Chemotherapy treatments are administered in the newly designed Infusion Center. All RNs in the Center have national certification from the Oncology Nursing Society.
Our Genetic Counseling program, made possible through our partnership with CINJ, enables women to be screened and counseled at the Cancer Center. This enables the patient to make informed decisions and provides valuable information for family members.
The physicians who perform breast surgery at Mountainside Hospital are experts. For women who are candidates for breast reconstruction, the breast surgeons work closely with the plastic surgeons. All components of a woman’s history are considered to offer the best cosmetic and medical approach to reconstruction. All women who have breast surgery at Mountainside Hospital are visited by a nurse educator in the hospital prior to discharge. In addition to educating about self-care in the immediate post operative period, patients are offered the opportunity to be linked to the local American Cancer Society’s Reach to Recovery program. A trained volunteer who matches the individual’s approximate age and type of surgery reaches out to the individual after discharge for support and camaraderie.
The social work staff at the Mountainside Hospital Cancer Center is a valuable resource for any individual or family member facing cancer. In addition to short-term counseling and referral to our outpatient counselors for longer term needs, our social service staff assists our patients with other services such as making transportation arrangements, financial aid resources and accessing community resources.
In addition to our general cancer support group, the Mountainside Hospital Cancer Center offers a “Circle of Women”, a group designed to meet the needs of women with breast cancer. Facilitated by our social service staff, this group meets twice monthly and provides a comfortable venue for sharing and support.
The American Cancer Society also offers quarterly “Look-Good, Feel Better” programs on site at our Cancer Center for women, free of charge, to help cope with some of the physical changes secondary to treatment with chemotherapy.
Our Mind-Body program at the Mountainside Hospital Cancer Center offers programs free of charge to our patients. Geared towards promoting a sense of well being and control, programs such as yoga, guided imagery and Jin Shin Jyutsu, are a welcome break in the hectic schedule of many individuals.
Our Rehabilitation Department at the Mountainside Hospital offers lymphedema consultation and treatment services for women. Specially trained therapists offer measures to help alleviate lymphedema.
Many times radiation therapy is used as a treatment modality for breast cancer. Our board certified radiation oncologist and staff offer the most current treatment options in this field for our patients. New patient orientation classes are offered for individuals starting therapy. This provides education about the department and radiation treatments, as well as an introduction to the multidisciplinary team involved in all aspects of the individual’s care. The Radiation Oncology Department also offers treatment for select individuals with Mammosite catheter placement and treatment delivery. This enables some individuals to receive their entire course of treatment in a much shorter interval. |