Managing your symptoms

“Symptom management” is the term given to the assessment and management of distressing physical symptoms such as pain, nausea, depression, fatigue and treatment side effects. Until recently, too many cancer patients received inadequate treatment for their symptoms. There have been many advances in the role of symptom management as an important element in the process of treating cancer. Some of the best thinking originates here at Massey.

At the VCU Massey Cancer Center, our clinicians use brief assessment tools routinely to ask patients about pain, depression and fatigue, and to initiate evidence-based treatments. These clinical practices grow out of our firm belief that fear of cancer and its consequences must be ameliorated. Our goal is for all patients with cancer to have optimal symptom control from diagnosis throughout the course of illness and survivorship.

• Coping with cancer
• Managing your symptoms
  • Pain management
  • Managing nausea and vomiting
• Finding resources and support
• Accessing rehabilitation services
• Understanding extended care options
• Survivorship: Living your best after cancer
• Survivorship care