Cancer Support Services at Wellstar Georgia Cancer Center

Support for your emotional well-being

When serious illness brings uncertainty and emotional strain, our specialists provide guidance and support through every phase of your cancer journey. You are our priority. Throughout your treatment, we offer multiple ways to connect and get the support you need.

Psychosocial oncology services

Support is critical during and after a cancer diagnosis. Our specialized psychologists and counselors provide therapy for individuals, couples, families and caregivers. Group sessions offer healing by connecting you with others who share similar experiences. We also give referrals for long-term mental health counseling.

Counseling can help:

• Diagnose psychiatric complications related to cancer
• Ease distress and side effects like sleep challenges, pain and anxiety
• Enhance your understanding of your emotions and reactions and teach you about cognitive behavioral therapy
• Guide discussions with children, family and friends
• Teach relaxation techniques to manage anxiety, stress and discomfort

For more information, call (706) 721-4109.

Social work services

Our skilled social workers offer emotional support and resources to help guide patients and families through the practical challenges of a cancer diagnosis. These specialists can help with:

• Community resource referrals
• Insurance and financial concerns
• Support groups and educational program connections
• Transportation challenges
• Work-related concerns

Integrated health services

Our integrated health services can improve your quality of life by supporting your mind and body during treatment. Our services include:

Lymphedema care

Our certified therapists help treat chronic swelling and restore function after cancer treatment. Services include:

• Complete Decongestive Therapy
• Compression bandaging and garment fitting
• Education on infection prevention
• Manual lymphatic drainage and exercises to improve lymphatic flow

For more information, call (706) 721-0593.

Nutrition support

Board-certified oncology nutrition specialists develop personalized plans to minimize treatment-related side effects and improve your quality of life, including:

• Addressing specific dietary needs based on your treatment plan
• Maintaining energy during treatment
• Managing side effects such as nausea and changes in taste

Ask your doctor or nurse navigator about a nutrition consultation.

Speech therapy

Our speech-language therapists assist with communication and swallowing difficulties caused by cancer or its treatments. We can evaluate and provide targeted therapies to improve your quality of life. Benefits of speech therapy include:

• Customized care plans to support communication and cognitive function
• Enhanced safety with different food and liquid textures
• Language process and expressing language assistance
• Swallowing evaluations
• Techniques to manage speech-related issues caused by treatment

For more information, call (706) 721-6009.

Survivorship program

After completing cancer treatment, it’s natural to feel uncertain or anxious about what comes next. Our survivorship clinic helps address these concerns by providing personalized care and guidance.

During a one-on-one visit with a nurse navigator, you’ll receive:

• A detailed treatment summary
• A document outlining your treatment history
• Communication with your primary care provider to ensure coordinated post-treatment care
• Guidance on follow-up schedules
• Information on signs of recurrence and recommended monitoring tests
• Long-term expectations from your treatment

Spiritual health

The Wellstar Spiritual Health team provides emotional and spiritual support to patients, families and team members who are experiencing the impact of a cancer diagnosis. Support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We offer compassionate spiritual support to people of all faiths and beliefs, and those without religious affiliation, including:

• Assistance with creating an advanced medical directive (AMD)
• Bereavement and grief support
• Conducting religious/spiritual events as requested by patients, families and team members
• Educational seminars concerning life with cancer
• Connection to other faith communities, as requested by patients
• Spiritual and emotional counseling

Support groups

Connect with others going through cancer treatment in our professionally facilitated support groups. These groups are a safe place to share feelings and experiences that may seem too difficult to share with family and friends. Our group dynamic allows patients to learn from others who have faced similar situations. We create a sense of belonging that helps each person feel more understood and less alone.

Breast cancer survivor social

Connect with other breast cancer survivors.

Wellstar Georgia Cancer Center
M. Bert Storey Research Building
Knox Foundation Community Center
1410 Laney Walker Blvd.
Room CN-1209
Augusta, GA 30912
Fourth Monday of every month
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Gynecologic cancer support group

Join a supportive community with similar diagnoses.

Wellstar Georgia Cancer Center
M. Bert Storey Research Building
Knox Foundation Community Center
1410 Laney Walker Blvd.
Room CN-1209
Augusta, GA 30912
(706) 721-5557
Third Monday of every month
6:15 PM - 8 PM

Gastrointestinal cancer support group

GIST Support International provides answers and support to patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and their caregivers. The organization also offers limited financial aid for patients needing a second opinion.

The Life Raft Group is an advocacy group for patients with GIST, a rare form of cancer.

Prostate cancer support group

Zero Us Too is a supportive gathering place for people recently diagnosed or affected by prostate cancer.

Richmond County Public Library
Writing Lab
823 Telfair St.
Floor 3
Augusta, GA 30901
(706) 305-4810
Third Tuesday of every month
6 PM - 7 PM

Patient resources

Our team provides scientifically backed cancer information and connects patients with specialized care and resources.

Pat Sodomka Family Resource Library

Located at Wellstar Georgia Cancer Center, the Patricia Sodomka Family Resource Library offers a variety of resources on cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, quality-of-life and grief issues. Team members can help people find information on the following:

• Clinical research
• Explaining cancer to children
• Fatigue
• Grief
• Nutrition
• Pain management
• Specific cancer types and treatments
• Spirituality
• Stress management
• Survivorship

The library offers two free databases. You can access them on computers in the library or from home.

• Medline Plus: This resource provides links to websites on specific diseases. You can also find links to medical dictionaries, physician and hospital directories, clearinghouses, non-profit organizations and interactive tutorials.
• PubMed: Find articles from more than 4,000 medical journals in the National Library of Medicine’s database.

Advanced medical directive

An AMD allows you to share your medical care wishes with your loved ones and caregivers, including refusal of certain treatments in emergency or life-or-death situations. An AMD tells people what they want to happen if they cannot speak for themselves regarding healthcare decisions.

To ensure your loved ones follow your wishes, it is essential to complete an advanced medical directive before you need it. Our Spiritual Health team is available to help guide you through an AMD.