The University of Alabama Birmingham has established the Breast Cancer Survivorship Clinic at the university. Any patient who was diagnosed with breast cancer more than a year ago is eligible to use the clinic for specialized follow-up care.
Andres Forero, a professor of hematology and oncology at the university, notes that “specialized care is needed to address the physical and emotional needs of cancer survivors so that they can not only survive, but also thrive, as they move forward with their lives.”
Smita Bhatia, a professor of pediatrics and director of the Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship at the university, said that the “UAB Breast Cancer Survivorship Clinic will provide a comprehensive approach to the care of our breast cancer survivors as they complete their treatment and are ready to turn their attention to leading a healthy and productive life.”
It is estimated there are now 15.5 million cancer survivors in the United States. Dr. Bhatia says that “with these numbers expected to increase, it is our goal to better understand and address the long-term effects of cancer treatment on the overall health and well being of survivors.”
Dr. Bhatia holds bachelor’s, master’s, and medical degrees from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi. She also holds a master of public health degree from the University of Minnesota.