Support Services & Follow-up Programs

Here for You and Your Family

At the Torrance Memorial Cancer Center, we understand how stressful and demanding treatment for cancer can be - not only for the patient but for loved ones, as well. We offer a wide variety of support services to help meet the unique needs of each individual patient. These include:

Psychosocial Services

One of the most profound effects of a diagnosis of cancer is the emotional impact it makes on the lives of patients and their loved ones. At Torrance Memorial, a community of caring professionals gives our patients and their families the support and encouragement they need. These professionals include social workers to help patients and families with financial and emotional concerns and case managers who ensure a smooth discharge from the hospital.

Cancer Resource Center
Information Service

Patients with cancer and their families often want to learn all they can about the disease. Information empowers people; especially those who have a disease that often makes them feel helpless.

The Cancer Resource Center at Torrance Memorial offers cancer information and education to patients, their families and the community. Directed by an oncology nurse practitioner and staffed by certified oncology nurses, the Center helps patients identify resources and sort through information about treatment options. The oncology nurse practitioner visits patients in the hospital to provide information and counseling, helping patients and their families navigate the hospital and health care systems. All services of the Cancer Resources Center are available to anyone and are completely free of charge. The Cancer Resource Center welcomes telephone calls and walk-ins. The Center is open Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Pamphlets, brochures and videotapes from the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute and many cancer resource organizations are available at no cost, on site at the Cancer Resource Center for the convenience of the South Bay community. A computerized service allows patients to obtain medical journal articles about cancer topics through the National Cancer Institute. Or patients and family members may request a professional search for information on a specific topic from the Cancer Resource Center's oncology nurse practitioner.

In addition to services for cancer patients and their loved ones, the Cancer Resource Center provides information on a wide variety of cancer-related topics including screening guidelines, risk reduction strategies, support groups, research studies, and many other community resources for anyone who wants to learn more about cancer. To talk to an oncology nurse practitioner, call the Cancer Resource Center at (310) 517-4665 or visit us in HealthLinks----a unique one-stop shop for health-related information-- located on the first floor of the West Tower.

Home Health and Hospice

Home Health provides an important link between the hospital and the home environment. Services such as registered nurse visits, prescribed intravenous therapies, customized pharmacy items and 24-hour on-call availability, allow patients to remain in their homes while they receive many of the benefits of hospital care.

Hospice is a program that supports patients diagnosed with a terminal illness, and their families. The final phase of living represents, for many people, life's greatest unknown. The hospice team - including physicians, nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains and volunteers - helps families with physical needs, emotional demands, and spiritual challenges they face. Just as important, the hospice team provides education and information so that fear and uncertainty are alleviated. The team monitors the patient's pain and manages his or her symptoms to assure the highest level of comfort. Chaplains provide spiritual support for patients, family members, and caregivers through home visits, if desired.

With Home Health and Hospice, family members receive education and hands-on coaching on the tasks they will be performing while caring for their loved one at home. Nurses and home health aides can attend to other needs. The delivery of necessary medical equipment, from special beds to oxygen machines, can also be arranged. Social workers assist with obtaining community support services, such as Meals on Wheels.

Nutritional Counseling

Maintaining adequate nutrition is important during cancer treatment. Both inpatient and outpatient individual dietary consultation by trained dietitians is available through our Nutritional Services department. The goal is to learn how good choices can make it easier for patients to cope with cancer and enhance recovery.

Counseling Services

Psychologists and psychiatrists are active members of the Cancer Center team. Referrals are available for patients, families and caregivers who require additional supportive care and therapies.

Transportation

Torrance Memorial's Van Transportation Services offers patients a free ride to the medical center, surrounding physician offices and back home.

Insurance

The medical center's Business Office can answer questions about health insurance, Medicare and disability insurance issues. Free counseling on Medicare and Medicare supplemental insurance issues is available through the Advantage program at Torrance Memorial.

Coping With Treatment

Woman to Woman Image Enhancement Center

Cancer patients face numerous side effects on their way to recovery. Among the most difficult side effects for women can be losing their hair and having their appearance change as they cope with fatigue and other problems.

Torrance Memorial offers a special service to support women experiencing the side effects of chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy. The Woman to Woman Center offers free consultation to women who have hair loss as a result of illness or its treatment. Staffed by trained volunteers, the Center offers private, individualized instruction on the use of hats, scarves and hair pieces. Staff members can also address other appearance-related changes that occur. For additional information, contact Cancer Resource Center Manager Paula Bauer, R.N., MSN, OCN at 310-517-4665. For an appointment, call 310-517-4660.

Look Good...Feel Better

The Cancer Resource Center offers the American Cancer Society's signature program, "Look Good...Feel Better" a nationally known, half-day workshop led by a licensed cosmetologist. Provided free of charge, the workshop allows cancer patients the opportunity to gain hands-on experience using make-up, turbans and scarves to enhance their personal appearance during and after radiation therapy and chemotherapy. For additional information contact the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org or Paula Bauer, R.N., MSN, OCN at the Cancer Resource Center at 310-517-4665.

Community Education

Torrance Memorial also offers general community education programs on a variety of health-related topics, including cancer, through such resources as the hospital's ADVANTAGE Program for seniors, the Community Education Department's Miracle of Living lecture series, and the Cancer Resource Center's Cancer Lecture Series. For a complete calendar of community education classes, click here.

