Survivorship: Support Throughout the Cancer Journey with Yale's Dr. Tara Sanft

Tara Sanft, MD
Director of the Smilow Survivorship Clinic at Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital

Dr. Sanft, who describes herself as a “very midwestern girl, through and through,” was raised in a mid-size town in Iowa and decided to become a doctor when she was quite young.

“When I was 11, my uncle, who was 32, passed away from pancreatic cancer. He had two little kids, and there were very few treatments available back then. He tried some, but they didn’t work, and he passed away within a year of his diagnosis,” Dr. Sanft said during a recent conversation on the public radio show Yale Cancer Answers with host Dr. Eric Winer, director of the Yale Cancer Center and president and physician-in-chief of the Smilow Cancer Center.

“I didn’t fully understand what was going on at that age, but I noticed how the medical team and eventually the home hospice team supported my family. That experience inspired me to become a doctor,” said Dr. Sanft, who trained in oncology and palliative medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago. There she had a mentor who specialized in breast cancer, as has Dr. Sanft, and she developed an interest in serious decision-making with cancer patients.

Following is a synopsis of some of the conversation between Drs. Sanft and Winer:

My research started in cancer survivors, particularly in diet and exercise. I came to work with Melinda Irwin, PhD, MPH at Yale, a renowned researcher in survivorship.

Survivorship used to be about being lucky to survive. Now, with advancements in treatments, we have many survivors, and it’s crucial to address post-treatment issues. Survivorship focuses on making people feel whole again and helping them thrive post-cancer.

Survivorship starts at diagnosis and continues through all phases of life. It’s about addressing the needs and services required at different stages—during treatment, right after treatment, and long-term survivorship.

Understanding the role of health behaviors, particularly exercise, has been significant. Exercise helps mitigate side effects induced by treatments. There’s a growing recognition of the need to address physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and efforts are being made to integrate these into cancer care.

Post-treatment, many feel a fear of recurrence, anxiety, and depression due to life changes. At Yale, we have a multidisciplinary clinic to help patients optimize their health during this transition period.

It’s normal to feel lost after treatment. Many people want to help, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. We aim to provide personalized support to help you recover and start feeling better. These feelings don’t last forever, and taking advantage of available resources can bring relief sooner.

Services within institutions often include oncology rehab, dietitians, social workers, and counseling. Community programs like LiveStrong at the YMCA and support groups like Gilda’s Club or Anne’s Place also offer valuable resources.

Communication is crucial, especially in vulnerable situations like cancer care. Patients want to feel seen, heard, and understood. Building rapport and listening without interruption are key skills that lead to better outcomes and relationships.

Yes, many physicians report that communication workshops have significantly improved their interactions with patients and their overall job satisfaction.

Despite their benefits, services like exercise programs, dietary counseling, and psychosocial interventions face reimbursement challenges. It’s a cultural shift that needs to happen, moving these from "nice to have" to "must have."

For information on the Smilow Survivorship program, go here.