Cancer is a far-reaching disease. It drains the life out of not only the patient but his or her family as well.
And surviving it has its own set of challenges that require a multifaceted approach if recovery is to be successful.
Fortunately, we have one of the best post-cancer survivorship programs in the nation right here in South Florida. It’s the Sylvester Breast Cancer Survivorship Program in the Courtelis Center on the ground floor of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center – part of the University of Miami Health System.
Beatriz Currier, M.D., medical director, recently told me the program includes an array of specialists to help oncology patients deal with any number of post-treatment problems that may arise. Some of the most common include fatigue, depression, concentration difficulties, lymphedema, pain, range of motion limitations, menopausal symptoms, sexual dysfunction, weight gain and sleep disturbances.
On board are specialists in psychiatry, cancer rehabilitation, integrative rehabilitation, palliative care, pain management and more.
“Once patients complete their active treatment, we’re available for referrals. Our mission is to improve the quality and length of survival in our breast cancer patients,” Currier said.
“The fact that many of these symptoms have complex causes really dictates the need for a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach. It’s been a very effective and well-received program, and we’re seeing some very good outcomes.”
In my own experience, I’ve seen fatigue become a real issue with family and friends who are undergoing treatment or are in the post-treatment phase. Currier said fatigue is very common and deserves a lot of attention in therapy.
“Fatigue is reported in 60% of cancer survivors. It is quite prevalent and very disabling. Typically it has to be tacked by multi-modal therapy,” she said.
To that end, the Sylvester Breast Cancer Survivorship Program includes U Survive and Thrive, which employs an exercise physiologist to assess the physical fitness of the survivor and design a program to restore them to pre-treatment levels. You can learn more about it here.
Click here to listen to the full interview about the Sylvester Breast Cancer Survivorship Program.
