Complementary Therapy Programs & Support Groups for Cancer

At Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, we offer a wide variety of complementary programs, classes and support groups to help our patients cope with the stress of their cancer treatments.

Click on our calendar (right) to see a listing of our recent events, or read about our ongoing classes and programs (below).

Complementary medicine therapies are often used in conjunction with traditional western medicine to reduce the side effects of cancer treatments, and to provide comfort and reduce stress. This treatment differs from "alternative medicine" which is typically used in place of standard medical treatments - such as a special diet to treat cancer -instead of a method that a cancer specialist suggests. For instance, acupuncture is often used to help with the side effects of chemotherapy

Acupuncture is one of the best-known forms of traditional Chinese medicine and has been found beneficial in treating headaches, managing post-operative and chemotherapy-related fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. It can also enhance your sense of well being. Acupuncture uses hair-thin needles, carefully placed at specific points in the skin to rebalance various organs and other systems by manipulating vital life forces called Qi (pronounced "chee").

Talk to your doctor to discuss the health benefits of using acupuncture in addition to your traditional cancer treatments

"Integrative medicine" is a whole-person approach that cares for the patient's mind, body, and spirit. It combines traditional medicine with the complementary and alternative practices that have shown the most effectiveness, such as the use of relaxation techniques for stress reduction. Similarly, our Support Groups help reduce stress and provide comfort by creating a forum for sharing, discussion and problem-solving.

• Breast Cancer Forums-Educational Lectures
• Breast Cancer & Prostate Cancer Nutrition Workshops
• Breast Cancer Post-Treatment Support Group
• Breast Cancer Support Group
• Breast Cancer Support Group for Newly Diagnosed Patients
• Breast Cancer Support Group for Cantonese-Speaking Women
• Breast Cancer Support Group for Spanish Speaking Women
• Breast Cancer Support Group for Younger Women
• Cancer in Other Words: A Writing Workshop
• Eat to Thrive: A Guide for Cancer Survivorship
• Eating Well for a Healthy Weight
• Guided Imagery for Cancer Patients/Survivors
• Gynecological Cancer Support Group
• Healing Dreams for Cancer Patients/Survivors-10-week Series
• Healing Yoga for Cancer Patients/Survivors
• Jin Shin Jyutsu for Cancer Patients/Survivors
• Living with Cancer: A support group for patients and caregivers
• Look Good...Feel Better
• Look Good...Feel Better for the Chinese Speaking Community
• Lymphedema Awareness Workshop
• Man to Man: Prostate Cancer Support Group
• Metastatic Cancer Support Group
• Nourishing the Mind-Body Connection Workshop
• Prostate Cancer Community Screening Clinics
• PC in the City: for Prostate Cancer Patient/Survivor
• Qi Gong
• Skin Cancer Community Screening Clinics
• Smoking Cessation Counseling-Individual
• Spirituality Group
• Spouses and Partners of Women with Cancer Support Group
• Stress Reduction: The Practice of Mindfulness Series
• Stress Reduction Groups
• Supermarket Savvy: Virtual Supermarket Tour
• Young Adult’s Cancer Support Group

Breast Cancer Forums-Educational Lectures

Who: Oncology Services
What: Presentations about breast cancer and breast health. Expert clinicians present topics from risk reduction to detection, treatment, support and survivorship.
When: Call for specific dates and times
Contact: Cost is Free. Call (510) 869-8833 for information on our next Forum.

Back to top

Breast Cancer & Prostate Cancer Nutrition Workshops

Who: Comprehensive Cancer Center
What: Breast cancer & prostate cancer nutrition workshops on diet, nutrition & lifestyle choices for cancer survivorship
When: Call for specific dates and times
Where: Comprehensive Cancer Center
Herrick Campus, 2001 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA
Contact: Cost is Free, pre-registration required. Call (510) 204-4322 to pre-register.

Back to top

Breast Cancer Post-Treatment Support Group

Who: Comprehensive Cancer Center
What: Eight week series - breast cancer post-treatment support group
When: Evenings, Call for specific dates and times
Where: Comprehensive Cancer Center
Herrick Campus, 2001 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA
Contact: Cost is Free, pre-registration required. Call (510) 204-1811 to pre-register

Back to top

Breast Cancer Support Group

Who: Markstein Cancer Services of Alta Bates Summit
What: Breast cancer support group
When: Meets 1st and 3rd Wednesdays
Where: Markstein Cancer Services
Summit Campus, 3100 Summit St, Oakland CA
Contact: Cost is Free, registration required. Call (510)869-8833 to register

Back to top

Breast Cancer Support Group for Newly Diagnosed Patients

Who: Comprehensive Cancer Center
What: Breast cancer support group for newly diagnosed patients
When: Evenings, Every Other Monday--
Where: Comprehensive Cancer Center
Herrick Campus, 2001 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA
Contact: Cost is free, pre-registration is required. Call (510) 204-4330 for information

Back to top

Breast Cancer Support Group for Cantonese-Speaking Women

Who: Markstein Services
What: Breast Cancer support grou for Cantonese speaking women
When: Every 4th Monday
Where: Markstein Cancer Services
Summit Campus, 3100 Summit St, Oakland CA
Contact: (510) 735-6799 for more information

Back to top

Breast Cancer Support Group for Spanish Speaking Women

Grupo de Apoyo de Raquel
Who: Alta Bates Summit Medical Center’s Latina Breast Health Program
What: Breast Cancer Support Group for Spanish-Speaking Women
When: First and third Tuesday of the month.
Where: Markstein Cancer Services
Summit Campus, 3100 Summit St, Oakland CA
Contact:
Este grupo es totalmetne gratuito y en español! Para registrarse llame Marta (510) 219-3532 o Raquel (510) 430-1963.

