National Cancer Survivors Workshop at Carteret Health Care Cancer Center

The Oncology team at Carteret Health Care is offering a free 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 and will be offered in October 2016.

The program is offered at no cost to participants and will provide local 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.

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 report issued by the Institute of Medicine 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 program, Cancer Transitions: Moving Beyond Treatment™, will be offered in October to help fill this critical gap.

Four Sessions will be held every week on Tuesdays for 4 weeks in October, 5:00pm -7:30pm at Carteret Health Care Meeting Room 1. Expert panelists at the four sessions will include health care providers, social workers, nutritionists and fitness experts who will discuss various topics. These subjects include:

• Get Back to Wellness and 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."

The Cancer Transitions program is a result of Carteret Health Care’s Partnership in Cancer Care with the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and UNC Cancer Care that began summer of 2012.
Last year, the medical oncology Cancer Center relocated to inside the hospital. Conveniently located down the hall from radiation oncology, the new Cancer Center now combines resources allowing oncology patients to have seamless visits, eliminating the need for them to way find to the various buildings and clinics.

With vital tools such as 3-D mammography and a linear accelerator, and expert physicians including a breast cancer surgeon and plastic surgeon and hospital staff, Carteret Health Care provides complete oncology care with the entire care team visible and available throughout the process – from prevention, to diagnosis and wellness.

A nurse navigator program guides patients through the various services and connects them with appropriate resources. Recognized for Excellence in Breast Health, Carteret is now a Pink Ribbon Facility with the addition of the Genius 3D mammography for our women’s breast health services. The oncology team is also nationally accredited by the Commission on Cancer and recognized as one of ten facilities in North Carolina by the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative Certification Program for outpatient hematology-oncology practices that meet the highest standards for quality care.

For more information or to register for Cancer Transitions, contact Gail Russell, grussell@ccgh.org, telephone # (252) 808-6642.