A doctor to help patients thrive in life after cancer

A cancer diagnosis 20 years, even 10 years ago, meant something different than it does today. With today's advanced treatment options, including chemotherapy and radiation, Proton therapy, CAR T cell therapy, and other forms of immunotherapy, patients with a cancer diagnosis are living longer. However, even when cancer is in remission, side effects, or other health concerns left unattended during cancer treatment, can still affect patients' health.

That's where Jennie Barbierienters the picture. Barbieri is the first director of Bridging Oncology Care and Wellness Recovery at the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute (ABBCI) of Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health.

The new department and position were created because ABBCI saw an obligation to not only treat a patient's cancer, but also treat the side effects and promote the lifestyle changes that need to happen so the patient can continue on the path to recovery.

Barbieri provides a holistic, collaborative approach to wellness issues for cancer survivors to help improve their quality of life, delay or prevent heart disease, and manage other long-term effects of cancer treatments. She consults with patients in rehabilitation to hear their story and how post-cancer life has been for them. Based on their experience, Barbieri and the patient together will set goal(s) for their health and wellness and celebrate their small victories as steps to living a healthier life. The patient will see Barbieri three to four times over a six-to-eight-month period-and if they have lost their connection with a primary care doctor during their cancer treatment, she triages them to the primary care setting that is right for them.

This role has been deeply fulfilling for Barbieri-cancer patients hold a special place in her heart. Working in wellness recovery provides her the chance to share her knowledge on topics such as a whole-food plant-based diet, exercise, sleep, meaningful human connection, mindfulness, and curtailing tobacco and alcohol use, to get cancer survivors on the road to a healthier lifestyle.

"If patients aren't bringing up these issues to their oncologist, and if they aren't seeing their primary care doctor, they aren't having them addressed," she says.

This story is by Olivia Kimmel. Read more at Penn Medicine News.