Back to top

Breast Cancer Support Group for Younger Women

Who: Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center
What: A support group for younger women with breast cancer
When: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays
Where: Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center
Summit Campus, 3100 Summit St, Oakland CA
Contact: Cost is free, pre-registration required. Call (510) 204-4330 for information.

Back to top

Cancer in Other Words: A Writing Workshop

Who: Markstein Cancer Education Services of Alta Bates Summit
What: Introductory writing and ongoing workshop for cancer patients and survivors.
When: Call for information on dates and times
Where: Markstein Cancer Services
Summit Campus, 3100 Summit St, Oakland CA
Contact: Cost is Free, registration required. Please call (510) 869-8833 to register.

Back to top

Eat to Thrive: A Guide for Cancer Survivorship

Who: Comprehensive Cancer Center
What: 4-Week program on survivorship nutrition for cancer patients/survivors who have completed treatment or are on long term maintenance treatment
When: Call for information on dates and times
Where: Comprehensive Cancer Center, Herrick Campus, 2001 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA
Contact: Cost is free, pre-registration is required. Call (510) 204-5916 for information.

Back to top

Eating Well for a Healthy Weight

Who: Comprehensive Cancer Center
What: Series on making meal and lifestyle choices to achieve a healthy weight
When: Call for information on dates and times
Where: Comprehensive Cancer Center
Herrick Campus, 2001 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA
Contact: Cost is free, pre-registration is required. Call (510) 204-5916 for information.

Back to top

Guided Imagery for Cancer Patients/Survivors

Who: Comprehensive Cancer Center
What: 1-hour relaxation technique class
When: Thursdays. 1-2 pm
Where: Comprehensive Cancer Center, Herrick Campus, 2001 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA
Contact: Cost is free. Drop In, no registration required. Call (510) 204-1811 for information.

Back to top

Gynecological Cancer Support Group

Who: Comprehensive Cancer Center
What: Women who have been diagnosed with a gynecological cancer
When: 2nd and 4th Mondays, Call for times.
Where: Comprehensive Cancer Center, Herrick Campus, 2001 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA
Contact: Cost is free, pre-registration is required. Call (510) 204-3909 for information.

Back to top

Healing Dreams for Cancer Patients/Survivors-10-week Series

Who: Comprehensive Cancer Center
What: Experiential group focusing on dreams as a healing tool
When: Call for dates and times.
Where: Comprehensive Cancer Center, Herrick Campus, 2001 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA
Contact: Cost is free, pre-registration is required. Call (510) 204-4645.

Back to top

Healing Yoga for Cancer Patients/Survivors

Who: Comprehensive Cancer Center
What: Drop in yoga class for cancer patients/survivors
When: Thursdays, 11 am- 12 pm
Where: Comprehensive Cancer Center, Herrick Campus, 2001 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA
Contact: Cost is free. Drop In, no registration required. Call (510) 451-3004 for information.

Back to top

Jin Shin Jyutsu for Cancer Patients/Survivors

Who: Comprehensive Cancer Center
What: Healing techniques that use breathing and self-massage
When: Thursdays, 12 – 1 pm
Where: Comprehensive Cancer Center, Herrick Campus, 2001 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA
Contact: Cost is free. Drop In, no registration required. Call (510) 204-4785 for information.

Back to top

Living with Cancer: A support group for patients and caregivers

Who: Markstein Cancer Education Services of Alta Bates Summit
What: Coping techniques for cancer patients entering or finishing treatment and their families
When: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 2:45 – 4:00 pm
Where: Markstein Services.
Contact: Cost is Free, Please call (510) 869-8833 for more information or to register.

Back to top

Look Good...Feel Better

Who: Comprehensive Cancer Center
When: 4th Monday, 10 am – 12 pm
Where: Comprehensive Cancer Center, Herrick Campus, 2001 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA
Contact: Cost is free, pre-registration is required. Call (510) 204-4785 to pre-register.

Who: Markstein Cancer Services
When: 1st Monday 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Where: Markstein Cancer Services
Summit Campus, 3100 Summit St, Oakland CA
Contact: Cost is Free, registration required. Call (510) 869-8833 to register.

Back to top

Look Good...Feel Better for the Chinese Speaking Community

Contact: Call (650) 578-9789, ext. 314 for information.

Back to top

Lymphedema Awareness Workshop

What: 60-minute patient program on signs, symptoms, prevention and treatment of lymphedema
When: 3rd Tuesday, 3-4 pm
Where: Comprehensive Cancer Center, Herrick Campus, 2001 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA
Contact: Cost is free, pre-registration is required. Call (510) 204-4330 for information.

