Urgent care vs. the ER: How to know where to go
June 11, 2026
Visit the ER for serious illness or injuries when you need emergency care. Visit urgent care for minor injuries or illnesses that need same-day care.
Cancer care and support services in Chicagoland
Ascension Illinois provides personalized cancer support services including group counseling, exercise classes and spiritual care.
Cancer care and support services in Chicagoland
Ascension Illinois provides personalized cancer support services including group counseling, exercise classes and spiritual care
Why choose Ascension Illinois
As your cancer care needs change, we’re here to support you. At Ascension Illinois, your care team is beside you from diagnosis through recovery. We provide support for you and your family during and after your treatment, including nutrition education, counseling, support groups and spiritual care.
Support at every stage of your cancer journey
Our cancer specialists help connect you to resources and follow-up care to support your mental, emotional and physical health. Your cancer support services may include:
Breast cancer ambassadors
The Ascension Illinois Breast Cancer Ambassador Program connects survivors with other patients who have completed their cancer treatment. Ambassadors are trained mentors who provide encouragement, emotional support and education.
Stepping Forward survivorship program
- Stepping Forward provides tools, educational programs and one-on-one support — at no cost to you, including personalized survivorship plans. You'll receive a personalized, five-year plan with recommendations for follow-up testing and long-term lifestyle changes.
- Proactive follow-up care: Your dedicated nurse navigator will actively monitor your progress years after treatment. You can also contact us if you have questions or concerns.
- Support groups and networks: Share your story and gain hope from hearing other survivors' stories in a safe, close-knit support group.
- Holistic care: At Ascension Illinois, many of our locations offer specialized services such as yoga, acupuncture, massage, pet therapy and counseling, to support your health after treatment.
Nutrition counseling
Registered dietitians specially trained in oncology provide personalized nutrition plans to help manage side effects during and after treatment.
Spiritual care
Our care teams provide spiritual and emotional support, such as bedside visits, counseling and worship services. You or your family members can request a visit from a chaplain at any time.
Social work assistance
Oncology social workers talk with you and your care team to understand your individual needs and connect you to resources, including financial support options.
Support groups
You’re welcome to talk about your experiences and concerns in our cancer support groups. Connecting with others provides an outlet for emotions and helps you cope by sharing your story. Family and caregivers are welcome, and virtual options are available. Call 844-952-HOPE for more information.
Wig and makeup boutique
Being diagnosed with cancer should never stop you from feeling beautiful, confident and strong — inside and out. The Faraci Boutique provides wigs and breast prostheses when they can’t be obtained through insurance. All consultations are private, and walk-ins are welcome
Lifestyle and fitness classes at Ascension Illinois
Fit Club to Fight Cancer: The Fit Club allows members to share their feelings, triumphs and concerns with other survivors and encourages members to continue making their health a priority. Training options include walking, fitness classes and exercise equipment. All levels of athletes are welcome.
Strong and Sturdy: This exercise class promotes cardio fitness and endurance through whole-body movement and stepping to music. Exercises are performed sitting in a chair or standing depending on participants' abilities. Strong and Sturdy is an ongoing program taught by an exercise physiologist.
Yoga: Our yoga classes are designed specifically for oncology patients. Each class focuses on breath and body awareness while helping improve mental clarity, strength and flexibility. Talk with your doctor before beginning any exercise class. Registration is required.
Therapies to support your physical, emotional and mental health
Art therapy: Individual virtual sessions are available by appointment with an art therapist or counselor. Call 773-990-8524 to learn more.
Healing Touch clinic: This energy-based therapy that restore harmony and balance in your body. Using light touch, this method can help relieve anxiety, pain, stress and reduce side effects of cancer treatment. We offer private 60-minute sessions (fully clothed).
Massage therapy: Massage therapy helps reduce swelling in arms and legs affected by lymph node removal or trauma. We also offer scar tissue massage to help improve range of motion and other restrictions of the body due to surgery.
Music therapy: Music therapy is a relaxation technique that may include listening to, singing and even composing your own music. Music therapy can help improve a patient's communication, social skills and emotional well-being.
Relax and Feel Great: A certified hypnotherapist provides relaxation techniques such as biofeedback, guided imagery, visualization, and self-hypnosis to help you feel calm and empowered. Virtual options are available.
