Leslie Kathman, APRN
Morrison Cancer Center
June 1, National Cancer Survivors Day, is a special day for cancer survivors to celebrate their fight and their journey. The Morrison Cancer Center prioritizes survivors through its Survivorship program.
A survivorship follow-up at the Morrison Cancer Center is a one-on-one visit between the cancer survivor and a nurse practitioner. An in-depth assessment is completed to evaluate current symptoms and late effects from treatment. Various treatment options and educational opportunities for improvement are discussed. Each patient is given a personalized cancer screening reminder schedule and preventative recommendations such as colonoscopy, mammogram, PSA and pap smear testing. Annual visits are recommended to assist cancer survivors as needs throughout their survivorship journey may change.
Each survivor's journey is highly individualized and can change throughout life. Patients who are actively receiving cancer treatments tend to be focused on current physical symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, appetite changes, hair loss, skin changes, bowel changes, etc. There are, however, psychological symptoms that come into play such as insomnia, anxiety, depression, worry, fear, etc., as well as pain issues. Late effects of cancer treatments can include heart disease, heart failure, chest pain, shortness of breath, pain, lymphedema, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, premature menopause, thyroid dysfunction, immune system dysfunction, anxiety and fear just to name a few. Many of these symptoms or effects can develop at any time.
Whichever phase a cancer survivor is in during their journey, June 1 is a day for celebration and awareness of the impact cancer can have on patients and their loved ones.
References:
Long-term side effects of cancer [American Cancer Society]
