# Support during cancer treatment Keywords: - [cancer](< /en/search?q=cancer >) - [cancers](< /en/search?q=cancers >) - [Comprehensive Cancer Center](< /en/search?q=Comprehensive Cancer Center >) - ... Show all keywords - [palliative care](< /en/search?q=palliative care >) - [physiotherapy](< /en/search?q=physiotherapy >) - [rehabilitation](< /en/search?q=rehabilitation >) - [psychosocial treatments ](< /en/search?q=psychosocial treatments  >) - [peer support](< /en/search?q=peer support >) - [support for cancer treatment](< /en/search?q=support for cancer treatment >) In addition to medical cancer treatments, the HUS Comprehensive Cancer Center offers a wide range of support services.  The Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Psychosocial Support Unit provides possibilities for discussion and support for mental coping and rehabilitation. The unit employs psychologists, a psychiatrist, a sex therapist, an occupational therapist, and a service instructor for young adults. The unit does not issue statements by psychiatrists, assess working capacity, or provide views on benefits. In addition, the Comprehensive Cancer Center employs social workers, physiotherapists, and clinical dietitians. If you get cancer, you will also receive support from a hospital chaplain and a counseling nurse at the Cancer Society of Southern Finland. ## Psychological support as part of cancer treatment --- The psychologists working in the Psychosocial Support Unit primarily provide discussion support, the aim of which is to alleviate the psychological crisis and stress caused by cancer. We offer discussion support that is short-term in nature. We usually schedule the visits approximately every 3–6 weeks. You can come to the appointments either alone or with a loved one. If necessary, we can also arrange a personal visit for discussion for your loved one. For visits to the Psychosocial Support Unit, you need a referral from the physician treating your cancer. You can ask for a referral from the physician yourself. Together with you, the physician will assess the need for support from the unit. ## Social work services to support patients --- Cancer changes a person’s everyday life, including their coping at home, working capacity, finances, caring for children or other family members, as well as personal relationships. It is possible for you and your loved ones to talk to our social worker. You and your family members can discuss your situation with a Comprehensive Cancer Center social worker who will be able to offer personalized advice and guidance on many of the problems and questions arising from your new life situation. A social worker will also provide guidance on benefits available for cancer patients. You can get the social worker’s contact information from the nursing staff. You can also ask for a social worker to contact you. #### Social work services at the Comprehensive Cancer Center - We provide information on social security benefits and services and, if necessary, also assist in submitting the required applications. - Together with patients, relatives and staff, we participate in the planning of the patient’s discharge from hospital and in organizing their further treatment. - We will help you in determining your working capacity and rehabilitation opportunities and participate in making rehabilitation plans together with other professional groups. - We cooperate with the authorities and other partners. - We provide assistance and discussion support for you and your loved ones. - We provide information on the activities of patient organizations. - We provide information on matters related to your rights as a patient. [Here you can find more information on the matters with which a social worker can help you when you have been diagnosed with cancer](https://www.hus.fi/ohjeita-ja-lisatietoa-syopaan-sairastuneelle#video-sy%C3%B6p%C3%A4keskuksen-terveyss). ## Physiotherapy supports the physical functional capacity of cancer patients --- The physiotherapists at the Comprehensive Cancer Center serve patients on both the inpatient wards and in the outpatient clinics. The purpose is to improve your functional capacity through counseling, guidance, therapeutic exercises, and manual therapy. Based on the physiotherapeutic examination and evaluation, we will draw up an individual plan for you to carry out independent exercises, which will help you in recovering from surgery and the cancer treatments. In addition, we will evaluate the assistive devices you need, such as compression products, mobility aids, and other aids that will support your daily activities. We will also guide you in acquiring and using the assistive devices. ## Nutrition supports wellbeing and coping during treatments --- Sufficient and diverse nutrition is important both during and after your cancer treatment period. Cancer treatments can cause a wide range of symptoms that may affect how you eat and whether you can keep food down. Loss of appetite and nausea after, for example, radiation therapy or chemotherapy, and periodic changes in your sense of taste are fairly common symptoms reported by cancer patients. In some cases, eating may be impossible, for example, as a result of surgery. In this case, nutrition intake is ensured through tube feeding or intravenous nutrition. If necessary, you can get help in matters related to nutrition from a clinical dietitian, who you can see with a physician’s referral. ## Sexual counseling for cancer patients --- Patients treated at the Comprehensive Cancer Center have the opportunity to discuss topics related to sexuality at a sex therapist’s appointment. Common topics for discussion include: - Sexual libido and lack of desire - Changes in the body - Pain during intercourse, difficulty in having an orgasm, and other challenges in sexual matters brought on by the illness and treatments - Personal relationships and the formation of