Estimates say there are some 10 million cancer survivors in the United States, a figure anticipated to triple by 2030. Because so many are living with cancer – and living longer – leaders at Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute realized that focusing on the survivorship journey must be part of every patient’s cancer experience from the start.
“At OSU, survivorship begins now – at diagnosis – and extends thereafter,” says Barbara Andersen, PhD, director of The Ohio State University LIVESTRONG™ Survivorship Center of Excellence. “As an academic institution, we are in a position to address all areas of survivorship. By blending biological, psychological, social and behavioral aspects, our goals are to enhance cancer treatment, speed recovery, prevent morbidities, and improve quality of life for survivors.”
Seeded with a grant from the LIVESTRONG™ Foundation, Ohio State’s LIVESTRONG™ Survivorship Center of Excellence is one of only eight in the nation. LIVESTRONG™ is an organization that connects individuals to the support they need, leverages funding and resources to spur innovation and engages communities and leaders to drive social change.
Andersen and her staff seek to make Center programs comprehensive. Besides treating the cancer, Brittany Brothers, PhD, Program Director of Ohio State’s LIVESTRONG™ Survivorship Center of Excellence, says an effective care plan must address stress, anxiety or depression, lifestyle changes, compliance to cancer treatments and follow up care, and symptom management. “We take a ‘big picture’ approach in survivorship programming,” says Brothers.
As part of the OSU cancer experience, patients, their families and caregivers have access to support services during the time of their treatment as well as afterwards. Programs aimed at healing and recovery include support groups, educational classes, arts programming, workshops, and special events and retreats, all typically free of charge. Through the partnership with Ohio State’s University Hospital East, a monthly educational class series titled “Survivorship 101” is held. Topics include communicating with your healthcare provider and stress management, for example. See the JamesCare for Life class listing for this quarter’s classes.
Andersen says the Center will serve survivors throughout treatment and beyond. “Survivorship is not an afterthought,” she says. “Survivorship care must blend with state-of-the-art medical management and treatment, and begin at the time of diagnosis and extend to the days, months and years thereafter.”