Transcript

The transcript has been lightly edited for grammatical purposes.

What resources should patients ask about?

I think cancer centers have many resources that patients should consider asking about. Navigating cancer care can be difficult, and many cancer centers have a nurse navigator who can help identify ways to connect with other types of providers, or even ways to connect with clinical trials, which can be a very important part of care.

Many cancer centers also have social workers and case managers who can help with day-to-day access issues, like transportation, cost, housing, or food. These can all be real challenges.

They often have dietitians too, and we know diet is very important, not just to maintain energy and make sure we’re getting the right amount of calories or the right balance of protein, for example, but also to avoid certain foods or supplements that might interact with cancer medicines. Because of those important drug interactions, we really see diet as part of the overall care plan. Some centers will also have exercise therapy or rehabilitation therapy, which can be really important for quality of life and function. Others may offer art therapy.

There’s also psycho-oncology, or access to a psychologist or psychiatrist. A cancer diagnosis is a significant life change, and the more support we can give, the more it helps patients cope. It’s important for patients to know they’re not alone. Support networks and support groups play a big role in overall health and well-being.

Many cancer centers are well-equipped to provide these services. Maybe we don’t always do the best job describing what those resources are or how to access them, but very often they are available if patients ask.

View the full video where Dr. Liu discusses the role of exercise, social support, and nutrition in cancer care.