Targeting adults' needs
The Perini Center's newest component, the Lance Armstrong Clinic, began offering services to adults in February 2005 after discussions and surveys to gauge what was most on the minds of potential patients, such as secondary cancers, fatigue, and how to tell kids about cancer. It bears the name of the champion cyclist who overcame spreading testicular cancer to win seven straight Tour de France races. The program is not designed to replace patients' primary care physicians or oncologists, but rather to offer information and access to resources, such as Brigham and Women's cardiologist Ming Hui Chen, MD, who has expertise in treatment-related heart damage. Another aim is to spread the word about survivorship issues at Dana-Farber, in the community, and among survivors themselves.
Initially, the clinic focused on three disease families (lymphoma, colon cancer, and genitourinary cancers), and others are being added over time. "Developing a one-size- fits-all model has been impossible," says Program Administrator Usha Thakrar. "The needs of a 38-yearold patient with breast cancer differ from those of a 75-year-old prostate cancer survivor. So we're doing it one disease at a time." Adds Shulman, "The center has taken off much faster than people anticipated—almost faster than we can pedal."
Doug Ulman, director of survivorship for the Texas-based Lance Armstrong Foundation that gave $1 million to launch the adult clinic here, says Dana-Farber's program is a model for the partnerships it is forming with other institutions and community-based centers around the country. "We are thoroughly impressed with DFCI's commitment to survivorship at all levels," states Ulman, "and its willingness to take strategic steps to make the adult clinic a reality." The foundation held its first National Survivorship Network steering committee meeting at Dana-Farber in September.
Survivors: Strength in numbers
1971
3 million people living with a cancer history2004
10 million people living with a cancer historySource: President's Cancer Panel 2003-4 Annual Report
One grateful recipient of the clinic's services is Bonnie Martin of Connecticut, who is cancer-free after 13 years battling chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Martin endured three stem cell transplants at Dana-Farber and Brigham and Women's Hospital and was literally on the edge of death before the last procedure. Friends call her a "walking miracle."
"When they said, 'You're cured,' I never thought that was possible," says the 60-year-old grandmother and former nurse, who attributes her spunk to her blood donor's age: 47. Martin's treatment left her with a chart-full of health concerns such as dry eyes and weakened immunity, and Rich Boyajian has helped her set up screenings and locate specialists. They've also discussed the power of turning a life-threatening experience into an inspiring one.
"One of the greatest things a survivor can do is help coax patients along or tell them a particular treatment worked for you—and to keep trying," says Martin. "I finally feel, after 13 years, that I have crossed the finish line, like Lance Armstrong. I have a new chance at life."
