Patient and Visitor Information
for Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Lapeer Region
Amenities
Beverages and Vending Machines
Lunches provided to infusion patients — sandwich, beverage, snack.
Vending machines are located in the front lobby of the Karmanos Cancer Institute at
McLaren Lapeer Region, adjacent to the front door.
A variety of local eateries are available in the area. Please ask any staff member for more
information on local restaurants and coffee shops
Parking
Free parking is available for your convenience. Multiple handicapped spaces are available for use. Please do not park in the patient drop-off and pick-up area near the front door.
Wheelchairs are available for use during your visit to the cancer center. These are located just inside the front door entrance.
Patient Resource Library
Our Resource Library is located directly off the main lobby of the Karmanos Cancer
Institute at McLaren Lapeer Region. This room is designed to offer our patients and their
family members the opportunity to obtain additional printed information on their particular
diagnosis that is available from national organizations (such as American Cancer Society
and National Cancer Institute).
Computers with Internet access are available to patients and their family members to
help assist with obtaining further information through online resources.
PET/CT
PET/CT is a nuclear scan that helps detect disease and cancer in your body. This service is available at McLaren Lapeer Region every Wednesday through our Radiology Department.
No Smoking / Help Quitting Tobacco
The Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Lapeer Region is a tobacco and smoke-free campus. We ask that patients and their family members refrain from smoking or using any tobacco related products during your visit, including but not limited to e-cigarettes and e-vaporizers.
Free counseling is offered to all of our patients and family members who decide they would like to quit using any tobacco products by either calling the Michigan Tobacco Quit line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW
Smoking cessation is also offered at our organization with one-on-one smoking cessation support. To receive information on one-on-one support, please ask any of our staff members.
Internet Access
Wi-Fi is available free of charge to patients and their family members wishing to utilize any Wi-Fi capable electronic device. To connect to our free Wi-Fi, please search your network settings and select the “guest” option.
Healing Garden, walkway
At Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Lapeer Region, we feel it is important to not only heal the patient’s body, but also their spirit.
Our tranquil environment offers our patients and their family members an outdoor space to sooth, calm and rejuvenate or to restore one’s mental or emotional health.
We encourage our visitors to wander our beautiful paths, sit near one of our fountains or reflect while overlooking our pond to maximize their overall healing experience.
Lab Services
Laboratory services are offered both on-site and at McLaren Lapeer Region to provide
convenient care to our patients.
Resources and Support
While you and your family adjust to a new cancer diagnosis, staff members are committed to helping you understand and manage your cancer treatments. We are pleased to offer individualized and personal support.
Cancer Care Nursing Team
Our Oncology Certified Nurses (OCN) are committed to providing all of our patients the highest level of care they deserve. Our nursing staff at Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Lapeer Region has worked to obtain additional education and training that specializes in oncology (cancer) care.
Our nurses work hand-in-hand with patients, their families, caregivers, medical staff and the community to assure than an appropriate plan of care is developed and implemented to meet the needs of our patients. The nursing staff will work collaboratively to educate and schedule medical care as deemed appropriate to the patient’s treatment.
Education and Cancer Resource Center
This is a patient and family friendly health library. Cancer patients and their caregivers have access to the center, located in the lobby at the Bay office. The center is designed specifically to assist the cancer patients with their journey and need for information and resources. Topics include information on the diagnosis, treatment of cancer and coping with side effects. Literature, videotapes, DVD’s and a lending library provide useful information and tools.
Genetic Counseling
The Cancer Genetic Counseling Service at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center involves documenting detailed personal and family history, conducting a personalized risk assessment and discussing your genetic testing options. The goal is to help you understand your cancer risk and the chance that cancer might be passed along through the genes in your family (risk assessment). This information can also help you to become more involved in ways to reduce your risk by modifying your lifestyle and developing a personalized screening and treatment plan.
3D Mammography
3D Mammography is a special type of x-ray that is tuned to detect breast abnormalities. 3D Mammography is performed both as a screening test (recommended annually for women over 40 and earlier in certain cases) and as a diagnostic test (when a closer look is needed
Integrative Therapies
Integrative therapies are used with cancer treatments to treat the whole patient, which
includes mind and body. These therapies place an emphasis on decreasing stress and
anxiety to improve overall a general sense of well-being. Integrative therapies which are
intermittently available include:
Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic
The Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic (MDBC) was designed to reduce the time from
breast cancer diagnosis to treatment. The clinic is typically held every Friday morning
beginning at 8:00 a.m. The MDBC team generally meets at 8:00 a.m. to evaluate and
discuss treatment options for each patient and develops individualized comprehensive
treatment plans. The team consists of cancer specialists from multiple departments
including: Surgery, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Patient Navigation, Social
Work, Radiology and Pathology. Specific members of the MDBC team will meet
with each patient on the clinic day to discuss their diagnosis and explain the team’s
consensus recommendations. This approach allows the patient to meet with members
of their care team in a single visit at one location. Patients may be seen by several
physicians’ and other members of the care team during their visit and should plan to be
at the clinic for a few hours. Additional testing may be ordered and/or completed during
this visit.
Nutrition Counseling
Your nutritional needs vary depending on your disease, cancer treatment and your
metabolism. It is important to know that everyone does not have difficulty with nutrition
Not everyone has difficulty with nutrition. If you have any questions about nutrition or
how to eat during your cancer care, please discuss with your physician or nurse. They
may refer you to speak with a registered dietitian who can help address your needs. In
addition, the resource room has general information on healthy eating habits to support
you during your treatment and beyond.
Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine and Fitness
The goal of the McLaren Lapeer Region Physical Therapy Center is to rehabilitate individuals with disabilities, chronic illnesses or injury. Its objective is to restore, maintain and/or promote maximum health and mobility for the patient utilizing the expert skills of therapists, the latest therapeutic techniques and a state-of-the-art facility that is convenient and close to home. We have assembled a team of skilled professionals,
including physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, occupational therapists, speech therapists and certified athletic trainers. This team works to develop specialized treatment plans to individuals of all age
Spiritual and Pastoral Care
A sense of meaning, purpose and connection beyond oneself can help to improve
the quality of life and put problems into perspective. Each person’s spiritual beliefs
and experiences are nurtured in different ways. McLaren Lapeer Region has non-
denominational chaplain services are available to any patient and/or family member
in need of counseling and spiritual guidance. Please ask any of our staff members for
additional information on how to obtain spiritual/pastoral care services at our facility.
Social Work
Social work strives to address the psychosocial needs of the patient and their
families during all phases of cancer treatment.
Patient Navigation
can assist you with a large variety of community and health
resources. Some of these include:
- Resources for financial services
- Patient assistance programs and prescription drug programs
- Transportation
- Insurance and disability benefit information
- Emergency food services
- Cancer education materials, support groups and services within our community
for cancer patients
Support/Educational Groups
These groups provide an opportunity to network, learn and alleviate
feelings of isolation. We offer a monthly support group, held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on
the third Wednesday of every month in the community room. Our
support group is a place for anyone touched by cancer can come together to meet
and provide support for one another.
If you have any questions on our support group, please contact our social worker at
248-922-6623.
Wig Services
Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Lapeer Region is pleased to offer free wig services
to women experiencing hair loss due to cancer treatment. Our goal is to enhance the
quality of life for women in treatment and we strive to be culturally sensitive in meeting
the needs of women from all ethnic backgrounds. This service is intended for women
with limited financial resources and is available to any woman receiving treatment at a
McLaren facility.