Cancer survivorship program in Wisconsin
Your cancer care team at Ascension Wisconsin understands how a cancer diagnosis can affect you, your loved ones and caregivers. We're here to help. Our cancer survivorship program helps you manage your physical and emotional health and provides spiritual support and financial assistance. Our prevention and wellness program focuses on cancer surveillance and screening. You are also invited to join online and in-person cancer wellness classes and support groups. From your first appointment, through treatment, recovery and beyond, your care team at Ascension Wisconsin is here for you.
Cancer survivorship and wellness care
The Ascension Wisconsin cancer survivorship program provides comprehensive care following your cancer treatment. Our goal is to help improve your health and quality of life after having cancer treatment. Concerns can include:
- Emotional health and fear of cancer recurrence
- Financial and insurance concerns
- Long-term and late effects of cancer treatment, such as fatigue and "chemo brain"
- Nutrition and weight management
- Sexual health concerns
Ascension Wisconsin Cancer Prevention and Wellness Program
Doctors and care teams at Ascension Wisconsin provide a comprehensive approach to cancer surveillance with personalized health screenings. Our care team at the Ascension Wisconsin Cancer Prevention and Wellness Program works with you to create a care plan that includes targeted screenings and advanced testing that supports your recovery. Then, if you need follow-up care , your doctor can connect you to a specialist. Talk with your doctor or call the Ascension Wisconsin Cancer Prevention and Wellness Program at 262-785-2273.
Cancer wellness classes and support groups
Ascension Wisconsin Cancer Care provides online classes, in-person support groups and cancer survivorship classes in the Greater Milwaukee area, Racine and the Fox Valley. These classes and events are designed to increase your knowledge of nutrition, provide options for physical activity, help you reduce stress, and improve your overall well-being.
Breast cancer survivors healthy eating and active living program
The American Cancer Society and Kohl's, through Kohl’s Cares have partnered to create the Kohl's Healthy Families program which funds community-based education that improves cancer survivors’ quality of life and reduces their risk of cancer recurrence through healthy eating and active living. Ascension Wisconsin's Cancer Survivorship Program was awarded a Healthy Eating Active Living Grant through this program allowing for the opportunity to create the Ascension Wisconsin Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL)Program.
Ascension Wisconsin's HEAL program is a free ten-week program that promotes healthy eating and active living for breast cancer patients. To join Ascension Wisconsin's Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) program, please call 414-212-5171 to sign up.
Click here for the flyer and here for detailed program information.
If you are unable to attend any of our in person Health Eating Active Living Programs, we have recorded our educational sections regarding nutrition and physical activity for you to view free. Register below to view at your convenience.
Register hereAscension Wisconsin's Smoking Cessation Support Group
Quitting smoking isn't easy, but it's easier with the right help and support. Ascension Wisconsin offers a free smoking cessation support group program to all adult Ascension patients. The program consists of 6 weekly, in-person, group support sessions. The support group meets every Thursday from 3 p.m. - 4p.m. for six weeks at Ascension All Saints Cancer Center first floor conference room (3809 Spring St. Racine, WI 53405).
The sessions include:
- A step-by-step plan on how to quit
- Self-control techniques
- Relaxation methods
- Nicotine patches supplied free of charge
- Stress management strategies
- Group support
- Follow-up phone calls at 1, 3, and 12 month intervals
- Prescriptions and referrals, as appropriate
- Light refreshments during each weekly group support sessions
- In addition, each participant will meet with Jennie Minessale, APNP, once prior to the start of the group sessions to discuss their individual needs and goals.
Registration is required. Participants are expected to attend all six of the weekly sessions. Spots are limited.
For any questions, please contact Ascension Wisconsin's Cancer Prevention/Wellness and Survivorship Nurse Coordinator: Kayla Thorne at kayla.thorne@ascension.org or (414) 212-5171
Virtual Pre-recorded Head and Neck Cancer Educational Series
This is a comprehensive virtual pre-recorded educational series for individuals diagnosed with head and neck cancers. The topics are adapted to address the specific need of cancer patients/survivors with head and neck cancers. Topics include:
- Nutrition, including information on feeding tube challenges
- Speech, dental and oral care
- Lymphedema
- Smoking Implications and Cessation Tips
- Late and Long-term Side Effects.
