Breast Cancer Survivorship Program
Finishing breast cancer treatment is a major milestone, but it can also bring questions about what comes next. Our survivorship program offers long-term physical and holistic support.
The goal of our Breast Cancer Survivorship Program is to help you move forward with confidence through personalized monitoring and proactive follow-up care. This compassionate and specialized program is designed for people who have completed active breast cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy, surgery, radiation or a combination.
Survivorship Clinic Visits
At these appointments, the focus of your care shifts from cancer treatment to your overall health and wellness. Our advanced practice providers (APPs) are trained to work with survivors to help you manage long-term side effects of breast cancer and its treatment and support your quality of life.
Survivorship can mean different things to different people. Some of the support services we provide include:
- Screening for cancer recurrence or new cancers
- Preventing or managing physical or emotional symptoms
- Encouraging healthy lifestyle habits that support recovery and resilience
These visits are intended to complement your regular care with your primary care physician (PCP). We'll keep your PCP updated on your follow-up care. Most survivors will eventually transition back to their PCP for routine breast health care.
Support Groups During and After Treatment
Support groups can help address the emotional, social, physical and spiritual issues that can affect your well-being during and after cancer treatment. Survivors are welcome to join our free support groups at UC San Diego Health.
Early-Stage Young Breast Cancer Support Group: This is a casual gathering for those under the age of 45 diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. Connect with empathetic peers, share experiences, and ask or answer questions.
Stage 4 Breast Cancer Support Group: This is an online group for people with a Stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis. We offer emotional support, coping skills and problem-solving strategies.
Cancer Prevention Through Lifestyle
Small steps can make a meaningful different in your health. We are here to support you with resources that improve your well-being and reduce your cancer risk.
What Makes the Breast Cancer Survivorship Program So Unique?
As a breast cancer oncology nurse practitioner for more than two decades, Kimberly Podsada, MSN, knows that anxiety that can creep up for patients long after their cancer treatments have ended. Read a Q&A to learn more about the program, how it started, and how it helps patients reclaim their lives after cancer.