Frequently asked questions about our cancer care services
Your doctor and care team get to know you well, and you’ll receive care for the whole person — from physical health and well-being to mental and emotional health to support for your family and caregivers. At Ascension Illinois, we provide innovative medication treatments, the latest surgical technologies and techniques, high-tech radiation facilities and support services. Our oncologists are part of a national team of cancer specialists sharing the latest in cancer care knowledge and research.
We can connect you with resources and programs that may be able to help you and your family with options for financial assistance. Our financial counseling team is here to listen to your concerns and work with you to help find options that meet your needs. Your cancer care team can connect you to a financial counselor.
At Ascension Illinois cancer center and clinics, we offer convenient parking. Talk to your care team if you have transportation needs.
Surgical oncologists and anesthesiologists provide enhanced recovery pathways as part of your surgical care plan. They are an important part of our cancer treatment programs. Each pathway is personalized for different types of cancer treatment, to help speed up your recovery after surgery. Your care team uses these protocols to help you prepare for what to expect before, during and after surgery.
Ascension Illinois - Cancer Care Hoffman Estates
1555 North Barrington Rd Building 3, Ste. 1400
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Ascension Medical Group Illinois - Gynecologic Oncology Elk Grove
800 Biesterfield Rd 8 302
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 911.
All registered marks are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Stories you'll love
After decades of knee pain, a left knee replacement at Ascension Saint Alexius in Hoffman Estates helped a retired barber get back to golf with care from orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Paul S. Nourbash.
4 ways to better manage your winter blues
February 18, 2026
Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital Behavioral Health therapist, Kelly Hayden, shares four ways you can overcome seasonal blues this winter.
Winter heart health tips from Ascension Illinois cardiologist
February 4, 2026
Ascension Illinois cardiologist Dr. Andrei Pop shares how harsh winter weather affects the heart, and what you can do to protect yourself.
Kelly Hayden, MA, LCP, NCC, behavioral health therapist at Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital shares ways first responders can manage the stress of the holidays.
If incidents occur this Fourth of July, knowing where and when to get immediate and emergency care is important.
Four summer activities that often lead to injuries
June 23, 2025
Ascension urgent care and orthopedic teams are here to help you manage your summer injury.
Salahuddin Syed, MD, psychiatrist at Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, treats patients with advanced depression with electroconvulsive therapy.
Creating community can help improve mental wellbeing
April 17, 2025
Sarah Briley, EdD, LCPC, CADC, service line director for adult services at Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, shares five ways being in community with others can benefit your mental health.
Gastroenterologist, Bipan Chand, MD, at Ascension Illinois, helps man recover from cancer for the second time by using a robotic colon resection.
Bipan Chand, MD, a gastroenterologist at Ascension Illinois in Chicago, performed a robotic colon resection to treat diverticulitis, a colon disease.
Neurosurgeon at Ascension Illinois performs life saving craniectomy on a young stroke survivor.
Breast cancer at a young age didn’t defer this Wheeling woman’s dream trip to Antarctica thanks to the Ascension Alexian Brothers care team.
A Rockford, IL woman lost 111 pounds at the age of 24 after having gastric bypass surgery at Ascension Alexian Brothers.
Gastric sleeve surgery at Ascension Alexian Brothers helped this Elk Grove Village man lose 285 pounds and gain a family.
One-Pound Uterine Fibroid Removed from Chicago Woman
September 7, 2023
A long relationship of trust with her OB-GYN at Ascension Illinois led to the removal of a massive growth from her uterus.
Illinois woman doesn’t shy away from incontinence care
September 5, 2023
This Illinois woman was tired of dealing with incontinence, so she found care at Ascension Saint Alexius in Hoffman Estates, IL.
An Ascension Saint Alexius pain specialist got this student athlete back on her feet. Now she’s helping others recognize the symptoms of CRPS.
How to Live Longer and Better with Heart Failure
August 18, 2023
On this Healthcast episode, Ascension Illinois cardiologist Baqir Lakhani walks you through heart failure symptoms and the latest treatment options.
Heart Failure Survivor Prepares to Climb Mt. Fuji
April 27, 2023
Matt is doing more than surviving. He’s thriving thanks to his indomitable spirit, his Illinois care team and heart pump implant technology.
After a fall almost caused her to give up on music, Jewel returned to her passion with help from a caring pain management specialist.
Three ways to stop overthinking and start living
February 27, 2023
A Chicago-based anxiety expert and clinical director at Ascension Illinois, Katie Torres shares ways to decrease overthinking with three exercises you can do right now.