Cancer education

    The Stephen and Barbara Slaggie Family Cancer Education Center offers free education and resources to people with cancer and people in their support networks. Our mission is to remove as many barriers to care as we can by providing you the information you need, when you need it.

    Healthcare information is central to a patient's cancer care plan at Mayo Clinic. We provide current information about all aspects of cancer care, from diagnosis and treatment to life after treatment. Our goal is to supply the cancer knowledge you need so you can participate in your care more effectively and live better during and after treatment.

    Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center education experts customize their resource guidance based on conversations with you, making the information you receive relevant to your specific needs. They also help patients, caregivers and the public:

    • Learn about cancer prevention and detection.
    • Find out more about a cancer diagnosis and cancer types.
    • Understand treatment options.
    • Understand clinical research.
    • Discover strategies for symptom control.
    • Learn about well-being during the cancer journey.
    • Connect to educational sessions and support groups.
    • Address survivorship concerns.
    • Locate additional support resources, such as financial assistance, lodging, transportation, wigs and prosthetics.
    • Online courses are designed for people with cancer and their caregivers. The courses cover topics such as nutrition during cancer treatment and stress management for people with cancer.

    • Patient education materials are available for Mayo Clinic patients at all sites. In Rochester, Minnesota, visit us in the Gonda Building, or contact us from anywhere to request materials to be sent through your patient portal or in the mail.

    • A video library covers a range of categories, such as cancer types and symptom management. The library includes many videos in Spanish.

    • Weekly activities, such as simple art projects and hand massage, are offered on-site in Rochester, Minnesota.

    • Weekly classes are offered online at Mayo Clinic in Arizona and Florida and both online and on-site in Rochester, Minnesota. Topics include exercising with cancer, meal planning and more.

    Contact us

    Gonda Building, Lobby Level
    200 First St. SW
    Rochester, MN 55905
    Phone: 507-266-2991
    7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central time
    Monday through Friday
    Email: canceredcenter@mayo.edu


    Connect with others

    Mayo Clinic Connect

    Mayo Clinic Connect provides people touched by cancer a place to connect with one another. The Cancer Education Blog on Mayo Clinic Connect offers additional education resources, such as newsfeeds and information related to support groups and upcoming events

    Cancer Center patient navigators

    Patient navigators assist patients and families with educational resource and referral needs. Navigators help people with cancer find their way through the medical system and assist with internet resources, books and periodicals, services, support groups, supplies, materials, and medical equipment. 


    Our benefactors

    Stephen and Barbara Slaggie, along with their four children, provide philanthropic leadership through the Slaggie Family Foundation. The foundation has a major commitment to education. Empowering patients through cancer education, our center serves as a focal point for information and inspiration and is named in their honor.


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