Cancer Institute: Support Services

At the TGH Cancer Institute, we are committed to ensuring that every patient we see receives world-class care beyond diagnosis and treatment. To help meet any needs that may arise, we offer a comprehensive range of support care services to patients throughout their journey to recovery.

Oncology Psychology

Oncology psychologists specialize in working with patients who are struggling to cope with cancer-related distress throughout the entire spectrum of cancer care, including diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and even end of life. They help patients cope with the physical, mental, and emotional changes that cancer often brings, such as uncertainty, sadness, fear and worry, pain, sleep problems, changes in family dynamics, and treatment side effects.

A physician referral is required prior to scheduling an appointment.

TGH Psychology and Neuropsychology

Palliative Care

This interdisciplinary team made up of physicians, nurse practitioners, chaplains, and psychologists work to improve quality of life by managing distressing symptoms and disease burden for those with or without curative disease. The goal is to improve quality of life for patients and for their loved ones while receiving treatment for their disease.

A physician referral is required prior to scheduling an appointment.

Nutrition

The oncology dietitian ensures that patients get enough nutrition to have the strength for treatment and recovery. The oncology dietitian provides instruction regarding modifications to diet and nutrition to help with symptoms as well as information about use and caring for feeding tubes if needed.

Talk to your oncologist for a referral.

Social Work

Oncology social workers provide advocacy, education, discharge planning and case management. They are available throughout all phases of the cancer continuum, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, palliative care, end of life and bereavement.

Talk to your oncologist for a referral.

Financial Assistance

The Financial Assistance Department helps uninsured patients to obtain insurance through Medicaid, the Hillsborough County Health Care Programs, and the Healthcare Marketplace. A ﬁnancial assistance specialist will complete the application for the patent and assist with follow-up on the status of the application. The Financial Assistance Department also helps uninsured or underinsured patients apply for ﬁnancial assistance or charity at TGH. Patients will be asked to provide information to TGH ﬁnancial assistance specialist to determine eligibility for ﬁnancial assistance or charity care.

TGH Financial Assistance: (813) 844-8044

Cancer Genetics Program

Genetic counselors see patients with personal or family history of cancer that is concerning for inherited cancer risks for testing to better understand the cancer risks in their family. For our patients with inherited cancer risks, genetic counselors provide a personalized management plan as well as follow up care to help them understand how this result can help them with their treatment, early detection, and cancer prevention for themselves and their family members.

A physician referral is required prior to scheduling an appointment.

Learn more about our Cancer Genetics Program

Patient & Caregiver Support Groups

TGH oncology psychologists lead support groups for patients currently undergoing treatment and their loved ones and caregivers. Support groups were developed to offer a space to discuss challenges and triumphs in a supportive environment throughout the course of one’s journey.

TGH Psychology/Neuropsychology: (813) 844-3541 or email: cancersupportgroup@tgh.org

Survivorship Program

Team members from TGH Community Engagement offer a virtual evidence-based group (“Cancer: Thriving and Surviving”) and ongoing education lectures for patients who have completed treatment and are deemed to have no evidence of disease. This group focuses on regaining a “new normal” after cancer and learning to live a healthy life as a cancer survivor.

TGH Community Health & Wellness: (813) 844-2002 or email: teamwellness@tgh.org

Physical Therapy

Surgery, radiation therapy, and or chemotherapy often causes stiffness and pain in parts of the body, especially in the areas where the treatments, IVs, and ports are placed. There may be changes in posture, movement, and motoric functioning. The Physical therapists assess these issues and treat with specific manual therapies, exercises, and home programs. It is important to treat these issues early on to prevent further stiffness.

A physician referral required prior to scheduling an appointment.
Outpatient TGH Rehabilitation scheduling: (813) 844-7719.

Occupational Therapy

An occupational therapist treats a range of conditions from a cancer diagnosis or treatment that affects a patient’s ability to perform regular activities and carry out necessary tasks at work, school, or home. These specialists often prescribe assistive devices, teach new ways of completing activities, build hand-eye coordination, and work on motor skills to improve functional independence.

A physician referral required prior to scheduling an appointment.
Outpatient TGH Rehabilitation scheduling: (813) 844-7719.

Speech Therapy

The Speech-Language Pathologists assist with changes and/or difficulties with speech, voice, and cognitive function. For instance, they evaluate swallow function to make sure that swallowing is safe and efficient to maintain caloric/nutritional intake. They recommend swallowing exercises for strengthening the muscles used for swallowing and to help with modifications (i.e., positioning, postural maneuvers) to help improve efficiency when eating by mouth.

A physician referral required prior to scheduling an appointment.
Outpatient TGH Rehabilitation scheduling: (813) 844-7719.

Lymphedema Therapy

Lymphedema Certified Physical therapists provide manual lymphatic drainage, bandaging for edema management, scar management, home exercise prescription, recommendations for lymphedema pump if appropriate, and compression garment recommendations.

A physician referral required prior to scheduling an appointment.
Outpatient TGH Rehabilitation scheduling: (813) 844-7719.

Biofeedback Therapy

Biofeedback helps patients become more aware of physical changes in the body that usually are not noticed but that can exacerbate physical conditions. Changes in muscle activity, skin surface temperature and emotional arousal are monitored and shown to the patients via signals on a computer monitor. During the evaluation, certain muscle groups are monitored to identify levels of activity and the treatment includes learning relaxation and breathing techniques to enhance mind-body connection.

A physician referral required prior to scheduling an appointment.
Outpatient TGH Rehabilitation scheduling: (813) 844-7932.

Hospice Services

Hospice services are offered to those who are nearing end of life. They are also offered when a cure for disease is not an option and the patient and his/her family choose to focus on symptom management/quality of life. An interdisciplinary team of medical professionals gather to facilitate a dignified end of life for the patient while simultaneously offering ongoing support for the family and loved ones.