Cancer Support Center
The Cancer Institute provides many support services that play a vital role in our ability to care for you during treatment. While normal radiation, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapies physically fight your disease, we add evidence-based complementary therapies that help heal your body, mind, and spirit.
We offer programs that can assist you with an inward focus and healing. These include mindfulness-based stress reduction, restorative yoga, massage therapy, creative expressive activities, guided imagery, and patient and family counseling.
Listening and sharing with others who also face the challenges related to cancer can improve your sense of well-being. Our support groups offer useful information as well as a supportive atmosphere.
Cancer Support Programs
Saint Alphonsus has a variety of supportive cancer programs for our patients. Click on a link to learn more:
- The American Cancer Society
- Chaplaincy Our chaplains' approach is non-denominational, listening to and honoring the beliefs of each individual while offering prayer and spiritual guidance.
- Coping Connections Support Group – Hosted in English
- Coping Connections Support Group – Hosted in Spanish
- Downtown Boise YMCA Cancer Survivorship Programs
- Genetic Counseling: Our genetic counselor provides education and risk assessment for people who, based upon personal and family history, are at high risk for developing cancer.
- Healing Touch: Healing Touch is a healing energy therapy that can help reduce the pain, fatigue, stress, and anxiety a cancer diagnosis may bring.
- Faith-based Nursing: Volunteer nurses provide care to the community. Call 208-367-6494 for more information.
- Financial Counseling
- Integrative Care: The Cancer Care Center provides multiple support services that have an integral role in our ability to care for you during treatment.
- Nutritional Counseling
- Pain Management: The Saint Alphonsus Pain Management team is also available to work with us in giving you the best pain management strategy possible.
- Patient Navigators
- Spiritual Counseling
- Supportive Counseling
- YMCA LIVESTRONG® Cancer Survivorship Program
For more information on these services, call the Saint Alphonsus Cancer Institute at 208-367-3131.
Navigating Survivorship
Whether you’ve just finished treatment or are still going through it, navigating life with cancer can feel overwhelming. Many people wonder:
- "When will I feel normal again?"
- "Why don't I have the energy or motivation I used to?"
- "How do I take care of my body and mind through and after this experience?"
You’re not alone. Coping with the emotional and physical changes of cancer can be difficult—whether you're in active treatment, recently completed it, or living as a long-term survivor. That’s why we created Nourish and Flourish — a welcoming space for anyone affected by cancer who wants to focus on healing, rebuilding, and feeling more like themselves again.
This group meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at 4pm, with a focus that alternates:
- Flourish in Survivorship (2nd Thursday): An engaging, supportive class focused on physical and emotional wellness. Together, we explore strategies to promote mental clarity, movement, stress reduction, and a sense of purpose—during and after treatment.
- Nourish Your Body (4th Thursday): A hands-on cooking class led by a registered dietitian. Learn how to fuel your body in ways that support recovery, boost energy, and make eating both simple and satisfying.
Whether you’re in the middle of treatment or figuring out how to move forward afterward, Nourish and Flourish offers practical tools and meaningful connection to help you thrive.
Ready for the next step?
Sign up today by calling 208-367-3131 to speak with the oncology social worker and register.
Additional Resources
Saint Alphonsus frequently publishes articles that offer advice and methods about improving your health and overall well-being. Many articles are about cancer. The web page, titled "Keys to Well-being: Eating Healthier Getting Regular Screenings Knowing Your Numbers" is found here.