Gynecologic Cancer Patient Support & Education

Patient Education

A diagnosis of cancer suddenly plunges a family into a world filled with medical jargon, side effects and life-altering decisions. But at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, families are never abandoned to the system. The staff in the Gynecologic Cancer Program works hard to ensure that patients and families have all the information they need, when they need it.

Nurse practitioners provide education and support to the families of all patients undergoing chemotherapy. They discuss expected reactions, side effects and comfort measures. When questions arise at home, as they often do, they are only a phone call away.

Registered dietitians are available to meet with patients as well. A dietitian works with women to establish eating plans that maximize health during and after treatment – a plan that respects each person’s likes, dislikes and physical condition. Dietitians also help patients struggling with lack of appetite or nausea during treatment.

Support Services

• Jeffrey C. Siegel Quality of Life Center (located within the Clinical Cancer Center) for emotional, nutritional and spiritual support, as well as financial counseling. We are proud to have psych-oncology nurse specialists on staff. These are advanced degree nurses who counsel patients and families and can also prescribe medication. 
• Rehabilitation gym and the Small Stones Wellness Center, located at the Clinical Cancer Center.
• Genetic counselors available if family history indicates a genetic link to gynecologic cancer. 

Support Groups

Many women want to share information and receive encouragement from others who are going through a similar experience. Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Network offers support groups for people with cancer. Learn more about our Cancer Support Groups.

Day Hospital

The Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Clinical Cancer Center includes the Day Hospital for patients needing chemotherapy, blood products, other types of infusions or advanced services which might otherwise require hospitalization. The Day Hospital offers extended hours, a variety of comforting treatment settings and advanced care support. Its goal is to help cancer patients fit their medical care into their lives — instead of fitting their lives into their medical care.

Palliative Care

When a cure is no longer an option, the Gynecologic Cancer Program team works closely with the specialists within the Palliative Care Program to provide comfort and support to patients and their families. The Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Palliative Care Program was established in 1993 and remains the only program of its kind in the state of Wisconsin. It is known locally and nationally as a leading resource for improving end-of-life care.

Additional Resources

The following Web sites provide reliable information about gynecologic cancers.

The American Cancer Society
www.acs.org

National Cancer Institute
This Web site offers information about HPV vaccine, in addition to other information about gynecologic cancers.www.cancer.gov

Web MD
www.webmd.com