Supporting Survivors in Our Community
The term cancer survivor describes someone who has been diagnosed with cancer from the time of diagnosis and throughout life. Survivorship is the journey of recovery from a cancer diagnosis and its treatment into a “new normal". Let us support your transition from active treatment to follow-up, recovery and a new phase of life, post-treatment.
Each Survivorship Care Plan includes:
Clinical examination - Medical oncologists determine the frequency of follow-up visits, lab work and imaging.
Surveillance - Regular surveillance is very important for a cancer survivor because examinations, lab work and imaging are effective approaches for early detection of cancer reoccurrence.
Our imaging services include:
- PET Scan
- PET/CT Scan
- Nuclear Medicine
- MRI
- CT Scan
- Ultrasound
- Bone Scans
- Mammography and 3D Mammography
- Automated Whole Breast Ultrasound Screening
- Diagnostic Breast Ultrasound
- Breast MRI
Rehabilitation – Re-entry into the Healthy World
The goal of cancer rehabilitation is to maintain or restore function, reduce symptoms, maximize independence and improve quality of life and well-being. Our focus is improved wellness and a return to the activities most meaningful for both the patient and family.
Rehabilitation can:
- Address disease-related and treatment-related impairments, such as lymphedema
- Decrease the number and/or severity of impairments and long-term problems
- Minimize survivors’ distress and disability
Cancer Rehabilitation Services
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Feeling physically strong and able helps cancer survivors’ transition into their “new normal” with more confidence and ease. The Physical Therapy department at Sansum Clinic offers services to help patients recover and rehabilitate from the effects of cancer treatment. Cancer treatment can affect stamina, strength and general conditioning. Therapy is aimed at reducing fatigue, increasing mobility, increasing endurance and improving overall well-being.
Our services include:
- Personalized strengthening programs to increase mobility and physical activity
- Overall conditioning and flexibility
- Balance testing and gait assessment followed by improvement programs
WELLNESS OFFERINGS
At the Cancer Center, we offer unique Oncology Supportive Care Programs. We are committed to helping cancer survivors take an active role in achieving a calmer mind, a healthier body, a strengthened immune system and a renewed capacity to cope.
A wide range of wellness activities, classes and programs that provide an opportunity to experience many healing traditions are available to patients and caregivers free of charge. Wellness classes and programs include:
Programs change from time to time – please refer to our Calendar of Programs for a current schedule.
ONCOLOGY CLINICAL NUTRITION PROGRAM
During active cancer treatment, the goals of nutrition care are to prevent or resolve nutrient deficiencies, achieve or maintain a healthy body weight, preserve muscle mass, minimize nutrition-related side effects and maximize quality of life.
After treatment and during the transition into Survivorship, weight management, an optimal dietary pattern and routine physical activity aim to prevent recurrence of cancer and other chronic diseases such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.
Our Oncology Nutrition Experts provide individualized nutritional advice related to diet and supplement use based on sound scientific evidence. Call (805) 879-5652 to schedule an appointment.
FERTILITY AND INTIMACY
Your oncologist or APP (Advanced Practice Provider) can refer you to a specialist regarding concerns about fertility. If cancer and its treatment have made intimacy difficult, a number of Sansum Clinic specialists may be able to help depending on the type of problem faced by a couple.
EMOTIONAL RECOVERY
Cancer can involve significant challenges for patients and their families. How these challenges are approached is an important aspect of a patient’s care plan. For this reason, the Cancer Center employs clinical Oncology Social Workers who provide emotional, financial and social support for patients and their families. They can provide advocacy, referrals, counseling and support groups/programs.
Our Oncology Social Work Services are available at no cost to our community, regardless of where they receive medical care. Services include:
- Ongoing Support Groups and Programs
- Oncology Social Work Services
- Psychological Services
- Wig and prosthesis services
If you or a loved one is in need of psychological services, licensed social work professionals will facilitate a referral. For additional information, call (805) 879-0669.
RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
If reconstructive surgery is part of your treatment plan, we will refer you to a specialist.
FINANCIAL RECOVERY
The Cancer Center Oncology Social Work Services staff can offer assistance to those who qualify for financial support immediately following treatment. Please call (805) 879-0669 for additional information. Services include: