Welcome to Cancer Transitions.
There are now more than 12 million cancer survivors in the United States. A 2006 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report concluded that in many cases, cancer survivors have specific needs that are not being met. Again in 2007, the IOM recognized this paradigm shift and the impact of cancer on health and well-being.
To address these unmet needs, The Wellness Community (TWC) partnered with the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) (http://www.livestrong.org) to develop the Cancer Transitions:Moving Beyond Treatment program. Cancer Transitions is a six-week program designed to help cancer survivors make the transition from active treatment to post-treatment care. It has been created to support, educate and empower people with cancer in the transitional period after treatment is over.
Cancer Transitions features interactive educational, support, exercise and nutritional activities to address the long-term effects of cancer and its treatment. An evidence-based community program, Cancer Transitions is for survivors of any cancer diagnosis who have completed treatment within the last 24 months. Participants meet for 2 1/2 hours once a week for six weeks. The program is designed for groups of up to 20 survivors and provides practical tools and resources to formulate a personal action plan for survivorship during and beyond participation in Cancer Transitions.
Each session is focused on a topic that is key to maintaining and improving survivors’ quality of life post-treatment. Topics include:
- Taking control of your survivorship
- Exercising to get you physically active at a level and pace that is customized to your comfort level
- Emotional health and well being
- Nutrition
- Medical Management beyond cancer
- Living cancer free
Each session features a guest speaker who is an expert in his or her field of study, and also includes time for exercise and nutrition tips. In addition to the educational component of the program, participants have an opportunity to connect, find support and share their cancer experience and what it means to them to be a survivor.
The Cancer Transitions program is based on peer-reviewed literature, advice from experts in the field and information from survivors. In addition to the original content developed for the program, education materials from the National Cancer Institute and the Lance Armstrong Foundation are also incorporated in the program. Cancer Transitions was piloted in 23 Wellness Communities around the country. The program was also piloted in facilities outside TWC, including Gilda’s Clubs, community cancer centers, and academic cancer centers.
Participants in this unique program reported:
• An increased level of physical activity
• An increased level of physical and social functioning
• An improvement in dietary habits
• A positive impact on their feelings about themselves as cancer survivors
• A decrease in health worry
Participants have said:
“This program was very helpful to me at this stage of the recuperation. I’m not sure I could have done it in the beginning. Very valuable information. Thanks for everything!”
“I’m very pleased with the whole program – thank you, thank you, thank you!”
“I’ve noticed I’ve moved forward in my wellness…I’m very excited!!! I’m ready to exercise and move!!!”
“This last session was a wonderful evening of sharing our hearts. Eating some wonderful food in a lovely atmosphere…I will miss this class, and everyone in it. I have met some wonderful people. Reconnecting with other cancer patients has been such a blessing to me. I’d like to thank [our leader] for his professional stance & for making this time a very well worth time spent in obtaining helpful information & the motivation that I have now to live well, eat better & exercise.”
Resources
To register and participate in this free online training program, please visit The Cancer Transitions Distance Learning Progrm.
More about the sponsors of the Cancer Transitions program: Cancer Support Community and Lance Armstrong Foundation.