Oklahoma State University and OU launch cancer survivorship support program

Oklahoma State University Extension and the University of Oklahoma are teaming up on a new program to help cancer survivors navigate life after treatment.

Q: What does this program look like and how did it come to be?

Dr. Ashlea Braun: "The origin of this program came from the fact that there's often an absence of holistic or comprehensive programs for people in the community that have just finished cancer treatment, because we see that… health systems and the scientific community are very good at diagnosing and treating cancer, but then when the cancer is gone, you're just sort of left to your own devices. Then what?… Survivors are often… generating their own approaches… maybe they're seeking a community of survivors through their faith-based community… or they're using programs… maybe it's only targeting one thing… But it's not targeting all of the factors that we see influencing trajectory of health after completing cancer treatment. So that's what we're seeking to do."

Q: What kinds of needs are you hoping to address?

"Being sick with cancer was easier than navigating survivorship because it's complicated… Sometimes they don't know what they should be eating. They don't know how they can start to exercise again because maybe they have persistent side effects. They want to hear from other survivors who can share their lived experiences… They are trying to recover financially because cancer treatment is very expensive… It's a multitude of factors… that aren't well addressed with what we currently have to offer."

H2: Stacey Jones, OSU Extension

Q: What is the study component of the program?

"We are… looking for people who have already gone through the cancer treatment process and they're on their journey to recovery… It's going to be six weeks. It's going to start on September the 17th. It's going to be at OSU Tulsa. So we're going to cover a variety of subjects such as physical activity, nutrition, mental health, resources, financial planning, and… continued care of these participants… This is actually developed from… survivors for survivors. And that's what we want to continue to focus on."

Q: How will participation work?

"These would be six weeks, weekly check-ins… In person."