Leo W. Jenkins Cancer Center offers program for cancer survivors | Eastern North Carolina Now

For Immediate Release:

    GREENVILLE, NC     Leo W. Jenkins Cancer Center is offering a program to help cancer survivors make the transition from active treatment to post-treatment care. Developed by The Cancer Support Community and LIVESTRONG, the program was created to bridge the gap between cancer treatment and life following cancer.

    According to a 2007 Institute of Medicine report, the 12 million cancer survivors in the U.S. face a heavy physical and psychological burden as they transition from cancer patient to survivor. A report issued by the Institute of Medicine in 2008 recognized this paradigm shift of the impact on cancer on the entire family. The report, entitled Cancer Care for the Whole Patient, states that "Good quality health care must attend to patients' psychosocial problems and provide services to enable them to better manage their illnesses and underlying health." This program, Cancer Transitions: Moving Beyond Treatment™, will strive to help assist with these transitions.

    "This free program will offer local cancer survivors the education and means to ease the transition from active treatment into survivorship and being able to live their best life," said Holly Parrott Hill, Cancer Survivorship Program Coordinator, Brody School of Medicine Department of Oncology.

    Specifically, the program addresses exercise, nutrition, emotional health, quality of life and medical management after cancer treatment ends.

    The six sessions will be held every Tuesday for 6 weeks starting September 24 at 5:30 p.m. at The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, 930A Wellness Drive, Greenville, NC. Expert panelists at the six sessions will include health care providers, nutritionists and fitness experts who will discuss various topics. These subjects include:

   •  Exercise after treatment

   •  Specialized nutrition for people after cancer treatment

   •  The need for continued emotional and social support

   •  Medical effects of cancer treatment and long-term medical management.

    "In order to improve the quality of life of people affected by cancer, it is essential to provide effective and appropriate patient care across the cancer continuum," said Andy Miller, vice president of programs and policy for LIVESTRONG. "The Cancer Support Community has been an ideal partner to develop this program. They have a proven track record of implementing evidenced-based programs that are relevant to the needs of communities and highly beneficial for cancer survivors."

    Contact: Beth Anne Atkins, Vidant Health Strategic Development, (252) 847-7735 or beth.atkins@VidantHealth.com

    Vidant Health, a mission-driven, not-for-profit corporation, owns, leases or has a majority membership interest in nine eastern North Carolina hospitals and has a management agreement with one other. The health system includes Albemarle Health, Vidant Beaufort Hospital, Vidant Bertie Hospital, Vidant Chowan Hospital, Vidant Duplin Hospital, Vidant Edgecombe Hospital, The Outer Banks Hospital, Vidant Medical Center, Vidant Pungo Hospital, Vidant Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Vidant Home Health and Hospice, Vidant Wellness Centers, Vidant Medical Group and is affiliated with the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. On the web at www.vidanthealth.com