There are more than 12 million cancer survivors living and thriving today as a result of advances in cancer treatment. However, cancer treatments can result in physical, emotional and financial complications long after the therapy is complete.
Survivorship programs at Penn Medicine are a distinct phase of cancer care and are designed to help patients' transition from their cancer treatment routine to a post-cancer care lifestyle.
Penn Medicine's Living Well After Cancer™ Program is there to help you make the important transition from cancer patient to cancer survivor. In 2007, the Abramson Cancer Center was invited to join the LIVESTRONG ™ Survivorship Center of Excellence Network. The program focuses on survivorship, a distinct phase of care.
These reports provide patients with a detailed account of their diagnosis, from the specific stage of cancer through to the treatments used in their time at Penn Medicine. The document then highlights any other medical concerns that patients may encounter as the result of the treatments received. Additionally, a copy of the report is sent to primary care providers and other specialists designated by patients.
It's important for patients to know about these risks so their health can be appropriately monitored. The cancer care team discusses any pertinent late effects with patients and together develops a plan to monitor and treat late effects.
Survivorship at Penn Medicine
Survivorship programs at Penn Medicine are a distinct phase of cancer care and are designed to help patients' transition from their cancer treatment routine to a post-cancer care lifestyle.
Penn Medicine's Living Well After Cancer™ Program is there to help you make the important transition from cancer patient to cancer survivor. In 2007, the Abramson Cancer Center was invited to join the LIVESTRONG ™ Survivorship Center of Excellence Network. The program focuses on survivorship, a distinct phase of care.
Treatment Summary
Every Abramson Cancer Center patient receives a “Treatment Summary” specific to their individual case upon completing the healing process.These reports provide patients with a detailed account of their diagnosis, from the specific stage of cancer through to the treatments used in their time at Penn Medicine. The document then highlights any other medical concerns that patients may encounter as the result of the treatments received. Additionally, a copy of the report is sent to primary care providers and other specialists designated by patients.
Follow-Up Schedule
It is important that patients understand and adhere to the follow-up schedule developed personally for them. This individualized schedule helps the team to monitor patients' health and observe any long-term side effects of treatment.Late Effects
Not all cancer survivors experience late effects, or issues that arise later as a result of treatment or disease. About two-thirds of survivors experience physical or psychosocial effects of chemotherapy or radiation that persist or develop more than five years from the time of diagnosis.It's important for patients to know about these risks so their health can be appropriately monitored. The cancer care team discusses any pertinent late effects with patients and together develops a plan to monitor and treat late effects.
Read stories from Abramson Cancer Center patients about their experience at Penn Medicine.
Visit the Focus on Cancer Blog here.
Visit the Focus on Cancer Blog here.
