WILMINGTON – New Hanover Regional Medical Center’s Zimmer Cancer Center is participating in a new national program to help cancer survivors make the transition from active treatment to post-treatment care. Developed by The Wellness Community (TWC) and the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF), the Cancer Transitions program was created to bridge the gap between cancer treatment and life following cancer. Spaces are still available for this free five week program designed for cancer survivors and their caregivers.
The five sessions will be held on Tuesday evenings beginning August 9 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the conference room at NHRMC’s Zimmer Cancer Center. Expert panelists include physicians, nutritionists and fitness experts who will discuss various topics including:
• Specialized nutrition for people after cancer treatment
• The need for continued emotional and social support
• Medical effects of cancer treatment and long-term medical management.
“This much needed program, which is offered at no cost to participants, will provide local cancer survivors with information and tools to make the transition into living a full and productive life as a survivor,” said LaSonia Melvin, community outreach coordinator of the Carolina Well program at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. “Specifically, the program addresses nutrition, emotional health, quality of life and medical management after cancer treatment ends.”
More than 12 million cancer survivors in the U.S. face a heavy physical and psychological burden as they transition from cancer patient to survivor. In fact, cancer is increasingly being viewed for many as a chronic illness. A new report issued by the Institute of Medicine in 2008 recognized this paradigm shift of the impact on cancer on the entire family. The report, entitled Cancer Care for the Whole Patient, states that “Good quality health care must attend to patients’ psychosocial problems and provide services to enable them to better manage their illnesses and underlying health.”
Registration is required and participants may bring one guest.
New Hanover Regional Medical Center is the leading provider of quality and accessible health care in Southeastern North Carolina, delivering care to all in need, without the support of taxpayer dollars. The medical center takes seriously its responsibility as an economic engine for the community, creating more than 4,500 jobs directly and another 3,000 jobs indirectly.
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