by Jessica Mason | Jul 1, 2025 | Survivorship
From the moment you receive a cancer diagnosis, you become a survivor—and your journey continues well beyond the end of cancer treatment. Life often looks different, and survivorship can bring a range of physical, emotional, and mental changes. Survivorship care is the next phase of your treatment plan, designed to help you adjust to a new normal, support your ongoing recovery, and embrace life beyond cancer.
As you move forward, asking the right questions can help you feel supported, informed, and reassured. Whether you receive survivorship care with us or with your primary care provider, we’re always here for you.
Key Questions to Ask Your Care Team
Completing cancer treatment is a major milestone, but it often also marks the beginning of new physical, emotional, and practice challenges and adjustments. To help you navigate this transition with confidence, here are important questions to talk about with your doctors and care team:
1. What is survivorship care?
Survivorship care includes the medical and emotional support you receive after your primary cancer treatment ends. It focuses on:
- Monitoring for recurrence
- Managing long-term or late side effects
- Supporting mental and emotional well-being
- Encouraging healthy lifestyle choices
- Your oncology team may even offer specialized survivorship care programs tailored to meet your unique needs. Ask your care team what their program includes and if it’s the right fit for you.
Your oncology team may even offer specialized survivorship care programs tailored to meet your unique needs. Ask your care team what their program includes and if it’s the right fit for you.
2. When will I transition to survivorship care?
The transition to survivorship care usually begins once your initial treatment—such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery— is complete. This timing can vary depending on your type of cancer and treatment, but your oncology team will guide you through this process and help you coordinate your ongoing care.
3. What kind of follow-up care do I need, how often, and what will it look like moving forward?
Understanding your follow-up plan is essential. This may involve regular scans, lab tests, or check-ins with your oncologist and primary care provider.
4. What symptoms or changes should I watch out for?
Knowing what signs could indicate a recurrence or complications allows you to seek timely care if needed.
5. How can I manage these side effects or symptoms?
Ask about medications, rehabilitation, or therapies that may help relieve fatigue, neuropathy, or other common post-treatment effects that affect your quality of life.
6. What lifestyle changes can support my health moving forward?
Nutrition, exercise, stress management, and other habits can play a key role in your recovery and wellness.
What mental health or emotional support is available?
Support groups, individual counseling, and community resources can help you process your experience and connect with others. The American Cancer Society and the Cancer Survivors Network are great starting points.
Creating Your Survivorship Care Plan
As you begin this next chapter, your care team may provide a personalized survivorship care plan. This plan summarizes:
- Your diagnosis, treatment history, and familial cancer risk assessment
- Recommended follow-up care
- Possible side effects
- Health and wellness recommendations
- Cancer surveillance and other recommended related tests
This valuable roadmap is designed for both you and any healthcare provider you work with moving forward to make your transition feel clear and supported.
We’re honored to mark this meaningful milestone with you.
Your Role in Survivorship
Life after cancer is a shared journey. Staying engaged in your care, asking questions, and working closely with your care team can help you feel confident and connected as you navigate life beyond cancer.
by Jessica Mason | May 12, 2025 | Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, but the good news is that it can often be treated successfully if caught early. Knowing what to look for can make all the difference. Here are some key signs and tips to help you spot skin cancer early.
1. The ABCDE Rule for Melanoma
Melanoma is one of the most dangerous forms of skin cancer. Use the ABCDE rule to identify potential melanomas:
- Asymmetry: One half of the mole or spot doesn’t match the other half.
- Border: The edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.
- Color: The color is not uniform and may include shades of brown, black, pink, red, white, or blue.
- Diameter: The spot is larger than ¼ inch across (about the size of a pencil eraser), although melanomas can be smaller.
- Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape, or color.
2. Basal Cell Carcinoma Signs
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. Look for:
- Flat, firm, pale, or yellow areas, similar to a scar.
- Raised reddish patches that might be itchy.
- Small, translucent, shiny, pearly bumps that are pink or red and may have blue, brown, or black areas.
- Pink growths with raised edges and a lower area in the center, which might have abnormal blood vessels spreading out like the spokes of a wheel.
- Open sores that don’t heal or heal and then come back.
3. Squamous Cell Carcinoma Signs
Squamous cell carcinoma is another common type of skin cancer. Watch for:
- Rough or scaly red patches that might crust or bleed.
- Raised growths or lumps, sometimes with a lower area in the center.
- Open sores that don’t heal or heal and then come back.
- Wart-like growths.
4. General Warning Signs
Regardless of the type, here are some general signs that could indicate skin cancer:
- Any new spots or growths on your skin.
- Any spot that looks different from others on your body.
- Sores that don’t heal.
- Redness or new swelling beyond the border of a mole.
- Itching, pain, or tenderness that doesn’t go away or comes back.
- Changes in the surface of a mole, such as oozing, scaliness, bleeding, or the appearance of a lump or bump.
