Supportive Cancer Care sees more than the diagnosis.
Supportive Cancer Care treats the whole person, not just the disease. Whether you’re living with cancer or love someone who is, you deserve care that meets your unique needs—when dignity, empowerment, and clarity matter most.
WHY SUPPORT
Understanding Supportive Cancer Care.
If you’re living with cancer—or helping care for someone who is—you may not always get the support you need to navigate the full cancer journey. Traditional oncology treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and surgery are critical. Yet cancer can also bring overwhelming emotional, practical, and financial challenges.
Supportive Cancer Care puts you and your loved ones at the center of care. It connects you to real-life support alongside clinical treatment. That includes emotional care, symptom and stress management, and financial guidance. Whether you need help navigating goals with your care team or practical ways to make daily life easier, Supportive Cancer Care is here for you.
It’s care that starts early, no matter the diagnosis, and continues throughout treatment, survivorship, or recurrence. Supportive Cancer Care evolves with your unique needs—helping you feel supported every step of the way.
Patients
Supportive Cancer Care works alongside your cancer treatment. It brings together your clinical care and your needs as an individual. It helps you manage side effects and symptoms, find emotional support and counseling for you and your family, and navigate things like insurance and appointments.
Patient resources
Caregivers
Supportive Cancer Care isn’t just for the person living with cancer—it supports caregivers, too. From counseling and stress management to practical help with scheduling and insurance, it makes caring easier and brings clarity to a complicated system.
Caregiver resources
Join the community.
Follow us to learn more, connect with others, and see how Supportive Cancer Care is making a difference. If you’ve experienced this kind of support—or wish you had—share your story and help others feel less alone.
Follow Our SocialsASK FOR CARE
You deserve support.
Here’s how to ask for it.
Unsure how to talk with your care team about Supportive Cancer Care? Download our guides with helpful tips, sample questions, and ways to start the conversation.
FAQs
Your questions about Supportive Cancer Care, answered.
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What is Supportive Cancer Care?
Supportive Cancer Care is a whole-person approach to cancer treatment. It goes beyond traditional oncology treatment to offer emotional support, conversations with your healthcare team about care goals, help managing symptoms and stress, guidance on finances and insurance, and practical assistance that makes care easier to navigate. This care starts early—for any diagnosis—and continues through treatment, survivorship, or recurrence, always putting you at the center of your care.
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Why should I ask for Supportive Cancer Care if I'm already getting treatment?
Supportive Cancer Care makes your treatment work better. It reduces stress, helps you manage pain and side effects, and removes logistical headaches. So, you can focus on what matters most—your treatment and well-being. Supportive Cancer Care isn’t “nice to have.” It’s what makes care feel complete. And you deserve it.
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Is Supportive Cancer Care for caregivers?
Yes. Supportive Cancer Care supports caregivers with counseling, stress management, help with scheduling, guidance on insurance, and more. Taking care of yourself helps you take better care of your loved one.
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Who should I talk to about Supportive Cancer Care?
Start with your doctor or care team, and ask: “What Supportive Cancer Care services are available for me and my loved ones?” You aren’t asking for a favor or for something extra. These services are part of high-quality care and should be part of every treatment plan.
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How do I find Supportive Cancer Care services?
Your first step should always be to ask your current healthcare team. If you can’t find answers, contact your local Cancer Center for referrals.
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Does Supportive Cancer Care really make a difference?
Yes. Research shows people who utilize Supportive Cancer Care services make fewer trips to the emergency room, spend less time in the ICU, and have lower inpatient hospital costs. Supportive Cancer Care improves quality of life, helps you stay on track with treatment, reduces stress, and addresses practical and financial barriers so you can focus on what matters—your treatment and well-being.
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Is Supportive Cancer Care the same thing as palliative care?
Supportive Cancer Care is a broad type of care that includes many different services. Palliative care is one part of Supportive Cancer Care, and specifically refers to symptom management.
Who we are
The Support Is Care story.
We believe cancer care should treat the whole person—not just the disease. Support Is Care is a national initiative powered by The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation and City of Hope to raise awareness of Supportive Cancer Care.
The Support Is Care story.
Who we are
What we’re fighting for.
Our mission is simple: help people living with cancer and those who love them understand that this kind of support for the whole person exists, that it’s part of high-quality care, and that they have every right to ask for it.
