Survivorship Program
After the first year following treatment for breast cancer, you may find yourself wondering: Now what do I do? Who will have time to answer my questions? How do I make sure that I continue the appropriate care? Will there be opportunities for me to find out about the latest research reported in the news? How will these discoveries apply to me?
The Cancer Survivorship Program has been designed to address these questions, provide resources and enable you to focus on your path to recovery and wellness. Your doctor or nurse practitioner will refer you to the Cancer Survivorship Program at the completion of your active therapy. Our goal is to provide ongoing specialized care and to address the recovery concerns of people who have completed treatment.
Once in the Survivorship Program, you will continue to have access to care from your medical oncologist or surgeon if you experience a breast cancer recurrence or if there are new treatment options that should be considered for you. In the Program, we can help monitor you and manage any problems you may be having either from your past or current treatment for breast cancer. Our goal is to help you to regain a more normal life and to maintain your health.
If your physician believes that the Survivorship Program is right for you, your transition to the Survivorship Program begins with an overview educational session.
- A Breast Care Center physician will answer questions about treatment issues and updates.
- A Breast Care Center nurse will present an overview of the Program.
- You will learn about an online tool that enables your care providers to monitor changes in your health over time.
- You will receive a notebook with relevant resources and information.
Once you have attended the educational meeting, you can schedule a personal appointment with a Survivorship Program Nurse Practitioner who will monitor you for any signs of recurrence, order your mammograms or other appropriate studies, and treat any side effects you may be experiencing. She will also address issues about prevention of a recurrence and update you on any new data that is available.
Your individual clinic visits will include:
- Review of the online health questionnaire that you completed before your appointment
- Review of your past treatments and future plan of care, including which providers you will see and at what intervals
- Access to educational and resource information specific to your situation
- Information about wellness and lifestyle changes: exercise, nutrition, stress reduction
- Referrals to peer and professional support services, support groups and volunteer opportunities
- Information about your breast cancer treatment and follow-up will be conveyed back to your primary care physician and other physicians involved with your ongoing care
Additionally, there will be other services and ongoing informational programs along the way that you will hear about as a participant in the Survivorship Program. Please contact the Survivorship Program to learn more about upcoming events and resources for breast cancer survivors or the Cancer Resource Center for general cancer-related events.
Watch the UCSF Cancer Survivorship Program video to learn more about it from some of the nurses, doctors and others who are involved!
Survivorship Program Team
Make an Appointment
To schedule an appointment for the Survivorship Group Education Session call 415-353-7070.
For urgent health issues, call the Breast Care Center at 415-353-7070, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
