Health Quest offers cancer support groups that go far beyond those traditionally provided by a hospital or healthcare system.

While their experiences are different, cancer is a tough fight for both patients and families. That’s why our programs support everyone before, during and after cancer treatment. We offer patient-only and family-only groups to address specific concerns, as well as combined groups. We look to add new programs to further improve the care and comfort of our patients and families. We also offer programs that are useful to the larger community.

Rehabilitation and Nutrition

To help patients recover faster, our post-operative rehab program includes education about sensations, scar management, lymphedema trigger management and a customized exercise program. Our Lymphedema Remediation program is led by a certified lymphedema therapist who teaches manual lymph drainage, compression, bandaging, skin care and exercise. Our program also includes access to cosmetics, wigs and post-mastectomy items.

Speech-language pathologists assist head and neck cancer patients and their families with adjustments needed to address swallowing and communication difficulties related to their conditions and treatment.

Oncology Navigators

Not only can cancer be overwhelming, but so can the process — the daunting array of decisions, medical specialists and strange terminology.

The Oncology Navigator is a nurse who is with the patient, every step of the way — from diagnosis through treatment and beyond. The Navigator’s mission is to assist patients
and their families in navigating a complex healthcare system in general, and the cancer experience in particular.

Oncology Navigators work closely with physicians and staff to help ensure that patients understand as much as possible about their treatment. They also help patients and families find the best support for their needs.

Support Groups

The Oncology Navigator is a nurse who is with the patient, every step of the way—from diagnosis through treatment and beyond. The Oncology Navigators work closely with physicians and staff to help ensure that patients understand as much as possible about their treatment. They also help patients and families find the best support for their needs

Our support groups include:

• Introduction to Chemotherapy: Led by oncology nurses, helps patients prepare for chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. For more information, please call (845) 483-6408.
• Road to Recovery: A transportation program run by volunteers who drive patients to and from cancer appointments. For more information, please call (800) 227-2345.
• Cub's Place at VBMC: Provides activities and resources for children grades K-5 who are coping with a serious family illness or crisis. For more information, please call (845) 454-8500 ext. 72385.
  
• Breast and Ovarian Cancer Support Group: A partnership with Support Connection, Inc. Open to women at all stages of diagnosis, treatment and post-treatment. Led by a trained facilitator who is a cancer survivor. For information or to register, contact Support Connection at 800-532-4290.
• Living with Lymphedema: Led by occupational and physical therapists, helps patients coping with lymphedema. For more information, please call (845) 437-6331.
• Look Good, Feel Better: Helps cancer patients manage cosmetic and hair loss side effects. For more information, please call (800) 227-2345.
• Reach to Recovery: Provides one-on-one support for breast cancer patients by breast cancer survivors. For more information, please call (800) 227-2345.
• Women Moving Through Breast Cancer: Provides emotional and spiritual tools to women who have breast or any reproductive cancer or are supporting someone who has cancer, or who want to prevent cancer.
• Laryngectomy Support Group: Helps patients and family members manage issues related to laryngectomy. Meets the first Thursday of each month from 11:00 AM to noon at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. For more information, please call (845) 483-7391.
• Man-to-Man: Gives prostate cancer patients the opportunity to share their concerns and get helpful information. For more information, please call (800) 227-2345.
• Side-by-Side: Offers support to wives and friends of those diagnosed with prostate cancer. For more information, please call (800) 227-2345.
• Ostomy Support Group: Offers ostomates and the parents of ostomates professional support and advice regarding ostomy care, diet and nutrition as well as updates on the latest equipment. For more information, call (800) 227-2345.
• Cancer Healing Through Dance and Movement: Group movement and exercise class that promotes healing of the mind, body and spirit led by a certified instructor. Class meets twice a week 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM in Conference Room B of the Main Building at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. For more information call (845) 483-6331.
• Healthy Eating for Oncology Patients: For more information please contact Chelsea Thorpe, RD, CDN at (845) 214-7384.

Go to News and Events for upcoming dates and locations.