Support Services

Patient care navigators offer a variety of services to patients recently diagnosed with cancer or undergoing treatment. These nurses work to ensure the highest quality of care by serving as a compassionate advocate and coordinator of patient care. Learn more about patient care navigators.

Patient care navigators offer a variety of services, including:

• ServPatient care navigator talking with patienting as a liaison between patient and provider
• Serving as an educator to teach patients and families about their cancer and treatment options
• Serving as a troubleshooter to mitigate any delays or obstacles to patient care
• Serving as a resource coordinator to direct patients to support groups and services, including referrals to social workers and dietitians

If you need additional information, please contact one of our patient care navigators:

• Breast Cancer Navigators - 919-784-1056
• Gastrointestinal Cancer Navigators - 919-784-2186
• Thoracic Cancer Navigators - 919-784-7138

Our oncology social workers are specially trained to provide cancer patients with the help they need to thrive during treatment. They offer counseling to patients and their families and provide resources to help them through treatment.

These resources may include:

• Transportation
• Respite care
• Assistance with medication and insurance needs

At UNC Health Cancer Care, our registered dietitians (RDs) are committed to your health and well-being. Using their knowledge of clinical nutrition, RDs provide support and help modify your diet if needed to lessen any treatment side effects.

Eating well during treatment can help you:

• Stay strong and independent
• Have the energy to continue normal activities
• Maintain a healthy immune system to help fight infection
• Recover faster between treatments
• Experience fewer side effects from treatment
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Reduce muscle loss
• Prevent unwanted delays in treatment

The Oncology Genetics Program at the UNC Health Cancer Care Center provides comprehensive cancer genetic counseling and testing to help you understand your risk of cancer and take steps to prevent or detect cancer early. If you have cancer, the results of genetic testing may help you and your care team know which medications or treatments may work best.

Most cancer happens for reasons other than family history, but sometimes it can be connected to your genetic make-up. Our genetic counselors look for clues in your family history to help them determine your risk and offer appropriate genetic testing.

Reasons to Consider Genetic Testing

• Cancer diagnosed before age 50
• Cancer in several generations
• Relatives on the same side of the family who had the same type or related types of cancer, such as breast and ovarian cancer or colon and uterine cancer
• A relative with two or more different cancers, each from a separate origin, such as stomach cancer and breast cancer
• Rare cancers or tumors, such as breast cancer in a male or medullary thyroid cancer
• Ten or more pre-cancerous colon polyps
• Several pre-cancerous colon polyps at an early age, with a family history of colon or other gastrointestinal cancers
• Certain ancestry such as Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jewish

Appointments are by telehealth and require a referral from a provider in Wake or Johnston counties in North Carolina.

EPIC: Rex Genetics Clinic - Raleigh

Fax: 919-784-6101

UNC Health CareLink: Rex Genetics

If you or your provider have questions, please call 919-784-6898, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM.

Our palliative care nurse practitioner works closely with your oncology team including pharmacists, social workers, dietitians and chaplains to offer an extra layer of support during your cancer treatment. Palliative care partners with your oncology care team to:

• Treat and manage symptoms related to cancer and cancer treatment
• Help ensure that your cancer care matches your values and goals
• Help with advance care planning
• Offer support and resources to you and your family

If you are interested in exploring palliative care, please let a member of your care team know or call 919-784-6917.

Our psychiatrist specializes in assisting patients with medication management to relieve psychological stressors during treatment such as cancer-related anxiety and depression and neuropsychiatric complications of cancer and cancer treatment.

Call 919-784-6917 to schedule an appointment with a psychiatric oncologist or let a member of your care team know.

Hair loss is a well-documented side effect of many chemotherapy drugs. Chemotherapy induced hair loss can be significantly reduced in many cases. The DigniCap® Scalp Cooling System offers you the possibility to keep all or most of your hair while receiving certain chemotherapy treatments for cancer from solid tumors. This may include breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer and other solid tumor cancers.

For more information talk with the clinical staff at your doctor’s office or visit www.dignicap.com

We have dedicated financial counselors available to help you determine the best financial plan for your cancer treatment. Our counselors will also help you determine if you qualify for any financial assistance programs.

Learn more about insurance coverage that we accept and other financial services at UNC Rex Hospital.

Patients undergoing cancer treatment often need skilled rehabilitation to help offset health issues resulting from treatment or the cancer itself. Cancer rehabilitation is designed to combat side effects brought on by chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and other cancer treatments.

Cancer rehabilitation includes a skilled evaluation by a licensed physical, occupational or speech therapist. They will assess your range of motion, strength and endurance levels, speech, language and swallowing capabilities. Our therapists will work one-on-one with you to provide extensive education and strategies to help with:

• Extreme fatigue
• Lymphedema
• Decreased strength and range of motion
• Inability to perform daily activities
• Chemo brain

Cancer patients are encouraged to join the program at any point during their treatment or recovery. You can contact one of our four Outpatient Rehabilitation clinics to schedule an appointment.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 919-784-6878.

Get Real & Heel

If you are dealing with issues common to cancer patients who are in or have completed treatment, a free 12-week exercise program specifically offered for UNC Health Cancer Care Center patients that might be the right fit for you. Learn more about Get Real & Heel.

Free Yoga Classes

Please join us for free yoga classes! Our oncology certified yoga specialist offers classes every Wednesday, 11:30 AM to 12:30PM, in the Community Room at the UNC Health Cancer Care Center.

The maximum class capacity is 15 people, so please call 919-784-2518 or email uncrexcacnercare@unchealth.unc.edu to register.

Our integrative medicine clinician offers patients treatments and strategies that are safe and effective for relieving the side effects of conventional treatment, such as pain, fatigue, insomnia and anxiety. Integrative medicine is offered as a complementary approach to care, along with or following conventional cancer treatments.

if you are interested in scheduling an appointment, please let a member of your care team know or call 919-966-3494.

Support groups are an excellent complement to medical care. They provide education and help foster emotions that can positively impact the experience of your cancer treatment and recovery.

Held in small group settings, our support groups explore the challenges and concerns of coping with a cancer diagnosis. We offer support groups for patients, care givers, and family members.

Explore UNC Health Cancer Care Support Groups.

Parking at the UNC Health Cancer Care Center is free in the main parking lot off of Hopeful Road.

Valet parking is available for $10 a day to patients and visitors at the main entrance, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Drive up to the entrance and ask the parking attendants for assistance.

Wheelchairs are available. Parking attendants at the main entrance can provide a wheelchair or assistance.

The Angel Fund helps UNC Health Cancer Care Center patients who do not have insurance or who have limited insurance to acquire bras and prostheses. This service is made available through a partnership with Dianne’s Selections.

Written notification must be provided prior to selections. For more information or for written notification, contact 919-784-6863.