A team of MSU researchers has been awarded nearly $40,000 from the Mid-Michigan Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure to create a breast cancer survivorship program. From left are Chris Pearson, executive director for Mid-Michigan Susan G. Komen For the Cure; Marianne Chaps of MSU's Department of Medicine; Martha Trout and Heather Spotts of the MSU Breslin Cancer Center; and Barbara Wirtz of the Komen foundation. Courtesy photo

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EAST LANSING, Mich. — A team from Michigan State University's Breslin Cancer Center is developing a clinic for the survivors of breast cancer, hoping to reduce mortality and improve quality of life.

A $39,591 grant from the Mid-Michigan Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure will support a new multidisciplinary program called "Changing Tomorrow's Breast Cancer Survivors."

"Some breast cancer survivors don't feel like medical providers are very involved with their care when treatment ends," said Deimante Tamkus, an assistant professor in MSU's Department of Medicine. "However, various areas of life are affected by cancer; we want to help survivors identify potential problems, both physical and emotional, to improve their lives and help prevent recurrence."

The multidisciplinary MSU team will consist of a medical oncologist, oncology social worker and nurse educator. Martha Trout, a nurse at the Breslin Cancer Center, and Heather Spotts, an oncology social worker, also are co-investigators on the grant. Survivors will talk to members of the team, focusing on healthy lifestyles and recommendations to avoid recurrence.

A treatment summary and long-term recommendation will be given to the patient and sent to the primary care doctor. There will be follow-up phone consultations to help survivors achieve healthy lifestyle goals. The grant also will support three educational seminars for breast cancer survivors focusing on sexuality after breast cancer, healthy exercise and nutrition for survivors, and on how to manage side effects caused by treatment such as lymphedema, a type of tissue swelling caused by fluid retention.

"We hope to raise awareness in the medical community of the many issues that breast cancer survivors struggle with after treatment such as fatigue, cognitive problems, depression and sexuality concerns," Spotts said. "The good news is there are so many more cancer survivors compared to years ago; now it is imperative that we address their physical and psycho-social needs."

Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the world's largest breast cancer organization, and the mid-Michigan affiliate is one of 125 affiliates dedicated to ending breast cancer in their communities.

"At the Komen mid-Michigan affiliate, we conducted a needs assessment of our community and discovered the needs of breast cancer survivors for post-diagnosis support," said Barbara Wirtz, grants chairperson. "We are confident that through the Changing Tomorrow's Breast Cancer Survivors program, breast cancer survivors in our community will have low-cost access to medical and social support to improve their quality of life after treatment for breast cancer."

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