Asian Cancer Support

Language and Culturally Specific Cancer Support

In 2019, with generous support from regional foundations, AHSC launched Oregon’s first ever culturally and linguistically specific program for Asians experiencing cancer. AHSC’s Asian Cancer Support program aims to address the full cancer continuum: prevention, screening, treatment, and survivorship support. We are committed to increasing access to care, improving treatment outcomes, and enhancing quality of life for Asian cancer patients. We believe that no one should be alone on their cancer journey.

Asian Cancer Resources & Support Services:

All services are provided in five languages: Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Vietnamese, and English.

Our experienced, trained bilingual and bicultural staff and volunteers provide counseling to enhance emotional and psychological well-being, foster self-care, promote coping and problem-solving skills, and improve resilience to make the cancer journey more manageable for patients, and their families.

Asian Cancer Support staff provide case management to help patients and family members access care and connect to resources. We coordinate with treatment sites, schedule medical visits, and explain diagnosis and treatment options. Our collaborative team approach supports cancer patients throughout their entire treatment journey.

Staff and Volunteer Cancer Patient Navigators are trained to provide culturally and linguistically specific services. They help cancer patients, caregivers, health care providers and community partners coordinate services and navigate cancer resources.They offer emotional support and guidance for patients, families, and caregivers throughout the cancer journey. Many of them are cancer survivors themselves or family members of cancer patients, who are ready to support you on your cancer journey in a culturally sensitive manner.

During the pandemic, Asian Cancer Support staff and volunteers are providing individual support to patients and family members through a combination of phone calls, video chat, in-person visits, delivery of food bags, and more. From comforting phone conversations to visits over tea, peer support is provided in a safe and personalized way that best meets the needs of each individual client.

Please watch this page for future updates about Support Groups facilitated in Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, and Vietnamese. Our support groups for patients, survivors, and family members provide a safe, comfortable place where groups meet and share the cancer journey together. We hope to resume in-person support groups when pandemic conditions allow us to meet safely.

We provide support for non-paid caregivers who are caring for people with cancer. We help caregivers by providing language and culturally specific information, resources, nutrition education, self-care tips, and access to resources such as hiring paid caregivers, and referrals for palliative and hospice care.

Staff support families through the bereavement process by providing emotional support and grief counseling, as well as assistance with funeral arrangements.

Many Asian Americans, especially new immigrants with cancer, face the additional challenge of finding information about their illnesses in their native languages. Asian Cancer Support aims to provide educational resources in Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean, as well as English. Explore Asian Cancer Support Resources here.

AHSC Cancer Program Milestones

2007: AHSC expands scope of service to include breast cancer services with support from Susan G. Komen. ACS Foundation and Avon Foundation also supported this effort.

2013: AHSC begins contract with ScreenWise to provide breast and cervical cancer screenings.

2016: OHSU Knight Cancer Institute awards AHSC Phase 1 funding to research the needs and experiences of Asian cancer patients.

2019: OHSU Knight Cancer Institute awards AHSC Phase 2 funding to implement an Asian-focused patient navigator program.

2019: AHSC launches Asian Cancer Support with generous three-support from The Collins Foundation.

Client Testimonials

“My father has been feeling burnout from taking care of my mother who has been house bound most of time due to cancer. Since he received counseling and support from the program, he was able to do better self-care and motivated to do more fun things with my mother. He has been making progress in communication with my mother and having more quality time with her. I really appreciate all your support and help.”

— Tiffany L.
October, 2020

“A volunteer called me and shared her own breast cancer experience. I realized I was not the only one who has been struggling with caregiving issues and cancer treatment. She was very supportive, and I was able to open up for on-going telephone counseling from Asian Cancer Support program.”

— Ying N.
December, 2021

“My husband and I cannot properly explain the deep gratitude and appreciation we have for everything the center has done. The emotional support and the words of encouragement helped me go through this hard time. Also, thank you for taking the time to research the cancer information in Chinese. It is really helpful to understand my treatment.”

— Hing Jun C.
April 2021