If you’re a federal employee and have questions about continuing coverage, please speak to your Patient Benefits Specialist and visit our insurance page here: virginiacancerspecialists.com/insurance/. Exciting News! Our Gainesville Office has moved to Bristow – 9450 Innovation Drive, Manassas, VA 20110. Same great providers and care team, same exceptional care, new, larger space to better serve our patients.
What is Supportive Cancer Care?
When a patient undergoes treatment for a serious illness, such as cancer, life can often be disrupted by the physical, emotional, and psychological side effects of treatment.
The Supportive Cancer Care Program seeks to improve the quality of life for patients facing serious illnesses by helping in a variety of areas, such as alleviating physical symptoms or providing emotional assistance. Support is provided by a focus on expert symptom management and developing an understanding of care from the patient’s perspective.
Formerly known as Palliative Care or Palliative Medicine, a consult with the Supportive Cancer Care team at Virginia Cancer Specialists is appropriate for patients in all stages of cancer treatment, starting from the time of diagnosis. It is often provided while patients are receiving curative chemotherapy. The aim is to provide an extra layer of support to patients as they deal with the complexities of managing life with cancer.
Supportive Cancer Care involves a team approach. At Virginia Cancer Specialists, your Supportive Cancer Care physicians will work with your oncologist, your oncology nurse navigator, and other team members to address a broad perspective of your concerns. Other available resources include social work support and a referral to our nutritionist services team.
It is important to remember that supportive cancer care or palliative care is not the same as hospice care. Although hospice care employs supportive or palliative care methods of symptom alleviation, hospice specifically is end-of-life treatment intended for those with 6 or less months to live.
What Our Patients are Saying
“Dr. Siddiqui was very calm and thorough in his knowledge of my treatments and what questions to ask. He prescribed medication to help with my sinus problems, and even called me later that evening to explain the delay in filling it and the cost. I appreciated that personal touch. Dr. Siddiqui answered all of our questions with great advice. I know I can reach out if I need him at a later time.” – Virginia Cancer Specialists Patient
“Dr. Heintz is one of my favorite doctors. I’ve followed her from Arlington to Fairfax because I didn’t want to change whom I was seeing. She’s attentive and displays care for my well being. She’s also been fast to respond when I’ve had issues in the past.”- Virginia Cancer Specialists Patient
