You know, and we know, that adverse side effects from chemotherapy, radiation, and other treatments can last for years. That isn’t acceptable for you, your loved ones, your care team, or the scientists who developed the treatments.
Researchers call these side effects “toxicities”—a word they want to eliminate from every cancer patient’s vocabulary.
At IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, some of the world’s leading experts on cancer survivorship are finding ways to predict who is susceptible to toxicities in cancer therapies, then alter treatment or develop preventive measures. We'll help you navigate your care and your lifelong recovery.
We’re doing an amazing job at curing a lot of people with cancer. Now we need to figure out better ways to help them get completely back to normalcy, or life after treatment.
Dr. Jamie Renbarger — Caroline Symmes Professor of Pediatric Cancer Research
Testicular cancer is a highly curable disease, but we still have unanswered questions about long-term effects of the most common treatment: a platinum-based chemotherapy drug called cisplatin.
The Platinum Study aims to identify genetic variants associated with cisplatin-related toxicities, focusing on testicular cancer survivors—an ideal group for these specific research questions, given their young age at diagnosis, curability, and relative uniformity of cancer treatment.
Following chemotherapy, cancer survivors often find it more challenging to learn new tasks, remember words or do things as efficiently or quickly as they once did.
In this Simon Says Expert Series session, Dr. Brenna McDonald discusses how her research seeks to help survivors identify their challenges and apply strategies to mitigate memory problems.
Other Simon Says sessions have focused on:
More discussions on surviving cancer are coming soon, so be sure to register for the FREE monthly livestreams.
CompleteLife is a comprehensive therapy program that attends to the body, mind and spirit of the whole person. Patients and families at IU Health can take advantage of free creative arts and integrative therapies including: music, art, yoga, and massage therapies. Many services are provided at the bedside for hospitalized patients.
First floor, 1030 W. Michigan St.
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday
317-944-0301
The Cancer Resource Center offers cancer patients with information and education to help them navigate through their cancer journey. Our trained volunteers and staff can connect patients and families with information about diagnosis and treatment, as well as community programs and support services to help with day-to-day concerns and overall well-being.
We want patients to not only live, but live well.
Dr. Tarah Ballinger — Vera Bradley Foundation Scholar in Breast Cancer Research
Research focus: Reducing cancer-related fatigue and associated symptoms; improving adaptive coping and quality of life for adults with advanced-stage cancer and their family caregivers.
Meet Dr. Johns
Research focus: Palliative care and supportive oncology, including better communication, symptom management, psychological support, physical activity, and decision-making.
Meet Dr. Cleary
Research focus: Long-term physiologic and psychosocial effects of cancer and its treatment, and new approaches to identify patients at the highest risk of late effects.
Meet Dr. Travis
Research focus: Supportive care measures such as music therapy, and the role of spirituality in the care of individuals with cancer.
Meet Dr. Cripe
Research focus: Understanding cognitive symptoms experienced by cancer patients, and developing treatments that help improve their daily functioning and quality of life.
Meet Dr. McDonald
Research focus: Bioethics, including issues related to patient decision-making and consent in preventive medicine, personalized medicine, and biobank research.
Meet Dr. SchwartzWe highly recommend these resources for navigating life during and after cancer treatment:
Connect with the experts at IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center:
For supportive therapy, classes and other resources at IU Health, contact the CompleteLife program team at 317-944-0301 or completelife@iuhealth.org.
For more information about cancer survivorship research contact Dr. Lois Travis at lbtravis@iu.edu.
