A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. In addition to treatment options and scheduling appointments, many patients have additional challenges or stressors that come with their diagnosis.
To help handle those challenges, Karmanos Cancer Institute provides its patients with access to oncology social workers who provide them with tools and resources to navigate their cancer journey.
“We really help look at the whole person. It’s the nature of health care for everyone to be focused on helping the patient get better and help with their medical needs,” said Heather Spotts, LMSW, OSW-C, a licensed oncology social worker based at Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Greater Lansing. “We are here to support them in all aspects of life, and let them know that we understand that all those areas are impacted by cancer too.”
In addition to Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Greater Lansing, Karmanos locations in Clarkston, Detroit, Farmington Hills, Lapeer, Mount Clemens, Petoskey and Port Huron have oncology social workers on staff. Other Karmanos sites that may not have dedicated oncology social workers can still provide general social work services to cancer patients.
Most of the assistance oncology social workers provide falls into two categories — emotional support and community resource support. It can be difficult for patients and their families to cope with the new diagnosis and treatment.
“We are able to help people with things like depression, anxiety and sleep issues — any of those emotional issues that patients also cope with while going through a cancer diagnosis,” Spotts said.
Oncology social workers also provide logistical and community resource support, assisting patients who may need transportation to treatments, financial resources, information on talking to children about a cancer diagnosis and managing work, as well as applying for programs such as Social Security Disability and Medicaid.
“We help identify potential challenges and barriers to treatment,” said Michele Loree, LMSW, OSW-C, a fellow licensed oncology social worker at Karmanos at McLaren Greater Lansing. “We draw on a person’s strengths, support system, and community resources to assist them in overcoming those barriers.”
The relationship between oncology social workers and patients does not end when treatment ends. Loree and Spotts, and other Karmanos oncology social workers, also assist survivors on coping with and navigating challenges associated with life after cancer.
“After a person goes through their whole treatment and they start to reintegrate into their life, we help them with what to expect and give them tools to help them improve their well-being during survivorship,” Spotts said.
To learn more about Karmanos Cancer Institute’s oncology support resources, please call 1-800-KARMANOS (1-800-527-6266).