SINCE JUNE IS DESIGNATED CANCER SURVIVORSHIP MONTH, now is the perfect time to not only celebrate the positive trend in cancer survivorship, but also to heighten our awareness of what survivorship actually means—including the impact that living longer after a cancer diagnosis has on patients and their families.
According to Sue Mahoney-Stombaugh, MSN, CNP, of The Toledo Clinic Cancer Centers, the general public tends to think of cancer survivorship as being cured of the disease, but oncology professionals take a somewhat different view. “What people may not recognize is that cancer survivors may still need chemotherapy or other maintenance treatments and often require surveillance to monitor for potential side effects and recurrence long after their active treatment ends. The medical community also incorporates family members into the survivorship definition, because they’re usually dealing with the ramifications of the disease as much as the patient,” she says.
There are differing perspectives on precisely how survivorship should be defined, but according to Mahoney-Stombaugh, there seems to be a growing consensus that it begins when the cancer diagnosis is given and continues until the end of the patient’s life. Throughout that time, numerous physical, emotional, and psychosocial issues can arise as a result of either the cancer or its treatment.
Examples include persistent pain, excessive fatigue, osteoporosis, heart damage resulting from certain medications or radiation, compromised hematology (problems with the blood), neuropathy in the extremities, fear of recurrence, employment issues, and body-image issues. The high cost of cancer treatment coupled with time lost at work can also lead to serious financial difficulties for patients and their families. Of course, just as with the broader population, living longer means cancer survivors are at increased risk of developing chronic health problems not necessarily connected to their cancer or its treatment.
Mahoney-Stombaugh has observed an increased awareness in the medical community of the concept of cancer survivorship and the issues surrounding it. She notes that it’s becoming a more prevalent topic in nursing and medical literature and that more research is being done on the best ways to monitor cancer patients. “The result has been the development of more research/ evidence-based surveillance plans, especially for some of the major cancers,” she adds.
The ongoing improvement in the rate of cancer survivorship can be attributed in large part to earlier detection. A growing recognition of the importance of screening tests, such as mammogram and colonoscopy, and an increasing general awareness of the symptoms associated with certain cancers are translating into more cancer patients seeking medical care in earlier stages of their disease.
The treatment options for certain forms of cancer are also improving. “More and more state-of-the-art therapies are targeted to specific cancer types, and advanced genetic testing is helping to determine not only whether someone is at increased risk for developing certain forms of cancer, but also whether a patient’s cancer type is likely to respond to specific drugs. In breast cancer alone, better treatments such as hormone therapy and genetic testing are making a tremendous difference in survival rates,” Mahoney-Stombaugh states.
Changing attitudes toward lifestyle choices may be having a positive effect on cancer survivorship as well. For example, heightened awareness of the benefits of exercise and proper nutrition and the dangers of tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption is leading some people to adopt healthier habits. In addition, more research is being done on the effects of physical activity with respect to cancer prevention and survivorship. Still the influence of lifestyle on survivorship remains a “mixed bag,” with some populations making healthier strides than others and plenty of room left for improvement.
When asked what advice she would give Healthy Living News readers during Cancer Survivorship Month, Mahoney-Stombaugh replies, “If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, it’s important to be diligent about follow-up care and adhere to recommendations for cancer screenings—and not just for the type of cancer you have. Also, I encourage everyone to develop or continue healthy lifestyle habits such as eating right, staying active, avoiding tobacco use, and limiting alcohol consumption.”
The Toledo Clinic Cancer Centers, located at 1200 Medical Center Parkway in Maumee and 4126 N. Holland Sylvania Road, Suite 105 in Toledo, also provides imaging, laboratory, chemotherapy, specialized pharmacy, and IV services. The cancer center consists of 13 physicians and 11 advanced practice providers. The cancer center also has satellite centers in Napoleon, Bowling Green, Wauseon, Bellevue, and Monroe.
The Toledo Clinic Cancer Centers has earned Patient-Centered Specialty Practice recognition and Oncology Medical Home recognition from the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Oncology homes align systems and resources with coordinated care focused on cancer patients and their needs. This reduces fragmentation, supports shared decision making, and improves the patient experience. They are the first oncology practice in the state of Michigan and the second oncology practice in the state of Ohio to receive this recognition.
For more information, please call The Toledo Clinic Cancer Centers at 419-479-5605. ✲
