Patient/Caregiver Support

patient meeting with a support person in an office setting

Here at the GW Cancer Center, we aim to provide quality, personalized patient care and support.

Patient Navigation

Patient navigators are health care experts who help patients, their families and caregivers overcome barriers they may face in the health care system and facilitate access to medical care, supportive care, emotional support and resources. The GW Cancer Center provides patient navigation services across the cancer care continuum including:

GW patient navigators can help by addressing a variety of patient needs, such as:

  • Care coordination: Helping patients access the right care at the right time
  • Communication: Helping patients receive understandable health care and treatment information and to communicate with their health care team
  • Cultural, religious, spiritual or personal: Addressing patient concerns that may not align with treatment and helping patients and providers work together on a treatment plan
  • Distress and psychosocial: Helping patients and their loved ones address emotional challenges and coping with illness
  • Education and employment: Helping patients make decisions about work and school
  • Financial: Helping patients pay for treatment and other expenses
  • Insurance: Helping patients obtain/maintain insurance and address issues that arise
  • Logistical: Helping patients with other aspects of their lives that may be challenging, such as dependent care, housing, transportation or nutrition
  • Other: Helping patients identify/address other challenges in their lives like legal issues, substance abuse or domestic violence

Social Work

GW offers a team of oncology social workers available to provide counseling, which can help reduce stress for you and your family through all phases of your cancer care. The provide services across the cancer care continuum, including:

  • Working with patients to help them cope with a new diagnosis
  • Helping patients consider treatment options while taking into account work, family and other important life factors
  • Serving as liaisons between patients and their medical teams, helping to ensure patient and family goals are in line with treatment and the patient's perspective is taken into account
  • Helping patients understand benefits that may be available through their job, including the Family and Medical Leave Act, short- and long-term disability as well as federal programs such as Social Security Disability and Medicare

Our social work team works in conjunction with our patient navigators to ensure patients have access to the full range of comprehensive services they need throughout their cancer care experience.

Nutrition Services

Our dietitian will provide nutrition counseling services to patients and their caregivers as an integral part of cancer care. They will evaluate your nutritional status and help you stay nourished with healthful foods during your treatment.

I can help you:

  • Take an active role in your care by making healthy eating choices
  • Determine your nutritional goals before, during and after treatment
  • Minimize and cope with treatment side effects

I can provide:

  • Nutrition education for patients, families and caregivers

Call us for an appointment: 202-741-2210

Cancer Support Groups and Wellness Services

The GW Cancer Center is proud to offer a number of free support groups and programs monthly. These groups are currently offered virtually on Zoom and are open to all patients in the DC Metro Area. If you are looking for additional support groups or programs, please contact your social worker or call 202-741-2582.

Gentle Yoga
Every Tuesday, 4:00-5:00pm. Gentle yoga is a relaxing yoga class that concentrates on meditation and breathing as well as gently stretching. All levels are welcome. This class is for people with cancer as well as their caregivers. To register or learn more, patients can register by e-mailing Sara Richman at srichman@mfa.gwu.edu and Jessica Gelfarb at jgelfarb@mfa.gwu.edu or calling 202-741-2582.

GYN Support Group
This group is intended for anyone who has ever been diagnosed with a GYN Cancer. The group is open to patients/survivors as well as caregivers. The group convenes on a monthly basis and will incorporate education lectures coupled with emotional support. Please register by emailing jgelfarb@mfa.gwu.edu or srichman@mfa.gwu.edu or calling 202-741-2582.

Mindfulness and Meditation
First and Third Wednesday of every month from 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm. Developing mindfulness skills can help combat stress, anxiety, and uncertainty in everyday life. Join us for regular sessions to help you better understand and transform your mind. All experience levels are welcome to attend! Open to patients, survivors, caregivers, medical professionals and the community. These sessions are led by Sara Field, LICSW, OSW-C. To register or learn more, patients can register by e-mailing Sara Richman at srichman@mfa.gwu.edu and Jessica Gelfarb at jgelfarb@mfa.gwu.edu or calling 202-741-2582.

Multiple Myeloma Group
Third Tuesday of each month, 12:30-1:30pm. The Multiple Myeloma group is open to patients/survivors and their caregivers. Speakers are present at some meetings to provide education and offer support. This group is facilitated by Sara Field, LICSW, OSW-C. To register or learn more, patients can register by e-mailing Sara Richman at srichman@mfa.gwu.edu and Jessica Gelfarb at jgelfarb@mfa.gwu.edu or calling 202-741-2582.

Nutrition Club
First Monday of each month, 12:00-1:00pm. Nutrition Club is held monthly to discuss nutrition topics related to cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship. It is open to patients, caregivers, and providers. Please contact Lauren Powell at lpowell@mfa.gwu.edu.

Prostate Cancer Group
2nd Tuesday of each month, 12:30-1:30pm. The Prostate cancer support group is open to patients and survivors. To register or learn more, patients can register by e-mailing Sara Richman at srichman@mfa.gwu.edu and Jessica Gelfarb at jgelfarb@mfa.gwu.edu or calling 202-741-2582.

The GW Cancer Center is proud to partner with the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts for additional programming. In particular, we often refer to these groups:

Young Adult Cancer Meet-Up and Support Group
The young adult groups are specifically designed for those people ages 19-39 who are currently in treatment or have been treated for cancer. It is held online during this time. To register or learn more about this group, e-mail Carla Stillwagon at carla@smithcenter.org or visit https://smithcenter.org/.

Caregiver Support Group
The Caregiver support group is a place to share common concerns, get and give advice, and learn coping skills. It is open to all people who are supporting a person with cancer. This group is hosted by the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts and is facilitated by Julia Rowland, Ph.D. To register or learn more about this group, e-mail Carla Stillwagon at carla@smithcenter.org or visit https://smithcenter.org.

Healing Circle for Metastatic Breast Cancer Thrivers 45+
This healing circle hosted by the Smith Center is for people who are 45 and older who are living and thriving with Metastatic Breast Cancer. This peer-led circle will provide a safe place to connect, support and share with one another. To register or learn more about this group visit https://smithcenter.org/.

Healing Circle for Young Adults with Metastatic Breast Cancer
This healing circle hosted by the Smith Center is for people who are 18-45 years of age who are living and thriving with Metastatic Breast Cancer. This peer-led circle will provide a safe place to connect, support and share with one another. To register or learn more about this group visit https://smithcenter.org/.