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Cancer Support Center

Cancer support center, cancer support, cancer support community

The Cancer Institute provides many support services that play a vital role in our ability to care for you during treatment. While normal radiation, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapies physically fight your disease, we add evidence-based complementary therapies that help heal your body, mind, and spirit.

We offer programs that can assist you with an inward focus and healing. These include mindfulness-based stress reduction, restorative yoga, massage therapy, creative expressive activities, guided imagery, and patient and family counseling.

Listening and sharing with others who also face the challenges related to cancer can improve your sense of well-being. Our support groups offer useful information as well as a supportive atmosphere.

Cancer Support Programs

Saint Alphonsus has a variety of supportive cancer programs for our patients. Click on a link to learn more:

  • The American Cancer Society
  • Artists in Residence: The Cancer Care Center has rotating Artists in Residence providing hours of art creation for patients and their loved ones. Many patients find making art a positive distraction from the difficulty of dealing with cancer treatment. Our program is made available by a generous grant from the LIVESTRONG® Foundation.
  • Cancer Care and You
  • The Cancer Connection of Idaho
  • Chaplaincy Our chaplains' approach is non-denominational, listening to and honoring the beliefs of each individual while offering prayer and spiritual guidance.
  • Chemotherapy Overview Class
  • CLIMB Children's Lives Include Moments of Bravery. or CLIMB, is a support program for children and teens ages 6-18 who have a parent, grandparent or guardian with cancer.
  • Coping Connections
  • Downtown Boise YMCA Cancer Survivorship Programs
  • Exercise Class
  • Genetic Counseling: Our genetic counselor provides education and risk assessment for people who, based upon personal and family history, are at high risk for developing cancer.
  • Healing Touch: Healing Touch is a healing energy therapy that can help reduce the pain, fatigue, stress, and anxiety a cancer diagnosis may bring.
  • Faith-based Nursing: Volunteer nurses provide care to the community. Call 208-367-6494 for more information.
  • Financial Counseling
  • Integrative Care: The Cancer Care Center provides multiple support services that have an integral role in our ability to care for you during treatment.
  • Nutritional Counseling
  • Pain Management: The Saint Alphonsus Pain Management team is also available to work with us in giving you the best pain management strategy possible.
  • Patient Navigators
  • Radiation Therapy Education
  • Spiritual Counseling
  • Supportive Counseling
  • YMCA LIVESTRONG® Cancer Survivorship Program

Supporting a Loved One

For more information on these services, call the Saint Alphonsus Cancer Care Center at 208-367-CARE.

Is a Cancer Support Group For You?

After a cancer diagnosis, it is common to feel isolated and anxious. You may think that no one understands what you are experiencing, emotionally or physically. You may not know how to talk to family members and friends about your disease or your feelings. You may have questions about how to deal with the side effects of your treatment. You may be frustrated that you cannot do everything you used to do before your diagnosis and wonder if life will ever go back to normal.

You are going through a unique experience. Finding a support group may be a helpful step toward easing feelings of loneliness and isolation. A support group may help you find a resource for practical coping skills to improve your quality of life during treatment and into survivorship.

Many studies have shown that support groups help people with cancer cope with anxiety and depression. Support groups can also help people feel more hopeful and manage their emotions better. It is important to find a support group that is a good fit for you.

During COVID-19, online support groups are also available to you.

Talk to your oncologist or nurse navigator for options that fit your needs.

Additional Resources

Saint Alphonsus frequently publishes articles that offer advice and methods about improving your health and overall well-being. Many articles are about cancer. The web page, titled "Keys to Well-being: Eating Healthier Getting Regular Screenings Knowing Your Numbers" is found here.