Struggling with a recent cancer diagnosis? Remember to ask for help.

A diagnosis of cancer can be scary and overwhelming – not only for the patient but for their loved ones or caregivers, as well. Both patients and their caregivers need extra support while the patient is going through treatment. The most important thing is to remember to ask for help as soon as you need it.

At Cape Cod Healthcare, all new cancer patients complete the Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) questionnaire, which is located on the MyChart online portal. Once the questionnaire is completed, it will be reviewed by an oncology social worker. Judi Pregot, LICSW, OSW-C is the oncology social worker (OSW-C) who is currently reviewing those questionnaires and watching for those that fall below the recommended score.

“If the patient scores less than 41 on the mental health portion of the questionnaire, the patient is contacted by the social worker because there may be some underlying issues that could impact their treatment,” she said. “If the physical score is less than 41, the practice nurses are notified, since a symptom like pain or fatigue could affect how a patient responds to treatment.”

One of the medical oncologists may refer a patient to the OSW-C after meeting with a new patient, so that some of their initial questions can be addressed. The OSW-C can also help introduce patients to some tools that they can utilize to calm their anxiety. It can also be difficult for patients to process complex medical information, Pregot said.

“During an initial consultation with the medical oncologist, the doctor may be talking about treatment plans and what a patient should expect when proceeding through treatment, yet the patient is still processing the fact that s/he has a cancer diagnosis. The patient may not be following what those next steps might be,” she said. “The oncology social worker tries to provide patients with the support that they need in order to navigate those next steps in their cancer journey.”

Questions Answered

The OSW-C can assist patients with any questions that they may have regarding their financial concerns. This could be related to the loss of income that may occur during treatment or whether there are resources that can help with medical expenses.

“Every patient is different,” Pregot said. “Every cancer is different. Even if someone is diagnosed with the same type of cancer, that cancer will affect each person’s life in a different way. There is no cookie-cutter approach when helping patients maneuver their way through a cancer diagnosis. The OSW-C tries to help to alleviate the stress and anxiety affiliated with the actual diagnosis of cancer. Many people find that very helpful.”

Caregivers Need Support Too

The best thing a caregiver can do to support the patient is to just be there for them, Pregot said.

“Let them know they can lean on you and not be afraid to discuss their fears and worries,” she said. “Human touch is also very important. Giving someone a hug or holding their hand can be a powerful way to show support.”

Many times, patients don’t want to burden their loved ones with the various thoughts and feelings that they experience as they go through their treatment. Pregot lets the patients know that they can always talk to her about what they are thinking or feeling, particularly if they are having a difficult time broaching those topics with their loved ones.

Caregivers also have access to some support services.

“If the caregiver is having a hard time and they want to come in, I try to meet with them on a one-on-one basis just to talk about how things are going and what kinds of supports they might need in the home,” she said. “I can refer them to different agencies, depending on what the need is. We have some good support systems on the Cape like Elder Services if you are over 60.” The councils on aging or the senior centers also provide a wide range of supportive services for the people who live in their communities.

Pregot always refers caregivers as well as patients to the Cape Wellness Collaborative. Both patients and caregivers can receive free integrative therapies like massage, acupuncture, meditation and yoga. Cape Wellness also offers a monthly support group for caregivers whose loved ones are undergoing cancer treatments.

“There are some online support groups as well,” Pregot said. “There’s a great organization called cancercare.org and they provide a variety of support groups not only for people who have cancer but for people who are caregivers. What I like about the website is that they go by cancer-specific diagnosis so you can access information on resources that might be available for you. They also have resources for financial assistance, so I do recommend that to a lot of people.”

Many caregivers have to juggle work with support for their loved one, as well as driving them to an appointment, she said. With all of these additional expectation for the caregiver, it can be easy for them to neglect their own health and well-being. That can be a mistake, Pregot said. It can leave them depleted of energy, overwhelmed, sleep-deprived and exhausted. Many give up hobbies like yoga, crafts or running; activities that used to bring them joy.

“I always tell caregivers don’t be afraid to ask for help, and don’t be afraid to think about what you need,” she said. “Give yourself just 10 minutes, even it’s just sitting and breathing. If you have a practice like meditation or breathwork, that can be very effective.”