personal relationships - Dilatation instruction - Reflection on sexuality, problems and challenges in sexuality - Difficulties and challenges brought about by the illness or treatments in the experience of being a woman or a man or in gender diversity. The average number of visits per patient is 1–6 and we usually schedule visits approximately every 2–6 weeks. Remote appointments are also possible in sexual counseling. You can see a sex therapist by requesting an appointment through a cancer nurse. ## Support services for cancer patients in adolescence and young adulthood --- At the Comprehensive Cancer Center, we offer psychosocial support, counseling and guidance for rehabilitation that takes into account the young age and special needs of cancer patients under the age of 40. The Comprehensive Cancer Center employs an occupational therapist and an expert in psychosocial support who also acts as a service instructor for young adults. Our service instructor will go through your life situation with you, map out your possible support needs and, if necessary, refer you to the services that best suit your needs. The instructor will also provide information about various organizations and peer support. Service counseling is part of the cancer treatment for young adults, and it is also available to the patient’s loved ones. The support of a service instructor is available immediately at the start of treatment and during it. Our service instructor will help you find the necessary support services also at the end of your treatment and during the cancer follow-up and monitoring period. The service is free of charge and does not require a physician’s referral. You can contact the service instructor by calling or through the staff at the Comprehensive Cancer Center. You can also request that a service instructor contact you directly. - [Occupational Therapist, service instructor for young adults, Anna-Elina Rahikainen](/en/person/anna-elina-rahikainen "Anna-Elina Rahikainen (Service instructor for young adults)") - [More information about support services for young adults can be found on this page.](https://www.hus.fi/potilaalle/hoidot-ja-tutkimukset/tuki-nuorena-aikuisena-syopaan-sairastuneelle) ## Outpatient clinic for elderly cancer patients --- If necessary, we will refer elderly people to a geriatrist or geriatric oncologist for chemotherapy evaluation. The geriatrist will provide a variety of instructions on coping at home and administering medication. ## Support for families with children --- Cancer usually has a profound impact on the everyday life of families with children. Each family reacts differently to a family member’s cancer. In many cases, the care of children and the family’s livelihood need to be reassessed when a family member falls ill with cancer. It is a good idea to talk honestly to a child about cancer and the changes it will cause in the family’s life, in ways appropriate for the child’s age and development level. When a parent falls ill, it is important to ensure that the children also receive sufficient support. Support for parenting and discussions with children can be provided by the employees at the Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Psychosocial Support Unit. If necessary, you can also come to the unit with your entire family. ## Palliative care --- #### What is palliative care? Palliative care is treatment to relieve symptoms. Palliative care aims to maintain the best possible quality of life by preventing and relieving the symptoms caused by the disease. Palliative care focuses on alleviating pain and other troubling symptoms. Palliative care also takes into account psychological, social and spiritual matters. A serious illness affects the patient’s loved ones as well. For this reason, palliative care also includes support for loved ones. #### Who receives palliative care? All patients with a chronic, progressive disease that causes symptoms affecting their quality of life are entitled to palliative care. Palliative care does not rule out other types of treatment. Treatment to relieve symptoms should begin in the early stages of the chronic illness alongside the treatment of the primary disease. #### Services provided by the Palliative Care Center HUS Palliative Care Center is located in the Comprehensive Cancer Center. The Palliative Care Center also treats patients who do not have cancer. The Palliative Care Center has an outpatient clinic that accepts patients with a doctor's referral from anywhere in the Uusimaa area. The center's professionals includer physicians, nurses and psychotherapists (in the Psychosocial Support Unit) specialized in palliative care. A physiotherapist, a social worker, a clinical dietitian, and a hospital chaplain are also available when necessary. [Read more about palliative care.](/en/patient/treatments-and-examinations/palliative-care "Palliative care") [The Palliative Hub of the online Health Village](https://www.terveyskyla.fi/palliatiivinentalo) (Terveyskylä online service; content currently not available in English) supports terminally ill people and their loved ones in living with the disease. ## Emotional and spiritual support --- The Comprehensive Cancer Center has its own hospital chaplain, who is there for the patients and their families as well as the staff. With a hospital chaplain, you can talk about all the things you have on your mind. Conversations are always strictly confidential and held in a manner that respects the person’s religious beliefs. You can talk to a hospital chaplain regardless of your religious beliefs. If you wish, the hospital chaplain can help you get in touch with your parish or religious community. You can contact the hospital chaplain through the staff at the Comprehensive Cancer Center and by calling or emailing the chaplain. - [Ulla Ullgren, Hospital Chaplain](/node/6507) ## Support services of the Cancer Society of