The more you know about what to expect with your cancer diagnosis, the better you can take control of your health and well-being for a lifetime.

At Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, we make sure you and your family have all the information you need to make well-informed health decisions. Our cancer survivorship services offer you ongoing care and support to let you feel your best.

What is cancer survivorship?

If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, you’re a cancer survivor. Survivorship begins when you’re diagnosed and extends through treatment, recovery, and beyond – whether you're free of cancer or you're receiving ongoing treatment. Survivorship care ensures you feel your best by supporting your health, well-being, and quality of life.

What is a survivorship care plan?

Your survivorship care plan is a personalized plan that gives you and all your healthcare providers a written document that details your cancer treatments. Your care plan provides a treatment summary and recommendations for follow-up care, screening, surveillance and lifestyle modifications, attention to lifestyle factors, late- and long-term effects of treatment, financial concerns, sexual health, emotional well-being, nutrition, rehabilitation, education, and more.

When can I get survivorship program services?

Our adult survivorship program is open to people who’ve completed cancer treatment. You can receive care for any cancer diagnosis and access disease-specific services – whether it’s skin cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, or another type of cancer.

When should I make my first survivorship program appointment?

You can make your first survivorship appointment within six months of completing your treatment. Even if you’re still taking medicines, such as hormonal therapies for breast or prostate cancer, you’re welcome in our program.

What do I need to do to make my first survivorship program appointment?

You need a referral from your oncology healthcare provider to make an appointment with our adult survivorship program team. If you haven’t received a referral from your oncology provider, let them know. They can help you schedule your appointment.

What can I expect during my first survivorship visit?

Your survivorship visits focus on keeping you healthy and feeling your best – both physically and emotionally. During your first appointment, we:

• Learn about your health history and review your cancer diagnosis and treatment
• Do a complete physical exam
• Discover any physical, emotional, or social side effects of cancer or cancer treatment you’re experiencing and create a plan to manage them
• Evaluate your cancer risk and recommend appropriate cancer screenings
• Discuss available services to help you improve your health and lower your risk of health problems through healthy eating, exercise, weight management, and quitting smoking
• Tell you about emotional support services, including one-on-one counseling and support groups
• Give you information about local and national cancer organizations for your specific cancer
• Create a personalized survivorship care plan for you and your doctors, based on input from your cancer care team

Will my health insurance cover my survivorship visit?

Most insurance providers cover survivorship care. Email us at SCCCSURVIVORSHIP@miami.edu to learn more – we’re happy to answer your questions. It’s also a good idea to check with your insurance provider to find out about your coverage.

Will my cancer care transfer from my oncologist to a survivorship provider?

No. You will continue seeing your oncologist as needed. Sylvester’s survivorship services are designed to enhance your experience and complement your ongoing cancer-related care. You can access a variety of survivorship services, including support groups, education, and special events.

What is cancer survivorship research?

As a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, we’re dedicated to improving the quality of life for cancer survivors. Our cancer survivorship research:

• Explores the physical, psychosocial, and economic effects of cancer and its treatment.
• Studies issues related to healthcare delivery, access, and follow-up care in cancer survivors.
• Focuses on the cancer survivors’ health, well-being, and lifestyle beyond the initial diagnosis and active treatment period.
• Seeks to prevent and control treatment-related side effects and cancer recurrence and help improve survivors’ quality of life.
• Enhances our understanding of cancer and treatment-related symptoms. This allows us to provide guidance for follow-up care and cancer surveillance and improve health after cancer treatment.

How can I get more information about Sylvester’s adult survivorship program?

If you’d like more information about our survivorship program or you’re interested in upcoming survivorship events, email us at SCCCSURVIVORSHIP@miami.edu.