Lance Armstrong Foundation Adult Survivorship Program
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the LAF Adult Survivorship Program?
- Who can be seen in the LAF adult survivorship clinic?
- How are patients referred?
- What services does the program provide?
- 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 Adult Survivorship Program?
The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) Adult Survivorship Program, which includes an adult survivorship clinic, provides care and services for adult-onset cancer survivors, including research that focuses on finding solutions to key problems that adult survivors may face after cancer treatment.
Through the LAF Adult Survivorship Program, cancer survivors can meet with expert nurse practitioners who have expertise in post-treatment and survivorship care. Patients also have the opportunity to meet with a wide range of sub-specialists, as appropriate.
Who can be seen in the LAF adult survivorship clinic?
The LAF adult survivorship clinic is open to adult patients who have completed cancer treatment, regardless of when or 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?
To visit the LAF Adult Survivorship Program, patients can self refer, be referred by their primary oncologist, or get a referral from another provider, such as a primary care physician or an oncologist outside of Dana-Farber.
What services does the program provide?
The LAF Adult Survivorship Program offers:
- Comprehensive clinical evaluation of survivors, helping address possible long-term and late effects, and recommendations for follow-up care. Patients are seen by a nurse practitioner or a combination nurse practitioner and physician team. All patients are offered a visit with a member of our psychosocial team.
- Referrals to survivorship sub-specialists, if recommended by a LAF clinic provider.
- Assistance with referrals to other designated sub-specialists, as needed.
- Access to a Community Resource Specialist who can help patients find resources in their local communities.
- Education and support programs to address a diverse range of topics relevant to cancer survivors and their family members.
When am I considered a cancer survivor?
For the purpose of the LAF Adult Survivorship Program, the transition from cancer patient to cancer survivor occurs when a patient has completed active treatment. Many patients are still taking medications, such as hormonal therapies for breast cancer, and they are also welcome in our program.
The term "cancer survivor" means different things to different people. For some, the term refers to anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer and those in their lives affected by the diagnosis. Others consider a cancer survivor to be anyone who has completed active treatment and is free of any signs of the disease.
How does being a cancer survivor have an impact on my health?
Upon completing treatment, cancer patients may face a variety of post-treatment health experiences. Although survivors may feel well, ongoing side effects - called long-term effects - can remain for many people. Some individuals develop late effects, which are new side effects that can happen months or possibly years after treatment has ended.
Long-term and late effects can result from any of the main types of cancer therapy, including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy. Not every individual experiences long-term or late effects. If you have any health problems, it is important for you to talk with your doctor or nurse about your symptoms.
What should my medical follow-up be once my cancer treatment is done?
At the LAF adult survivorship clinic, you'll be able to talk with one of our nurse practitioners about recommendations for your follow-up care. The 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 clinic 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 be sent to the LAF clinic. Medical records can be sent to:
Lance Armstrong Foundation Adult Survivorship Program
44 Binney Street, SW135
Boston, MA 02115
You will also need to complete a few forms that will be sent to you before you visit. You can mail these forms back to the clinic or bring them with you to your appointment.
Will my health insurance cover the visit?
Dana-Farber's Financial Information Services can help answer any questions you may have about payment and approval needed for your appointment. To learn more, please call Financial Information Services at (617) 632-3455.
Who are the providers that see patients?
Physicians
David C. Fisher, MD
Benjamin Humphreys, MD, PhD
Kenneth Miller, MD
Javid Moslehi, MD
Jean Mulder, MD
Anju Nohria, MD
Nurse Practitioners
Richard Boyajian, RN, MS, ANP
Karen Sommer, MSN, RN, ANP
Psychosocial Providers
Amy Grose, MSW, LICSW
How many patients do you see?
The adult survivorship clinic in the LAF Program sees approximately 900 patients each year.
How is the program funded?
The LAF Adult Survivorship Program is funded by a combination of philanthropy, clinical revenue, and institutional support.
