Cancer Support & Wellness

We provide a full range of services, from practical and spiritual guidance to wellness programs and support groups. We host monthly breast and prostate cancer support groups along with a cancer, palliative and caregiver support group led by our pastoral care department. We are also proud to host on-site meetings and dedicated staff from Cancer Support Community New Jersey at Gilda’s Club.

For more information, call 1-609-677-5763.

Support for Every Step

Throughout your journey, you’ll find a variety of cancer support services to help promote a healing environment, such as:

• Nurse navigators: AtlantiCare nurse navigation collaborates and coordinates care through a multidisciplinary team approach from screening, diagnosis, treatment  and survivorship. Nurse navigation assists patients and caregivers in overcoming barriers as well as providing education on resources available.
• Social work services: AtlantiCare’s oncology social workers strive to ensure each patient's emotional and social needs are met. The social workers support patients and families by assisting with any barriers to care and ensuring their overall well-being. Social work support includes supportive counseling, education, coordination of care, referrals to services, community resources and more.
• Cancer's impact on intimacy: AtlantiCare Cancer Care Institute has a board certified sex therapist on staff who understands and can address the effects cancer has on sex, relationships, fertility  and body image.
• Financial services: Our financial counselors will help you identify resources for infused and oral chemotherapies through the Patient Assistance Programs (PAP), as well as determining Charity Care, Medicaid and Marketplace eligibility for referrals and completion of applications. Counselors also provide education on deductibles, out of pocket expenses and other insurance inquiries.
• Cancer Support Community New Jersey at Gilda’s Club: AtlantiCare offers integrated psychosocial support programs on-site, including support groups, education  and healthy lifestyle workshops that promote health and wellness. Learn more.
• Nutritional services to help ensure you’re getting the right dietary needs.
• Palliative care to provide maximum comfort to patients and their families.
• Pastoral care for spiritual support, no matter your faith or denomination.
• Wellness services, including our free smoking cessation program.
• Specialized lymphedema therapy for those with abnormal swelling.
• Referral to rehab services.

Resources for Cancer Patients & Families

The beginning of your cancer treatment may seem full of uncertainties. But at AtlantiCare, we’re here to keep you informed, prepared and empowered, right from the start.

Our Cancer Care Institute offers monthly, one-hour classes to newly diagnosed cancer patients, their families and caregivers. Oncology-certified nurses and social workers will walk you through what to expect throughout treatment, including how to manage possible side effects and the emotional aspects of the journey. Classes include monthly Preparing for Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy sessions and Breast Cancer Support Groups where you’ll have the chance to ask questions, address concerns and connect with others on the same path toward healing.

For more information, and to register, please call 1-888-569-1000 or explore our calendar of events.

Medical therapy is a treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, often in conjunction with surgery and/or radiation therapy.

The Department of Medical Hematology/Oncology and Infusion Services at AtlantiCare offers the latest medications, which maximize the effectiveness of treatment while minimizing unpleasant side effects. Our board-certified medical oncologists, nurse practitioners and specialty-certified nurses will work closely with you and your cancer care team to carefully plan and monitor each treatment.

For more information about our medical therapy services, or to schedule a consultation, call 1-609-677-7777.

Full Range of Cancer-Fighting Treatments

As part of your personalized care plan, your hematologist/medical oncologist will help choose the optimal treatment or combination therapies for your specific cancer. These include:

• Chemotherapy: Drugs that target cells that grow and divide quickly, such as cancer cells. It works throughout your body so it can also affect some other fast-growing healthy cells as well, such as those of the hair and skin, which may cause some side effects.
• Immunotherapy: Utilizes the body’s natural immune system to kill cancer cells. These drugs help normal immune cells to recognize cancer cells and destroy them.
• Targeted therapy: Helps stop cancer from growing and spreading by targeting specific genes or proteins found in cancer cells or blood vessel cells.
• Hormone therapy: Slows or stops cancer cells that use hormones to grow.

Hematologic Treatments:

For patients with hematologic conditions, our hematologists/oncologists provide the same level of care and attention in conjunction with the following services:

• Iron infusion therapy
• Blood and blood product transfusion
• Therapeutic phlebotomy

You and the care team will carefully plan and monitor each treatment to maximize success. We will be right by your side through every phase of treatment.