Cancer Resources and Support

Integrative medicine enhances traditional medicine in assisting with emotional well-being and managing side effects from chemo and radiation therapies. Available through Avera Medical Group Integrative Medicine, these proven therapies complement your cancer treatment to help improve your quality of life during and after treatment. Some services include:

• Mind-body course offerings such as stretching, tai chi, singing bowls, mindfulness
• Therapeutic massage
• Aromatherapy
• Art, music or guided imagery and more

Integrative medicine services are offered by telemedicine at certain locations. Talk to your care team to learn more about options that work for you.

Avera's mission is to care for all patients regardless of ability to pay. If you are experiencing financial hardship or need help, our billing staff and financial patient advocates are here to decrease the burden of medical expenses.

Billing staff members can discuss payment relief options available to you that could include:

• Payment extensions
• Government programs
• Charity care resources
• Patient assistance considerations
• Applying for financial aid

Financial patient advocates can assist you with out-of-pocket expenses by:

• Authorizing services
• Connecting you to insurance coverage
• Securing co-payments
• Providing drug assistance resources

Your spiritual health is important — and benefits your well-being. Our chaplains are available to offer you spiritual and emotional support while always respecting your individual beliefs, tradition and culture.

Chaplains can help with a wide variety of concerns and questions that arise with a cancer diagnosis, such as loneliness, fear, anger, anxiety, fear of death, meaning in suffering, and doubts and questions about God and faith. Ask a nurse or the clinic staff to contact a chaplain for you.

Your mental health is just as important as your physical well-being. Emotional wellness involves self-care, stress reduction and development of strength. Symptoms like anxiety, depression and emotional distress are common after a cancer diagnosis. As a member of your interdisciplinary care team, a social worker will advocate for you to make sure your voice is heard and needs are met. They can assist with advance care planning, advance directives, family meetings and difficult decisions. Professional individual counseling services help you:

• Confide and confront uncomfortable feelings.
• See circumstances from a different perspective.
• Share concerns and burdens with a neutral party.
• Find new and unique ways to cope with stressors.
• Create your best new self.

Talk with your physician about the level of physical activity right for you during cancer treatment. Studies show cancer survivors who exercise may experience beneficial effects on quality-of-life issues, including body image, self-esteem, emotional well-being, sexuality, sleep disturbance, social functioning, anxiety, fatigue and pain. Physical activity may reduce fatigue and depression and improve physical functioning, social functioning and mental health.

Rehabilitation services help regain skills, recover from injury, return to function, learn effective coping methods and live your best possible life. Get expert physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and extensive rehabilitation services at Avera locations across the Upper Midwest.

Eating regular, well-balanced meals or small, frequent snacks give you strength and energy to fight diseases. Dietitians and health coach resources are available to help improve your nutrition.

These tips support your body's cancer-fighting ability:

• Drink up to two quarts of fluid every day to stay hydrated.
• Eat 6 to 8 small meals and snacks during the day (choose easy-to-make foods).
• Include protein in your diet by eating meat or non-meat protein options likes eggs, cottage cheese and peanut butter. - Start the day with a big breakfast.
• Have fruit and juices with your meals.
• Regularly walk and exercise to improve digestion and hunger.
• Keep nutritional supplement drinks on hand in case you don't feel like eating.
• If constipated, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of wheat bran to your food. Drinking prune juice 3 or 4 times a day also helps.