In a state with the second-highest cancer burden in the U.S., Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Cancer Survivorship program has helped keep patients healthy during and after treatment for over a decade, providing robust support services for their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. The program contributed to new national standards for cancer survivorship care developed by the NCI and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Sylvester’s lifestyle medicine program is also leading important research on the impact of nutrition and exercise on cancer, as well as genetic testing and preventive or novel diagnostic interventions for those at high risk of developing cancer. The center’s proximity to the Caribbean and Latin America, and its highly diverse area, make Sylvester unique among NCI-designated centers. It enables multiple studies on the social determinants of health and cancer incidence and treatment, extending internationally with collaborations across the globe. Within its catchment area, the center’s “game changer” program, a fleet of four vehicles, brings cancer screening and education in Spanish, Creole and English to underserved neighborhoods, closing critical gaps in healthcare.
