Cancer Survivorship Program

MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper is dedicated to helping survivors live their lives after cancer to the fullest. The transition to sur­vivorship care is a positive step that focuses on wellness, quality of life, and health promotion.

The Survivorship Program addresses the physical, psychological, and educational needs of patients who have completed treatment. It focuses on identifying, preventing, and control­ling any long-term and late effects associated with cancer and its treatment. The program is also designed to monitor you for signs of cancer recurrence.

The goal is to help our patients live long, happy and fulfilling lives.

The Growing Need for a Cancer Survivorship Program

A study by the American Cancer Society, in collab­oration with the National Cancer Institute, shows that there are almost 18.6 million cancer survivors in the United States today. That number will grow to almost 22 million by 2035. This study also con­firmed a growing awareness that long-term cancer survivors have specific medical, psychological and social needs, and require specialized health services to address these concerns.

At MD Anderson at Cooper, we believe that provid­ing health care services for cancer survivors is an essential component of our comprehensive cancer program. 

Through our Survivorship Program we guide you through two phases of survivorship: the end of active treatment, or the Living Through Cancer phase; and long-term survivorship, or the Living Beyond Cancer phase.

Living Through Cancer

A major step in each patient’s cancer journey is reaching the end of active cancer treatment. At this point you may still be receiving maintenance treatment or be finished with treatment but undergoing close monitoring.

This can be a time of mixed emotions for many patients. Some patients are excited about a return to “normal” life — fewer doctors’ visits and per­haps a return to the roles and activities they had to leave behind during treatment.

But this can also be a difficult time for many individuals who are recovering from the side effects of treatment, and coping with anxiety and the fear of cancer recurrence. We understand both perspectives and have a special program designed to help you move forward, healthy and confident, into the future.

As part of your transition into this new phase of care, you will be scheduled for an End of Active Treatment appointment. This appointment with our Survivorship Care Team will include a:

• Short visit with an oncology nurse practitioner
• Written, detailed summary of the patient’s cancer treatment for your personal medical records
• Survivorship Care Plan — a personalized plan to help you stay on track for follow-up appointments, cancer screenings, and any imaging and laboratory work you may need

Living Beyond Cancer

When do I transition to the Survivorship Clinic?

Your doctors and nurses determine when you are ready to transition to the Survivorship Clinic. This decision may be based on your particular type of cancer and your recovery after treatment.

Who is on the Survivorship Care Team?

At MD Anderson at Cooper, care at the Survivorship Clinic is provided by nurse practitioners who are specialists in the care of cancer survivors. Survivorship Clinic visits take place in the same area where the doctors and nurses who treated you are working, so they are easily accessible when their input is needed.

What happens at Survivorship Clinic appointments?

Survivorship Clinic appointments typically include:

• Review of recent medical history and a physical examination
• Assessment to detect recurrence of cancer
• Health promotion recommendations related to diet, exercise and smoking cessation
• Identification and management of any long-term or latent side effects of cancer and its treatment
• Cancer screening referrals
• Consultation with your MD Anderson at Cooper physician as needed
• Time with our nutrition, social work and behavioral medicine experts to address any dietary, social and psychological/emotional issues as needed.
• Referral to other medical specialists as needed (pulmonary, cardiology, dermatology, etc.)

We typically see our Survivorship Clinic patients every six to 12 months, though this varies based on the type of cancer therapy you received and other individual health risks patients may have.

Many patients require specialty services beyond the cancer care team. We work closely with our Cooper Norcross Health colleagues in cardiology, pulmonary medicine, dermatology, orthopaedics, and rehabilitation, radiology and surgery to ensure you have access to a full range of medical services to meet your specific needs.

Research

In addition to using the latest findings to guide the care provided to cancer survivors, the Survivorship Care Team is dedicated to conducting research to learn more about the long-term and late effects of cancer treatment and to improve the quality of life for survivors.

Clinical trials are research studies involving patient volunteers that are conducted to find safe and effective treatments for a variety of health conditions.

MD Anderson at Cooper is honored to be a Main Member of NRG Oncology, a research group that is part of the National Cancer Institute’s National Clinical Trials Network.

Our cancer research trials are designed to test new ways to:

• Treat cancer
• Find and diagnose cancer
• Prevent cancer
• Manage symptoms of cancer or side effects from its treatment
• Improve the quality of life for survivors and address behavioral medicine issues

Participating in clinical trials offers patients the opportunity to try new and effective treat­ments that could potentially improve their condition while taking part in vital research that can benefit many future patients. Trials are available for all stages of cancer.

Eligible survivors may be invited to participate in research projects. As part of these efforts, all patients entering survivorship care are asked to complete a series of questionnaires about their physical, emotional and medical experiences. This information helps us guide your survivor­ship care.

Resources

MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper pro­vides cancer survivors with resources such as printed materials, links to helpful websites and community programs and services to help them stay involved, educated and empowered to live long, happy, healthy lives.

Dr. Diane Barton Complementary Medicine Program

At MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper we believe becoming a cancer survivor starts the moment a patient is diagnosed, and we realize that physical healing is only part of our mission. That’s why we created the Dr. Diane Barton Complementary Medicine Program.

This important program enhances the quality of life and wellness of individuals living with, through and beyond a cancer diagnosis. It utilizes therapies that focus on mind, body and spirit while supporting mainstream medical care. Our complementary therapies are designed to lessen the pain, stress and anxiety associated with cancer. They also provide assistance in handling the side effects of such traditional treatments as radiation and chemotherapy.

Proven Benefits of Complementary Therapies

While complementary therapies cannot cure cancer, many patients have found them to be helpful in managing and coping with their cancer. While traditional medicine and healthcare treat the illness, complementary medicine therapies help promote wellness in the whole person. In addition to the therapeutic benefits, taking part in complementary medicine therapies empowers participants – providing them with an opportunity to take a positive, active role in their care and treatment.

A Wide Selection of Therapies

The Dr. Diane Barton Complementary Medicine Program offers a variety of mind-body therapies performed by specially trained certified therapists.

All therapies and programs offered through the Dr. Diane Barton Complementary Medicine Program are available at no cost and are open to all cancer patients, regardless of where they receive their treatment.

Our complementary medicine programs include:

• Gentle chair yoga
• Meditation for relaxation
• Mindfulness
• Guided imagery
• Qi Gong
• Music therapy
• Creative arts for healing
• Body movement classes
• Seeds of Hope - Organic Vegetable Garden Program
• Nutrition education
• Behavioral workshops
• Educational seminars
• Survivor Times newsletter

Patient Education & Support Resource Schedule

MD Anderson at Cooper provides a variety of patient education classes, complementary medicine programs, support groups, online forums, and survivorship programs for cancer patients throughout their journey. In-person and virtual programs are available throughout the year.