eOncology Report

With increased survival comes a need for long-term support

Jennifer Weprin, M.S.N., F.N.P.-B.C.

Nurse practitioner
Providence Cancer Survivor Clinic

The number of cancer survivors in the United States has reached 12 million – a dramatic increase from 1972, when just 3 million Americans were surviving the disease.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines a cancer survivor as anyone who has ever had cancer – from the time of diagnosis through the rest of his or her life. The CDC recently reported that 65 percent of cancer survivors diagnosed between 1975 and 2006 had been alive for five years or more after their diagnosis. More than 1 million had lived 25 years or longer.

Video: In their own words

Cancer survivors describe the challenge
of life after treatment.

Source: Institute of Medicine

Providence Cancer Survivor
Program and Clinic

• Personalized treatment plan
• Acupuncture
• Therapeutic massage
• Nutrition consultation
• Social work, counseling
• Genetic testing
• Support groups

Survivors must deal “with a legacy of physical, psychological, social, vocational, spiritual and economic consequences,” according to a pivotal report issued by the Institute of Medicine in 2005.

The report, “From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor – Lost in Transition,” went on to say that if “care is not planned or coordinated, cancer survivors are left without the knowledge of their heightened risks and follow-up plan of action.”

Many of the treatments received by cancer survivors have late and long-term effects. Some of these effects develop months or years after active cancer treatment has ended. When these effects do arise, they can have an enormous effect on the patient’s body, mind and quality of life.

So what do we do with this information? How do we ensure that our patients are getting the best care possible?

In October 2010, Providence Cancer Survivor Clinic opened its doors to care for patients living with the legacy of cancer. The clinic performs a thorough evaluation of each patient, including diagnostic history and treatment.

Following the consultation, the patient receives a treatment plan and summary as recommended by the American Society of Clinical Oncologists.

The plan includes a personalized assessment of potential long-term risks, both physical and psychological, and a comprehensive care plan with recommendations to manage the long-term effects of cancer diagnosis and treatment.

The clinic is part of the broader Providence Cancer Survivor Program, supported by the National Cancer Institute’s Community Cancer Centers Program. Initially the clinic saw only survivors of breast cancer, but it is expanding its services to patients with lung, colorectal and lymphoma. Additional tumor types will be added in the future.

Health care providers need to be aware of our patients who are cancer survivors. They may have additional health risks simply because of past cancer treatments. It is important for clinicians to become proficient in what these needs might be so the cancer survivor can receive optimal medical care.