Survivorship Care Program
Click here for our Survivorship Care Program flyer
The word “survivor” sparks an emotional response. It conjures thoughts of hope, expectations and accomplishment. At Kansas City Cancer Center, it also represents a new means of extending the care for patients who have completed their radiation or chemotherapy treatments.
The survivorship care program at Kansas City Cancer Center was initiated in 2006 to better address the physical, social and psychological needs of patients who have finished their cancer treatment. Beginning with breast cancer patients, Kansas City Cancer Center now offers the program to colon cancer, lung cancer, lymphoma and leukemia patients.
Kansas City Cancer Center believes survivorship begins at diagnosis – the moment a patient begins the battle against cancer – and continues through treatment and beyond. When treatment concludes, the need for support doesn’t go away. It evolves.
Instead of acute physical symptoms, survivors often find themselves dealing with such challenges as depression, the inability to work or manage the financial hardship of treatment and difficulty making decisions. These symptoms could show up at any time – even years after treatment concludes.
The survivorship plan provides information critical to a patient’s long-term health. Patients receive a complete and thorough written summary of their care, including the timing and content of follow-up visits, tips on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and preventing recurrent or new cancers, legal rights affecting employment and insurance, and the availability of psychological and support services.
Kansas City Cancer Center’s survivorship care program also addresses the frequency of follow-up visits and testing, based on guidelines from sources such as the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
The survivorship program provides each patient a “LiveStrong Survivorship Notebook” at the conclusion of treatment. Produced by the Lance Armstrong Foundation, this comprehensive resource is literally a “playbook” for cancer survivors. Its helpful information, mixed with words of encouragement, prepares survivors for the emotional and physical challenges that may lie ahead.
“So much of a survivor’s life is uncertain,” said Nancy Washburn, Kansas City Cancer Center nurse practitioner and a founder of the survivorship care plan. “This program gives them an outlet when life becomes challenging, while also making certain that we work together to manage the medical and emotional needs that are part of being a cancer survivor.”
For more information on the survivorship care program at Kansas City Cancer Center, or to request a copy of the 2007 Cancer Report, call 913-541-4600.
http://www.cancersurvivaltoolbox.org/
The Cancer Survival Toolbox(r) is a free audio program designed to help cancer survivors and caregivers develop practical skills to deal with the diagnosis, treatment and challenges of cancer.
http://www.oncolink.org/oncolife/
OncoLink has decided to focus on a “survivorship care plan” detailingthe medical consequences a survivor may face. This document will be individualized based on the answers you provide in a brief questionnaire.
http://www.acscsn.org/
American Cancer Society: The Cancer Survivors Network National online community of and for cancer survivors.
http://www.cancercare.org/get_help/tew_calendar.php
Upcoming Telephone Education Workshops available.
http://www.fertilehope.org/learn-more/cancer-and-fertility-info/fertility-risks.cfm
When facing cancer, survival is most important. However, you should know that the treatments used to fight your cancer may affect your ability to have children. This section includes general information about cancer-related fertility risks.
http://www.fertilehope.org/learn-more/cancer-and-fertility-info/parenthood-options.cfm
This section has information about options for becoming a parent after cancer. This information will help you make decisions that are right for you before, during, and after cancer.
http://www.fertilehope.org/tool-bar/find-a-doctor.cfm
Locating the appropriate fertility and parenthood resources in your area can be difficult. In this section, you will find a searchable database of doctors and services, including reproductive endocrinologists, sperm banks, financial assistance and adoption agencies.