From Surviving to Thriving: A Model of Brain Cancer Survivorship Care at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Alexa Greenstein, MSN, RN, FNP-C; Naomi Hoffer MA, MCHES; Susan Chang, MD University of California, San Francisco, US
Susan Chang, MD – Medical Director,
Alexa Greenstein MSN, RN, FNP-C – Family Nurse
Naomi Hoffer MA, MCHES - Program
Sheri Sobrato Brisson Brain Cancer
Practitioner, Sheri Sobrato Brisson Brain Cancer
Manager, Sheri Sobrato Brisson Brain Cancer
Survivorship Program
Survivorship Program
Survivorship Program
to more attention on survivorship issues faced by brain cancer patients . General cancer survivorship resources often fall short in meeting the unique needs of brain cancer survivors, but efforts such as the creation of a neuro-oncology survivorship care plan (SCP) are now emerging to address this .2 The SCP was designed to be a communication tool to help foster and share better understanding of follow-up care after active treatment . Furthermore, the SCP provides recommendations to help anticipate future needs as it pertains to potential longterm cancer and treatment effects, secondary malignancies, and psychosocial issues .3
with brain cancer offered a generous philanthropic donation which was matched with funds from the University
A
ccording to the US National Cancer tInstitute (2018), “an individual is considered a cancer survivor from the time of diagnosis, through the balance of his or her life” .1 Brain cancer survivorship has become an increasingly important area for neuro-oncology clinical care and research as medical advances in screening and treatment have increased rates of brain cancer survival . Brain cancer survivors constitute a vulnerable population with distinct and complex medical, psychosocial, emotional, and cognitive needs . These needs often change throughout the disease journey, negatively impact quality of life, and add additional distress to caregivers and loved ones . Increased awareness about the wide range of short and long-term effects of brain cancer and its treatment and the significant impact these have on one’s quality of life and function, has led
Planning a survivorship program: our efforts started with listening to the patient voice In 2018, a donor with a vision and intention to support young adults
Sheri Sobrato Brisson – donor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist
continued ➤ Brain Tumour
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