Back to top

Man to Man: Prostate Cancer Support Group

Who: Markstein Cancer Services
What: Support, information and education group for men with prostate cancer
When: 4th Tuesday
Where: Markstein Cancer Services
Summit Campus, 3100 Summit St, Oakland CA
Contact: Cost is Free, registration required. Call (510)869-8833 to register.

Back to top

Metastatic Cancer Support Group

Who: Comprehensive Cancer Center
What: Support group for individuals living with metastatic cancer
When: Tuesday or Friday mornings. Call for dates and times.
Where: Comprehensive Cancer Center, Herrick Campus, 2001 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA
Contact: Cost is free, pre-registration is required. Call (510) 204-4330 for information.

Back to top

Nourishing the Mind-Body Connection Workshop

Who: Markstein Cancer Services
What: Series of 4 ongoing workshops on relaxation
When: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays
Where: Markstein Cancer Services
Summit Campus, 3100 Summit St, Oakland CA
Contact: Cost is Free, registration required. Call (510)869-8833 to register.

Back to top

Prostate Cancer Community Screening Clinics

Who: Markstein Cancer Services
What: Prostate cancer screening and information to uninsured or low income men in the following age groups: African American and Hispanic men ages 35-70 and other men 40 to 70 years of age.
When: Call for information on dates and times
Where: Markstein Cancer Services
Summit Campus, 3100 Summit St
Contact: Cost is free but appointments are required. Call (510) 869-8833.

Back to top

PC in the City: for Prostate Cancer Patient/Survivor

Who: Markstein Cancer Services
What: Focus on quality of life concerns, work, financial, sexuality and image issues of the prostate cancer patient/survivor
When: 2nd Tuesday
Where: Markstein Cancer Services
Summit Campus, 3100 Summit St, Oakland CA
Contact: Cost is Free, registration required. Call (510)869-8833 to register.

Back to top

Qi Gong

Who: Comprehensive Cancer Center
What: Internal Chinese meditative class using slow, graceful movements and controlled breathing techniques
When: Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Where: Comprehensive Cancer Center, Herrick Campus, 2001 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA
Contact: Cost is free. Drop In, no registration required. Call (510) 204-4785 for information.

Back to top

Skin Cancer Community Screening Clinics

Who: Markstein Cancer Services
What: Do you have a suspicious mole or new skin growth? Dermatologists will check up to 3 areas of concern.
When: Call for information on dates and times
Where: Markstein Cancer Services
Summit Campus, 3100 Summit St
Contact: Cost is free but appointments are required. Call (510) 869-8833.

Back to top

Smoking Cessation Counseling-Individual

Who: Markstein Cancer Services
What: Private counseling and coaching with a smoking cessation specialist
When: Call for an appointment
Where: Markstein Cancer Services
Summit Campus, 3100 Summit St.
Contact: Appointments are required. Call (510) 869-8833.

Back to top

Spirituality Group

Who: Comprehensive Cancer Center
What: Focus on what gives life meaning for the cancer patient/survivor
When: Call for dates and times.
Where: Comprehensive Cancer Center, Herrick Campus, 2001 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA
Contact: Cost is free. Call (510) 204-4785 for information.

Back to top

Spouses and Partners of Women with Cancer Support Group

Who: Comprehensive Cancer Center
What: Support group for men whose wives/partners have been diagnosed with cancer
When: Every other Wednesday, 7:30 – 9 pm
Where: Comprehensive Cancer Center, Herrick Campus, 2001 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA
Contact: Cost is free, pre-registration is required. Call (510) 841-2930 for information.

Back to top

Stress Reduction: The Practice of Mindfulness Series

Who: Comprehensive Cancer Center
What: Experiential 8-week series on stress reduction
When: Call for dates and times
Where: Comprehensive Cancer Center, Herrick Campus, 2001 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA
Contact: Cost is free, pre-registration is required. Call (510) 204-4645 for information.

Back to top

Stress Reduction Groups

Who: Comprehensive Cancer Center
What: Ongoing, weekly stress reduction group for those who have completed the 8-week series
When: Tuesday mornings and Thursday evenings. Call for exact times.
Where: Comprehensive Cancer Center
Herrick Campus, 2001 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA
Contact: Cost is free, pre-registration is required. Call (510) 204-4645 for information.

Back to top

Supermarket Savvy: Virtual Supermarket Tour

Who: Comprehensive Cancer Center
What: Series on label reading, making healthy meal choices, avoiding impulse buying.
When: Call for dates and times
Where: Comprehensive Cancer Center
Herrick Campus, 2001 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA
Contact: Cost is free, pre-registration is required. Call (510) 204-5916 for information.

Back to top

Young Adult’s Cancer Support Group

Who: Comprehensive Cancer Center
What: Support group for cancer patients/survivors in their teens, 20’s and 30’s
When: Every Other Fridays
Where: Comprehensive Cancer Center, Herrick Campus, 2001 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA
Contact: Cost is free, pre-registration is required. Call (510) 204-3909 for information.

Back to top