Taking Action
- If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to see a healthcare provider for further evaluation.
- Regular monthly self-exams and yearly (or more frequently if you are at higher risk) full body skin exams with a dermatologist can help catch skin cancer early when it’s most treatable.
- Avoid tanning and do not use UV tanning beds.
Remember, protecting your skin from the sun by wearing broad spectrum sunscreen SPF 30 or higher, seeking shade, do not get sunburned, wear UV blocking sunglasses, and wearing protective clothing can help reduce your risk of developing skin cancer.
Stay vigilant and take care of your skin!
by Jessica Mason | May 12, 2025 | Breast Cancer
Understanding Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a unique and aggressive form of breast cancer that requires special attention and understanding. Here’s what you need to know about TNBC, its characteristics, and the latest research.
What is Triple-Negative Breast Cancer?
Triple-negative breast cancer is a subtype of breast cancer that does not have the three common receptors known to fuel most breast cancer growth: estrogen, progesterone, and HER2/neu. This means that TNBC does not respond to hormonal therapy or therapies that target HER2 receptors.
Who is at Risk?
TNBC is more likely to affect younger people, African Americans, Hispanics, and those with a BRCA1 gene mutation. It represents about 10-15% of all breast cancers.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
The symptoms of TNBC are similar to other types of breast cancer and can include:
- A new lump or mass in the breast or underarm
- Changes in breast size or shape
- Skin changes on the breast, such as dimpling or redness
- Nipple changes, including inversion or discharge
- Breast or nipple pain
- Swelling of all or part of the breast
- Swollen lymph nodes under the arm or near the collar bone
Diagnosis typically involves a combination of physical exams, imaging tests (like mammograms and ultrasounds), and biopsies to confirm the absence of the three receptors
Treatment Options
Treatment for TNBC often involves a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Unlike other breast cancers, TNBC does not respond to hormonal therapy or HER2-targeted treatments, making chemotherapy a crucial part of the treatment plan
Latest Research and Advances
Recent studies have shown promising developments in the treatment and understanding of TNBC:
- Immune Cells and Prognosis: Research indicates that high levels of immune cells within TNBC tumors may be associated with a lower risk of recurrence and better survival rates, even without chemotherapy
- New Therapies: Ongoing research is exploring new treatment options, including targeted therapies and immunotherapies, to improve outcomes for TNBC patients
Living with Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Living with TNBC can be challenging, but support from healthcare providers, family, and community can make a significant difference. Regular follow-ups, a healthy lifestyle, and staying informed about the latest research are essential steps in managing this condition.
Conclusion
Triple-negative breast cancer is a complex and aggressive form of breast cancer that requires specialized treatment and care. Understanding the risks, symptoms, and latest research can empower patients and their loved ones to take proactive steps in managing this disease.
Stay informed, stay vigilant, and take care of your health.
by Jessica Mason | May 12, 2025 | Breast Cancer
Recognizing the Early Signs of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is a condition that affects many people worldwide, and early detection is crucial for successful treatment. Understanding the early symptoms can help you take timely action. Here are some common early signs of breast cancer to be aware of:
- A New Lump or Mass
One of the most common early signs of breast cancer is the presence of a new lump or mass in the breast or underarm area (not all breast lumps are cancer, but they should be evaluated by a healthcare provider). These lumps are often painless, hard, and have irregular edges, but they can also be soft, round, and tender.
- Changes in Breast Size or Shape
Noticeable changes in the size or shape of your breast can be a sign of breast cancer. This could include swelling in part of the breast or an overall change in the breast’s contour
- Skin Changes
Keep an eye out for any unusual changes in the skin of your breast. This can include dimpling, redness, or a rash. Sometimes, the skin may appear thickened or have a texture similar to an orange peel
- Nipple Changes
Changes in the nipple, such as inversion (turning inward), discharge (other than breast milk), or pain, can also be early indicators of breast cancer. Any unusual discharge, especially if it is bloody, should be checked by a healthcare provider
- Breast or Nipple Pain
While breast cancer is often painless, some individuals may experience pain or tenderness in the breast or nipple area. Persistent pain that does not go away should be evaluated
- Swelling or Thickening
Swelling or thickening of part of the breast, even if no lump is felt, can be a sign of breast cancer. This symptom can sometimes be mistaken for an infection or other benign condition.
- Swollen Lymph nodes
Swollen lymph nodes under the arm or near the collarbone may indicate breast cancer, even before the primary tumor in the breast becomes detectable by touch.
Taking Action
Being familiar with the normal appearance and feel of your breasts is essential for maintaining breast health. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a healthcare provider for further evaluation. Early detection through regular self-exams and mammograms can significantly improve the chances of successful treatment.
Remember, these symptoms can also be caused by conditions other than cancer. However, it’s always better to be cautious and get any unusual changes checked out.
Stay informed, stay vigilant, and take care of your health.
