Cancer Support and Education

The Banner Desert Cancer Center offers an assortment of cancer support resources, including:

• Cancer Support Groups
• Integrative Therapies
• Jewels Garden Oncology Boutique
• Education Classes
• The Oasis Spa
• Face in the Mirror Cancer Relaxation Retreat
• Cancer Events
• Lymphedema Management Program
• Nutrition Consultations

We also offer an on-site Master's Prepared Counselor to provide free outpatient counseling to help patients and their families cope with and adapt to a cancer diagnosis.

Individual Attention
Every cancer patient, every cancer diagnosis, every cancer treatment is different.

That is why we offer a Cancer Care Coordinator at Banner Desert Cancer Center. Our nurse practitioner, Pat Pinckard, has more than 20 years experience in cancer care and can help organize a comprehensive care plan, from diagnosis to discharge.

In addition, the Banner Desert Cancer Center has partnered with the American Cancer Society to provide individual education and treatment plans through the Cancer Resource Center Navigator, who is here to  help you navigate through your needs.

 Cancer Support Groups

• Oncology Patient & Caregiver Mixer– a general cancer support group for patients, families and close friends to share their experiences.
  • When: Meetings are held the third Tuesday of every month from 5 to 6:15 p.m.
  • Where: Hope Springs Room 
• Breast Cancer – a support group for women, their families and friends to share experiences surrounding the mental, emotional and physical issues of breast cancer.
  • When: Meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of every month from 5 to 6:15 p.m.
  • Where: Hope Springs Room
• Metastatic Breast Cancer – a support group for women, their families and friends to share experiences surrounding the mental, emotional and physical issues of metastatic breast cancer.
  • When: Meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Where: Hope Springs Room
• Gynecological Cancer – a support group for women diagnosed with gynecological cancer, their families and friends to share experiences.
  • When: Meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month from 5 to 6:15 p.m.
  • Where: Hope Springs Room 
• Oral, head and neck cancer – an informational and supportive meeting for newly diagnosed patients, family members and friends.
  • When: Meetings are held the third Wednesday of every month from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
  • Where: Radiation Oncology Department
• Colon Cancer – a support group for people diagnosed with colon cancer and their families.
  • When: Meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month from 5 to 6:15 p.m.
  • Where: Hope Springs Room
• Prostate Cancer – a support group for men diagnosed with prostate cancer and their families. 
  • When: Meetings are held the fourth Monday of every month from 7 to 9 p.m.
  • Where: Cholla Room, Rosati Education Center
• Look Good, Feel Better– a free, non-medical, salon and product-neutral program that teaches techniques to people undergoing cancer treatment to help them combat appearance-related side effects of treatment.
  • When: Jan. 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
  • Where: Aspen A Room, Rosati Education Center
  • RSVP: Call (602) 230-CARE
• Desert Climb (for children whose parents have been diagnosed with cancer) –  a support group for school-aged children six to 13 years. Meetings use conversation and art to explore children’s feelings about their parents’ diagnosis. Desert CLIMB is a six-week program meeting once a week and is facilitated by a certified counselor and two Child Life specialists.

For more information about cancer support groups, call the Banner Desert Cancer Center at (480) 412-HOPE (4673).