Oncology social workers are an integral part of the health care team at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. Specially trained in cancer care, they are dedicated to helping patients and families navigate the health care system and manage the many challenges of living with cancer. We recognize that a cancer diagnosis and treatment can affect all aspects of a person's life, from family and social relationships to work and finances.
Oncology Social Work
Social workers are available to see patients and family members in real time, in follow-up visits and even by phone as needed.
We're often consulted for help in these areas:
- Adjustment to diagnosis and treatment; new diagnosis/recurrence
- Situational depression and anxiety
- Impact of cancer on patient’s family and caregivers
- Discussing illness and treatment with children
- Coping with advanced cancer and facing uncertainty
- Impact of cancer on work, school and finances
Social workers assess each person's individual needs and provide appropriate support. This may include short-term counseling, advocacy and referrals to community resources. Social workers also provide information and education about insurance, advance directives, palliative care, hospice, family leave and disability benefits, lodging, transportation and cancer-related support programs available at UCSF and in the community.
How to reach us
If you haven't been in contact with a social worker and would like to speak with one, call us at one of the numbers below. Ask to be connected with the social worker assigned to the clinic where you receive care.
San Francisco clinics: (415) 353-4762
Bakar Precision Cancer Medicine Building, 1825 Fourth St.
UCSF Helen Diller Medical Center, 400 Parnassus Ave., Fourth and Eighth Floors
UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion, 1600 Divisadero St., First Floor, Room B-101
Hours:
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Berkeley clinic: (510) 420-8000
UCSF-John Muir Health Cancer Center (at Berkeley Outpatient Center), 3100 San Pablo Ave., Suite 430, Berkeley 94702
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