The path to recovery is ongoing, and we are here to walk alongside you. Every step of our program is designed to provide the support, resources, and tools that cancer patients need to live their best, healthiest lives.
History of survivorship in cancer
Cancer Survivorship was popularized by Lance Armstrong, who used his platform as a cyclist with testicular cancer to highlight cancer’s effects on mind, body, and spirit, establishing survivorship programs across North America in the early 1990s.
Survivorship is a crucial need recognized by professional societies and cancer stakeholders like the NCI, ASCO, CoC, and ACS. Accredited cancer centers must have a Survivorship program. Survivorship is now part of clinical care. Institutions create programs and shape quality based on resources for a holistic care model for cancer patients.
Why survivorship is controversial
Survivorship often implies victory over adversity, which may not reflect all cancer patients’ realities. It can also minimize the experiences of those who have died from cancer.
How we define survivorship
The UPMC Cancer Survivorship and Integrative Oncology defines survivorship as anyone diagnosed with cancer regardless of the outcome.
Cancer treatment impacts patients’ well-being. Integrating therapies like exercise, nutrition, acupuncture, yoga, and meditation helps patients adopt healthier lifestyles.
The four pillars
We offer to patients, during their cancer journey, (newly diagnosed, active treatment, post-surgery, or completed treatment) any or all of these options:
Exercise Oncology
The UPMC “Moving Through Cancer” Program encourages patients to stay active throughout their cancer journey by working individually with a certified exercise oncology therapist.
Lifestyle Nutrition
A framework for how food integrates with the prevention and management of medical illness in real life.
Symptom Management
Managing cancer-related symptoms, without pharmaceuticals, through holistic approaches such as acupuncture, yoga, and mindfulness.
Medical Surveillance
Our clinical staff will follow best practice to detect recurrence or secondary cancers and provide medical advice for current or late effects of cancer treatment.
CURRent leadership
At the heart of our program are dedicated leaders with vision and integrity. They guide our mission, drive innovation, and foster collaboration. Together, they bring decades of healthcare and cancer expertise to empower patients and serve our community.
Lanie K. Francis, MD
CLINICAL DIRECTOR & FOUNDER OF INTEGRATIVE ONCOLOGY:
Dr. Francis is a medical oncologist and hematologist. She sees patients and directs the Integrative Oncology program at UPMC Hillman. A UPMC physician for two decades and a Pittsburgh Top Doctor since 2012, she brings her focus on patient advocacy and empowerment to the program’s clinical and strategic aspects.
Kathryn Schmitz, PhD
RESEARCH DIRECTOR & FOUNDER OF MOVING THROUGH CANCER:
Dr. Schmitz founded Moving Through Cancer to standardize exercise and rehabilitation for all people affected by cancer. An internationally recognized exercise oncology scholar with over 350 publications including key exercise and cancer guidelines, she has had continuous NCI funding since 2002.
Nurse Ambassadors
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can through innovation and teamwork. By training more trusted, passionate, and skilled oncology nurses, we can expand the number of locations where we bring integrative care.
About the program
The Nurse Ambassador program combines learning and hands-on integrative care in a cancer setting. The program…
- Helps people manage their symptoms and wellness.
- Documents symptoms and experience.
- Offers nurse support and group sharing of training.
Program Focus
Cancer nurses focus on people in treatment, clinic, and inpatient units, improving their experience, symptoms, and quality of life through…
Joining the Program
This program is designed specifically for nurses in a cancer setting. To apply for the program, you must…
- Be an RN
- Work in cancer setting
- Be in good stand with UPMC and your current supervisor.
DATA SPOTLIGHT
Our unique approach offers cancer patients the benefits of exercise, nutrition, and symptom management. Our goal is to enhance patient care and drive knowledge.
Prostate Pilot
Patients complete a brief survey on exercise, nutrition, symptom management, and cancer surveillance. Same-day appointment to discuss results and create a “prescription for survivorship” to optimize these aspects of care.
Melanoma Pilot
In our second pilot, we are targeting patients in clinical trials receiving immunotherapy. Patients still complete a brief survey on exercise, nutrition, symptom management, and cancer surveillance.
Support our program
The National Institute of Health predicts 26 million cancer survivors by 2040 — and they will need our support.
More young people are being diagnosed with cancer. With obesity and alcohol rate on the rise, we see the need for exercise, nutrition counseling, and holistic therapies increasing, too. Cancer support often gets cut when resources are tight. Philanthropic support aids patients and caregivers with educational activities and direct care from our team, transforming lives in Pittsburgh and beyond.
Fundraising events can help benefit the patients of our program. Attend an event, or host your own.
Download our brochure and share with those who could benefit from our program.
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Schedule a consult
Referrals are made by you, your caregiver or clinical team. Your initial consultation is billed as a specialist visit. Our team fundraises to provide three integrative introductory demonstrations for each patient.
Would you like to schedule a consult with the The UPMC Cancer Survivorship and Integrative Oncology Program?
Your clinical team can refer you or you can self-refer by calling:
Common Questions
Integrative Oncology provides custom, holistic, whole-person cancer care.
Our oncology clinicians are experts in lifestyle and integrative medicine. We work as a team to:
- Focus on ways to improve your quality of life and manage your symptoms.
- Offer a holistic approach using non-mainstream therapies to complement your standard cancer treatments.
- Care for your mind, body, and spirit in a calm and relaxed setting.
- Explore ways to avoid or minimize medicines.
- Equip you to ask questions and make decisions that fit your values.
Integrative Oncology is not:
- Recommending high dose or IV supplements or extensive laboratory testing or prescribe off-label drugs.
- Meant to treat or cure cancer.
- Providers of naturopathic, chiropractic, or functional medicine.
A person, with a cancer diagnosis, can participate at any point during their cancer journey, diagnosis, treatment, post treatment.
We do not. You can reach out to the palliative care team at UPMC or contact the compassionate certification center at 1-888-316-9085.
This is billed the same as a specialty visit.
