UK HealthCast: UK Markey Cancer Center Survivorship Services

UK HealthCast is a podcast series featuring interviews with UK HealthCare experts on a variety of health-related topics.

A cancer diagnosis can change nearly every aspect of a person's life. From managing treatment and side effects to navigating emotional, financial and practical challenges, the journey often continues long after appointments and therapies are complete.

At the UK Markey Cancer Center, survivorship services are designed to help patients and families navigate those challenges with support, resources and guidance every step of the way. Katie Brown, social worker supervisor at Markey, recently joined UK HealthCast to share more about those services.

What does cancer survivorship mean?

Many people think of survivorship as something that begins after treatment ends. But according to Katie Brown, social worker supervisor at Markey, survivorship starts much earlier.

"A cancer survivor is anybody who is living with or through or beyond a cancer diagnosis," Brown said. “So, it doesn't mean you have to be done with treatment to have survived cancer. Once you get that diagnosis, anybody living with it is a cancer survivor.”

Cancer affects far more than physical health. Patients may face changes in strength, appearance, relationships and mental well-being. For some, the emotional impact of cancer becomes more apparent after treatment is over.

"Sometimes it takes until you finish treatment to be able to fully just sit down and take a breath and process, 'Wow, I just went through a lot and I need to work through all of that now,'" Brown said.

Recognizing those challenges, Markey offers both clinical follow-up care and psychosocial support services to help patients adjust to life during and after treatment.

Support for patients and caregivers

Markey's survivorship services aim to connect patients with resources that meet a wide range of needs.

Brown's team of social workers and patient navigators helps patients access:

• Financial and practical assistance resources
• Individual counseling services
• Support groups
• Mental health support
• Community and wellness programs

Markey currently offers a cancer survivorship support group led by a social worker who helps participants process their experiences and connect with others facing similar challenges.

The cancer center also provides individual counseling through four licensed clinical social workers. These services are available free of charge to both patients, their caregivers and other support people for patients.

In addition to counseling and support groups, Markey has launched a Cancer Survivorship Wellness Series to help patients address common challenges that can arise during and after treatment.

Topics include:

• Navigating relationships after a cancer diagnosis
• Hair regrowth and rebuilding confidence after treatment
• Tai Chi for strength, balance and physical recovery
• Cognitive restoration strategies for managing "chemo brain" and mental fog

The series also introduces patients to services that are available throughout the year at Markey.

Who can participate in survivorship services?

All patients receiving care at the UK Markey Cancer Center are eligible for survivorship support services. Patients do not have to finish treatment before participating.

Many services are also available to caregivers, as Markey recognizes the important role they play throughout the cancer journey.

How to get connected

Patients interested in survivorship services can:

• Talk with their care team during a clinic appointment
• Ask to speak with a Markey social worker
• Visit the UK Markey Cancer Center website to learn more about available services
• Register for support groups and wellness programs through information provided in clinic flyers and materials

For Brown, one message stands above all others.

“I think the biggest thing would just be to never hesitate to ask for or accept help that's being offered to you,” Brown said. “Going through a cancer diagnosis can be such a difficult and oftentimes isolating feeling experience. But there are so many ways that you can be supported through it. So, my team and all of the staff at Markey are here to help in any way that we can.”