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.
OHSU services and resources
Therapies, programs and support
- Acupuncture
- Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Program: We offer support and services specifically for patients diagnosed with cancer between ages 15 and 39. It’s the only program of its kind in Oregon.
- Bone marrow/stem cell transplant patients. We have resources for you.
- Cancer registries: Participate in research and learn about the latest advances.
- Education
- Support groups
- Genetic counseling
- Life after cancer: We offer a range of survivorship services to help you transition to life after cancer.
- Nutrition: Our cancer dietitians can help you prepare for surgery, manage side effects, and support you through treatment and after.
- Palliative care: Our specialists support your needs and help you manage symptoms. You do not have to be terminally ill. Anyone may benefit.
- Rehabilitation: Physical therapists, speech therapists and occupational therapists can help you reach your full potential after treatment.
- Social work: Our social workers can provide emotional support to you and your family, and help with needs such as lodging and transportation.
- Tobacco Cessation Treatment Program: Our team can help you quit smoking.
- Women's sexual health: We offer the area's only program to support the sexual health of women affected by cancer.
Coping with side effects
- Help with preserving fertility
- Help with hair loss
- We have hats, wigs and headscarves. Call social worker Tina Johnson at 503-346-4279 or ask your care team.
- Help with lymphedema
- Help with other physical side effects
- Help with depression
- Help with anxiety
- Help with other social and emotional side effects
Susan Hedland, director of OHSU's patient and family services at the Knight Cancer Institute, focuses on doing what she can "to soften the rough edges of these experiences."
Campus services
- 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.
- MyChart: Our secure online tool lets you manage appointments, get results, request prescription refills and communicate with your doctor.
- Patients and Visitors: Find information on billing, preparing for your visit, language services, where to eat, spiritual services and our gift shop.
- Pharmacies: We offer pharmacies on our campuses and in the community.
- Rood Family Pavilion: OHSU’s guest house offers accommodations to out-of-town patients.
- Resources for children and families at OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital
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.
Organizations
- 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
- First Descents, adventures for young adults affected by cancer and other serious conditions
- Stupid Cancer, support for young adults with cancer
- Triage Cancer
Support for caregivers and family members
- Caregivers and Family, American Cancer Society
- Caregiving, CancerCare
- My Cancer Circle, tool for organizing help
- Support for Caregivers of Cancer Patients, National Cancer Institute
- 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
National Cancer Institute booklets:
Websites with cancer information
- National Cancer Institute
- American Cancer Society
- Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- CancerCare
- Triage Cancer
- Stupid Cancer, support for young adults with cancer
- NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
- Glossary: Definitions & Phonetic Pronunciations, American Cancer Society
Resources by topic
Insurance and finances:
- Cancer Finances, Triage Cancer
- Cancer Finances; A Toolkit for Navigating Finances After Cancer, Triage Cancer
- Health Insurance, Triage Cancer
- Financial and Co-Pay Assistance, CancerCare
- FindHelp.org, help with the cost of food, housing, health care and more
- The Samfund, financial help for young adults after cancer treatment
- Disability Insurance, Triage Cancer
- Estate Planning, Triage Cancer
Help with medication costs:
Other:
- Work & Employment, Triage Cancer
- Educational Guides & Resources, Triage Cancer
- Oregon Resources, Triage Cancer
- Free publications by topic and by diagnosis, CancerCare
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.
Kids and teens
