Integrative Medicine & Cancer Patient Support

Acupuncture is a component of traditional Asian medicine, which promotes natural healing in the body through a comprehensive approach of evaluation and treatment for the whole person.

Acupuncture is proven to be effective in treating these conditions:

• Relief of symptoms associated with cancer treatments such as nausea, fatigue and peripheral neuropathy
• Neurological ailments such as migraines and nerve pain
• Musculoskeletal pain including back pain and pain from arthritis
• Emotional distress including stress and depression
• Digestive problems such as indigestion, constipation and diarrhea
• Respiratory ailments such as asthma and allergies
• Physical injuries including chronic pain and acute sprain
• Chronic disease management

Acupuncture can also be effective for:

• PMS symptoms
• Infertility
• Smoking cessation
• Many other chronic ailments

Treatment of the soft tissues of the body by use of pressure, friction or kneading to help with muscle flexibility.

A special technique to reduce stress and enhance relaxation, administered by the “laying on of hands.”

An exercise program at all levels of activity for breast cancer patients.

• Psychosocial Support (connects patients to resources and helps with financial, emotional and social concerns): 781-744-8400 
• Outpatient Counseling (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine): 781-744-8610
• Spiritual Support (Chaplaincy Department): 781-744-8800
• Palliative Care (supportive care aimed at controlling symptoms and improving quality of life): 781-744-7011
• Patient Education
  • Cancer Resource Room (for educational materials): Located on 3 Southeast, open 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

Lahey Hospital & Medical Center offers many support groups, such as those listed below, for patients with cancer. For information on current groups, call 781-744-8400.

• Breast Cancer Support Group for patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer
• Warm Hugs Project (support to newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer when they are discharged from Ambulatory Surgery at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, North Shore)
• Breast Cancer Support Group for women who have been living with breast cancer
• Look Good/Feel Better Program (free professional help using cosmetics to hide appearance-related side effects from chemotherapy or radiation)
• Carcinoid Cancer Support Group (location varies)
• Brain Tumor Support Group
• For more information on support groups near you, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345.

The following agencies can arrange for Meals on Wheels, household help, transportation and other services:

• Minuteman Senior Services: 781-272-7177 (serves Acton, Arlington, Bedford, Boxborough, Burlington, Carlisle, Concord, Harvard, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Stow, Wilmington, Winchester and Woburn)
• Mystic Valley Elder Services: 781-324-7705 (serves Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Stoneham and Wakefield)
• Greater Lynn Senior Services: 781-599-0110 (serves Lynn, Lynnfield, Nahant, Saugus and Swampscott)
• Elder Services of Merrimack Valley: 978-683-7747 (for people aged 60 and older in many towns of the Merrimack Valley)
• North Shore Elder Services: 978-750-4540 (serves Danvers, Marblehead, Middleton, Peabody and Salem)
• Springwell: 617-926-4100 (serves Belmont, Brookline, Needham, Newton, Waltham, Watertown, Wellesley and Weston)
• Massachusetts Elderline: 1-800-243-4636
• SHINE: 781-221-7029 (offers health insurance counseling for seniors)

• American Cancer Society Road to Recovery Volunteer Driver Program: 1-800-227-2345 (ask for your local office)
• MBTA The Ride: 617-222-5123
• Lexpress (Lexington’s bus service): 781-861-1210
• Roadrunner (for residents in the Lowell Regional Transit area): 978-459-0152
• If you have MassHealth and need help with transportation, call Pam Reznick at 781-744-8113

• ABC Homecare: 781-665-0119
• Associated Home Care: 978-922-0745
• Best Home Care: 781-224-3600
• Metropolitan Home Care: 781-643-9115
• Minutewoman Home Care: 781-862-3300
• Partners Private Care: 617-267-5858
• Privatus: 617-275-4050

Winchester Hospital’s Lifeline Program provides peace of mind, early intervention and security, helping people live independently while ensuring help is just a button push away, 24 hours a day. To call for help, you simply press a personal help button you wear as a pendant or wristband. For more information, please call Winchester Hospital Lifeline at 781-756-4752.

Caregivers Plus (an emergency response button for those who live alone): 781-937-0310

Winchester Hospital is proud to offer A Caring Place for people with cancer, a retail store that carries wigs, prostheses, head coverings and much more. Winchester Hospital’s professionally trained staff is available to help you select the best products for your individual needs.

A Caring Place carries the following products:

• Head coverings
• Wigs
• Shampoo
• Styling products
• Mastectomy products (i.e. bras, post-surgical camisoles, breast prosthesis)
• Compression sleeves
• Compression stockings
• Compression bandages
• Jewelry

• A Caring Place: 781-756-5088
• Lady Grace
  • Malden: 781-322-1721
  • Danvers: 978-774-7141
• New England Hair Illusions and Breast Form Clinic (Tyngsboro): 978-649-7228
• The Women’s Image Center
  • Leominster: 978-534-0200
  • Worcester: 508-754-8705

For a complete list of suppliers, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345.

• A Caring Place: 781-756-5088
• American Cancer Society Wig Bank (free wigs): 1-800-227-2345
• Carolyn’s Wigs (Wakefield): 781-246-2818
• Hairmate Salon (Woburn): 781-938-0495
• New England Hair Illusions and Breast Form Clinic (Tyngsboro): 978-649-7228
• Nick George’s Hair Studio (Danvers): 978-750-8200
• The Women’s Image Center
  • Leominster: 978-534-0200
  • Worcester: 508-754-8705

For a complete list of suppliers, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345.

Insurance Information

If you have limited or no insurance, or have a billing question, please call Lahey Hospital & Medical Center financial counseling department at 781-744-8815.

Prescription Programs

For those with limited or no insurance coverage for medicines:

• Prescription Advantage (for patients who are disabled or aged 65 and older): 1-800-243-4636, ext. 2
• Programs through pharmaceutical companies: NeedyMeds

The Theodore R. and Betsy Harpley Endowment Fund

The Theodore R. and Betsy Harpley Endowment Fund was initially established as the Theodore Raymond Harpley Endowment Fund in 1992 by Betsy Harpley in memory of her husband. In 2021, their adult children changed the name of the fund to include their mother in recognition of the care both parents received at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center. This fund helps patients with cancer and their families meet the expenses of needed care and services, for example: personal care attendants or home health aides, room and board at a hospice house, and/or other supplementary services that are part of a patient’s treatment plan. For information, please call 781-744-3496 or email us.

The Ellie Fund

The Ellie Fund provides funding and resources for women and families who are undergoing breast cancer treatment in Massachusetts. For information, call 781-449-0100 or visit the Ellie Fund website.

• American Cancer Society: 1-800-227-2345
• Breastcancer.org
• CancerCare: 1-800-813-4673
• Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: 1-800-955-4572
• Lung Cancer Alliance: 1-800-298-2436
• National Cancer Institute: 1-800-422-6237
• National Ovarian Cancer Coalition: 1-888-682-7426
• Pancreatic Cancer Action Network: 1-877-272-6226
• People Living With Cancer
• Social Security Hotline: 1-800-772-1213
• Us Too (prostate cancer support group): 1-800-808-7866