Cancer Survivorship and Cancer Control: Working Towards a Coordinated Approach

Research to Reality Cyber-Seminar

Tuesday, June 17, 2014, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EDT

Register Here

Building a coordinated system of survivorship care is essential for improving the psychosocial and physical well-being of all cancer survivors. The June Research to Reality cyber-seminar will examine two important initiatives aimed at improving the lives and outcomes of cancer survivors.

Based on a consensus study, the Institute of Medicine suggests that consistent survivorship care plan (SCP) use may facilitate communication and coordination of care among survivors, cancer care providers, and follow-up care providers. In her presentation, Dr. Sarah Birken with the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at UNC Chapel Hill, will present the findings of her recent study that examined determinants of SCP use and provide insight into promoting their implementation.

In 2013 the Alaska Cancer Survivorship Resource Plan was produced as a guide for Survivorship program efforts and initiatives in Alaska. The Alaska Comprehensive Cancer Partnership identified addressing the needs of cancer survivors as a priority because of the growing numbers of survivors in Alaska, and their unique needs. Currently it is estimated there are 13 million people who have had cancer or are living with cancer in the United States and an estimated 30,000 cancer survivors in Alaska. Program Coordinator at the Alaska Public Health Department Julia Thorsness, in her presentation, will describe the efforts of Alaska’s Comprehensive Cancer Control Partnership and the challenges faced.

Addressing the disparate needs of cancer survivors poses challenges that require innovative solutions. We are delighted to welcome Dr. Birken and Ms. Thorsness to R2R and look forward to their outstanding presentations. As always, part of the webinar will be dedicated to your questions. We look forward to you engaging with the presenters, and sharing your own experiences.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the cyber-seminar, participants will be able to:

• Describe what a survivorship care plan is and how it can facilitate coordination of care among survivors by providers while informing follow-up care.
• Identify determinants of survivorship care plan use and strategies to improve their implementation.
• Understand the role comprehensive cancer control plans serve to address the sometimes unique needs of cancer survivors by leveraging traditional and nontraditional partners.