Advance Care Planning is the process where a person, in consultation with family members, health care providers and important others, makes decisions about his or her future health care, in the event he or she becomes incapable of participating in medical treatments. There are many advanced directive formats. Advance health care directives allow you to have legal control over your healthcare treatment in the event that you are unable to speak for yourself. Studies have shown that ACP helps ensure that your wishes are carried out and reduces family stress and anxiety.
Mission Hope social workers and patient advocates are here to help you understand the various types of advance care planning (ACP) documents and options available. They have the tools and the knowledge needed and provide ACP documents free of charge.
For questions or help with advance care plans of any kind or to obtain free forms, please call 805-346-3402 in Santa Maria or 805-474-5303 in Arroyo Grande.
The Appearance Center offers free services to patients coping with changes as a result of cancer treatments. Offerings include specialized products; wigs, hats, turbans, scarves along with professional beauty application and style training to help patients look and feel their best.
The Appearance Center beauty professionals provide valuable information to patients during monthly classes with corrective skin care and beauty techniques to help them manage the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment. Our monthly classes are open to all women with cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy, radiation or other forms of cancer treatment. Pamper yourself a little today.
To arrange a visit to the Appearance Center, please call 805-219 –HOPE (4673) for Santa Maria or 805-474-5300 for Arroyo Grande.
Mission Hope Cancer Center developed a Cancer Rehabilitation Program to help cancer patients in our community deal with the struggles of a cancer diagnosis by addressing many of the physical, psychological, social and emotional issues through physical activity and creating referral mechanisms to other health care professionals as specific needs arise.
Whether you are currently undergoing treatment or have completed treatment; if you currently have treatment related symptoms like fatigue, nausea, low energy, trouble sleeping, or muscle weakness there is a proven answer to these problems.
Numerous studies have shown these symptoms may be reduced with the implementation of a consistent exercise routine! The program consists of group exercise classes which encompass a generalized muscle strengthening routine for our major muscle groups, some balance activities, and end with stretching.
Each patient has the opportunity to work with the Cancer Exercise Trainer on various exercise equipment and small apparatus to meet your specific needs and goals.
Contact John Malinowski ATC, CET at 805-346-3413 with any questions or to get started today!
A cancer diagnosis affects every area of a person’s life including their finances. It is important to seek help soon after being diagnosed with cancer to keep things from becoming too overwhelming. Our oncology social worker and patient advocate can expertly guide you to resources available based on your individual needs.
For assistance finding financial support resources contact 805-346-3402 in Santa Maria, or 805-474-5303 in Arroyo Grande.
While we all face some risk for cancer, patients with a family history of cancer may have genes that put them at greater risk. Genetic testing can provide not only peace of mind but also suggest strategies for prevention and early detection. In the case that cancer is already diagnosed or arises later, genetic testing can lead to more effective treatment.
Genetic counselors will review your family’s cancer-risk profile. If that history suggests a higher than normal degree of risk, we may suggest genetic testing to seek out known gene mutations that leave you and your children vulnerable to certain types of cancer. These mutations cause cancer in many organs, including the breast, ovaries, prostate, thyroid, kidney, bladder, colon, liver, stomach, skin, eye and pineal gland.
Testing is done on a small amount of body tissue or fluid, such as blood, saliva or the amniotic fluid surrounding a fetus. An appointment will be scheduled to discuss the results when they are available. A positive test does not guarantee that you will get the cancer, but it does enable you or your loved one to be screened at regular intervals.
If you have a personal history or family history of any of the following features, you are a good candidate for genetic counseling:
If you have questions about genetic counseling, please call 888- 506-1013.
Lymphedema is a condition that can cause significant swelling of the arm or leg due to extracellular lymph fluid buildup in that part of the body. This can occur when the lymphatic system, which is responsible for draining excess fluid, is damaged as a result of cancer therapies. Mission Hope Cancer Center offers options to help reduce your risk for lymphedema or to minimize the symptoms.
Early detection of lymphedema is critical to aid in successful treatment and reversal of the condition.
If you have questions about your lymphedema risk please contact your nurse navigator and discuss with your cancer team or call 805-474-5302.
Proper nutrition is essential for living well during and after cancer treatment. Dietitians are the nutrition experts who can help people understand proper eating for their specific conditions.Our registered dietitian provides informative classes and one on one counseling to help people feel their best.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 805-346-3403 in Santa Maria or 805-474-5304 in Arroyo Grande.
For those diagnosed with head and neck cancer, treatment can come with side effects that impact their ability to speak and eat. The support and guidance of a speech-language pathologist (SLP) can do much to help promote recovery and cope with the difficult symptoms of treatment.
Each patient’s cancer is unique, as is the plan of care developed by the SLP. Mission Hope has excellent speech-language pathologists who are trained to provide their expertise to facilitate your road to recovery.
For more information, please call 805-739-3185 in Santa Maria or 805-473-7639 in Arroyo Grande.
Mission Hope Santa Maria Transport vehicles were generously donated by Cruzin’ for Life and Santa Maria Energy. They provide needed transportation to and from Mission Hope Santa Maria for patient appointments. Coming soon to Mission Hope Arroyo Grande.
To schedule your appointment, please call:
Transporter Office: 805-346-3444
Transporter Cell: 805-714-4764
Your drivers are Chris Magana and Launi Johnson.
Please make your appointment at your earliest convenience to avoid scheduling conflicts. If you need to cancel please do so 24 hours in advance. On occasion we need to transport more than one patient at a time but will make every effort to keep delays at a minimum.
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