Cancer Support & Survivorship Programs at Levine Cancer

There’s one common thread that connects all people facing cancer: the need for a good support system. Atrium Health Levine Cancer's Department of Supportive Oncology offers clinics and programs to support you, your family and your caregivers throughout your cancer journey. Our goal is to decrease symptoms, improve health, facilitate recovery and nurture well-being.

To learn more about our services, email us at [email protected].

Services offered vary by location.

Cancer Support - What to Expect from Levine Cancer

Integrative oncology

Integrative oncology is a holistic way to promote wellness while reducing cancer's impact and maximizing your quality of life.

Physicians specially trained in integrative oncology along with support staff work with your primary oncology team to address the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of you and your family members throughout treatment and survivorship.

Every service we offer is backed by research on safety and effectiveness for cancer patients and survivors.

Schedule a consultation to:

• Reduce the side effects of cancer treatment
• Review the use of vitamins and supplements
• Develop a plan to reduce cancer risk factors
• Ask questions regarding alternative or complementary care
• Improve health and wellness

Integrative oncology services include:

• Healing touch – The practitioner places hands on or above your body, focusing on adjusting your energy field to support your natural ability to heal. Available by appointment.
• Yoga – Incorporating gentle movements, rhythmic breathing and meditation, the practice of yoga enhances your physical and mental well-being. For all levels of experience and abilities.
• Oncology massage therapy – Besides its soothing nature, massage therapy is also used to reduce symptoms (such as pain and stiffness), reduce stress and improve your ability to cope. Available by appointment.
• Tai chi – Using slow movements and deep breathing, Tai Chi helps to reduce stress and enhance inner peace while lessening cancer-related symptoms. For all levels of experience and abilities.
• Deep relaxation and mindfulness classes – Through breathwork and visualization, these classes give you tools to find inner balance and peace. No meditation experience necessary to participate.
• Acupuncture – Available by appointment, acupuncture is a treatment that involves inserting very thin needles into the skin. Acupuncture may help ease hot flashes, neuropathy (tingling and numbness), pain, nausea, vomiting, sleep problems and other side effects of cancer treatment.
• Spiritual care – Our chaplains are available to meet with you and your caretakers at any time throughout your care to assist with spiritual concerns. Available for any or no religious affiliation.
• Therapeutic art – Through drawing, painting, fiber art and other creative activities, you’ll have the opportunity to relax, inspire and strengthen your artistic spirit.
• Levine Cancer writing community – Open to cancer survivors and their friends and family, our writing community provides an opportunity to honor life experiences through the written word.
• Music therapy – No musical experience necessary to enjoy and benefit from using music for expression and healing. Our board-certified music therapists work with patients and family members individually and in groups and classes.

Cancer nutrition services

Our registered dietitians will help you develop a plan to nourish your body throughout your cancer treatment – including the times when it’s challenging to find foods you can eat – and during recovery.

Nutritional support includes:

• Healthy cooking club – Using the latest nutritional research and seasonal ingredients, we provide a cooking demo every month and share samples and recipes.
• Eating well after cancer treatment – Learn simple ways to apply the latest research to choose the best foods, understand food labels and prepare food in a healthy way.
• Breast cancer nutrition – Join our this specially focused class to discuss and learn about common nutrition concerns that come up during and after breast cancer treatment.
• Hot topics in nutrition – Get in-depth expert guidance on current hot topics like gut health, sugar, processed meats and dining out healthfully.
• Plant-powered nutrition – Learn how to include more cancer-fighting plant foods in your diet.

Patient navigation

Coping with a cancer diagnosis and navigating the complex system of cancer care – with its many physicians and treatment options – can be overwhelming.

Our nurse navigators are here to help you understand the many resources and options that come with cancer care.

Nurse navigators help to:

• Answer questions and address your concerns
• Educate, support and empower you to make informed treatment decisions
• Schedule appointments, tests, surgeries or therapies faster
• Make delivery of care more efficient by working with your team of doctors
• Provide education and knowledge to help you better understand the disease process and treatment options
• Help you find appropriate resources during and after treatment
• Ensure that important needs such as access to cancer counselors, nutritionists and local support agencies are met
• Explore and assist with work-related or financial concerns you may have regarding treatment

Cancer rehabilitation

We offer comprehensive cancer rehabilitation services designed to support your well-being during and after cancer treatment. Our experts will help you create a customized plan to reduce the side effects of treatment, restore physical and cognitive function, and improve your overall quality of life.

Depending on your needs, your care team may include specialists in physiatry, neuropsychology, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech and language pathology.

Rehabilitation can help if you’re having trouble with:

• Balance or walking
• Numbness or tingling in hands or feet
• Joint or muscle pain
• Weakness
• Limb swelling
• Completing daily activities like self-care, driving and work
• Memory or concentration
• Swallowing or speaking

Levine Cancer also partners with Carolinas Rehabilitation to offer inpatient rehabilitation services and regional outpatient rehabilitation services. Learn more about these offerings.

Cancer survivorship

It can be challenging to adjust to your new normal after beating cancer. Our cancer survivorship programs are designed to address the physical, emotional and medical challenges that you may face after your treatment is complete, so that you can live a full and healthy life.

Within six months of completing treatment, you’ll receive a written survivorship care plan to help you transition to the next phase of your care. We’ll help you understand the plan and will share it with your primary care physician.

The experts at our Cancer Survivorship Medical Clinic will collaborate with you and your care team to be sure you stay up to date on the latest survivorship care recommendations for years to come. And if you have heart problems from cancer treatment or are at risk for them, our Cardio-Oncology Clinic can help lower your risk, detect problems early and treat them.

Psycho-oncology

We offer specialized psycho-oncology care to help you and your loved ones cope with emotional stress throughout your cancer journey. Our team of experts – which includes psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists and clinical social workers – will work with you to create a treatment plan that’s tailored to your needs.

Psycho-oncology care can help you with:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Fear of recurrence
• Sleep difficulties
• Perception of pain
• Family and relationship concerns
• Other issues related to your emotional well-being

Senior oncology

Atrium Health Levine Cancer is at the forefront of caring for adults 65 years and older. At our multidisciplinary Senior Oncology Clinic, we provide comprehensive geriatric assessments to make sure you’re receiving the best possible care. Our team will work with you to address symptoms, nutrition, memory, daily functioning and other issues specific to older adults. Together, we create a personalized treatment plan. Our team carefully considers an older adult's overall health, preferences and specific challenges.

This Institute for Healthcare Improvement recognized our Morehead and Pineville locations as Age-Friendly Health System Participants. This puts Levine Cancer among a small group of cancer centers in the country dedicated to improving the care of older adults with cancer.

Palliative medicine

Palliative medicine experts provide specialized care to cancer patients experiencing distress at any point during their cancer journey. Our goal is to improve your quality of life through symptom management, care coordination and advance care planning.

Palliative medicine experts can help to:

• Manage side effects like pain, tiredness and nausea
• Connect you with a social worker to talk about things like how cancer affects your life and any challenges you’re facing
• Find other supportive care that may help you, including massage therapy, nutrition therapy or acupuncture

Support groups

Support groups provide an opportunity to talk about coping with cancer, learn more about treatment and connect with others. We offer disease-specific support groups led by experienced facilitators for patients, caregivers and family members. For information about our current support groups, call the Cancer Resource Center at 980-442-1006.

We also offer free group classes and one-on-one consultations to help you quit smoking.

Learn more about our tobacco treatment program.