Special kits at Cancer Center help patients through treatment

To help cancer patients with the difficult journey through diagnosis, treatment, and survival, the Health Center’s Carol and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center offers several special resources.

The center became the first in the state to adopt a formal referral process with the American Cancer Society that allows newly diagnosed cancer patients immediate access to the society’s “Personal Health Manager” kits.

Customized according to diagnosis, the kits contain a host of information related to the patient’s particular cancer and its course, and tab index pages to record appointments, test results, insurance information, and other related matters.

“The kit was designed by the American Cancer Society as a tool to help patients take the important journey toward survivorship,” says Dr. Carolyn Runowicz, director of the Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center and immediate past-president of the American Cancer Society.

“It’s meant to be carried throughout treatment and used as a central place to keep and organize materials and notes.”

The agreement also gives patients access to the society’s vast 24-hour Cancer Resource Network, which is staffed by volunteers who can provide information about cancer, community resources, and support groups.

Staff of the Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center hope to help patients maintain a sense of control and actively participate in their care.

For women scheduled for breast cancer and reconstructive surgeries, the “Necessities Bag” has become a must.

Created by breast cancer survivor Maureen Lutz of Ridgefield, the tote bag, which has gained attention nationwide, contains items Lutz realized would have been helpful to her while she was in the hospital and at home during recovery after surgery.