Manage Cancer Symptoms, Pain & Distress

During or after your cancer treatments, you may experience one or more common physical, mental or emotional symptoms that can affect your sense of well-being. That’s when you can rely on the extensive and compassionate resources from the Supportive Care team at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center in Oklahoma City.

Supportive Care Services for Symptom & Pain Management

Although fatigue, pain, anxiety and depression may accompany your cancer treatment, you can get help to address these complex conditions from the experienced team of doctors, palliative care providers, pain management specialists, counselors, therapists and other knowledgeable healthcare professionals at Stephenson Cancer Center.

You’ll work with highly trained experts who use a variety of evidence-based methods to help improve your quality of life by providing relief for symptoms such as:

• Anxiety and depression
• Cancer-related pain
• Cognitive issues – Problems with thinking, attention, memory
• Digestive disorders, nausea, weight loss
• Dyspnea – Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
• Fatigue and lack of energy
• Insomnia – Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• Neuropathy – Problems with nerves, including numbness in hands or feet

Recommended options to help you manage symptoms may include medications, alternative and complementary therapies, palliative care, cancer rehabilitation services, medical nutrition assistance, and referrals to other services.

Find out more about Supportive Care Services and explore additional pain management services at OU Health.

Managing Stress & Distress

Throughout the cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery process, you can depend on your Supportive Care team at Stephenson Cancer Center.

Take advantage of counseling, consultation and medication management services to help you and your caregivers better cope with the typical emotional distress and other stresses of your particular condition that can lead to:

• Anger and irritability
• Anxiety, panic or worry
• Feelings of loss of control
• Heavy alcohol or drug use
• Loneliness and isolation
• Loss of interest in most activities
• Pulling away from friends and family
• Sadness and depression
• Sleep problems and fatigue
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Although everyone responds differently to the challenges of cancer diagnosis, treatment and survivorship, you and your loved ones can get personalized care for your specific situation from compassionate professionals in Supportive Care Services at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center.

Talk with your Supportive Care team for guidance, counseling and services to address all types of complex medical decisions, sexual health concerns, assistance with advance directives, advanced care options and much more.

Learn about additional palliative and comfort care services at OU Health.

Your Expert Supportive Care Team

Throughout your journey at Stephenson Cancer Center, you can depend on your Supportive Care team to walk with you every step of the way. You’ll work with experts from many healthcare disciplines, including palliative care providers, psychologists, psychiatrists, genetic counselors, clinical social workers, case managers, oncology dietitians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, American Indian navigators and tobacco cessation counselors, as well as other helpful clinicians and support staff.