In a recent study, researchers discovered a steady increase in stage 4 cervical cancer cases in the United States from 2001 to 2018, even though the disease has declined over the past 20 years. Understanding this surprising trend can help ensure you take the appropriate steps to protect yourself from this often fatal disease.
Being diagnosed with cancer and going through treatment can be a difficult time in anyone’s life. The good news is that patients and their families don’t have to struggle alone.
Support for Cancer Patients from Inspira Health
Inspira offers our patients comprehensive support services including patient navigation, social work, support groups, educational events and survivorship care. We offer personalized care according to your specific needs.
Cancer Grant Programs
Cancer screening saves lives through early detection. Inspira Health offers a variety of cancer resources that are available to eligible Cumberland, Salem and Gloucester County residents through grant funded programs. These programs increase the likelihood of finding cancer early, when it’s most treatable.
NJ Cancer Education and Early Detection program (NJCEED) offers free screening programs for prostate, breast, cervical, colon and rectal cancers to help reduce your cancer risk and promote early cancer detection. To find out more about NJCEED and your eligibility for screenings, click here.
ScreenNJ offers free low-dose lung CT scans to help find lung cancer early, increasing the likelihood of successful treatment.
Region 10 Cancer and Chronic Disease Coalition (CCDC) is dedicated to improving the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer and chronic diseases in Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem Counties by way of:
- Promoting the health and wellness of cancer survivors and their families
- Reducing the use of tobacco products
- Increasing colorectal cancer screenings
For more information about the Region 10 CCDC and to view upcoming events, visit region10ccdc.org.
Smoking and Tobacco Quit Center provides a free comprehensive program to help patients quit smoking, using smokeless tobacco products and vaping. The program offers provider-assisted services, which may double or even triple the chance of successfully quitting. To find out more, click here.
Patient Navigation and Social Work Services
Inspira’s certified oncology patient navigators and social workers advocate for patients and families as they navigate the challenges that often accompany a cancer diagnosis, including psychosocial, emotional, financial and other barriers to care. They connect patients and caregivers to community resources, counseling, education and more.
Our care team is available by phone, via email and in person to help patients and caregivers:
- Access information to help understand diagnosis and treatments
- Navigate the health care system
- Coordinate care and appointments
- Arrange transportation for eligible patients
- Apply for grants and financial assistance for eligible patients
- Cope with the many emotions that come with a cancer diagnosis
- Answer financial questions and concerns
- Connect with home care, palliative care and hospice
- Complete advance care planning, advance directives and living wills
- Obtain medical equipment such as a cane or walker
Support Groups and Services
At Inspira, we strive to help patients manage any issues that may prevent them from fully recovering from or finishing their cancer treatment therapy—from physical pain to the emotional stress of the treatment process.
Support groups and behavioral health services are available to help patients and caregivers cope with the many emotional aspects of cancer by providing a safe place to share their feelings and challenges. They also allow people to learn from others facing similar situations. Studies have shown that support groups help people with cancer feel less anxious and more hopeful.
If you answer “Yes” to any of the questions below, you may benefit from individual or group support services:
- Are you having difficulty coping with your recent diagnosis?
- Do you find it difficult to get motivated or get out of bed?
- Do you have less energy?
- Are you irritable and/or easily frustrated?
- Do you feel like you are a burden to your family or friends?
- Have you had to stop working or doing the things you enjoyed?
- Are you having financial difficulties?
- Do you feel like no one understands you?
- Does your world feel like it has been tipped upside down?
- Are you having problems sleeping?
Support Groups led by the Cancer Support Community at Gilda's Club
Inspira Health's ongoing support is provided in partnership with the Cancer Support Community, a national organization that empowers cancer patients and survivors along with their families. The mission of the Cancer Support Community South Jersey is to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by community. Before attending your first support group, a Cancer Support Community representative will talk with you about what to expect and share more about available resources.
At every meeting, a social worker from the Cancer Support Community leads an open discussion and answers questions related to the stress and side effects of treatment. Each support group encourages participants to share experiences with having a cancer diagnosis or being a friend or family member of someone living with cancer.
Survivorship Care
Our comprehensive survivorship program helps patients find their “new normal” after treatment by providing support and education about the importance of follow-up care. Inspira provides patients with an individualized summary of the care they received, as well as a personalized follow-up plan that may include screening schedules, cardiology appointments and wellness resources.
Our survivorship program is coordinated by a multidisciplinary team including physicians, advanced practice nurses, certified oncology nurses and specially trained oncology staff members who serve as points of contact for each patient after their active treatment ends.
