Cancer Survivorship Program

UConn Health’s Multidisciplinary Survivorship Program, part of the Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center, is dedicated to helping you find expertise, education and support to help manage issues related to surviving cancer. This includes managing the risk of secondary cancers, understanding the long term effects of treatment and addressing the physical, emotional, social, spiritual and financial concerns.

Your continued needs and quality of life beyond treatment are important, and the Cancer Survivorship Program can help you move beyond treatment and on with your life.

Supporting Survivors

Your cancer journey doesn’t just end after your last treatment. Many survivors, such as breast cancer patient Sandy Theriault, experience late or long-term physical or emotional side effects. UConn Health has a multidisciplinary team dedicated to helping patients manage issues related to surviving cancer.

What’s Next?

The team at UConn Health’s Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center understands that cancer treatment and side effects don’t end with your last treatment. The Multidisciplinary Survivorship Team works to educate survivors on prevention, detection and management of complications resulting from cancer treatment, along with focusing on health promotion, cancer prevention and supportive services. Patients are evaluated and counseled by a specialized survivorship team including a nurse practitioner, social worker, registered dietitian and physical therapist. Prior to the clinic visit, the team reviews the patient’s past cancer diagnosis and treatment history.

What to Expect During Your Personalized Care Visit

• An evaluation of the ongoing effects of your cancer diagnosis and treatment
• A review of your health care team and coordination of follow-up care
• A summary of your background information (including genetics), type of cancer diagnosis and treatment received
• A discussion about prevention of recurrence, new cancers, and potential late treatment side effects
• A review of surveillance guidelines for cancer screening as well as generalized health care
• An individualized treatment summary and survivorship care plan

Specialized Recommendations

• Individualized surveillance and screening guidelines
• Health and wellness education personalized to cancer type and treatment history
• Psychosocial support for survivors and their families
• Exercise and lifestyle modification recommendations
• Nutritional counseling

Opportunities for Referral Based Services

Patient-centered conversation and opportunity to receive referral based services for cancer survivors including:

• Mental health providers
• Health psychologist for lifestyle coaching
• Genetic counseling
• Smoking cessation
• Lymphedema clinics
• Community resources and financial assistance
• Cancer support groups
• Sexual health
• Specialty providers (Cardio-Oncology, Neuro-Oncology, etc.)

Comprehensive Summary of Recommendations

At the conclusion of the visit, a comprehensive summary of recommendations will be provided and entered in your electronic medical record. A copy of this plan is also sent to your cancer doctor and primary care provider.

When Can a Survivorship Visit Take Place?

This usually takes place three to six months after the end of primary cancer treatment. Many patients may still be taking medications, such as hormonal therapies for breast cancer, and are still welcome to our program.

Discover Care as Unique as You

UConn Health’s Cancer Survivorship Program offers personalized services to meet the unique and ongoing health care needs of cancer survivors.

Related Topics

• Cancer Conditions & Treatments
• Oncology Services & Specialties
• Cancer Centers & Interdisciplinary Clinics
• Prevention & Screening