Yale Cancer Center and Yale University School of Nursing Launch New Program for Cancer Survivors
New Haven, CT — February 20, 2009
National "Cancer Transitions" Program Co-sponsored by The Wellness Community and the Lance Armstrong Foundation
New Haven, Conn. is among several cities that will participate in a new national program to help cancer survivors make the transition from active treatment to post-treatment care. Developed by The Wellness Community (TWC) and the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF), 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." The new program to help fill this gap, Cancer Transitions: Moving Beyond Treatment, will begin on Thursday evenings during the weeks of March 26 - April 30.
"This much needed program, which is offered at no cost to participants, and will provide cancer survivors with information and tools to make the transition into living a full and productive life as a survivor. The program addresses exercise, nutrition, emotional health, quality of life and medical management after cancer treatment ends," said Dr. Tish Knobf, American Cancer Society Professor of Oncology Nursing at Yale University School of Nursing.
The six sessions will be held weekly beginning in March 2009 at Yale University School of Nursing, 100 Church St South, New Haven, CT. Expert panelists at the six sessions will include advanced practice nurses, social workers, nutritionists and fitness experts 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 the Lance Armstrong Foundation. "The Wellness Community is an ideal partner for 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."
About Yale Cancer Center Established in 1974, Yale Cancer Center was one of the first university-based comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute. Today, it is one of a select network of only 40 in the United States, and the only one in southern New England. The Center harnesses the scientific resources of Yale School of Medicine, Yale School of Nursing, Yale-New Haven Hospital, and Yale University to excel in translational research, an approach through which laboratory discoveries are quickly and efficiently integrated with clinical patient care. For more information, please visit www.yalecancercenter.org
About Yale University School of Nursing Yale University School of Nursing (YSN) enjoys a national and international reputation for excellence in teaching, research and clinical practice. One of Yale University's professional schools, YSN is a leading school of nursing in the United States, with a diverse community of scholars and clinicians with a common goal: better health care for all people. More information on YSN may be found at www.nursing.yale.edu.
About The Wellness Community (TWC) The Wellness Community is a 25-year-old international organization dedicated to providing support, education and hope to people with cancer and their loved ones. Through participation in free professionally-led support groups, educational workshops, nutrition and exercise programs, and stress reduction classes, people affected by cancer learn vital skills that enable them to regain control, reduce isolation and restore hope regardless of the stage of their disease. The Wellness Community provides support, education and hope for people affected by cancer at more than 100 locations worldwide including 24 U.S.-based and two international centers with 73 satellite and off-site programs and online at www.thewellnesscommunity.org.
About the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) The Lance Armstrong Foundation inspires and empowers people affected by cancer. The LAF believes that unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything. The national foundation provides the practical information and tools people with cancer need to live life on their own terms. The LAF takes aim at the gaps between what is known and what is done to prevent suffering and death due to cancer. The group unites people to fight cancer and pursue an agenda focused on prevention, access to screening and care, improvement of the quality of life for cancer survivors, and investment in research Founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, the LAF is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Austin, Texas. For more information, please visit www.livestrong.org
