Lance Armstrong Foundation Adult Survivorship Clinic
Frequently Asked Questions
On this page
- What is the LAF Clinic?
- Who can be seen in the LAF Clinic?
- How are patients referred?
- What services are provided?
- When am I considered a cancer survivor?
- How does being a cancer survivor have an impact on my health?
- What should my medical follow-up be once my cancer treatment is done?
- Are there things I need to do before my visit to the LAF clinic?
- Will my health insurance cover the visit?
- Who are the providers that see patients?
- How many patients do you see?
- How is the program funded?
What is the LAF Clinic?
The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) Adult Survivorship Clinic uses a multi-disciplinary approach to providing services for cancer survivors and their families. The LAF clinic offers support and educational programs, along with clinical services for adult patients who have completed treatment for cancer.
Consultative services with an LAF nurse practitioner are available for patients to address post-treatment health issues. The LAF Clinic also offers psychosocial support to patients and their families to address emotional well-being and survivorship needs. If appropriate, sub-specialists such as, an endocrinologists, a physiatrist, and an expert in sexual health are available. Referrals to other sub-specialists are available as well.
Who can be seen in the LAF Clinic?
The LAF Clinic is open to adult patients who have completed cancer treatment, regardless of when and where they received treatment. The Clinic provides care for patients of any cancer diagnosis as well as offering disease specific clinics.
How are patients referred?
Patients can self refer, be referred by their primary oncologist, or by another provider such as their primary care physician or an oncologist outside of Dana Farber.
What services are provided?
- Comprehensive clinical evaluation of survivors to address possible long-term and late effects and recommendations for follow-up care. Patients are seen by a nurse practitioner or and nurse practitioner/physician team. All patients are offered a visit with a member of our psychosocial team.
- Referral to LAF sub-specialists is available if recommended by LAF provider.
- Assistance with referrals to other designated sub-specialists as needed.
- Community Resource Specialist is available to help patients find resources in their local communities.
- Education and Support Programs take place through out the year to address a variety of topics for cancer survivors and their family members.
When am I considered a cancer survivor?
The term "cancer survivor" means different things to different people. For some, the term refers to any one who has been diagnosed with cancer and those in their lives affected by the diagnosis; others consider a cancer survivor to be any one who has completed active treatment and is free of any signs of the disease.
For the purpose of the LAF clinic survivorship services, the transition from cancer patient to cancer survivor occurs when a patient has completed active treatment.
How does being a cancer survivor have an impact on my health?
Upon completing treatment individuals may have a variety of post-treatment health experiences. Although many survivors feel well, on-going side effects – called long-term effects – remain for people. Some individuals develop late-effects, which are new side effects that happen months or possibly years after treatment has been completed.
Long-term and late effects can result from any of the main types of cancer therapy: surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy. Not every individual experiences long-term or late effects. If you are having any health problems, it is important for you to talk to your doctor or nurse about your symptoms.
What should my medical follow-up be once my cancer treatment is done?
At the LAF clinic, your visit with one of our nurse practitioners will include talking about the recommendations for your follow-up care. The LAF Clinic provider will work with you to develop a plan that provides you with medical guidance for your care. It is important for you to share this plan with your primary care provider and any other providers suggested.
Are there things I need to do before my visit to the LAF clinic?
Your LAF provider will need to review your medical records. If you did not receive your cancer treatment at Dana-Farber you will need to contact the hospital where you received treatment and request that your treatment history is sent to the LAF clinic. Medical Records can be sent to:
Lance Armstrong Foundation Adult Survivorship Clinic44 Binney Street, SW135
Boston, MA 02115
You will also be mailed a few forms that you will need to complete before you visit. You can mail these forms back to the clinic or bring them with you the day of the appointment.
Will my health insurance cover the visit?
Dana-Farber's Financial Information Services office can help answer any questions you have regarding payment and approval needed for your appointment. Please call the Financial Information Services office for more information, (617) 632-3455. Or visit them at http://www.dana-farber.org/pat/becoming/insurance/.
Who are the providers that see patients?
Physicians
David C. Fisher, MD
Karen Marcus, MD
Peter Mauch, MD
Jean Mulder, Endocrinologist
Julie Silver, Physiatrist
Nurse Practitioners
Richard Boyajian, NP
Karen Sommer, NP
Psychosocial Providers
Amy Grose, LICSW
Sharon Bober, PhD
How many patients do you see?
LAF Clinic sees about 350 patients per year.
How is the program funded?
The LAF clinic is funded by a combination of philanthropy, primarily from the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the Perini Family, clinical revenue, and institutional support.
