Cancer survivorship, support starts on day one at Ohio State
Sunday, June 4 was National Cancer Survivors Day, a day where we pause to honor people living with a history of cancer. Thanks to timely cancer screening and early detection, the National Cancer Institute estimates 18.1 million people in the United States are cancer survivors, and that number is expected to grow to 26 million by 2040.
Experts at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) say it is even more important to think about the support that is needed to help survivors not just survive but thrive.
“The journey of a cancer survivor involves so much more than completing treatment and being deemed ‘cancer free’ – and life as a survivor begins on the day of diagnosis,” said Denise Schimming, APRN-CNP, a nurse practitioner who specializes in breast cancer at the OSUCCC – James.
According to the American Cancer Society, at least 50 percent of survivors experience one or more side effects during and after cancer. The most common are pain, fatigue and depression, all of which significantly impact quality of life.
This, says Schimming, is why comprehensive survivorship services that support the patient in the full spectrum of care are critical to ensuring a strong quality of life – from diagnosis through treatment and living beyond cancer.
National standards for cancer survivorship cancer care
Recognizing the importance of comprehensive survivorship as a critical part of the cancer care spectrum, in 2013 the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) introduced its first survivorship care guidelines. The NCCN is the governing body that sets standards for quality oncology care in the United States. The not-for-profit alliance is composed of 33 leading cancer centers, including the OSUCCC-James, devoted to patient care, research and education.
According to NCCN, individuals are considered a survivor from the day they are diagnosed through the rest of their life. The guidelines are organized around eight core areas of importance for this patient population:
• Anxiety and depression
• Cognitive function
• Exercise
• Fatigue
• Immunizations and infections
• Pain
• Sexual function
• Sleep disorders.
“Our definition of survivorship has really changed. Now a patient is considered a survivor the day they are diagnosed – before it was when you finished treatment. In the past, we didn’t talk as much about the long- and short-term side effects of cancer treatment or the psychosocial impacts of living with a personal history of cancer,” said Schimming.
That shift, she said, changed the way the oncology community approaches survivorship from a care perspective. At the OSUCCC – James, that means evaluating survivorship factors from day one.
“We know that cancer changes you physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We want to empower patients to talk about any side effects with the care team so we can connect them with appropriate resources moving forward to help them become the best version of themselves,” Schimming said. “In order to fully support patients in their cancer journey, these areas must be assessed as a regular and important part of their care. That starts with day one and should continue throughout their life.”
Survivorship care at the OSUCCC – James Patients treated at the OSUCCC – James receive a treatment summary and survivorship care plan that serves as a reference guide and roadmap for all aspects of their personal care journey. This document outlines the specifics of their diagnosis and all details of treatment completed or in progress. It summarizes all the short-and long-term effects they could experience as a result of their diagnosis and treatment. The document also provides information about lifestyle recommendations patients can consider to reduce risk of cancer recurrence, including diet, exercise, stress management and alcohol and tobacco cessation.
“As a treatment team, we work individually with our patients to set goals and then connect people with the resources they need,” said Schimming.
At the OSUCCC – James, this support spans well beyond talk therapy and medical pain management – although these are important parts of options available – into exercise classes, mindfulness and meditation, art therapy, music therapy, gardening, cooking classes and more through JamesCare for Life.
JamesCare for Life provides free supportive programs for patients with cancer and their caregivers and family members. These programs are available to OSUCCC - James patient from the day of diagnosis and throughout their life. Programs encompass a broad range of activities to support mental and emotional well-being as well as physical and spiritual well-being. Activities include:
• Nutrition consultations
• Garden of Hope, a gardening program open to all patients with cancer and their caregivers
• Mindfulness and meditation, including reflexology, acupuncture, urban zen integrative therapy, self-shiatsu and acupressure and tai chi
• Art and music therapy and a performing arts series
• Grief support programs and oncology-specific counseling services
• Exercise classes, including balance classes, aquatic exercise, gentle yoga, low-impact cardio, stretching and Zumba
• Young adult, older adult, family and parenting through cancer support
• Reproductive health services
• Support groups for patients and caregivers as well as peer mentoring.
Cancer survivor Laquinta Haynes says therapy helped her transition into a new mindset and embrace her new life after losing her leg to osteosarcoma, a form of cancer that begins in the cells that form bones.
“Therapy taught me, instead of getting down, to stay in a positive outlook every day when I wake up. Even if I can bring just a little bit of joy to someone else or just show someone else what they could be doing that they don’t think they can do – that positive outlook keeps me going,” said Haynes. “I say my cancer diagnosis was a blessing because it changed me and the way I looked at life. Before I was focused on things but now I’m living my best life. I wake up every day and I’m grateful that I am here to enjoy just being alive.”
Haynes is thriving in adaptive sports, including basketball, softball and soccer.
To learn more about survivorship care at the OSUCCC – James, visit cancer.osu.edu/survivorship or call 1-800-293-5066.