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Your Health Care Team: Your Doctor Is Only the Beginning 

Coping with cancer is not an easy thing. The physical effects of illness and treatment can 

be quite severe, and the emotional and psychological impact of having cancer can be equally 

challenging. However, the good news is that there are many kinds of help available to you 

through the different members of your health care team. 

 Below is a description of the health care professionals who are usually accessible to 

someone who has cancer. Each of these people can play a vital role in helping you obtain the 

best treatment possible and maintain the highest quality of life throughout your diagnosis and 

treatment. 

First Things First: Your Own Role

 It may seem obvious, but it is very important to remember that you are the most 

important person on your health care team. As with any type of health care you receive, you are 

a consumer of services, and you should not be afraid to ask questions about what you are getting 

and who is providing it. You might consider these tips.

• When you are going to meet with someone (a doctor, nurse, or specialist), bring someone 

 else with you. It helps to have another person hear what is said and think of questions to ask. 

• Write out your questions beforehand to make sure you don’t forget to discuss anything. 

• Write down the answers you get, and make sure you understand what you are hearing. 
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• Do not be afraid to ask your questions or ask where you can find more information about 

 what you are discussing. Being well-informed is your most important task on the health 

 care team. 

Social Workers: Lots of Help from One Place 

 Social workers are professionally trained in counseling and practical assistance. They 

provide the broadest range of help to people with cancer, and are a good place to start if you have 

recently been diagnosed with cancer and unsure of what to do next. Oncology social workers 

specialize in cancer; most hospitals that treat cancer patients have certified oncology social 

workers on staff. Clinical or psychiatric social workers have an advanced degree or 

Ph.D. in social work and are trained to provide family therapy, marital counseling, or counseling 

focused on coping with chronic illness. A hospital social worker can also refer you to a clinical 

social worker in private practice in the community. 

 The hospital social worker can also provide counseling, find a support group for you, 

locate services in your community that can help you with home care or transportation, and guide 

you through the process of applying to the government for Social Service Disability or other 

forms of assistance. They can also help you understand your diagnosis and talk to you about 

treatment, side effects, and what to expect. If you need help finding a social worker in your area, 

start by contacting your local hospital. 

Psychiatrists: If You Need Medication or Feel Depressed

 A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in providing psychotherapy, or general 

psychological help. A psychiatrist specializes in helping people who are depressed, anxious, or 

otherwise unable to cope psychologically. Because they are medical doctors, psychiatrists can 
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also prescribe medication, such as antidepressants or medication to help you sleep. To find a 

psychiatrist, you can ask your doctor for a referral, ask if your hospital has a psychiatric 

department, call your Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or other managed care plan, or 

ask a social worker to help. 

Psychologists: Providing Therapy and Counseling

 A psychologist is also someone who can assist you if you are feeling depressed, anxious, 

or sad. While not medical doctors, psychologists have obtained a doctoral degree in psychology 

and counseling; many specialize in marital counseling or chronic illness. Some cancer centers 

have psychologists on staff, but if you are looking for one, ask your doctor, your HMO, your 

hospital, or a social worker for a referral. 

Nurses: A Very Important Role in Care

 Nurses are an extremely important part of your health care team. Nurses have a wide 

range of skills, and are usually in charge of actually implementing the plan of care your doctor 

has set up for you. They are trained to administer medication and monitor side effects. All 

major medical centers have nurses who specialize in cancer. Whether you are staying in the 

hospital for care or receive it on an outpatient basis (which means you go home after each 

treatment), you will benefit from seeking assistance, asking questions, or getting tips and advice 

from your nurse or nurse-practitioner. Nurses are often aware of support services in your 

community and can usually provide you with educational materials and pamphlets. 
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 You may also arrange or request a registered nurse to visit you at home if needed. If the 

visit is approved by your doctor, it will usually be covered by insurance. Another option is to 

hire a private duty nurse who does not work for your hospital or health care service. This 

can be expensive and often is not covered by insurance, but can ease the burden of care on your 

family or loved ones. 

Home Health Aides: Care at Home

 Another form of home care is from a home health aide. Home health aides assist people 

who are ill and need help moving around, bathing, cooking, or doing household chores. Some 

state Medicaid programs will pay for home health aide care, provided they are supervised by a 

nurse. However, private insurance or managed care plans rarely pay for a home health aide 

unless there is also a need for skilled nursing care. To find home health aide care, ask your 

physician, nurse, or social worker, and remember to ask if the charges vary based on income. 

