Social Work Services
Oncology social workers provide counseling and other services which can reduce stress for patients and their family through all phases of cancer.We can help with:
- accessing information to help understand diagnosis and treatment
- coping with a diagnosis of cancer
- considering decisions about treatment options
- providing support for you and your family
- helping you find support within the community
- making referrals to support and educational groups
- assisting with Advance Directives and Advance Care Planning
For more information, please contact Anne Daugherty, LICSW at (603) 740-2830.
Nutrition Services
Eating well is important during cancer treatment, recovery and survivorship. Nutrition is associated with treatment tolerance and quality of life. The Seacoast Cancer Center has a Registered Dietitian to help cancer patients optimize their nutrition before, during and after cancer treatment.
We can help with:
- preparing for cancer treatment
- managing nutrition-related treatment side effects
- customizing nutrition plans
- minimizing weight and muscle loss during therapy
- recommending alternative forms of nutrition such as tube feeds
- customizing and monitoring tube feeds
- providing specific guidelines for survivorship to decrease risk of recurrence
For more information, please contact Brooke Gowdy-Johnson, MS, RD, LD, CSO at (603) 740-2636.
Integrative Therapies
Services available in the Seacoast Cancer Center:
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Clinical Aromatherapy: A certified clinical aromatherapy practitioner will work with you to match your specific symptoms and scent preferences with the essential plant oil(s) indicated for your symptoms.
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Guided Imagery: Guided Imagery CD's are available "on loan" from our Integrative Wellness Services staff.
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Pet Visitation: Specially-trained and certified pet therapy dogs (along with their handlers who are hospital volunteers) visit the Cancer Center on scheduled days weekly.
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Reiki: Gentle energy-work can provide deep relaxation and may evoke a sense of peace. The practitioner uses light touch and relaxing music. Reiki can calm stress and anxiety, including "before surgery jitters" and can complement pain management, sleep problems, cancer treatments, and comfort/end-of-life care.
Additional Integrative Therapy services offered at a cost include:
- Massage: Our therapists specialize in relaxation (Swedish), deep tissue, pregnancy, cancer care and geriatric massage.
Oncology Rehabilitation
We help you maintain your optimal level of functional independence before, during, and after treatment:
- Before your treatment begins we provide education, teaching and training to build strength and endurance.
- During treatment, our goal is to assist you in maintaining your highest level of physical and cognitive functioning while reducing pain and discomfort.
- After treatment we can help you regain strength and function.
The patients of the SCC are screened for rehabilitation needs at their initial visit and throughout their treatment. A therapist will meet with you to assess your ability to perform activities of daily living, balance, mobility and speech and swallowing abilities, to determine the need for further treatment. For more information, please call the Rehabilitation Department at (603) 740-2101.
The Rehabilition Team
Physical Therapy
Physical therapists address the physical side effects of treatment that affect your daily activities. Physical therapists can perform an evaluation and treat you in order to develop, maintain and restore movement and function through exercise, manual therapy, gait and balance training and patient and family education.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists help you live as independently as possible by helping you to identify those activities, devices, and/or tools that will improve your strength, endurance, function and problem solving. Occupational Therapy will assist and train you in performing activities such as grooming, dressing, eating and interacting with family and friends. The therapist will help you work smart, not hard, in your own environment.
Speech-Language Pathology
Speech-language Pathologists address the impact of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation on speech, swallowing, cognition and voice for those individuals diagnosed with head and neck cancer. Speech-language Pathology will help you reach the highest level of function by continually addressing your speech, swallowing, cognitive and voice needs before, during and after treatment.
Smoking Cessation Services
Outpatient smoking cessation 1-on-1 counseling is available through the Pulmonary Medicine Department. Sessions are approximately 30 minutes and up to 8 sessions are covered by many insurance providers. We recommend you check with your insurance provider about coverage. If you are interested in counseling, talk with your oncologist or primary care physician. You can also contact Pulmonary Medicine for more information at (603) 742-5252 extension 2752.
Smoking hypnosis class meets at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital the third Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. No referral is needed. The course is led by certified hypnotherapist Ed Lane. A $50 fee is due before class to reserve your spot. To register, or for more information, please call Community Relations at (603) 740-2818.
Support Groups
Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Group
Meets the first Wednesday of the month from 1:00-2:30pm. The focus of this group is to provide education and support to any woman diagnosed in the last year. Guest speakers will provide information on coping strategies, nutrition, lymphedema, pathology, genetics and other related topics.
Breast Cancer Survivor Group
Meets the second Thursday of the month from 5:30-7 pm. This peer led group provides open discussion and support to any woman who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
For location and more information, please call (603) 740-2830.
Prostate Cancer Group
Meets on the second Monday of each month from 5:30-7 pm. This group is open to any man who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and his spouse or significant other. Guest speakers are invited to speak on various topics concerning prostate cancer survivors including radiation, hormone therapy, understanding PSA, active surveillance and medical and radiation oncology side effects.
For location and more information, please call (603) 740-2830.
Look Good...Feel Better
An American Cancer Society program that meets the first Wednesday of the month from 11-12:30pm. Estheticians and stylists voluneer their expertise in teaching beautry techniques to female cancer patients currently in treatment. Patients will learn to combat appearance related side effects of cancer treatment such as dry skin, hair loss, etc. Each participant receives a free makeup kit full of samples from various cosmetic manufacturers. Registration is required.
All groups are free of charge. Refreshments provided. For more information, please call Anne Daugherty, LICSW at (603) 740-2830 or the SCC at (603) 742-8787.
Exercise Works for Cancer Recovery Program
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital's Rehabilitation Services, Seacoast Cancer Center and The Works Family Health & Fitness Center are pleased to offer an exercise program for cancer patients. The program services as a "bridge" to assist patients in the challenging transition from treatment and rehab to previous activities and levels of functioning.
Entry into the program requires a referral from your oncologist, primary care provider or specialist.
For more information, please speak with your treatment team at the Cancer Center and visit our Exercise Works for Cancer Recovery page.
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