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Building a Team to Improve Cancer Survivorship: Integrative Care’s Increasing Role

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Quality Cancer Care

Abstract

An estimated 14.5 million cancer survivors live in the United States today and that number is expected to increase to 19 million by 2024. Increasingly, cancer survivors are seeking guidance and support as they transition out of active treatment into ongoing surveillance and a return to “normal” life. These patients seek services and tools to help them adjust while maintaining wellness in the posttreatment phase of life.

Research suggests that as many as 90% of cancer patients use some form of integrative medicine compared to 40% of the general population. Integrative approaches include mind-body interventions such as meditation, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and yoga. Touch therapies include massage or Reiki and massage. Creative therapies may include writing, art, and music. Still others choose to incorporate acupuncture, nutrition, fitness, and exercise. Support groups are another place where patients seek support.

Historically, cancer patients were challenged to find these services on their own. It has been important to build programs that are truly “integrative,” both for the health and well-being of patients, as well as for the providers, to be informed of the different practices being provided to the patients. This chapter describes some of these services.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Patient and Family Support Services, Knight Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA

    Susan Hedlund LCSW, OSW-c

Authors
  1. Susan Hedlund LCSW, OSW-c
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Susan Hedlund LCSW, OSW-c .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Cape Cod Healthcare, Falmouth, Massachusetts, USA

    Peter Hopewood

  2. University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Vermillion, South Dakota, USA

    Mary J. Milroy

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Hedlund, S. (2018). Building a Team to Improve Cancer Survivorship: Integrative Care’s Increasing Role. In: Hopewood, P., Milroy, M. (eds) Quality Cancer Care . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-78649-0_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-78649-0_10

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-78648-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-78649-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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