Taking CHARGE: Successful Transition to Survivorship Following Breast Cancer Treatment

Women with a past diagnosis of breast cancer represent one of the largest groups of cancer survivors comprising approximately 22 percent of the over 10 million cancer survivors in the United States.  Most of the attention regarding treatment and supportive care is available to women during the initial treatment phase.  Far less attention has been given to improving recovery and quality of life in survivors of breast cancer following completion of treatment.  In particular, women report little help dealing with the emotional, physical, social, and vocational concerns that arise following the completion of breast cancer treatment.  The relief at the completion of treatment often is accompanied by feelings of a loss of a 'safety' net and of being "cast adrift" from helping professionals.  These observations indicate a significant gap in supportive cancer care services for women completing treatment for breast cancer. 

The purpose of this study is to develop, implement, and test a self-management program, entitled Taking CHARGE, designed to help women make a successful transition to survivorship following completion of breast cancer treatment.   

For more information on this project, please contact Center Associate Director, Nancy K. Janz at nkjanz@umich.edu.

Project-related Presentations:

Cimprich, B., Janz, J.K., Northouse, L., Wren, P. Taking CHARGE: A self-regulation program for women following breast cancer treatment. Journal of Psycho-Oncology, 14(9):704-717, Sep 2005.