To discover what weighs most on cancer survivors, Sylvester asked patients about their concerns, listened, developed solutions, then studied those solutions in a real-world setting, according to Frank J. Penedo, Ph.D., co-leader of Sylvester's Cancer Control Research Program, associate director for Cancer Survivorship & Translational Behavioral Sciences and director of Cancer Survivorship & Supportive Care.

“A major concern with our survivors is care coordination after their cancer treatment for non-cancer-specific medical issues,” Dr. Penedo said. “So our programs and care delivery research aim to make multidisciplinary care access easier and timelier.”

Over the past several years, Dr. Penedo and colleagues created a program in which Sylvester patients who have completed initial cancer treatment receive a comprehensive survivorship care plan that provides not only a summary of their treatment and treatment team, but also guidelines for follow-up care. The plan also addresses other physical and mental health care needs and is provided to the patient and their primary health care provider.

Effectively addressing the ongoing needs of cancer patients and survivors is a key component of Sylvester’s mission. As one example, Dr. Penedo and his colleagues developed a novel technology, My Wellness Check, to capture patients’ experiences and communicate their needs and concerns to Sylvester’s clinicians in real time, prior to scheduled visits, to help guide clinical encounters.

The positive impact of this asset and others is anchored in research and discovery. Sylvester’s investigators have led groundbreaking studies centered around minorities, including Hispanic and Spanish-speaking populations, to better understand cancer disparities and how to overcome them.

“It’s important that everyone who is treated for this disease can look forward to their best possible quality of life after treatment, and we are here to help them along their journey to achieve it,” Dr. Penedo said.