Thriving from Day One: Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Care for Lifelong Health

At Doylestown Health's Cancer Institute, we recognize that cancer impacts every part of life. Our Survivorship Program offers comprehensive care that goes beyond medical treatment. We provide emotional support and resources for managing the challenges that can arise during and after cancer treatment.

Whether you're newly diagnosed, currently receiving treatment, living with advanced cancer, or have been cancer-free for many years - a survivorship provider can play a central role in supporting you and monitoring your physical and emotional health.

"Your healthcare needs and concerns can change significantly with a cancer diagnosis," says oncology nurse practitioner Meaghan McGuire, MSN, CRNP-C, Doylestown Health Survivorship Program provider and coordinator.

It's crucial to address the immediate effects of cancer therapies and the long-term implications that may arise years after treatment. "Survivorship providers are dedicated to optimizing your physical and mental health from the time you receive a diagnosis through treatment and beyond," says Meaghan. "We integrate the latest clinical evidence and guidelines with a highly personalized approach to help you improve overall health and stay a step ahead of cancer."

Holistic Care Tailored to Your Needs

Emphasizing the individualized nature of survivorship care, Meaghan says, "Survivorship care is uniquely tailored to you, taking into account the type of cancer you have and the medications and treatments you receive."

"We consistently update our knowledge of medical advancements and approaches to cancer care, including evidence-based guidelines to minimize short- and long-term side effects," she says.

Depending upon where you are on your cancer journey, your survivorship provider will collaborate with your medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, surgeon, and primary care provider to ensure you receive comprehensive care.

Getting to Know You

Each visit to our Survivorship Program begins with a review of your medical history, followed by ample time to discuss your concerns and goals in a private, supportive, and comfortable environment.

Emphasizing Healthy Lifestyles

Survivorship providers promote healthy lifestyles, including exercise, nutrition, and annual primary care visits. "People often feel overwhelmed by their diagnosis, but focusing on controllable factors like optimal nutrition and exercise can empower them," says Meaghan, who values the mind-body connection.

"Usually, the last thing a person with cancer wants is to take another pill. Exercise is a powerful tool that can help manage common side effects of cancer treatment, such as fatigue and loss of bone density," says Meaghan, noting that studies show that regular exercise can be as effective as low-dose antidepressant medication.

"For cancer survivors, physical therapy has been shown to improve quality of life and function during and after cancer treatment," says Meaghan. "Doylestown Health's Cancer Rehabilitation Program is a Physiological Oncology Rehabilitation Institute Center of Excellence (PORi). Our physical therapists work with you to reduce the impact of treatment side effects and improve quality of life and function during and after treatment."

Ongoing Emotional, Psychological, and Medical Support

After a cancer diagnosis, it's natural to experience emotional and psychological challenges. Survivorship providers understand these difficulties and provide mental health resources and educational support on your timeline.

Cancer recurrence, sexual health, and worries about family members and their cancer risk are common concerns people may not feel ready to discuss when they are first diagnosed, if at all.

For example, people may find it difficult to discuss sexual health, according to Meaghan. She notes that survivorship providers consistently ask about sexual health, which can open the door to discussions about treatment options.

"You may experience body image changes as a result of cancer treatment, physical discomfort with intercourse, or challenges with sexual performance," she says. Depending on individual needs, Meaghan may recommend pelvic floor therapy, behavioral therapy, lubricants, or prescription medication to support sexual function.

Many people worry their family members may develop the same cancer type. Our Cancer Risk and Genetics Program offers valuable information about cancer risk, including genetic testing, enabling us to provide early detection and prevention strategies for patients and their at-risk family members.

Some cancer treatments can raise the risk of cardiac toxicity. In such cases, our survivorship providers may refer patients to Doylestown Health's Cardio-Oncology Program. Our program is designed to provide access to early cardiovascular assessment, intervention, and treatment. Specialists use echocardiograms, stress tests, and carotid ultrasounds to monitor cardiovascular health and make necessary care adjustments.

Resources When You Need Them

Doylestown Health's Cancer Institute is a leader among community-based hospitals providing cancer care in the suburbs of Philadelphia. In addition to genetics and risk assessment, cardio-oncology, and cancer rehabilitation, we offer support groups, integrative medicine, and education on healthy lifestyle options, nutrition, and smoking cessation.

Make an appointment

For information or to make a Survivorship Program appointment, don't hesitate to get in touch with our Survivorship and Supportive Services Program Coordinator, Meaghan McGuire, MSN, CRNP-C, by calling 215.345.2489.

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