Shifting the Power to Survivorship

Bliss Cancer Center offers programming designed support cancer patients throughout their journey

For decades, the mere mention of cancer has had the power of sending the imagination into overdrive. Whether hearing the word as a patient or a family member, it often leads to trepidation and sparks fear of what may come.

At a recent event for cancer survivors hosted by the Bliss Cancer Center and supported by the Mary Greeley Foundation, Radiation Oncologist Shane Hopkins, MD, suggested it was time to flip the script when it comes to the way we view the disease and process the word.

“Cancer has a unique impact when people hear the word,” Dr. Hopkins says. “People tend to feel like it's an epic, life defining illness, and they think in dramatic terms. You often hear phrases like ‘fighting cancer’ or ‘beating cancer’ with the use of heroic language.

“We give cancer power when we do that,” he continues. “But it doesn’t have to be that way, and I would argue it shouldn’t be that way. When we turn things around and focus on survivorship, we begin to take back the language and take back the idea that we will get through it. We begin to see it as something to move past.”

As an accredited cancer center, the Bliss Cancer Center is committed to employing best practices in continually developing and deploying programming that addresses the unique needs of cancer survivors.

“The good news is that because of advances in detection, diagnosis and treatment more people than ever are now surviving cancer,” says Sarah Heikens, MSN, MPA, RN, OCN, NE-BC, Director of Oncology Services at Mary Greeley. “That means many of our patients are now living with cancer as a chronic condition. As such we have worked to assemble a team of specialists to support cancer survivors and their care partners as they navigate life after treatment.”

Many of the survivorship resources offered through the Cancer Resource Center are supported by gifts to the Mary Greeley Foundation. Dr. Hopkins says it is the kind of investment that speaks highly of the community.

“So many lives are touched by cancer and people understand how important it is to have exceptional services available locally,” Dr. Hopkins says. “When we can deliver the kind of high-quality care our community expects, it follows that they will show their appreciation by providing critical support. It's been a great blessing that so many have repeatedly stepped up to help fund these types of services.”

The survivorship program at the Bliss Cancer Center offers services designed to foster total well-being for those who have received a cancer diagnosis. Specifically, those with a diagnosis work with a nurse navigator who develops a survivorship care plan that summarizes treatment and offers a window into what to expect. Additionally, to keep patients as well as possible in the long term, the plan may also include:

• Cancer screening schedule
• Comprehensive mental health services
• Nutrition counseling
• Follow-up appointments to monitor ongoing health
• Guidance on lifestyle changes that reduce cancer risk
• Insight on managing side effects
• Community resources and support groups

“We firmly believe that planning for survivorship and for the cancer journey beyond the initial diagnosis leads to better outcomes,” Heikens says. “Our Cancer Survivorship program begins with diagnosis and extends beyond the treatment process to offer customized care as an extension of treatment. In this way, we stay in tuned to our patients needs and have an opportunity to make adjustments that will improve physical and emotional health.”

As a provider, Dr. Hopkins says he appreciates the approach the Bliss Cancer Center is taking in empowering patients and caregivers throughout their cancer journey.

“The Bliss Cancer Center's doing so many things right in terms of survivorship,” he says. “We want to make sure that we give people all the tools to move forward. That means dealing with the disease and the effects of the disease, but also providing tools to manage the social, psychological, and physical impacts that often continue for the rest of a patient’s life.”

“I'm proud to be part of an accredited cancer center with excellent physicians and staff who give high quality care and are concerned about every aspect of a patient's wellness,” Dr. Hopkins continues. “It is enormously satisfying as a physician and as a health care professional to be able to participate in such a patient-first process at an institution like this.”