Also, the National Association of Home Care (202–547–7424) publishes a free booklet How to 

Select a Home Care Agency. The telephone yellow pages are another source, but be sure to 

check credentials, find out whether the agency is bonded, and ask for references. 

Rehabilitation Specialists: Help for Recovery

 Rehabilitation services help people recover from physical changes caused by cancer or 

cancer treatment. It includes the services of physical therapists, occupational therapists, 

counselors, speech therapists, and other professionals who help you physically recover from 

cancer. For example, physical therapy can help you rebuild the muscles in your arm and 

shoulder if you have had chest surgery. 
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 Most physicians will refer you to rehabilitation services if you need them; be sure to ask 

if you think you might want them. Also, check to see if these types of services are covered under 

your insurance plan (some may be, others may not). Additionally, some cancer or social service 

organizations may provide you with free rehabilitation services if you are not insured for them. 

Dietary or Nutritional Services

 Cancer and cancer treatment can cause people to lose weight. For this reason, dietary or 

nutritional counseling or services are commonly prescribed for people with cancer. A dietitian 

can suggest ways to get enough calories, vitamins, and protein to help you feel better and control 

your weight, and can give you tips about increasing your appetite if you experience nausea, 

heartburn, or fatigue from your illness or treatment. 

 Most hospitals have registered dietitians on staff, and you can ask your doctor about 

meeting with them. If you are trying to locate a dietitian in your community, be sure to ask 

about experience and training. Remember to check if the services of a dietitian are covered 

under your insurance; if not, ask your doctor, nurse, or social worker about community-based 

programs that offer free services. 

Clergy: Spiritual Support Is Important

 Prayer and spiritual counseling can be very important in coping with a serious illness 

such as cancer. Many people find it useful to get help from clergy or other spiritual leaders, and 

there is no question that a strong sense of spirituality can help people face difficult challenges 

with courage and a sense of hope. Some studies show that people with cancer have less anxiety 

and depression, even pain, when they feel spiritually connected. Even if your beliefs are 
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challenged by your illness, don’t be afraid to reach out to others for help. It is important to 

remember that you are not alone at this time. 

Hospice Care: Help with Terminal Illness

 Hospice care focuses on the special needs of people who have terminal cancer. 

Sometimes called palliative care, this type of care focuses on providing comfort, controlling 

physical symptoms like pain, and giving emotional or spiritual support. Hospice care is usually 

provided at home, although there are hospice centers that operate much like hospitals and 

provide full-time care. Your doctor or social worker can refer you for hospice care. 

 Home hospice care is usually coordinated through a nurse, who then sends a home health 

aide, social worker, occupational therapist, clergy, or the type of specialist that is appropriate for 

the needs of the hospice patient. Hospice care is not for everyone. It is important to discuss this 

option carefully and get guidance from your doctor, nurse, or social worker. 

 

Putting the Team Together: Find Help and Hope

 A diagnosis of cancer may be the most difficult challenge you or your loved ones will 

ever face. That is why it is important to find help and try to maintain your sense of hope no 

matter what your situation. Your team of health care professionals is knowledgeable about the 

many different aspects of cancer: medical, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual. They are 

available to you as much or as little as you need, but it is difficult for them to know if you need 

help unless you ask for it. Don’t be afraid, embarrassed, or hesitant to ask questions; voice your 

opinion, and seek the care you feel you need and deserve.
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This fact sheet was adapted with permission from Cancer Care, Inc., a nonprofit social service agency whose 

mission is to help people with cancer and their families. Cancer Care’s toll-free telephone number is 

1–800–813–HOPE. The National Cancer Institute and Cancer Care, Inc., are in partnership to increase awareness 

of the psychosocial issues faced by cancer patients and to provide resources to cancer patients and their families. 

# # # 

National Cancer Institute (NCI) Resources

Cancer Information Service (toll-free)

 Telephone: 1–800–4–CANCER (1–800–422–6237) 

 TTY: 1–800–332–8615 

Online 

NCI’s Web site: http://www.cancer.gov 

LiveHelp, NCI’s live online assistance: 

https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/livehelp/welcome.asp

This fact sheet was reviewed on 4/19/00