Supporting Life After Cancer: How Hall Perrine Cancer Center Is Redefining Survivorship Care
Written by Alissa McEowen, Hall Perrine Cancer Center
It’s clear: we need to focus on cancer survivorship. With more than 171,000 cancer survivors in Iowa, we have a growing need for survivorship support across our state. Survivors face unique physical, emotional, and practical challenges that extend throughout their lives. Current guidelines emphasize the importance of screening, monitoring late effects, and improving quality of life. The team at the Mercy Medical Center Hall Perrine Cancer Center in Cedar Rapids continues to work toward providing comprehensive care, one patient at a time.
Laying the Groundwork: Survivorship Care Plans
Our survivorship programming began in 2016 with the creation of individualized care plans generated through our electronic medical record. These documents, provided to patients after completing treatment, include a detailed history of diagnosis and treatment, as well as ongoing screening and surveillance recommendations. This foundational step helped patients understand their health history and provided a personalized record of treatment.
Breast Cancer Survivorship: Expanding the Model
In 2022, we launched a dedicated breast cancer survivorship clinic designed to expand upon the survivorship care plan. Following NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network) guidelines, an oncology nurse practitioner reviewed ongoing screening and surveillance needs while also assessing issues such as fatigue, physical activity, sexual health, lymphedema, mental health, and hormone-related symptoms. Patients were then referred to additional services as needed.
In March 2025, we introduced a multidisciplinary breast survivorship clinic. During these visits, patients meet with a nurse practitioner who reviews clinical guidelines and screens for additional needs. If concerns are identified—such as sexual health or mental health—specialists are available to provide immediate support. Occupational therapists are also present to assist with range of motion or edema-related concerns, streamlining access to care. Depending upon the need, patients return to the survivorship clinic for follow-up or are routed back to the oncology clinic.
Prostate Cancer Survivorship: A Team-Based Approach
Building upon breast survivorship programming, we launched a multidisciplinary prostate cancer survivorship clinic in 2024. Patients benefit from a one-stop visit where they can see a urologist, dietitian, counselor, and nurse practitioner at no additional cost. Many patients return for follow-up visits as needed, and the program has even begun receiving referrals from other institutions. Once patients’ complex needs have been addressed, they transition back to routine urology follow-up.
Program Evolution: Listening and Adapting
Over the past three years, we’ve used evidence-based practices and direct feedback from patients and providers to continually improve our survivorship offerings. Common concerns include mental health, cognitive issues (often referred to as “chemo brain”), nutrition, physical activity, and sexual health.
Initially, we referred patients to existing Mercy Medical Center services, but patient input prompted us to tailor our approach. We initially offered group cognitive therapy sessions for those experiencing mental fogginess. Based on patient feedback, we began to offer one-on-one counseling sessions where multiple issues could be addressed. Similarly, our dietitian pivoted from group sessions to personalized consultations after patients expressed a preference for individualized support. We now offer patients nutritional education through the Intuitive Eating program and the Healthy 10 Challenge from the American Institute for Cancer Research.
To better support physical recovery, we’re increasing early referrals to Thrive, our foundation-funded cancer rehabilitation program. We also formed a partnership with the local YMCA to offer free trial memberships to program graduates. Additionally, we’re working with Live By Living to offer yoga, tai chi, hiking, and nature walks—helping survivors connect with both nature and each other.
In response to identified needs around sexual health, four of our oncology nurse practitioners completed specialized training through After Cancer, an Iowa-based nonprofit. This ensures that sexual health can be appropriately addressed during survivorship and throughout treatment. We are working to secure funding for sexual health products for patients who are experiencing financial barriers.
Looking Ahead: Building a Survivorship Program for All
During a recent listening session with breast cancer survivors, we heard loud and clear: survivorship isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some patients want to learn about supportive services during treatment, while others prefer to explore these options later. Needs evolve over time, and we are committed to meeting patients where they are.
As we look to the future, we’re working to expand our survivorship programming to benefit all cancer survivors—not just those with breast or prostate cancer. We’re grateful to our patients for their honesty, engagement, and feedback, which continues to shape our work.
At the Hall Perrine Cancer Center, we believe survivorship is an essential part of cancer care. Through thoughtful programming, interdisciplinary collaboration, and continuous feedback, we’re defining what it means to support our patients. As we grow our program, our commitment remains clear: to help every survivor live well.
About the Author
Alissa McEowen is the Director of Hematology Oncology, Gynecologic Oncology, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Cancer Navigation, Research, and Genetics at the Hall Perrine Cancer Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Her passion for oncology care began as a chemotherapy infusion nurse prior to growing into leadership roles. She maintains that oncology patients are unique in their capacity for kindness and resilience, as are the staff and physicians dedicated to their care.
Within her current role Alissa has led projects to increase lung cancer screening and expand outreach services, and is currently working on an organizational process for actionable findings. She is an active member of the Iowa Cancer Consortium and the Association of Community Cancer Centers. She enjoys hiking, reading, and travel outside of the United States.