patient and caregiver sessions led by
UTSW social worker Catherine Creuder, UTSW dietitian Kelley Wissinger, and a
Dallas/Fort Worth PanCAN affiliate volunteer.
Patients and their
loved ones might receive written materials from PanCAN, targeted resources that
specifically pertain to each patient's unique cancer journey, and opportunities
to connect with other patients and their families.
These powerful
sessions have been well received by our patients, and we strongly encourage our
patients to participate in one or learn more about them.
Supportive Services
UT Southwestern also
has a specially trained supportive services staff available to meet with patients
and their families during and after care, as well as a range of therapies and
activities to help patients through treatment for pancreatic cancer and beyond.
Our supportive services include:
- Cancer psychology: Meet with a licensed clinical
psychologist who is specially trained to help patients with cancer.
- EMBRACE Survivorship: EMBRACE is a half-day survivorship symposium designed to assist patients and their families with physical, emotional, and practical issues that can arise during the cancer journey.
- Integrative therapies: Activities such as art therapy and
expressive writing are designed to improve well-being and quality of life
during and after cancer treatment.
- Oncology nutrition: Our dietitians help patients make
informed food choices that are best for their health at various stages of
cancer treatment and beyond.
- Oncology rehabilitation: Cancer rehabilitation specialists help patients
maintain or return to functional independence.
- Oncology social work: Social workers trained to work with
patients who have cancer are available to assist with any of the challenges they
face during or after treatment.
- Spiritual support: Our chaplains provide interfaith support
for patients, caregivers, and families.
- Support groups and classes: Meeting with others in similar
situations can be helpful and cathartic.
- Transitional care coordination: Get help transitioning between care
settings, such as from the hospital to home.
- Treatment
side-effect management: We can
refer our patients to UT Southwestern palliative care and pain management
experts when needed.
