Integrated Cancer Care

Services for the Mind, Body and Spirit

At Swedish we believe in caring for the mind, body and spirit of our patients through diagnosis to treatment, and beyond. The Swedish Cancer Institute offers many therapies and services that can be integrated into an individual's care to complement their traditional medical care. 

 Download the Integrated Care Brochure

Watch Our Integrated Care Video

American Cancer Society's Cancer Resource Navigator  

American Cancer Society's Cancer Resource Navigator provides information on coping with illness and treatment and find resources assistance, medication, home-health care and transportation.

Learn more about Cancer Resource Navigator

Art Therapy

Art Therapy helps patients to express emotions, reduce side effects and increase relaxation through the use of visual media.

Learn more about Art Therapy

Cancer Education Classes

The Swedish Cancer Institute offers programs to assist you, your family and your caregivers in making treatment decisions, managing your symptoms and accessing complementary programs to help your mind, body and spirit to heal.
Find Upcoming Classes

Cancer Education Center

The Cancer Education Center at Swedish is a unique resource center that provides patient education to the public free of charge. The center offers a wide variety of brochures, books, videos and audiotapes about cancer, and an expansive computer database that can be used to search for and print information about specific types of cancer.

Visit our Cancer Education Center

Cancer Rehabilitation

Cancer Rehabilitation helps patients maintain energy and strength and to optimize function or bring back lost due to the effects of cancer and treatment.

Learn more about Cancer Rehabilitation

Counseling & Support

Cancer can lead to countless difficulties for patients' social, emotional and physical functioning. Psycho-oncology focuses on helping patients and their families maintain the emotional well-being needed to cope with the stress of a cancer diagnosis, treatment and survivorship.

Learn more about Counseling and Support Groups

Genetic Counseling and Tests

Genetic Counselors determine which genetic tests are appropriate for patients and families for hereditary cancers including breast, ovarian cancer and colon cancers, as well as the risks, advantages and costs. The genetic-test results will be integrated into patient care and surveillance for cancer.

Learn more about Genetic Counseling and Tests

Knit for Life™

This network of volunteers uses knitting as a healing experience to enhance the lives of cancer patients, their families and caregivers and recovery. It provides a supportive environment for beginning and experienced knitters. All materials are provided.

Locations: 

• Swedish/First Hill: Swedish Cancer Institute, 1st Floor Lobby, Thursdays (ongoing), 1-3 p.m.
•  Swedish/First Hill: True Family Women's Cancer Center, Healing Forum, 5th Floor, Wednesdays (ongoing), 1-3 p.m.
• Swedish/Issaquah: Medical Office Building Main Lobby, in front of the fireplace, Mondays (ongoing), 1-3 p.m. 

Massage Therapy

Massage has been found to relieve symptoms related to cancer, as well as side effects from treatments, such as nausea, fatigue and pain. Licensed massage therapists apply pressure to the soft tissues of the body to stimulate nerves and increase blood flow. All massages are tailored to the each patient's needs.

Learn more about Massage Therapy

Music Therapy

Music therapy uses music to improve emotional, physical, physiological and spiritual well-being. A typical session consists of talking with a counselor followed by an activity that involves music and sound. Some techniques used include drumming, singing, chanting and songwriting. This service is free and no musical experience is necessary.

Learn more about Music Therapy

Meditation

Mindfulness meditation, an eight-week session offered through the Swedish Wellness Program which
is designed to help patients better manage their stress and physical symptoms as a result of their medical condition.

Learn more about Meditation

Naturopathic Care

Naturopathic Care supports a patient's immune system and reducing side effects. It ensures that you avoid nutritional supplements that could interfere with your cancer treatment or worsen side effects and help patients keep strong and healthy as possible during treatment and develop a cancer prevention plan after treatment.

Learn more about Naturopathic Care

Nutrition Care

Nutrition Care helps patients and families make the best dietary decisions during their cancer treatment including how to deal with loss of appetite and adding protein and calories to your diet.

Learn more about Nutrition Care

See also:

Patient Support & Resources

News Releases & Media Coverage

July 23, 2008
Swedish Cancer Institute's Medical Director of Naturopathic Services Interviewed for TV News Story about Treatment Claims on the Web

April 17, 2008
Cancer Patients at Swedish to Benefit from Expansion of ACS Patient Navigator Program

October 18, 2007
Swedish Cancer Institute's Director of PsychoOncology Interviewed for MSNBC.com Article about What to Say, Not to Say to Breast-Cancer Patients

April 13, 2007
Swedish Cancer Institute Social Worker to Receive National Award from the American Cancer Society for Exemplary Care and "Warm Hand of Service"

January 24, 2007
Swedish's New Hereditary Cancer Program Helps Identify Who's at Highest Risk for Certain Cancer

August 28, 2006
American Cancer Society, Swedish Help Cancer Patients Navigate

April 21, 2006
Swedish Opens New Exercise Program for Cancer Patients; Service Focuses on Well Being During Recovery

September 26, 2005
Swedish Cancer Institute's New Director of Naturopathic Services Interviewed by P-I about Research on Some Cancer Therapies, Certain Natural Supplements