Southern Finland --- The Cancer Society of Southern Finland offers a wide range of support and advice services to cancer patients and their loved ones. The society’s counseling nurse will support you in all stages of your illness. The counseling nurse can be contacted by calling 050 4088 420 from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. You can also contact her by email: Face-to-face meetings at the Comprehensive Cancer Center or remotely can be arranged by appointment. For example, your situation might be: - Your or a loved one’s cancer diagnosis and the life change it has brought about makes you uncertain. - You need information about cancer and the treatments it involves. - You have challenges in your intimate relationships or other personal relationships that come with the illness. - You need support and the means to support your children and adolescents when one of their parents or a sibling has cancer. - You need support and ways to change your lifestyle and want to learn how to promote your own coping and wellbeing during and after your illness. - You need support for rehabilitation or returning to work. - You have lost a loved one and are experiencing grief. The counseling nurse is a trained health care professional, and the counseling service is provided free of charge. The counseling nurse is bound by professional secrecy. - [More information about the services of the Cancer Society of Southern Finland](https://www.etela-suomensyopayhdistys.fi/) - [Facebook page of the Cancer Society of Southern Finland](https://www.facebook.com/people/Etel%C3%A4-Suomen-Sy%C3%B6p%C3%A4yhdistys-ry-S%C3%B6dra-Finlands-Cancerf%C3%B6rening-rf/100064638551623/) ## Patient organizations and peer support for cancer patients --- [OLKA®](/node/1715) refers to coordinated organization and volunteering activity at hospitals. Our purpose is to offer patients and their loved ones unhurried encounters and provide support in coming to terms with their disease. The [Peer Hub of the online Health Village](https://www.terveyskyla.fi/vertaistalo) (Terveyskylä online service; content currently not available in English) is a service that offers peer support for patients and their family members. [The “All about cancer” website](https://kaikkisyovasta.fi/) provides information, advice, and peer support related to cancer. [The Cancer Society of Finland](https://www.syopapotilaat.fi/) supports adult cancer patients and their loved ones at different stages of the disease. [The Syöpäklinikan tukijat](http://syopaklinikantukijat.fi/) (supporters of the cancer clinic) organization supports the Comprehensive Cancer Center’s patients and their loved ones in the demanding everyday life at the hospital by making the hospital environment more comfortable. ## Customer panel and experts by experience --- The experts by experience at the Comprehensive Cancer Center and the customer panel members collaborate with our staff in the planning, implementation, development, and evaluation of services. [Read more about customer inclusion at HUS](/en/about-us/development-hus/customer-involvement "Customer involvement") Likelihood to recommend (NPS) ## Comprehensive Cancer Center Feedback (pcs) 24 Situation 2.5.2026 -100 100 100 i What is NPS? ## [ Care pathways for cancer ](/en/patient/treatments-and-examinations/cancer) The care pathways offer reliable information on various types of cancer, the related diagnostic tests, and the different stages of care at HUS. Check the care pathways for cancer here  ## Units related to the service ### [ Breast Surgery Outpatient Clinic, Park Hospital ](/en/patient/hospitals-and-other-units/park-hospital/breast-surgery-outpatient-clinic-park-hospital) In Park Hospital’s Department of Breast Surgery, we operate both new and locally recurrent cases of breast cancer. ### [ Hematology Outpatient Clinic C2-C5, Comprehensive Cancer Center ](/en/patient/hospitals-and-other-units/comprehensive-cancer-center/hematology-outpatient-clinic-c2-c5) Our Hematology Outpatient Clinic at the Comprehensive Cancer Center is available on referral and by appointment only. ### [ Hematology Ward 7A, Meilahti Triangle Hospital ](/en/patient/hospitals-and-other-units/meilahti-triangle-hospital/hematology-ward-7a-meilahti-triangle) Ward 7A for hematology is located at Meilahti Triangle Hospital. On the ward, we treat patients with malignant hematological diseases. The most common… ### [ Hematology Ward 7B, Meilahti Triangle Hospital ](/en/patient/hospitals-and-other-units/meilahti-triangle-hospital/hematology-ward-7b-meilahti-triangle) On Hematology Ward 7B at Meilahti Triangle Hospital, we primarily treat patients with malignant hematological diseases. The most common diagnoses in our… - [Show more](?page=1 "Load more items") ## Further information on this topic ### [ Instructions and additional information for cancer patients ](/en/patient/treatments-and-examinations/cancer/instructions-and-additional-information-cancer-patients) On this page you will find instructions, guides and useful links to support your cancer treatment. ### [ Support for young adults with cancer ](/en/patient/treatments-and-examinations/support-young-adults-cancer)  ### [ Cancer research ](/en/research-and-education/scientific-research/cancer-research) HUS Comprehensive Cancer Center is Finland’s largest clinical cancer research center, with more than 150 ongoing studies. We carry out cancer treatment and… ### [ Palliative care ](/en/patient/treatments-and-examinations/palliative-care) ### [ Support during cancer treatment ](/en/patient/treatments-and-examinations/support-during-cancer-treatment)  ### [ Comprehensive Cancer Center ](/en/about-us/departments/comprehensive-cancer-center) We are responsible for radiation therapy as well as for the drug therapy for cancer and treatment of hematological diseases in patients over the age of 16…  Show all Updated: 10.09.2025 Print this page