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Dear friends of the Survivorship Program,

Once they reach the 5-year survival mark, most cancer survivors leave the care of their oncologists and return to their primary care physicians - often with a host of potential problems related to the cancer and its treatment. It isn't that today's cancer treatments carry greater risks than previous therapies, but people are living longer now, which gives the problems more time to materialize. For the primary care physician, cancer and its late effects combine to create a very complex patient.

This edition of "Survive and Thrive" illustrates the important role a Survivorship Care Plan can have in aiding your primary care provider in managing the late effects of cancer and its treatment and following an appropriate screening regimen. We encourage you to learn about the treatment you received and the follow-up care that is needed in order to stay in the very best possible health.

Best regards,

Special Announcement from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Survivorship Program

Dr. Scott Baker, a pediatric oncologist from the University of Minnesota, recently joined the Clinical Research Division and is the new director of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Survivorship Program along with co-director Dr. Karen Syrjala. Baker will also work in pediatric blood and marrow transplantation at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, lead the pediatric survivorship program at Seattle Children's and serve as professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington.

Baker's research has focused on short- and long-term effects of blood and marrow transplantation. He has investigated the incidence, risk factors and characteristics of cardiopulmonary, metabolic, renal, endocrine and reproductive late effects and quality-of-life outcomes in long-term cancer survivors.

Survivorship and your Primary Care Provider

Dr. Read-Williams, a Primary Care Provider (PCP) at the University of Washington's Issaquah Neighborhood Clinic, shares her perspective on the importance of cancer survivors receiving a Survivorship Care Plan and sharing it with their PCP.
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Exercise and Thrive

Beginning in May 2009 the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Survivorship Program will offer another 10-week session of its strength-and-fitness program, Exercise and Thrive, for people who have completed cancer treatment.
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Educational Events

Cancer Survivorship for the Primary Care Clinician
Friday, June 12
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Moving Beyond Cancer to Wellness 2009
Saturday, June 13
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Survivorship Program lectures at Gilda's Club Seattle
August, September, November 2009
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Research for Survivors

Cancer survivorship: a challenge for primary care physicians
The majority of cancer survivors have other conditions in addition to their cancer diagnosis, requiring a comprehensive approach to medical care. Family physicians (or general practitioners) often have established long-term relationships with these patients and their families, and most cancer patients continue to receive medical care from their family physicians. In addition to overseeing care, acting as a patient advocate and providing support for family members, the family physician can ensure continued surveillance, provision of preventive care and management of medical problems.
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Survivor Profile

Edward Orlosky
Edward Orlosky, a 70-year-old survivor of esophageal cancer, received education on the late effects of his cancer experience.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Survivorship Care Plan?
A Survivorship Care Plan, also known as a treatment summary, typically includes details of treatment and problems during cancer care, and recommendations for follow-up care that is unique to each cancer survivor.
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Questions

To submit comments or questions about the newsletter, or to be added to or deleted from our mailing list, please contact the Survivorship Program at 206-667-2814 or by e-mail at survivor@fhcrc.org.