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The mission of CancerCare’s Pet Assistance & Wellness (PAW) Program is to help people diagnosed with cancer stay together with their beloved pets. Cancer impacts many aspects of each person’s life, from physical health to mental health, employment, finances, relationships and the ability to care for and keep a pet. For many of our clients, especially those that live alone, a pet may be their primary, or only, source of support throughout their cancer experience. The many stressors of a diagnosis, however, can put that cherished relationship with their pet at risk.

Learn about the importance of providing newly diagnosed lung cancer patients and their loved ones with simple, clear patient-sensitive language about their diagnosis and treatment options.

CancerCare recently held a second lung cancer roundtable discussion titled, “The Role of Lung Advocacy Organizations in Biomarker Testing.”

Sarah’s presentation highlighted psychosocial challenges for young adults with metastatic cancer, in order to better inform clinical practice in the oncology community.

For nearly a decade, the most distinguished minds in cancer care have advocated for shared decision-making — patients partnering with their clinicians to make informed decisions that are consistent with their needs, values, and preferences. Although widely perceived as the gold standard for decision-making, in cancer care it seems to be the exception rather than the rule.

CancerCare oncology social worker, Maria Chi, discusses her research on how financial toxicity affects cancer patients’ mental health and quality of life, and what social workers can do to help them cope.

CancerCare launches a Patient Values Initiative and initial white paper to reinforce the need for cancer patients to be involved in treatment decisions and care plans.

This past October, CancerCare held a roundtable discussion titled “Improving the Quality of Life for Lung Cancer Patients” at its national headquarters in New York City. Celebrated lung cancer advocates and key opinion leaders in lung cancer treatment held a dialogue and gave presentations reviewing the significance of patient-reported outcomes related to patients with lung cancer.

A recent survey conducted by CancerCare of more than 1,300 breast, colon, lung and prostate cancer patients diagnosed within the past five years found that the vast majority had not heard the term “clinical pathway”. Even after it was defined, fewer than half claimed to be familiar with the term.

Clinical trials are a vital part of advancing cancer research and discovering new treatments. However, many people with cancer are uncertain if clinical trials are right for them. Read on to learn about how clinical trials work, what the risks and benefits are, and the rights that all people participating in clinical trials hold.