Survivorship clinics and programs are becoming critical components of modern cancer care because people are living longer after a cancer diagnosis. Many institutions strive to compile survivorship guidelines into a patient-friendly plan for their cancer survivors.
Current survivorship research includes recently released nutritional and physical activity guidelines from the American Cancer Society and exercise guidelines from the American College of Sports Medicine. These guidelines assist the survivor from diagnosis to remission and beyond. The 4 “seasons of survival” – acute, transitional, extended, and permanent survivorship – are included.
Crystal S. Denlinger, MD, a medical oncologist, has been working for the past 5 years to enhance the survivorship care at Fox Chase Cancer Center.
“Cancer survivors face a lot of unique and very specific challenges,” says Denlinger. She notes that even patients with metastatic disease have unique survivorship care needs.
“Some people are considered cured after treatment and others will continue to live with their cancer,” she says. “Just because you’re living with cancer doesn’t mean you’re not a survivor. We need to address the unique needs of both populations.”
Source: Fox Chase Cancer Center.
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