Cancer survivorship care
What is cancer survivorship care?
Thanks to advances in treatment and diagnosis, more people are surviving cancer than ever before. But your health-care journey doesn’t end once your treatment is complete. Cancer survivors often face continuing challenges, including the risk of recurrence and late effects of treatment, like secondary cancers, that can show up years later. Our Survivorship Program provides risk evaluation, monitoring, and additional treatment as part of our approach to supporting your long-term health-care needs.
Regardless of where your initial cancer treatment occurred or how much time has passed since your treatment ended, our program offers follow-up care and support. You can access our Survivorship Program at any Penn Medicine location in the southeastern Pennsylvania or New Jersey regions to get convenient care close to home. Penn Medicine is a proud leader in this area, having established the first adult cancer survivorship program in the U.S. in 2001 to address the diverse physical and mental challenges faced by cancer survivors and their families. Our program remains a model for hospitals and cancer centers nationwide, offering educational assistance and consultation services to providers to help develop new cancer survivorship programs.
Making the transition from active treatment to survivorship care
You may not know about the resources and follow-up care you’ll need after your cancer treatment ends. This is why our program focuses exclusively on cancer survivorship to support you as you live with, through, and beyond cancer. We offer coordinated care delivered by a dedicated team of oncology nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physicians who provide routine surveillance for disease recurrence and screening for other cancers. They’ll monitor your health by ordering scans, exams, and lab appointments.
We know our program has been successful when you have the knowledge and support you need to live your life confidently after a cancer diagnosis. Our expert staff is there to answer your questions, suggest appropriate lifestyle changes, and outline a care plan that focuses on improving your quality of life and staying as healthy as possible.
Monitoring for late effects related to cancer treatment
About two-thirds of cancer survivors will experience a late impact related to treatment or diagnostic methods, like chemotherapy or radiation. These late effects can develop more than five years from the time of diagnosis and can impact your body, mind, or behavior. Knowing your risks can help you and your health-care team monitor your health on an ongoing basis. Your survivorship care team will discuss any pertinent long-term and late effects based on your health history and type of cancer. They’ll then develop a plan to identify and treat these effects based on your risk level and overall health.
Getting started with cancer survivorship care
To join our Survivorship Program, ask your oncology care team for a referral. During your first visit, you’ll provide information about your health history and cancer treatment, and you’ll complete a questionnaire to report any symptoms. This helps us identify potential late effects of your cancer treatment such as:
- Heart, thyroid, and bone density problems
- Fertility issues
- Intimacy and sexuality concerns
- Genetic risk of cancer among children or siblings
- Quality-of-life issues
Based on your evaluation, we may refer you to specialists like endocrinologists, cardiologists, fertility counselors, psychosocial counselors, nutritionists, or cancer rehabilitation experts. We may also suggest research opportunities and connect you with other services that can help improve your well-being.
Survivors of childhood cancer
While the number of children diagnosed with early-stage cancer is increasing, most young people diagnosed with cancer under the age of 18 have positive outcomes and are expected to recover well. This means the number of adults who survived cancer in their childhood is also on the rise, due to better treatments with fewer long-term side effects.
Penn Medicine’s Survivorship Program offers services tailored to adults who’ve survived childhood cancer. Our team includes a dedicated nurse navigator, a pediatric oncologist trained in young adult medicine, and an experienced oncology and primary care nurse practitioner. The program also offers support for psychological and emotional effects and for practical issues like insurance and infertility. We offer a private and supportive environment to help each cancer survivor enjoy life to its fullest by addressing their individual medical needs, answering personal questions, and discussing concerns about the long-term effects of cancer treatment.
Rated “exceptional” by The National Cancer Institute
Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center is a world leader in cancer research, patient care, and education. Our status as a national leader in cancer care is reflected in our continuous designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) since 1973, one of 7 such centers in the United States. The ACC is also a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, one of a select few cancer centers in the U.S., that are working to promote equitable access to high-quality, advanced cancer care.
Patient stories
Creating beauty out of a breast cancer journey
“Cancer isn’t just physically grueling. It mentally and emotionally tears you down,” Ginger Mimmo Rohlfing said of her experience navigating HER2-positive breast cancer, chemotherapy, mastectomy, and breast reconstruction surgery. Her paintings of leaf and petal patterns “were a metaphor for putting pieces of myself back together.”
Living and giving back for gynecologic cancer patients
Dalia Jakas wanted to live in spite of a uterine cancer recurrence in her 80s, but she wouldn’t accept any compromises on the quality of her life. After her proton therapy treatment, Jakas is now giving back by funding research to help other patients. “I am eternally grateful to Dr. Taunk and his competent team for saving my life,” she said.
A CAR T cell research participant gains unexpected life
“I’ve been so blessed to be in the study,” said Walter Styer, “and to enjoy 68 years of marriage with Sarah.” In the 11 years after he enrolled in an early trial of CAR T cell therapy, they’ve celebrated the weddings of grandchildren, attended graduations, and welcomed 11 great-grandchildren.
Proton therapy for skin cancer: Chuck's story
Penn Medicine cured my cancer, and I’m living a wonderful, healthy life, appreciating every day I have with my family.
Helping to stop cancer from coming back
“I often say Dr. DeMichele saved my life twice,” said Illeana Casiano-Vazquez. “Without this trial, I don’t know if I’d still be here. She really put herself at the center of what it is to be a breast cancer patient without any options, and I’m so thankful she didn’t give up.”
Volunteering to intercept cancer for future generations
“I'm convinced that I would have had breast cancer in my 40s as my mother, my grandmother, and my grandmother’s sister all did,” said Maggie Gaines. She is now part of an innovative clinical trial aiming to intercept hereditary cancers before they start.
An unexpected ovarian cancer diagnosis
“I’m thankful for the support and many prayers from my family and friends. I appreciate that I received care close to home and grateful that Dr. Soriano found my cancer,” said Donna Frandsen.
Real life with breast cancer: a survivor’s five lessons
Dana Sherer shares her perspective on going through a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment as a mom to a newborn and toddler.
A senior survivor of uterine cancer at 87
"I felt I was in exceptional hands,” said Mimi Reed. Diagnosed with uterine cancer at 86, Reed found care personalized to her goal of maintaining her independence through specialized geriatric oncology care at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center.
First-ever CAR T cell patient who lived beyond hope
“I’m looking for [extending life by] a day, a week, or a month, and here they are telling me I don't have cancer,” said Bill Ludwig, years later. “It was just like someone told you, ‘You won the lottery.’”