close

AHN launches cancer line

3 min read
article image -

Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute has launched AHN Cancer Help Line, a 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week cancer information line staffed by AHN oncology nurses and open to all patients, regardless of their health care or insurance provider.

By calling 412-NURSE4U (412-687-7348) cancer patients and their loved ones who have questions or just need a sympathetic ear will reach a nurse trained in oncology practice who can advise them on a variety of issues from treatment side effects to clinical trial enrollment.

AHN joins several leading national cancer treatment centers in offering this important public service.

Other institutions that have launched 24/7 cancer information lines include Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Wash., American Cancer Society, Cleveland Clinic, Cancer Treatment Centers of America and MD Anderson Cancer Center. Hutchinson’s line receives about 250 inquiries daily.

“AHN Cancer Help Line exemplifies AHN Cancer Institute’s approach to care: skilled, compassionate, individualized and easily accessed,” said David Parda, MD, chairman of AHN Cancer Institute. “When our patients have questions in the middle of the night, we want to be there to help. The less stress and difficulty patients experience while fighting cancer and the better informed they are, the greater their chances of completing their treatment and having a successful outcome.”

Studies show that cancer patients often do not understand basic information about their cancer diagnosis and its treatment. For example, a 2017 study published in the “Journal of Oncology Practice” found that nearly half of patients didn’t know the stage of their cancer, and 25 percent did not know if they were in remission. Another study, in the journal “Cancer,” found that a quarter of cancer patients did not understand their goals of treatment.

Topics that may be discussed on the Cancer Help Line include interpretation of diagnosis and test results, information specific to the patient’s particular type of cancer, treatment options, side effects, clinical trials the patient may be eligible for, referrals to support groups and nutritional information.

Some questions can only be answered by a doctor, and nurses on the Cancer Help Line are trained to help patients on how to broach difficult questions with their physician. Cancer Help Line does not replace a physician’s care, and callers will be referred back to their oncologist whenever appropriate. For AHN patients, the nurses communicate with doctors on their patients’ concerns, ensuring a seamless, integrated care experience.

Cancer Help Line nurses make referrals to physicians only on the patient’s request.

AHN Cancer Institute offers patients expert, responsive care that is multidisciplinary, compassionate and personalized. Patients calling Cancer Help Line will experience this kind of care, offered by nurses with special training and certifications in oncology nursing.

AHN offers cancer care at 50 clinical locations throughout the region, and plans to add five more community cancer centers over the next two years, including facilities in Monroeville, Beaver County, Butler County, Erie and locations still to be determined.

CUSTOMER LOGIN

If you have an account and are registered for online access, sign in with your email address and password below.

NEW CUSTOMERS/UNREGISTERED ACCOUNTS

Never been a subscriber and want to subscribe, click the Subscribe button below.

Starting at $/week.

Subscribe Today