LIVESTRONG Waterloo is offering a new program to help cancer survivors make the transition from active treatment to post-treatment care. Developed by the Cancer Support Community and LIVESTRONG, the program was created to bridge the gap between cancer treatment and life following cancer.
This is an important health care gap because according to a 2007 Institute of Medicine report, the 12 million cancer survivors in the U.S. face a heavy physical and psychological burden as they transition from cancer patient to survivor. In fact, cancer is increasingly being viewed for many as a chronic illness. A new report issued by the Institute of Medicine in 2008 recognized this paradigm shift of the impact on cancer on the entire family. The report, entitled Cancer Care for the Whole Patient, states that “Good quality health care must attend to patients’ psychosocial problems and provide services to enable them to better manage their illnesses and underlying health.” This new program, Cancer Transitions: Moving Beyond Treatment™, will be run in January 2012 to help fill this critical gap.
“This much needed program, which is offered at no cost to participants, will provide Northeast Iowa cancer survivors with information and tools to make the transition into living a full and productive life as a survivor,” said Timi Brown, Med Fit Coordinator and Cancer Exercise Specialist at Covenant Wellness Center and Covenant Cancer Treatment Center. “Specifically, the program addresses exercise, nutrition, emotional health, quality of life and medical management after cancer treatment ends.”
The sessions will be held every Tuesday evening from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Thursday afternoons from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning January 24 and running through March 1, for a period of six weeks. Participants can enroll in one of the two sessions offered, with a limit of ten participants per session. Classes will be held at Covenant Cancer Treatment Center, 200 East Ridgeway Avenue, Waterloo. Expert panelists at the six sessions will include fitness experts, an oncology social worker, a nutritionist and an RN educator who will discuss various topics. These subjects include:
· Exercise after treatment
· Specialized nutrition for people after cancer treatment
· The need for continued emotional and social support
· Medical effects of cancer treatment and long-term medical management.
"In order to improve the quality of life of people affected by cancer, it is essential to provide effective and appropriate patient care across the cancer continuum," said Andy Miller, vice president of programs and policy for LIVESTRONG. "The Cancer Support Community has been an ideal partner to develop this program. They have a proven track record of implementing evidenced-based programs that are relevant to the needs of communities and highly beneficial for cancer survivors."
For press information or to arrange an interview, contact Amy Hetherton, PR Coordinator at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare at 272.7334 or Amy.Hetherton@wfhc.org For more information or to register for Cancer Transitions, contact Nurse On Call at 272.2273 (CARE). Each session is limited to 10 participants each.
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Covenant Cancer Treatment Center
As the areas only comprehensive, accredited and multidisciplinary treatment facility, Covenant Cancer Treatment Center opened in 1988 to serve residents in the 10-county area surrounding Black Hawk County. As Iowa’s first stand-alone facility to combine both radiation and chemotherapy treatment, and offer full support services in one convenient location, the Center has stood as a promise of hope for those with cancer. Covenant Cancer Treatment Center is just one part of Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare’s integrated program, committed to maintaining its accreditation in the best interest of the patient. Covenant Cancer Treatment Center is an approved Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons comprehensive cancer program. Slightly more than one-fifth of our country’s hospitals have approved cancer programs, and more than 80 percent of patients who are newly diagnosed with cancer are treated in these facilities. Receiving care at an approved cancer program ensures that a patient will have access to: quality care close to home, comprehensive care offering state-of-the art services and a multispecialty team approach to coordinate the best treatment options available.
Cancer Support Community
Backed by evidence that the best cancer care includes emotional and social support, the Cancer Support Community offers these services to all people affected by cancer. Likely the largest professionally-led network of cancer support worldwide, the organization delivers a comprehensive menu of personalized and essential services. Because no cancer care plan is complete without emotional and social support, the Cancer Support Community has a vibrant network of community-based centers and online services run by trained and licensed professionals. For more information, visit www.cancersupportcommunity.org .
In July 2009, The Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club joined forces to become the Cancer Support Community. The combined organization provides high-quality psychological and social support through a network of nearly 50 local affiliates, more than 100 satellite locations and online.
LIVESTRONG®
LIVESTRONG was founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong. Based in Austin, Texas, LIVESTRONG fights for the 28 million people around the world living with cancer today. LIVESTRONG connects individuals to the support they need, leverages funding and resources to spur innovation and engages communities and leaders to drive social change. Known for the iconic yellow wristband, LIVESTRONG’s mission is to inspire and empower anyone affected by cancer. For more information visit LIVESTRONG.org.
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