CLEVELAND – To help survivors adjust to life after breast cancer, the University Hospitals Ireland Cancer Center has launched the Center for Survivors of Breast Cancer.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates that 1 in 8 women in America will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. However, survival rates are improving, with earlier detection and advances in treatment. The NCI estimates there are 2 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. today. Breast Cancer survivors often face multiple challenges after treatment ends, including fatigue, lymphedema (swelling of the arm), weight gain, sexual side effects, relationship problems and fear of recurrence. The new Center helps breast cancer survivors to address these issues.

“Breast cancer is an increasingly survivable disease and we understand the need for specialized care continues after treatment ends,” says Joseph Baar, MD, Medical Director of the Center as well as Director of Breast Cancer Research at the Ireland Cancer Center. “The new Center offers special survivorship programs and supplements the supportive programs already offered through the Ireland Cancer Center.”

The Center for Survivors of Breast Cancer is located at the University Hospitals Chagrin Highlands Health Center in Orange Village and has plans to expand to UH Westlake Health Center in 2007. The Center helps breast cancer patients cope with the challenges of recovery, recognizing the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of survivors. The team of specialists is comprised of Dr. Baar; Laura Moore, nurse practitioner; Kim Day, social worker; and Amy LaJeune, registered dietician.

The Center offers a Survivorship Clinic where patients receive a written summary of their cancer treatment and a personalized survivorship plan that includes recommendations to promote health and lessen the impact of late effects of cancer and treatment.

In addition to the Survivorship Clinic, the Center offers several group classes and activities to provide information and support to survivors and their spouses or partners. Orientation to Survivorship is a two-hour program developed to provide strategies to facilitate recovery. Topics include fear of recurrence, reclaiming sexuality and managing menopausal symptoms. The next Orientation to Survivorship is scheduled on Monday, November 6 from 6-8 p.m. at UH Chagrin Highlands Health Center, 3909 Orange Place.

“We recognize that just because treatment is over, it doesn’t mean that you feel back to normal,” says Lisa Vitkus, MPH, Director of Survivorship Programs at the Ireland Cancer Center. “At the Center for Survivors of Breast Cancer we give patients the tools they need to move beyond breast cancer and into survivorship.”

For information about the Center for Survivors of Breast Cancer or to register for Orientation to Survivorship, call 216-844-4545.