By your side from cancer diagnosis to recovery
Cancer affects many areas of your life—from your physical health and emotional and spiritual well-being to your work and family life. You need support in all these areas at every phase of your journey, so you can focus on your treatment and recovery.
At Baylor Scott & White, a team of nurse navigators works with you to ensure you have access to the services and resources you need to address every aspect of your care.
Nutrition
Your nutrition needs change throughout cancer treatment, but a healthy diet enables you to get the nutrients you need to feel energized and strong.
A dedicated oncology dietitian understands how certain cancers impact your ability to eat and how treatment side effects can make eating more difficult or certain foods less appealing. You can work with your dietitian to develop an eating plan that helps you maintain adequate nutrition. Your dietitian can also give you tips for preparing food at home to make healthy eating as easy as possible.
Physical activity
Exercise can help you combat fatigue and low energy levels that may develop as you go through treatment, and many forms of movement are safe before, during and after treatment.
Your cancer care team can help you develop an exercise routine based on your diagnosis and physical needs or capabilities, or they can connect you with a fitness specialist who works with people who have cancer.
Mental and emotional health
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is stressful. You and your loved ones will experience a range of emotions throughout your journey as you go through treatments, deal with side effects and plan for life after your diagnosis.
Learning healthy coping strategies helps you process and manage your emotions. Your care team can connect you with a counselor or mental health professional who can help you address your mental and emotional health.
Self-image and sexuality
Cancer can change how you feel about your physical appearance and may make intimacy uncomfortable or unpleasant. These feelings are completely normal. Talking to your partner and explaining your feelings will help you feel more comfortable and may even strengthen your relationship.
Also, talk to your nurse navigator about treatments that can help with side effects that make sex painful, such as vaginal dryness or erection problems. You may also find it helpful to discuss your feelings with a mental health professional, counselor or your doctor.
Cancer support groups
No matter how supportive your friends and family are, they may not be able to relate to what you’re going through. Talking to people in similar circumstances can help you manage the uncertainties of a diagnosis and what comes next.
Joining a support group helps you cope with the emotional aspects of cancer. These groups offer a safe space to share thoughts and feelings you may not want to share with your loved ones. You can also learn valuable, practical advice about what to expect during and after treatment, managing side effects, and how to communicate with your family and care team.
