At Memorial Sloan-Kettering, we understand that life is different after a cancer diagnosis, and we have developed a unique survivorship program for patients with lung cancer and other thoracic (chest) malignancies. As part of this program, our team of physicians, nurse practitioners, and therapists provides lung cancer survivors with treatment to address quality-of-life issues as well as lifelong follow-up care. Working collaboratively with primary care physicians to assess a patient's quality of life, we also ensure that lung cancer survivors are appropriately screened for other cancers.
As surgical techniques and other treatments for lung cancer have improved over recent decades, and promising techniques for early diagnosis continue to improve, more people are able to resume their daily activities upon completion of treatment for lung cancer.
Our multidisciplinary team also explores ways to improve the lives of people who have received treatment for lung cancer. For instance, we are investigating the effectiveness of exercise in improving lung function before surgery and after treatment, and drugs to reduce the nausea that is associated with some cancer treatments. These examples demonstrate our commitment to enhance both the survival and quality of life of the more than 2,000 persons with lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies who seek care at Memorial Sloan-Kettering each year.
Our Lung Cancer Survivorship Program
As a result of the strides that have been made in successfully treating early stage lung cancers, Memorial Sloan-Kettering has incorporated a Lung Cancer Survivorship Clinic into the overall care plan for our patients. This clinic, part of Memorial Sloan-Kettering's institution-wide survivorship initiative, provides services that specifically address the unique needs of lung cancer survivors in the years following treatment, including:
- Review of recent medical history and physical examination
- Assessment to detect recurrence of cancer
- Identification and management of the effects of cancer and its treatment
- Screening referrals for other cancers
- Health promotion recommendations, such as nutrition, exercise and smoking cessation
- Provide treatment summary and follow-up care plan
- Communication with the primary care physician
Individuals in the Lung Cancer Survivorship Clinic will have regularly scheduled follow-up examinations with a survivorship nurse practitioner.
Follow-Up Care
Once your treatment is complete, you will likely continue to be seen regularly for follow-up examinations and tests to monitor for cancer recurrence.
Follow-up exams are especially important for people who have had lung cancer because lung cancer survivors are more likely than those who have never had the disease to develop a second primary lung cancer — one that is not a recurrence of the first tumor, but a new growth unrelated to the first. Over time, as the possibility of a recurrence gradually diminishes, you may have less frequent checkups.
Management of Complications
Memorial Sloan-Kettering clinicians focus on quality-of-life issues in lung cancer survivors, including shortness of breath, fatigue, and — for survivors who smoke — effective ways to quit.
Shortness of Breath & Fatigue
If you are suffering from shortness of breath or fatigue, your doctor or nurse may be able to suggest ways to minimize or control these symptoms. “Breathing Easier,” a monthly workshop offered through Memorial Sloan-Kettering's Resources for Life After Cancer program, is designed in part to give lung cancer survivors practical techniques to manage changes in stamina. Participants also learn about what to expect during recovery from treatment and techniques for stress reduction and anxiety control. The family members of lung cancer survivors are also welcome to join this workshop.
Rehabilitation Therapy
Patients with lung cancer may experience shortness of breath as well as decreased endurance and stamina when performing simple activities such as walking or shopping. They may also find it difficult to clear secretions and maintain pulmonary hygiene. At Memorial Sloan-Kettering, a team of physical and occupational therapists works closely with the medical and surgical team to decrease the burden of the disease and its treatment on patients.
See Rehabilitation for further information about our services, including appointment information.
Smoking Cessation
Not everyone who develops lung cancer has a history of smoking. If you do smoke, however, you can reduce your risk of developing a second lung cancer by stopping now. Memorial Sloan-Kettering's Counseling Center offers a smoking cessation program for lung cancer patients. Our counselors work with patients to identify healthy ways to resist the craving to smoke, and to quit smoking permanently. Our counselors understand the unique challenge of quitting while dealing with the stresses of treatment and fears of recurrence. The program also welcomes family members of lung cancer patients who want to stop smoking.
Other Aspects of Survivorship
To help cancer survivors manage some of the other issues that may arise upon completion of treatment, Memorial Sloan-Kettering offers a wide range of programs, including the following:
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Counseling Center
Our counseling center offers individual and family counseling sessions to help cancer survivors and their families address the problems they may encounter in adjusting to life after treatment.
Living Beyond Cancer
People facing the challenges of cancer survivorship can access a variety of support services through the Living Beyond Cancer section of our Web site. This section includes information about professionally led support groups and counseling; survivorship clinics to manage the late effects of cancer and its treatment; recommendations for screening and healthy living; and specialized services that address sexual and reproductive health. We also offer a range of resources to help survivors, families, and friends better understand the complex emotional and social issues that may arise following treatment.
Additional services are offered through our Resources for Life After Cancer program, which provides a full range of educational support services, including individual and family counseling, periodic lectures and workshops that provide medical updates, and practical guidance on employment and insurance issues.
Integrative Medicine Service
At Memorial Sloan-Kettering, we believe that treating the whole person, not just the disease, is the best approach for patients and their families. The Integrative Medicine Service offers a range of support services to help patients control symptoms and enhance their quality of life. Our programs complement Memorial Sloan-Kettering's outstanding cancer care through healing regimens that address patients' physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Beneficial complementary therapies we offer include a variety of types of massage, including Swedish massage, shiatsu, reflexology, Thai massage, and Reiki; acupuncture, hypnotherapy, meditation, visualization, and other relaxation techniques and mind-body therapies; music therapy; nutritional counseling; and classes in yoga, t'ai chi, and chair aerobics. Many lung cancer patients benefit from these programs as well as from our fitness classes, which help build strength and improve breathing.
Our ongoing research program includes investigations of the best therapies to control symptoms associated with lung cancer and other tumors. The Integrative Medicine Service also has an ongoing program to evaluate the potential value of botanicals, herbs, and other natural agents to enhance immune function and help control malignant diseases.
Sexual Health
Some lung cancer patients may find that their feelings about and desire for sex has been affected by cancer or its treatment. Memorial Sloan-Kettering has many physicians, nurses, social workers, and psychologists who are knowledgeable about sexual health problems related to cancer treatment, and they are here to help you address your concerns. Learn more about our specialized programs for cancer patients with concerns about sexual health.
Help for Older Patients
A diagnosis of cancer is difficult at any age, but older patients face unique challenges. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is committed to providing cancer patients aged 65 and older with the treatment, facilities, and support they need.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering offers the services of a multidisciplinary geriatric team, which includes physicians, clinical nurse specialists, social workers, nutritionists, and psychiatrists, as well as members of the Pain and Palliative Care Department and the Integrative Medicine Service. The programs and care the team provides focus on the needs of elderly cancer patients.
For more information about our services for older patients as well as for their family and friends, visit the Help for Older Patients section of our Web site.
Access Information Through our Patient Portal
Memorial Sloan-Kettering offers a secure Web site — called MYMSKCC — for patients to access personalized information about their care. If you enroll to use MYMSKCC, you can view, confirm, and keep track of appointments; access over 300 lab results; make changes to contact and insurance information; communicate with your healthcare team and other staff using secure electronic messages; and pay bills and view balances. Learn more about MYMSKCC.
To enroll in MYMSKCC, please ask a session assistant in clinic or contact your physician's office.
Recommended Links
