Developed in 2008, the UF Cancer Survivor Program is a multidisciplinary clinical, educational and research program for cancer survivors of any age. Any survivor who is cancer-free and has not received treatment for cancer for at least two years is eligible and welcome to participate in the UF Cancer Survivor Program.

The aim of this unique program is to ease the difficult transition from patient to survivor by providing patients with evidence based recommendations for handling anticipated problems resulting from chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

Learn more about :

• Clinical Services Evaluation
• Childhood and Young Adult Cancer Survivors
• Adult Cancer Survivors
• Education and Research
• Program Eligibility
• Make an Appointment

While most of the more than ten million cancer survivors in the United States live healthy, productive lives, some experience late effects or problems related to cancer or its treatment(s). The UF Cancer Survivor Program is geared toward the identification and follow-up of any medical, physical, emotional or social issues that cancer survivors may experience.

The UF Cancer Survivor Program is part of the UF Shands Cancer Center, an interdisciplinary initiative connecting clinicians and scientists who perform original scientific research as well as conduct clinical trials to enhance strategies for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer.

Clinical Services Evaluation

During the initial consultation visit, survivors meet with a UF oncologist for a thorough physical examination and review of their medical history and cancer treatments. At this time, the UF physician will identify specific long term effects of surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, and provide the survivor with a summary of what can be expected over time. Quality of life assessments also are offered to provide knowledge about the effects of cancer survivorship on the whole person.

Childhood and Young Adult Cancer Survivors

With cure rates for childhood and adolescent cancers approaching 80 percent, most pediatric cancer patients become survivors. At the UF Cancer Survivor Program, young cancer survivors receive personalized health information from Children's Oncology Group (www.survivorshipguidelines.org ) about possible long term effects of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery, empowering them to take charge of their own health.

The program also provides the specialized follow-up care young cancer survivors require during the period of transition between childhood and adulthood, such as insurance availability and how to establish care with a local physician.

Adult Cancer Survivors

Today, excellent outcomes are common for many types of adult cancers and late effects of cancer treatment can be predicted and managed. Adult cancer survivors may face long term quality of life issues such as fatigue, chronic pain, anxiety, depression and sexual dysfunction. These health and wellness issues are addressed by the UF Cancer Survivor Program. Personalized health information is provided to each survivor along with the resources necessary to meet the challenges of living a cancer-free life.

Education and Research

As part of an academic medical center, one of our goals is to educate future physicians about the challenges cancer survivors face. The UF Cancer Survivor Program strives to be a valuable educational resource for physicians, medical students and the community.

UF physicians, scientists and other professionals at the UF Cancer Survivor Program are engaged in research studies dealing with issues of survivors of all ages and various types of cancer.

Survivors in the program may opt to allow the use of their health information, blood or urine samples to be used for research studies on cancer survivorship. One goal of this research is to help scientists and physicians better understand long-term medical and psychological effects of cancer and its treatment. Research on survivorship can also be applied to the development of protocols to reduce the likelihood of late effects for patients on active treatment.

Survivors in the UF Cancer Survivor Program receive the same care regardless of their decision to allow their information to be used for research purposes. While identifiable information about survivors remains confidential, the UF Cancer Survivor Program’s open exchange of information for educational and research purposes will serve to raise awareness of the issues facing cancer survivors today.

Program eligibility

To be eligible to participate in the UF Cancer Survivor Program, patients must have completed all treatment for cancer at least two years prior to enrollment in the program and be cancer-free. Survivors of any age are welcome to participate.

Survivors may refer themselves to the UF Cancer Survivor Program or be referred by a physician.

To schedule an appointment or refer a patient to the UF Cancer Survivor Program, call 352.273.8021.

Information

To schedule an appointment or refer a patient to the UF Cancer Survivor Program, call 352.273.8021.

Visit our Make a Gift page to see how you can help combat cancer.

Shands at UF Cancer Services were ranked 45th in the country by U.S.News&World Report.

Shands at UF Cancer Services Navigation

History

University of Florida Shands Cancer Center 2008 Annual Report (PDF file)

University of Florida Cancer Survivor Program

Types of Cancer

Brain Cancer

Breast Cancer

Colon Cancer

Gastrointestinal Cancers

Genitourinary Cancers

Gynecological Cancer

Head and Neck Cancer

Larynx Cancer

Leukemia

Lung Cancer

Lymphoma

Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Oropharyngeal Cancer

Prostate Cancer

Skin Cancer

Cancer Treatment

Bone Marrow Transplant

Brachytherapy

Chemotherapy

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

Radiation Therapy

Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Surgery

Make an Appointment

To make an appointment or find out more information about cancer services offered at Shands at the University of Florida, please call 352.265.8000 or toll-free 1.800.749.7424

You may also email our Consultation Center or use our secure online form.