CSP Welcome and Mission Statement
The Cancer Survivor Program (CSP) at the University of Florida Shands Cancer Center (UFSCC) is a multidisciplinary clinical, educational, and research program for cancer survivors of all ages. Most of the ten million cancer survivors in the United States live healthy, productive lives, but some may experience late effects or problems related to cancer or its treatment.
From left to right: Dr. Joseph Simone, Director of the UF Shands Cancer Center, Jason Mlot, cancer survivor and the first patient of the CSP clinic, and Dr. Patricia Shearer, Director of the CSP at UF Shands Cancer Center (Photo taken Dec. 5, 2008)
Clinical Services:
Mission: The mission of the CSP at UFSCC is to improve the health and well being of cancer survivors and their families through identification and follow up of medical and psychosocial problems that emerge once treatment has been completed.
Childhood and Young Adult Cancer Survivors: With cure rates of 80 percent for childhood and adolescent cancer in 2008, most patients treated in youth become cancer survivors. At the CSP at UFSCC young cancer survivors receive personalized health information based on chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery that empowers them to take charge of their own health. Young cancer survivors also require specialized follow up during the period of transition between pediatric and adult care that is provided by the CSP.
Adult Cancer Survivors: With excellent outcomes now possible for many types of adult cancer, medical late effects can be predicted and managed. Adult cancer survivors also face quality of life issues such as fatigue, chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and sexual dysfunction that are addressed in the CSP at UFSCC. Personalized health information is provided to each adult cancer survivor along with resources to meet the challenges of living cancer-free in today’s busy environment.
Education: Information on nutrition, exercise, wellness, and a personalized health summary are provided to each survivor. Training of physicians, medical students, and community providers is encouraged by the CSP at UFSCC to raise awareness of the issues facing cancer survivors in today’s health care delivery system.
Research: Physicians and other professionals in the CSP at UFSCC engage in research studies dealing with issues affecting survivors of all ages with various types of cancer. Survivors may agree to allow the use of their information or a blood or urine specimen to be used for research studies on cancer survivorship in the future.
Eligibility: Survivors must have completed all treatment for cancer at least two years before enrollment in the CSP at UFSCC, and be cancer-free. Survivors of any age are welcome to participate.
Referrals: Survivors may refer themselves or be referred by their current physician.
The Palm Tree Logo: Cancer survivors are like palm trees. They bend and sway in storms, but do not break. These sturdy trees reach their elegant branches toward the sky.
