No matter where you live, if you have cancer or are undergoing cancer treatment, you have resources in your community that you
can look to for help. Many local organizations throughout the country offer support groups, provide financial assistance, or help
with transportation, but often patients do not know about them or are unable to find them. This section will provide you with
information regarding possible resources and services for patients and families dealing with cancer. Contact information as well
as related links will also be provided. Cancer is a very difficult disease, but there are people who can and want to ease your
burdens. The most important thing to remember is that you must ask for help in order to receive it; knowing where to go for help
is the first step.
Support Groups
Support groups provide patients and families with information, guidance, and an unparalleled understanding of living through
cancer. Support groups are available for various types of cancer and are open to patients as well as family members. The groups
are led by a healthcare provider with expertise in the particular type of cancer. To find out about local support groups in your
area, click on the Links tab above.
Patient Advocacy
Learn more about the legislative and congressional activities in progress to protect and increase cancer patients' rights.
Multiple organizations, including US Oncology, work closely with the state and federal governments to protect cancer care as we
know it today and to increase patient's access to the highest quality of care available. Learn more about the patient advocacy
activities of the National Cancer Institute, The Center for Patient Advocacy and the National Patient Advocacy Foundation. For
more information on patient advocacy activities within the US Oncology network or how you can contribute to this effort, email
Eric Berger, Vice-President of Planning and Public Policy for US Oncology.
Patient Education
This section provides information for people living with cancer. While a person experiences a variety of emotions, when a person
first learns that he/she has cancer, the primary concern is survival. As treatment begins, however, new issues become important.
Some of these include our relationships with others, side effects from treatments, and nutrition and diet. Living with cancer is a
challenge, and it is best to be educated about issues surrounding cancer survival in order to live a full and productive life.
Support Care
Many national cancer organizations offer support groups for patients and/or for loved ones. The American Cancer Society offers
the following programs in many communities: I Can Cope, Look Good...Feel Better, Man to Man, Reach to Recovery, and Road to
Recovery. Contact the American Cancer Society office listed in the telephone directory or call 1-800-ACS-2345 to find out what
services are available in your area. You may also contact your local healthcare provider for more information on support groups.
View a few of the local support groups below.
Man To Man
PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
The First Monday Of Every Month
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
7154 Medical Center Dr
Brooksville • (352) 596-1926
8763 River Crossing Blvd.
New Port Richey • (727) 842-8411
Florida Cancer Institute in Zephyrhills offers educational programs to the patients and the public on the third Wednesday
of each month.
Guest speakers offer their experience and present information about the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer.
Sessions are free and open to the public.
September through May
Larry Gandle, M.D.
Sawsan G. Bishay, M.D.
38010 Medical Center Avenue • Zephyrhills (813) 783-1676
