Lance Armstrong Foundation Pledges $1 Million for New and Ongoing Cancer Survivorship Programs
October 19, 2005
NEW YORK - "Your cancer is under control, but how is everything else?" This is not a question cancer patients expect to be asked, but with millions of cancer survivors in the United States living longer, there's a growing need and increased interest in making sure that they are living better.
This mutual interest has recently brought Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) together.
In recognition of Memorial Sloan-Kettering's longstanding commitment to the care of cancer patients in the post-treatment period, the Lance Armstrong Foundation has named Memorial Sloan-Kettering a Center of Excellence in Cancer Survivorship and has pledged $1 million over five years to support Sloan-Kettering's efforts to provide the best possible care for cancer survivors. Specifically, the funds will be used to recruit and train nurse practitioners to work in newly established survivorship clinics as well as to fund a clinical psychologist in the Center's sexual health program.
"More and more we are realizing the importance of a planned transition from active treatment to survivorship follow-up," explained Mary McCabe, RN, Director of Memorial Sloan-Kettering's Cancer Survivorship Program, who notes that there are more than ten million cancer survivors in the United States and that three out of four US families have at least one family member who has been diagnosed with cancer. "To better meet the needs of this growing population we formally instituted a comprehensive program for cancer survivors and their families," said McCabe. "With this grant, we will expand our disease-specific patient follow-up clinics to monitor survivors' health, which includes evaluating the risk of secondary cancers and managing other issues such as fertility, anxiety, and depression. We are also developing new models for this phase of cancer care and we plan to share this information with healthcare providers nationally," McCabe added.
Lance Armstrong, who survived testicular cancer and who has inspired people with his cycling victories in the Tour de France, has become an internationally recognized advocate for people living with cancer, and is a symbol for the new face of cancer - an active person, living life on his own terms.
"We believe that innovative centers and services, like those at MSKCC, can fundamentally change the expectations and experience of people living with cancer," said Mitch Stoller, president and chief executive officer of the LAF. "We know these needs - physical, practical, emotional - are often unmet and we are committed to funding and supporting unique solutions. Together, we will help to eliminate suffering due to cancer."
Cancer survivors, such as Amy Blumenfeld, a 31-year-old journalist, exemplify both the rewards and challenges of survivorship.
Sixteen years ago, Blumenfeld was the first adolescent to receive an autologous bone marrow transplant for Hodgkin's disease at Memorial Sloan-Kettering. Her care continues to this day with yearly appointments at the Center. "I need to be followed for the rest of my life for secondary breast cancer, and since the age of 27, I've had yearly mammograms," said Blumenfeld.
She went on to describe some of the hurdles adult survivors of childhood cancer must surmount, including psychosocial effects, career issues, and challenges with romantic and family relationships. "I am so happy to have benefited from medical progress and I feel great," Blumenfeld said.
"But as remission and cure rates among all ages and for many forms of the disease have skyrocketed in recent years, the new challenge to oncology is not only to rid patients of disease but to help them maintain good quality in the lives they fought so hard to keep."
Blumenfeld, who often speaks publicly about her diagnosis and treatment, is currently writing a book about her experiences as a survivor of childhood cancer.
The Cancer Survivorship Initiative at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is a comprehensive program that addresses the medical issues of cancer survivors and the psychosocial consequences of survivorship. It also includes a major education effort for cancer survivors and their community-based healthcare providers. The program serves as a platform for new research to better understand the needs of cancer survivors and to improve the future quality of life of all cancer survivors.
The Lance Armstrong Foundation believes that in the battle with cancer, unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything.
Founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, the LAF provides the practical information and tools people living with cancer need to live on their own terms.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is the world's oldest and largest institution devoted to prevention, patient care, research, and education in cancer. Our scientists and clinicians generate innovative approaches to better understand, diagnose and treat cancer. Our specialists are leaders in biomedical research and in translating the latest research to advance the standard of cancer care worldwide.
Journalists may contact the Department of Public Affairs for more information.
