Division of Cancer Survivorship

We envision a future where childhood cancer and its treatment no longer adversely impact survivors’ long-term health and quality of life. Survivors should be able to live long and healthy lives – physically and emotionally. To achieve this future, we provide outstanding clinical care, facilitate care transitions, conduct impactful research, and disseminate knowledge. Our efforts in these areas will help:

• Guide clinical trial design
• Educate patients, families, and providers
• Refine surveillance recommendations
• Develop interventions to promote health
• Inform healthcare policy

To enact our mission, the Division of Cancer Survivorship conducts clinical research to learn more about the late effects of cancer and its treatment. We also provide follow-up and supportive care after active treatment ends.

Success and a quest - Vastly improved survival rates among pediatric cancer patients—80% or more in the United States—is one of the truly great success stories of modern medicine. Although researchers still strive to hit the 100% survival mark for all types of pediatric cancer, we now have a new quest: finding ways to improve the health and quality of life in adults who received treatment for pediatric cancer. At last count, there were approximately 300,000 in the United States, and their ranks are growing.

Due to improved screening, diagnosis, and treatment, this generation of cancer survivors is living longer. This means that they are now beginning to experience the long-term effects of cancer and treatment. Clinical investigations are in progress to help us understand the health issues faced by adults who received diagnosis and treatment 10, 20, and even 30 years ago. As always, what we learn will be used to improve the health and quality of life among long-term survivors. It will also be translated into more effective treatments with fewer side effects for future generations of patients.

Patient care and follow-up - After active treatment ends, patients transfer to the The St. Jude LIFE & After Completion of Therapy Clinic Presented by Kmart.  Here, they receive annual evaluations until they are 18 years of age or 10 years post diagnosis. At that time, after completion of therapy (ACT) patients graduate and become St. Jude alumni. The St. Jude Cancer Registry staff contacts alumni periodically to check their health status.