Patient/Caregiver Support

A patient and a doctor forming a heart with their hands together.

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
  • Education and employment: Helping patients complete FMLA paperwork and other documentation to maintain employment and other benefits
  • Financial: Helping patients enroll in financial assistance programs to assist with paying for medical care
  • 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 housing, transportation or nutrition

Social Work

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

  • Helping patients and their loved ones address emotional challenges and coping with illness
  • 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
  • Facilitating cancer-specific support groups for patients and community members in active treatment and survivorship

Our social work team collaborates with our patient navigators to ensure that patients have access to the full range of comprehensive services they need throughout their cancer care experience. Social workers help patients identify/address other barriers to care, including legal issues, substance use, or domestic violence.

Cancer Support Groups and Wellness Services

The GW Cancer Center offers free monthly support groups and programs. These groups are currently offered virtually on Zoom and are open to all patients and caregivers in the DC Metro Area. For more information or to register for a specific support group, email jgelfarb [at] mfa [dot] gwu [dot] edu (Jessica Gelfarb), srichman [at] mfa [dot] gwu [dot] edu (Sara Richman), or Joslyn Trovati, or call 202-741-2582.

The GW Cancer Center partners 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, visit the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts.

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, visit the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts.

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 the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts.

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 the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts.

LGBTQIA+ Cancer Support Group:
This monthly support group is designed for adults diagnosed with cancer who identify as members of the LGBTQIA+ community. To register or learn more about this group, visit the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts.