Bringing together medical, emotional and integrative support in one place.
Support That Makes a Difference
At UVM Cancer Treatment Center, we strive to bring you exceptional cancer care and a good quality of life. In addition to leading-edge cancer treatments, we provide a broad range of supportive care and integrative health services.
Services are available to help you feel better through all stages of treatment. Some therapies prevent and treat complications or lingering cancer symptoms. Other services, like one-on-one counseling and support groups, help you reclaim peace of mind.
Below are the many ways we support your physical, emotional and practical needs throughout your cancer journey.
Supportive Care Services
Our mental health specialists deliver effective, compassionate care to people in need of counseling. We help children, teens, adults and families discover well-being and enjoy an improved quality of life.
UVM Cancer Treatment Center partners with the American Cancer Society to offer free accommodations for patients and their families who are coming to us for treatment. Hope Lodge is for patients age 18+ and families who live more than 40 miles outside of the Burlington area. Located next door to University of Vermont Medical Center, this home-away-from-home provides a supportive, healing environment. You’ll find amenities such as private guest rooms and bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and free laundry facilities.
Health coaches work with adult patients to identify health goals and create a plan for adopting healthy habits. We connect patients with trusted resources, educate and empower individuals to make behavior change, and serve as accountability partners. Health coaching is rooted in a holistic approach to health.
Integrative therapies like yoga, acupuncture and massage may be available to pediatric and adult patients to give you additional options for relief from lingering symptoms and side effects. Some of these therapies may be offered through the Osher Center for Integrative Health.
The Comprehensive Pain Program is based on an integrative medicine model that combines a variety of therapies in group and individual settings. Experts in specialized treatments come together to help you optimize your health and function. We care for people who have had chronic pain for three or more months. Many of our patients have conditions affecting the bones, joints and muscles, including pain from chemotherapy.
Some cancers can make eating difficult. Others affect your appetite or ability to digest food. Our registered dietitians help you navigate nutrition challenges. We provide personalized recommendations to help you get the nutrients your body needs to support healing.
Culinary Medicine is a helpful resource for our patients seeking nutrition guidance, healthy recipes, educational workshops, videos and more.
Palliative care relieves symptoms of cancer or cancer treatment for anyone with a cancer diagnosis. Our adult palliative care specialists design treatments that align with your care preferences, values and treatment goals. They also help you get relief from lingering discomfort with pain management services.
When therapies are no longer curative, we coordinate hospice (end-of-life) care that prioritizes comfort and quality of life.
Social workers specialized in meeting the unique needs of our cancer patients are available to help at any time. Whether you have concerns about daily life or need emotional support, we provide guidance throughout your cancer care journey. We also help solve practical challenges, like finding local, low-cost lodging for people coming to us from far away.
Get help finding the latest evidence-based health information. Staff members can help find information on treatment options, medications, surgical procedures, local resources, wellness and nutrition, and more.
Call 802-847-8821 or email ResourceCenter@UVMhealth.org.
Support groups help our adult cancer patients, survivors and caregivers learn more about cancer topics and connect with other patients to share successes, challenges and helpful tips.
Rehabilitation Services
Steps to Wellness is a medically-informed-rehabilitation and group-exercise program that serves the unique needs of patients with cancer. This strength and endurance training program is available at no cost.
Cancer and treatment can impact your ability to go about your daily life. Cancer rehabilitation includes specialized therapies that help you remain as independent as possible, both during and after treatment. You receive services from highly skilled professionals in areas such as:
- Physical therapy: Involves exercises to stretch or strengthen muscles that enable you to perform basic tasks. Therapists can help you feel steadier on your feet or prevent muscle tightening that can affect your range of motion.
- Occupational therapy: Includes techniques for completing daily activities so you can maintain as much independence as possible. This may involve special devices to help you put on your shoes, feed yourself or get out of bed.
- Speech and swallow therapy: For people with cancers affecting the mouth, neck and esophagus. We help you improve your ability to communicate and swallow safely.
Lymphedema is a buildup of fluid in arms or legs that can occur when cancer treatment disturbs lymph vessels. This condition may cause swelling and discomfort that can be difficult to treat. Our team includes physical therapists with special training in lymphedema therapy who can help you get relief.
Supportive Care for Cancer
In addition to leading-edge cancer treatments, we provide a broad range of supportive care services, such as nutrition counseling, therapies, exercise rehabilitation and support groups.
