Patient Resources

Cancer is a condition triggered by mutations (changes) in the genes of a cell that result in uncontrolled, abnormal cell growth. Some families have gene mutations that are passed down from one generation to the next.

Genetic testing may help you determine if your cancer was due to an inherited gene mutation and if you are at an increased risk of developing a second cancer. Read more about our Genetic Counseling & Screening Program.

Hospice & Palliative Care Program helps bring comfort and support to patients and their loved ones who are coping with the advanced stage of cancer. The program is designed to empower the patient to make decisions about their cancer care and to live as comfortably and fully as possible. With a positive focus on the natural cycle of life, hospice care aims to relieve the body's pain and soothe the heart and soul.

Accommodations are coordinated by the social workers to help arrange short term accommodations for patients and family members who travel long distances for treatment.

Laboratory Services are on site and available 24 hours a day for the convenience of our patients. Our onsite lab means that cancer screening, tests and results are more streamlined.

Nursing Services are available 24 hours/day. Each patient is assigned a team of nurses to care for them throughout their cancer treatment. This approach helps to foster relationships that build and promote continuity of care.

In order to provide exceptional care to our patients, our staff of dedicated Registered Nurses has completed National Chemo & Biotherapy courses to achieve certification through the national Oncology Nursing Society (i.e., Oncology Certified Nurse). The educational background and cancer care experience enable our nurses to provide high quality patient education.

Nutritional support during cancer care helps patients maintain their physical and emotional strength. The registered dietitians screen patients for nutritional risk and provide counseling on how to cope with side effects of cancer treatments. The dietitians may also provide counseling regarding nutritional supplements, which may help optimize patients' nutritional well-being.

Cancer Pain Management at the Good Samaritan Cancer Institute is dedicated to help cancer patients manage all aspects of cancer pain.

In coordination with the referring physician, a team of physicians, pharmacists, nurses, psychologists and social workers develop an individualized pain and cancer symptom treatment plan for patients with a focus on quality of life.

When necessary, patients may be referred to a neurologist, neurosurgeon, and/or to a physical therapist. The goal of the Cancer Pain Management Service is to relieve pain, and any other associated physical or psychological symptoms the individual may be experiencing. Specific pain treatments may include medications, relaxation and stress management services to help relieve symptoms.

We know that cancer treatment is an ongoing process, so Good Samaritan Cancer Institute offers a multitude of online and in-person resources for patients. Cancer newsletters, pamphlets and community support groups are available to make it easier for patients to access information or help.

To make your cancer treatments easier, we have a full-time pharmacy located at our facility. The pharmacists are residency trained and receive specialized training in oncology pharmacy practice. They work closely with our physicians to help achieve optimum care of our patients, provide patient education, assistance in pain management and information on complementary medicine.

Attending to the emotional needs of our patients and their families is an important service of our comprehensive approach to cancer care. The Oncology Supportive Care Services team includes social workers and a registered dietitian. They offer individual and family counseling as it relates to cancer, support groups, workshops and referral to pain management services and complementary therapies. These include biofeedback, Yoga, Thai Chi and massage therapy.

For more information on frequently asked questions about cancer survivorship for patients and caregivers, please visit https://www.nccn.org/patientresources/patient-resources/support-for-patients-caregivers/advocacy-and-support-groups.

The dedicated corps of volunteers at Good Samaritan Cancer Institute provides patients with an extra measure of warmth and kindness. Many have been touched personally by cancer in some way, whether in their own family or through friends. They support staff by helping escort patients to treatment, assist at the Patient Resource Center and help greet guests at our community education and outreach events.