The Spear Center emphasizes supportive services that address the needs of the whole person: mind, body and spirit. Our breast cancer patient advocates play a key role in this support. The advocates serve as personal health care navigators, helping breast cancer patients and their families find and receive the full range of services that they need. Providence is the only health care organization in Portland that offers the services of full-time, hospital-based advocates for breast cancer patients.
Providence also pioneered the Breast Cancer Outreach Program, which connects patients to specially trained breast cancer survivor volunteers who provide peer support and education.
Another component of support is the Spear Center's resource room, which offers up-to-date educational materials and a lending library. In addition, the center’s breast-health nurse is available to answer questions and provide education and support to women and their family members dealing with any type of breast condition (cancerous and non-cancerous). The nurse also is available to teach breast self-examination to individuals and groups.
Individual counseling, risk assessment consultation, support groups and other supportive services also are available to our patients.
Providence Portland Medical Center First and third Thursdays of the month from 5 to 6:30 p.m., 4805 NE Glisan, Fifth floor, Earle A. Chiles Conference Room (purple elevators). Your support person is welcome to attend. Please call Krista Nelson, MSW, at 503-215-3204.
Providence St. Vincent Medical Center
First, third and fifth Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon, 9205 SW Barnes Rd., Ruth J. Spear Breast Center Conference Room. Your support person is welcome to attend. Please call Beth Ruml, RN, LCSW, at 503-216-4676, or Diana Gaughan, RN, OCN, at 503-216-4675.
Cancer Support Group for People Dealing with Cancer
Providence Professional Plaza Every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon, Every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon, 4805 NE Glisan, Fifth floor, Earle A. Chiles Conference Room (purple elevators). Your support person is welcome to attend. Please call Katie Hartnett, M.Ed., LPC, at 503-215-6015.
Providence St. Vincent Medical Center Every Wednesday from 4:30 to 6 p.m., 9135 SW Barnes Rd. Medical Office Building V, Conference Room 23. Your support person is welcome to attend. Please call Diane Harris, LCSW, at 503-216-2917, or Toni Lonning, LCSW, at 503-216-2280. Friends and Family group meets at the same time.
Cancer Support Group for Family and Friends
Providence Cancer Center at Providence Portland Medical Center Every Wednesday from 5 to 6:30 p.m., 4805 NE Glisan, first floor, Cancer Support Services. Please call Katie Hartnett, M. Ed., LPC, at 503-215-6015. Pre-registration is appreciated, but not required.
Providence St. Vincent Medical Center Every Wednesday from 4:30 to 6 p.m., 9135 SW Barnes Rd., Medical Office Building V, Zidell Center for Integrative Medicine, Suite 161. Please call Diane Harris, LCSW, at 503-216-2917, or Toni Lonning, LCSW, at 503-216-2280. The Cancer Support Group for patients is held at the same time in another room (see above).
Family Support Group
Providence Professional Plaza Second Thursday of each month. Dinner is served from 6 to 6:30 p.m., followed by group from 6:30 to 8 p.m., 5050 NE Hoyt, Level B. Children and teens that have a family member diagnosed with cancer benefit from a safe environment in which they can express their feelings. Groups are divided by age, with a parent group meeting at the same time. Please call Krista Nelson, MSW, at 503-215-3204. Registration is required for this group.
Getting Started: Understanding Your Chemotherapy
Providence St. Vincent Medical Center Every Tuesday of the month from 9:30 to 11 a.m., 9155 SW Barnes Rd., Medical Office Building V, Zidell Center for Integrative Medicine, Suite 161. Please call Rosemary McDermott, RN, of Cancer Care Resources at 503-528-5236.
“Making Today Count”: A Support Group For Women Living With Metastatic Cancer
Providence St. Vincent Medical Center
Every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 9155 SW Barnes Rd., Medical Office Bldg. V, Zidell Center for Integrative Medicine, Suite 161. Call Diane Harris, MSW, LCSW, at 503-216-2917, or Cyndi Levine, PsyDc., LMHC, LPC, of Cancer Care Resources at 503-528-5236.
Mind/Body Practices for Cancer Patients
Providence St. Vincent Medical Center
This educational support group explores reducing side effects and managing stress through guided imagery, relaxation, meditation, nutrition and exercise. Every Thursday from 10 to 11:30 a.m., 9135 SW Barnes Rd., Medical Office Building V, Zidell Center for Integrative Medicine, Suite 161. Your support person is welcome to attend. Please call Toni Lonning, LCSW, at 503-216-2280, or Diane Harris, LCSW, 503-216-2917.
For more information on Providence Cancer Center Support Services, please call:
Providence Cancer Center Information Line: 503-215-6014.
