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Patient and Family Support Services
Providing the right support for cancer patients and their families starts with treating them like part of our own family. That's the commitment of the Patient and Family Support Services (PFSS) Program at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center.
Cancer affects not only the organs of the body, but the whole person and the whole family. That's why the PFSS Program is fully integrated into each patient's multidisciplinary treatment plan. A patient's support team includes not only the finest doctors and nurses, but cancer specialists in psychology, social work, art therapy, nutrition, finance and many other areas.
From helping new patients find their way to clinic appointments, to managing the physical side effects of chemotherapy, to assisting families in locating affordable lodging during extended stays, the goal of the PFSS Program is to reduce the burden of cancer for patients and families and develop strategies to address them.
Our Patient and Family Support Services Program is one of the most comprehensive of its kind in the nation. We currently offer more than 30 different services, including:
- PsychOncology
providing professional education, support and counseling assistance to help patients cope with the many negative social and psychological effects unique to cancer
- Complementary and Creative Therapies
using music, art, journaling, meditation and other practices to enhance treatment
- Symptom Management and Supportive Care
offering nutrition services; help with pain, fatigue, nausea and wound management; rehabilitative therapies and more
- Support and Educational Programs
including Families Facing Cancer, which helps children understand and cope with their adult loved one's cancer
- Spiritual Counseling
using the tools of faith, religion and spirituality to help patients and families find strength and maintain hope
- Grief and Loss Program
offering support and information for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one to cancer
Visit the Patient and Family Services web pages to learn more.
Updated 03.2018