Northern Light Mercy Hospital’s Cancer Survivorship Clinic is here for you when you have finished treatment for cancer, to help you rebuild your health and support your quality of life. Our expert clinicians guide you safely along recovery from disease and treatment.
When you have completed treatment, your oncologist will refer you to this clinic to assess after treatment side effects and concerns moving forward.
What to expect at your visit:
- You will meet with the nurse practitioner to assess for side effects of treatment. You will also discuss potential long-term effects and ways to prevent them.
- You will receive a cancer treatment summary, care plan, and guidelines for follow up.
- We will review prevention of recurrence, secondary cancers, and lifestyle modification to decrease risk.
- You will meet with a physical therapist, social worker, and nutritionist.
Your survivorship team includes a nurse practitioner, physical therapist, social worker, and nutritionist.
Nutrition
Healthy eating can be challenging. Our nutritionist can help you understand good nutrition and practical solutions for eating well for cancer risk reduction and overall health. Making small changes over time is healing and protective. Not only can you decrease your risk of cancer recurrence and secondary cancers, but you can also decrease your risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, and obesity.
Physical Therapy
A physical therapist is onsite to obtain a functional assessment and determine any rehabilitative exercise needed to improve strength, endurance, flexibility, range of motion, and balance. Rehabilitative services include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and lymphedema care depending on your needs. A referral may be offered to focus on your individual needs and to help you return to the activities you want to do.
Mental Health
Our social worker is here to support you through your adjustment to survivorship and the mixed feelings that may come with it. Readjusting relationships with family, friends, and co-workers can be challenging. Our social worker can teach you practical ways to manage concerns and challenges, including relaxation as the foundation for clear thinking and problem-solving. The financial effect of cancer can also be a concern and our social worker and financial counselor are available to provide guidance.