You may register to watch part or all of this series.
Yoga Connection
These classes are designed for cancer survivors at any stage and, if desired, a support person. The yoga session will include:
- Gentle stretching to improve range of motion
- Guided meditation and breathwork
- Low impact and restorative poses
- Relaxation techniques
Registration is required due to limited space. This is an ongoing class and you’re welcome to sign up at any time. Registrants may join at any time, however the fee will not be prorated.
Classes are held at three locations. Dates and times vary at each location:
- SE Wisconsin – Mayfair Road (201 N. Mayfair Rd., 5th floor conference room 5B, Wauwatosa, WI)
REGISTER NOW
- Ascension All Saints Cancer Center (3809 Spring St., Room S526, Racine, WI, 53405)
REGISTER NOW
- Ascension NE Wisconsin Hospital - St. Elizabeth Campus (1506 S. Oneida St., Folwer Conference Room, Appleton, WI 54915)
REGISTER NOW
Please contact Kayla Thorne at kayla.thorne@ascension.org or 414-212-5171 to be notified when the next program registration is open.
A Time to Heal Survivorship 101 Class: A Cancer Survivorship Program
A FREE 9-week program designed to help cancer survivors of any cancer diagnosis regain their physical, emotional, and spiritual health after cancer treatment. During this program you will work with trained facilitators and meet others who understand your journey. These weekly sessions provide evidence based advice on topics including nutrition, exercise, building resilience, and moving forward in the face of fear. Currently, the sessions are held at Ascension facilities in the Appleton/Fox Valley area and the Milwaukee area. Register below for the program at a location most convenient for you:
REGISTER NOW - Ascension NE Wisconsin
REGISTER NOW - Ascension SE Wisconsin
If registration is closed, please check back for our next program or to contact Kayla Thorne at kayla.thorne@ascension.org or 414-212-5171 if you have any questions or need assistance registering.
Fit To Fight Preventative Health and Wellness Program Ascension All Saints
Fit to Fight is a program for patients currently undergoing cancer treatment, or cancer survivors who have recently completed treatments in our Ascension Wisconsin Cancer Care Centers. One support person may also attend with the patient.
In partnership with the Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Department, Fit to Fight is an exercise program designed to reduce treatment related side effects, such as fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath and can improve overall quality of life. Classes are twice weekly with multiple time options to meet your schedule.
Patients receiving care through the Ascension Cancer Center may qualify for a scholarship. For patients who do not receive cancer care through Ascension, the cost is $45.00 per month for one person or $75.00 per month for a married couple. For more information or to get a referral into this program, please call 262-687-4377.
Support groups for cancer care
All groups are open-ended, for patients and caregivers at any point in your cancer treatment or survivorship.
- Multiple Myeloma Support Group at Ascension All Saints Hospital Cancer Center
- Coping with Cancer Support Group at Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital - Elmbrook Campus
- Ascension SE Wisconsin Ostomy Support Group at Ascension SE Wisconsin Ostomy Support Group
- Prostate Cancer Support Group at Ascension SE Wisconsin – Mayfair Road
- General Cancer Support Group - Ascension St. Elizabeth Hospital main entrance
- Journey to Wellness at Ascension Reiman Cancer Center - Rawson Avenue
- General Cancer Support Group at Ascension Columbia St. Mary's - Milwaukee
- Breast Cancer Support Group at Ascension Columbia St. Mary's - Milwaukee
Online exercise and nutrition classes
View the library of online classes below, courtesy of our colleagues at Ascension Saint Thomas cancer care in Nashville, Tennessee.
Sign up for the Ascension Wisconsin cancer survivorship newsletter
For more resources and information around cancer survivorship, check out our newsletter - About You: Care After Cancer.
Online cancer support groups and resources
Talk to your cancer care team about cancer support in your community, such as Gilda's Club. We also can connect you with resources and programs that may be able to help you and your family.