Tara Sanft, MD, Medical Director of Adult Survivorship for the Yale Cancer Center Survivorship Clinic, discusses how to support breast cancer survivors who fear cancer recurrence.

Sanft names nurses as a powerful resource when combatting a patient’s fear of recurrence. Patients often have a close relationship with their nurses and feel comfortable enough to communicate their fears and anxieties to those nurses. While mindfulness has been shown to reduce some fears, Sanft suggests that nurses simply be there to walk with patients through their journey. Over time, their cancer and fears surrounding it is not their main thought any longer.

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Tara Sanft discusses how nurses can help support a patient with breast cancer who fears recurrence.

Tara Sanft on Managing Fear of Recurrence for Patients with Breast Cancer

Tara Sanft, MD, of Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven Hospital describes some of the new treatments for patients with HER2+ breast cancer.

Among the drugs available, Sanft explains that pertuzumab used along with trastuzumab and chemotherapy, produces a better chance that the patient will have a pathologic complete response (pCR). Patients who reach pCR go on to have a better prognosis.

Tara Sanft Discusses Advancements in HER2+ Treatments

Tara Sanft, MD, Yale Cancer Center, discusses decreasing VEGF levels through exercise and diet to prevent breast cancer recurrence.

VEGF is known to play a role in breast cancer tumor formation, as well as other conditions, such as diabetes. So, Sanft wanted to test if it was possible to decrease VEGF levels and found that those who had diet and exercise interventions were able to decrease their amount of VEGF. Since this change was not seen in patients who only changed their exercise habits, not their diet, did not experience reductions in VEGF. Sanft said this finding suggests that a lifestyle intervention with a weight loss component is the mediating factor for changing VEGF levels.

Tara Sanft on Altering VEGF Levels

Tara Sanft, MD, Yale Cancer Center, discusses VEGF as a possible link between diabetes and cancer.

VEGF promotes blood vessel formation known to play a role in breast cancer tumor formation. It is also prominent in conditions such as diabetes, which also has a link to cancer. Sanft led a study that measured VEGF levels in patients before and after implementing lifestyle changes (including diet and exercise) and found that there was a significant decrease in the growth factor after the change.

Sanft hopes to use these results, as well as future studies on a larger scale, to find out the mechanisms as to why obesity is linked to the development of breast cancer.

Tara Sanft Explores VEGF as a Link Between Diabetes and Cancer

Tara Sanft, MD, assistant professor of medicine (medical oncology), medical director, Adult Survivorship, Yale Cancer Center Survivorship Clinic, outlines the essential components for a survivorship care plan.

Sanft says all plans should include a detailed treatment summary as well as potential late- and long-term side effects. Information on surveillance and how to detect second cancers are also an important part of a survivorship plan, Sanft says.

The plan should also include resources about healthy lifestyle behaviors, financial help, mental health help and support for family members.

Dr. Sanft Discusses the Essential Components of a Survivorship Care Plan

Tara Sanft, MD, assistant professor of medicine (medical oncology), medical director, Adult Survivorship, Yale Cancer Center Survivorship Clinic, discusses the benefit of using a multidisciplinary team when caring for cancer patients.

Sanft says by using a multidisciplinary team, patients can get a better idea of what to expect during and after their cancer treatment and who will be assisting them. Because of this, patients feel less distressed and can more easily reach their healthy lifestyle goals.

Having a multidisciplinary team also helps patients cope better with their new life after treatment because they are better prepared, Sanft says.

Dr. Sanft on the Benefit of Using a Multidisciplinary Team

Tara Sanft, MD, assistant professor of medicine (medical oncology), medical director, Adult Survivorship, Yale Cancer Center Survivorship Clinic, discusses the benefits of providing survivorship care to patients with cancer.

Sanft says just giving information to survivors reduces their fears and anxieties about recurrence and complications following treatment. Overall, this can contribute to an improved quality of life for the patients.

By providing patients with tools to help them eat better and exercise regularly, side effects and the risk of recurrence can be reduced, Sanft says.

Dr. Sanft Discusses the Benefits of Providing Survivorship Care

Tara Sanft, MD, assistant professor of medicine (medical oncology), medical director, Adult Survivorship, Yale Cancer Center Survivorship Clinic, discusses Yaleâ€™s survivorship program, which is composed of three clinics.

 Sanft says the main clinic that falls under the survivorship program at Yale is the multidisciplinary clinic. When patients go to this clinic, four different providers â€” a medical professional, a registered dietician, a physical therapist, and a social worker â€” meet with the patient over the course of 2 hours. This allows the patient to receive an individualized treatment summary and survivorship care plan.

 The treatment summary goes over the patientsâ€™ next steps after their cancer treatment, how to maximize their health, and how to deal with various psychosocial complications.

Tara Sanft, MD, assistant professor of medicine (medical oncology), medical director, Adult Survivorship, Yale Cancer Center Survivorship Clinic, discusses Yale's survivorship program, which is composed of three clinics.

Tara Sanft, MD

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