A cancer survivor is someone who is living with, though, and beyond cancer. Under this definition, cancer survivorship begins at diagnosis. Survivors also include people who continue to receive treatments—to either reduce the risk of recurrence or to manage side effects related to their treatment.
The Ochsner Survivorship Clinic staff strives to address the unique healthcare needs of each cancer survivor, to maximize his/her quality of life, and to help each survivor live well beyond cancer.
At your first Survivorship clinic visit, who will conduct a thorough review of your past medical history, including your cancer diagnosis and treatment, current health status and overall quality of life. You will receive a written treatment summary and long-term follow up care plan assessing you for recurrence, secondary cancers, and late effects of treatment.
Your future care plan will focus on quality of life. Our team includes physicians, psychologists, nutritionists, physician assistants and a nurse navigator to help coordinate your care. Our goal is to help you move from your cancer diagnosis to wellness so that you can thrive after your treatment. Our specialists will:
- Discuss symptom management related to side effects of cancer care. This will include referral to Integrative Oncology – consults as well as services such as acupuncture, yoga and meditation.
- Discuss coordination of care and make follow up appointments to address psychosocial support, bone health, fertility preservation, contraception and nutrition.
- Provide referrals to cardiology to prevent and treat heart damage sometimes related to cancer care and other medical problems
- Coordinate with primary care physicians to address other medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism and hypercholesterolemia.
- Address changes in sexual health during and after cancer treatment.
- Refer to nutritionists to address health eating habits.
- Help patients address weight gain and work toward achieving weight loss as it relates to overall cancer survivorship.
- Educate and make referrals for exercise consultations to help survivors engage in safe and regular physical activity.
- Referral to psychologists and psychiatrist who can provide psychosocial support and treatment for anxiety, depression and PTSD.
