Cancer: Patient and Family Resources

At the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, we treat your cancer — and care for you as a whole person. We offer a range of services to make your treatment and follow-up care as comfortable and successful as possible.
Knight Cancer Institute and OHSU services and resources
- Acupuncture: Acupuncture can be an effective way to manage some side effects of cancer treatment.
- Animal-assisted therapy: If you're an inpatient on Marquam Hill, you can ask your care team to request a visit with a dog or cat from one of our volunteer animal-assisted therapy teams. Your providers will make sure a visit would be appropriate. Visits are not allowed for patients with compromised immune systems, for example.
- Billing and insurance: See if your insurance covers care at OHSU, and find numbers for help with billing or cost estimates.
- Cancer registries: Our registries offer the opportunity to participate in research and learn about the latest advances.
- Classes and support groups: Our classes include one that explains what to expect during chemotherapy.
- Concierge services: Friendly specialists can answer questions and help you find your way. The main concierge desk is in the ninth-floor lobby of OHSU Hospital. Hours are 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends.
- Fertility preservation: Our fertility specialists can give cancer patients a range of options.
- Food and drink: Find places to eat and drink on our Marquam Hill and South Waterfront campuses.
- Hats, wigs and headscarves: Our resource room is closed because of COVID-19, but you can call social work specialist Tina Johnson at 503-346-4279 or ask your care team for information.
- Gift shop: Visit our gift shop on the ninth floor of OHSU Hospital 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays.
- Glossary: We've compiled definitions of cancer terms.
- Language services: We have interpreters available 24/7. Sign language interpreters are also available.
- Life after cancer: We offer a range of survivorship services to help cancer patients transition to life after cancer.
- MyChart: Our secure online tool lets you manage appointments, get results, request prescription refills and communicate with your doctor.
- News: Read our Cancer Translated blog, and find other stories about cancer developments at OHSU News.
- Nutrition services: Our cancer dietitians can help you manage side effects that affect nutrition and appetite. They can also help you prepare for surgery.
- OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital patient and family resources
- Palliative care: Our palliative care specialists can help you manage symptoms. They can also provide emotional support to you and your family. You do not have to be terminally ill or to have stopped life-prolonging treatment to receive these services.
- Patient Education Resource Center: Cancer patients and their loved ones can find information and other resources on the 10th floor of the Center for Health & Healing Building 2.
- Patient Relations: Find help with questions and concerns.
- Pharmacies: We offer pharmacies on our campuses and in the community.
- Preparing for your visit: Find a welcome guide and other information to get ready for your hospital stay.
- Rehabilitation services: Physical therapists, speech therapists and occupational therapists can help you reach your full potential after cancer treatment.
- Rood Family Pavilion: OHSU’s guest house offers accommodations to out-of-town patients.
- Social services: Our social workers can provide emotional support to you and your family, and help with needs such as lodging and transportation.
- Spiritual services: OHSU offers chaplain support in addition to sacred spaces for prayer and contemplation.
- Women's sexual health: We offer the area's only program to support the sexual health of women affected by cancer.
Find more information on our For Patients and Visitors pages.
Clinical trials
The Knight Cancer Institute is always researching better ways to prevent, detect and treat cancer. Your care team can answer questions about whether a trial is right for you.
Services in the community
Information lines
- Call 800-227-2345. American Cancer Society specialists answer questions 24/7. Learn more.
- Call 800-4-CANCER (800-422-6237). Specialists at the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service will answer your cancer questions in calls, live chats or emails.
Support services
- American Cancer Society in Oregon
- The American Cancer Society’s support page provides information on help with lodging, rides, looking good during cancer treatment, and other support services.
- CancerCare offers counseling, support groups (online, by telephone and in person), and links to workshops and other resources.
Support for caregivers and family members
- Caregivers and Family, American Cancer Society
- Support for Caregivers of Cancer Patients, National Cancer Institute
- "Caring for the Caregiver," National Cancer Institute booklet
- Help for Cancer Caregivers
- National Alliance for Caregiving
- Helping Children When a Family Member Has Cancer, American Cancer Society
- Support for Teens When a Family Member Has Cancer, National Cancer Institute
- "When Your Brother or Sister has Cancer: A Guide for Teens," National Cancer Institute booklet
- "When Your Parent Has Cancer: A Guide for Teens," National Cancer Institute booklet
Websites with cancer information
- National Cancer Institute
- American Cancer Society
- Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
For patients
Call 503-494-7999 to:
- Request an appointment
- Seek a second opinion
- Ask questions
Visit our For Cancer Patients page to find a cancer doctor and links to diagnoses.
Refer a patient
- Refer your patient to OHSU.
- Call 503-494-4567 to seek provider-to-provider advice.