For Breast Cancer Patients

At UPMC, we recognize that receiving a breast cancer diagnosis is overwhelming, confusing, and uncertain. The truth is that no one is ever truly prepared for this “new reality,” and the emotional, social, financial, physical, and logistical challenges that come with having breast cancer and undergoing breast cancer treatment.

To help you and your family navigate these challenges and alleviate stress and worry, UPMC offers a full range of supportive services to help you focus on healing and living the life you love during your treatment and recovery.

Supportive Services for Breast Cancer

Breast cancer supportive services available through UPMC include:

• Breast and eyebrow tattooing.
• Genetic counseling.
• Hospice care.
• Nurse navigators.
• Nutrition counseling.
• Oncology rehab and lymphedema services.
• Pain management.
• Palliative (supportive) care.
• Scalp cooling — To help reduce hair loss during chemotherapy.
• Social work.
• Spiritual support.
• Support groups.

Breast cancer social work services

UPMC's oncology social work team members are available to help you and your family at every stage of the breast cancer treatment process, including diagnosis, treatment, and end of life.

Our team is specially trained and certified in oncology social work. We understand the unique challenges that come with a breast cancer diagnosis and help patients and families manage stress and other concerns. Additionally, we are experts in linking patients and their families to community resources.

Breast cancer social work services include:

Counseling

Counseling resources to help you cope with your diagnosis and access the support you need include:

• Referrals to community counseling.
• Short-term support counseling for you and your family members.
• Support groups. 

Education

We provide education on a range of topics, including:

• Coping with your emotions, such as sadness, anger, worry, and fear.
• Living with cancer, the issues that patients commonly experience, and the resources that are available to help you in the long term.
• Planning for your care using advance directives.
• Reducing stress and using relaxation skills.
• Talking with your children, family, friends, or coworkers about your diagnosis and treatment.

Social support

We connect patients with social support services, including:

• Affordable medical care and prescription drug coverage.
• Assistance with social security benefits, disability benefits, and insurance coverage.
• Home health care and hospice.
• Programs that offer financial assistance.
• Referrals for help at home.
• Temporary housing during your treatment.
• Transportation to and from medical appointments.

Nurse navigation services

Your UPMC nurse navigator serves as your “go-to” person throughout the breast cancer treatment process and beyond.

Your nurse navigator’s primary job is to remove barriers that stand in the way of your treatment. These barriers could range from transportation and childcare issues to treatment-related problems with your employer or insurance company. Your nurse navigator will work to find a solution to any obstacle, so you can receive the breast cancer care you need.

Your nurse navigator is also your advocate, serving as a liaison between you and your health care team. This advocacy ensures that your needs, concerns, and goals are heard and understood.

Your nurse navigator can also:

• Assist with coordinating palliative or hospice care.
• Connect you with community resources that may help you stay on track with treatment or improve your quality of life.
• Educate you about your disease and treatment options.
• Ensure you can access translation services if English is not your native language.
• Explain insurance issues and help with paperwork.
• Help you access discounted medications through government or industry programs.
• Help you manage side effects.
• Help with scheduling appointments.
• Offer emotional support.
• Provide basic nutritional advice.
• Work with family and caregivers who need help coping with your diagnosis, managing your care, or handling day-to-day home activities.

Breast cancer spiritual care services

Many people find comfort in their spiritual or religious beliefs and practices following a breast cancer diagnosis. Your nurse navigator, social worker, or other care team member can connect you with our in-house chaplain at your request.

Our chaplain will provide you with non-denominational support that addresses your emotional and spiritual needs.

Specifically, our chaplain can help you with:

• Crisis situations.
• Cultural needs.
• Ethical or moral dilemmas.
• Grief, anxiety, depression, loneliness, or personal issues.

These services are provided in a professional, confidential, nonjudgmental, and spiritually supportive manner.

Spiritual care plan

When requested, your UPMC chaplain can serve as part of your care planning team. This helps ensure that your spiritual needs are considered throughout your cancer journey.

Spiritual services that may be reflected in your care plan include:

• Emotional support.
• Grief support.
• Listening.
• Prayer.
• Religious resources.
• Scripture.

Special religious or spiritual services

You or your legal guardian can request specific religious or spiritual services, and our chaplain will accommodate your request whenever possible. Please feel free to speak with our chaplain if there is anything specific to your tradition that would provide comfort or promote healing.

In addition to seeing patients and families by appointment, UPMC’s chaplain is available on-call to respond to patient, family, and staff emergency needs during regular (weekday) business hours.

Why Choose UPMC for Breast Cancer Care?

When you choose UPMC for breast cancer care, you will receive:

• Comprehensive breast cancer expertise — The breast cancer experts at UPMC provide state-of-the-art care for every form of breast cancer at every stage of the disease.
• Personalized, collaborative care — Our surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists work together to plan the best course of therapy for you.
• Supportive services tailored to your needs — Our approach to breast cancer care honors your preferences by blending advanced clinical methods with supportive services for the best possible results.