How Cancer Survivorship Programs are Helping Patients Thrive After Treatment
Posted June 17, 2024
In many cases today, cancer has become a chronic disease, rather than a terminal disease, with people living longer and healthier lives after a diagnosis of cancer than ever before. Even more significant, more people are surviving cancer thanks to early detection and more advanced treatment options. The American Cancer Society estimates there are more than 18 million cancer survivors in the United States—and growing each year. At Summa Health, we define cancer survivorship as beginning at the time of diagnosis.
When rigorous cancer treatment ends, a new life chapter begins. And while life after cancer can be joyful, it also can be stressful and filled with worry. Cancer survivors may be faced with the emotional, physical and financial aftermath that often comes with a diagnosis of cancer.
Additionally, cancer survivors may be at an increased risk for recurrence of their primary cancer, and for some, at risk for additional cancers. They also may experience complications or side effects from treatment, such as pain, fatigue, bone loss, neuropathy, mental health concerns, disfigurement, sexual dysfunction, cardiovascular disease or endocrine disorders.
They might be concerned about their cancer returning or are more aware of how cancer affected their loved ones and career. They have a hard time coping and adjusting to life after treatment ends: less frequent contact with providers, worry before a medical checkup or at certain cancer milestones. They also may have chronic stress about financial issues and uncertainty about the future.
Every cancer experience is different. Some patients adjust to life after cancer better than others. However, everyone can benefit from help and support.
That’s where cancer survivorship programs and resources can help. These programs are designed to help cancer survivors move forward with their life in a new way, while carefully monitoring their disease and their overall well-being. Many cancer survivorship programs provide patients with physical and psychosocial follow-up care, provide more coordinated care with other providers and offer close surveillance for the possibility of new cancers or cancer recurrence.
Long-term survivorship care has become an important next step in the cancer journey to keep survivors, and their care partners, on the path to living a healthy, fulfilling life after cancer.
Cancer survivorship programs can include:
- A Survivorship Care Plan: to take with you to follow-up checkups and tests after treatment. It is a record of your cancer and treatment history, and may include a list of checkups and tests you need in the future, possible long-term effects of treatment and ways to remain healthy.
- A treatment summary to keep for your records. This details the treatment regimens, dosages and medications the patient was prescribed, as well as any noted side effects. A copy of this summary also is given to the patient’s primary care provider as part of their medical history.
- Screening services for continued surveillance of cancer recurrence, including physical exams and testing as needed and screening recommendations for other cancers.
- Education about life after cancer which can include seminars, lectures and workshops about topics such as long-term effects of cancer, caregiver issues, insurance, employment and more.
- Behavioral health counseling and emotional support, including individual or group therapy, support groups to connect with others in similar circumstances and other mental health services.
- Wellness programs and nutrition counseling to encourage healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as nutrition support, exercise classes and smoking cessation.
- Integrative medicine including acupuncture, cancer massage, lymphatic massage, mindfulness, music therapy, art therapy and more to nurture the mind, body and spirit, and improve quality of life.
- Cancer rehabilitation and pain management to create individualized treatment plans that address issues, such as strength, flexibility, balance and pain relief, and to improve everyday skills for daily activities and returning to work after treatment.
- Social services to address ongoing challenges, such as financial concerns and career barriers.
- Infertility care and sexual health consultations to find solutions for services that are often not covered under traditional insurance plans, but remain an important part of the cancer journey.
Summa Health Cancer Survivorship program
At Summa Health, our goal is always to provide patients, their families and care partners with individualized support through all phases of the cancer experience. We follow up with patients for life because we understand the cancer journey extends beyond treatment.
We understand that the real challenge of cancer is to live as best as one can for as long as one can. The strength one must have to face the unknown every day; the courage one must muster each time they enter a physician’s office, wait for test results, or receive treatment; and the vulnerability they must endure throughout the cancer journey regardless of the outcome, defines the experience.
Our Survivorship program offers patients:
- Nutrition counseling
- Financial counseling
- Genetic counseling
- Psychosocial and emotional support
- Integrative therapies
- Physical therapies
- Support groups, clinics and workshops
- Artistic Healing
- Restorative exercise and yoga videos
- Mindfulness
- Education
- Gynecological Cancer Survivorship Support Program, which provides a supportive atmosphere for patients treated for a gynecological cancer. Participants can discuss the impact that cancer is having on their lives and guest speakers are invited to each session.
- Breast Cancer High Risk Program, which follows patients at a higher risk of breast cancer, including those who have received treatment for breast cancer. The program provides genetic risk evaluation, advanced practice provider specialized in survivorship and patient support programs focused on various aspects of well-being. Women’s Cancer Support Group, which provides support to women being treated for or in survivorship from a cancer diagnosis. Participants can discuss the nuances of a cancer diagnosis that are specific to women. Each session will have a planned topic for discussion.
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