HealthLinks

HealthLinks is a unique one-stop shop for health-related information, products and services, located on the first floor of the West Tower. There is a wealth of information at your fingertips, including books and magazines on a vast variety of healthcare topics, and computer stations for Internet research, with knowledgeable staff members on hand to assist you at every turn.

Although it provides information on medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer, as well as services such as the Cancer Resource Center and health education classes, HealthLinks is especially unique because it also offers products for sale such as breastfeeding supplies, books, fitness accessories, videos and much more.

HealthLinks is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (310) 517-4711.

Support Groups

Caregiver Support Group - Gives those who are helping loved ones through long-term illnesses the encouragement and contacts they need to also care for themselves. Meetings are held every Tuesday from 6:30-8 pm. Call (310)784-3754, option 1, for meeting location.

Bereavement Support Groups - Spouses and family members of patients who have passed away can find bereavement support on both an individual and group basis. Drop-In groups meet for bereavement support every Monday evening from 6-7:30 pm, and every Thursday afternoon from 3-4:30 pm. These groups are facilitated by pairs of volunteers who are trained and supervised by a bereavement professional. Private consultations for bereavement support are also available with the hospice chaplain or a hospice social worker. To arrange a personal consultation, call the Torrance Memorial Hospice at (310)784-3754. There is no charge for these services.

Lymphedema Discussion Group - This free drop-in group w/ reservation provides a comprehensive approach to assisting patients in managing limb swelling. Lead by a Torrance Memorial Rehab Department lymphedema therapist, this group is offered in collaboration with the Wellness Community South Bay Cities. Call (310)517-4665 for info.

Cancer Support Groups - Referral to additional support groups and services is available by calling the Cancer Resource Center.

Cancer Care
http://www.cancercare.org

The Wellness Community
http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org

Screening and Early Detection

Regular screenings and self-exams can detect many cancers at an early stage, when treatment is more likely to be successful. With early detection, it is estimated that 89 percent of cancer victims would survive. The following screenings should be conducted periodically by your health care provider. For a referral to a Torrance Memorial physician, call the Physician Referral Line at 310/ 517-4700 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Breast cancer early detection - Breast self-examination training is taught free of charge by the Breast Health Navigator nurse at the Vasek and Anna Maria Polak Breast Diagnostic Center.

Prostate cancer screening - Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the U.S. All men are at risk for prostate cancer. However, a man is considered to be at higher risk if his father, brother, or son has a history of prostate cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 70% of all diagnosed prostate cancers are found in men ages 65 years or older. Medicare covers the two most common tests to detect prostate cancer. The screening Prostate Specific Antigen blood test, also known as the PSA test, measures the amount of PSA enzyme in the blood, a marker for prostate cancer. The Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) is part of a physical examination that can detect prostate cancer early. Call the Cancer Resource Center for where to go for screenings.

Colon cancer screening - Colorectal cancer is the third leading cancer killer in the U.S. Both men and women are at risk. Regular screening tests can find precancerous polyps so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening is important because polyps and colorectal cancer may not cause symptoms, especially at first. Many insurance plans, including Medicare, help pay for colorectal cancer screening. Health care providers may suggest regular screenings starting at age 50 using one or more tests for colorectal cancer. These may include fecal occult blood test (FOBT), sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double contrast barium enema (DCBE), or digital rectal exam (DRE). Call the Cancer Resource Center for screening locations.

American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org

Prevention Services

The incidence of many cancers could be dramatically reduced through awareness and lifestyle changes. For example, 90 percent of skin cancers could be prevented by protection from the sun's rays. Cancers caused by cigarette smoking and heavy alcohol use also could be avoided. In addition, it is estimated that 75% of all cancers are associated with obesity, lack of exercise and a diet that is high in fat and low in consumption of fruits and vegetables..

Torrance Memorial's Cancer Resource Center is committed to raising awareness and providing education about lifestyles changes that may lower cancer risk. The Cancer Resource Center provides information on low-cost adult screenings for breast, cervical and prostrate cancers, as well as osteoporosis. The Thelma McMillen Outpatient Chemical Dependency Program is available to answer questions and offer solutions to those with addiction problems.

The Community Education Department regularly offers classes in smoking cessation, healthy eating, weight loss, yoga, Tai Chi and other healthy lifestyle modifications. For a complete calendar of community education classes, click here.

American Institute for Cancer Research
http://www.aicr.org

Celebrations

Each June, Torrance Memorial recognizes National Cancer Survivors' Day with an free evening celebration to honor the people in the South Bay who have fought or are fighting the battle against cancer. In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Torrance Memorial promotes breast cancer awareness and early detection. To learn more about the specifics of this year's events, click here or call the Cancer Resource Center at 310-517-4665.

TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Torrance Memorial Cancer Center (Main) Appointment Center	310-517-4738
Vasek and Anna Maria Polak Breast Diagnostic Center	310-517-4709
Cancer Resource Center	310-517-4665
Community Education	310-517-4701
Home Health	310-517-3728
Hospice	310-517-3754
Lymphedema Program	310-325-9110 ext. 2000
Nutritional Services	310-325-9110 ext. 2235
Pain Management	310-517-4707
Pathology	310-517-4649
Physician Referral Service	310-517-4700
Radiation Oncology	310-517-4750
Rehabilitation Department	310-325-9110 ext. 2000
Vasek Polak Research Program	310-784-4912
Van Transportation Service	310-517-4764
Wound Care	310-325-9110 ext. 2000
Woman to Woman Image Enhancement Center	310-517-4660