8600 Old Georgetown Road | Bethesda, MD 20814 | 301.896.3100

Patient & Family Support Programs

Support Groups Screenings New Breast Cancer Support Group

Effective diagnosis, treatment and management of cancer is never a simple process. The best cancer treatment plans go beyond traditional clinical care, coordinating numerous complementary and supportive services. In addition to state-of-the-art care, the Suburban Hospital Cancer Care program is dedicated to providing compassionate support for patients and their families at all points along the journey with this challenging disease. Some of the services include counseling, support groups, integrative medicine and other educational programs, health screenings, and a speaker service.

Counseling and Support Groups

Suburban Hospital’s Cancer Program is committed to providing resources that address not only the physical but also the psychological effects of a cancer diagnosis. A variety of services is offered with the goal of improving the emotional well-being and quality of life of patients and their family members.

Masters-level clinical social workers with expertise in oncology provide counseling, facilitate cancer support groups, and coordinate other psycho-educational programs. Individual and family counseling are available to both hospitalized cancer patients and outpatients from the time of diagnosis, through treatment, and during the transition to life after treatment; these counseling services are provided free of charge. The support groups and psycho-educational programs are open to both Suburban Hospital patients and the community. For information or for an appointment, call Janet Connors, LCSW-C, at 301.896.2192 about oncology inpatients; or call Susan Jacobstein, LCSW-C, at 301.896.2193 about adult surgery inpatients or oncology outpatients.

Support Groups

Breast Cancer Patient/Family Support Group
For patients, survivors and family members. Guest speakers alternate with informal discussion among participants. Pre-registration is not required. Group meets the second Monday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Suburban Hospital, Conference Rooms 6 & 7 (lower level).

General Cancer Support Group
Open to all cancer patients, their families, and friends to receive and give mutual support as they face the uncertainties, challenges, and isolation that can accompany a diagnosis of cancer. Drop-in visitors are welcome; pre-registration not required. Meets on the fourth Monday of the month. This group meets second Monday of each month from 7 to 8:15 p.m. at Suburban Hospital, Conference Room 8 (lower level).

Gynecologic Cancer Support Group
For patients and survivors. Opportunity to share experiences and address common concerns. Pre-registration is required; call 301.896.2193. Meets the first and third Monday of each month from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Suburban Hospital, Conference Rooms 6 & 7 (lower level).

Prostate Cancer Patient/Family Support Group
For patients, survivors and family members. Guest speakers alternate with informal discussions among participants. Pre-registration is not required. Meets the third Monday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Suburban Hospital, Conference Rooms 6 & 7 (lower level).

Health Screenings

Suburban Hospital Cancer program offers free screenings throughout the year. Early detection is vital to improving treatment options and outcomes. For information about upcoming screenings, call 301.896.3939, press option 2.

Skin Screenings

In conjunction with the Sidney J. Malawer Memorial Foundation and Suburban Hospital Cancer Care, certified dermatologists offer free skin screenings in May and in November by appointment. (It is recommended to see a dermatologist annually or more frequently, if requested by your physician.) For information about the next skin screening at Suburban Outpatient Medical Center, call 301.896.3939.

Prostate Cancer Screenings

Free prostate cancer screenings are available by board-certified urologists conduct prostate cancer screenings. Men should be screened once a year, starting at age 50; earlier if risk factors are present. For information about upcoming screenings, call 301.896.3939, press option 2.