University of Illinois Cancer Center Survivorship Program

An estimated 17 million Americans are cancer survivors. It takes a concerted effort to survive cancer, and the University of Illinois Cancer Center Survivorship Program provides patients with the resources they need to help them continue living a full life.

The mission of the survivorship program is to provide outstanding, comprehensive, patient-centered care that reduces the long-term negative impacts of cancer and cancer treatments for all patients.

Physicians in cancer survivorship coordinate care between the cancer specialist and primary care physician to ensure that all aspects of a cancer survivor’s health needs are met. All patients with a history of cancer — regardless of where they had their cancer treated — are eligible to receive care in the University of Illinois Cancer Center Survivorship Program. Our team works to ensure patients receive coordinated care by working with their primary care physicians and oncology groups. 

The survivorship program is housed within Mile Square Health Center, a federally qualified health center. 

University of Illinois Cancer Center Survivorship Program

Navigating life can be difficult for cancer survivors. Depression, anxiety, stress, pain, activity limitations, and poor general health are just some of the hurdles faced by cancer survivors. 

Survivorship care is needed because traditional medical care for cancer patients has historically been fragmented and poorly coordinated, leaving both survivors and healthcare providers confused about who is delivering which aspects of care.

The goal of the Cancer Center Survivorship Program is to ensure a patient’s whole health is considered by working to minimize the negative consequences of cancer and cancer treatments. Since everyone is different, care is personalized to meet each person’s unique needs. 

The University of Illinois Cancer Center Survivorship Program offers:

  • Cancer screenings — both recurrent and new. In addition to regular health maintenance, additional screening may be needed as a result of cancer and cancer treatments.
  • Care coordination between cancer specialist and primary care physicians
  • Monitoring of long-term effects of cancer and treatment, including medical and psychosocial effects
  • Interventions for the consequences of cancer and its treatment, such as through medication, specialty referral, therapy, or other support care services
  • Assessment for the needs for genetic testing
  • Referrals to supportive services

Several other initiatives led by the University of Illinois Cancer Center Survivorship Team are designed to prevent cancer occurrence, such as the Mile Square Family History Screening Initiative. This pilot program is designed to identify patients at increased risk for familial cancer syndromes. 

Who Can Receive Survivorship Care?

Often when people speak of survivorship care, they are referring to the time after completion of active cancer treatment. While this is the most common time for cancer patients to engage with cancer survivorship programs, it is never too early to start survivorship care.

Anyone with a cancer diagnosis — whether just diagnosed, recently completed treatment, on active maintenance therapy, or treatment completed years ago — can receive survivorship care. Therefore, we see patients as early as their cancer diagnosis.

University of Illinois Cancer Center Partner: Wellness House at UI Health Mile Square

Risk Assessment With Cancer IQ

Young and A Survivor (YAAS!)

Quarterly Seminars in Cancer Survivorship


Contact Us

For more information or to register for programs visit wellnesshouse.org/UIHealth.

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