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KRF and Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Pilot Breast Cancer Survivor Program
Breast cancer survivors benefit from physical activity program and support
Houston (June 8, 2014) – The Kelsey Research Foundation and Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, in partnership with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Neighborhood Centers Inc., will pilot an innovative program, Active Living after Breast Cancer, to help improve the quality of life of breast cancer survivors. This 12-session program teaches behavioral and cognitive skills to increase physical activity and provides support related to health issues faced by breast cancer survivors including lymphedema, psychological distress, nutrition and fatigue. This program is funded by the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT).
"We hope that Active Living after Breast Cancer can help survivors who are having a hard time re-engaging in an active lifestyle to build up their endurance and to address issues that may improve their overall health," said Anthony Greisinger, Ph.D., executive director, Kelsey Research Foundation.
Active Living after Breast Cancer uses an alternative approach to increasing physical activity. Rather than promote a structured exercise regimen which would include the use of a gym or fitness equipment, the program recommends increased physical activity by incorporating short bouts of moderate intensity activity into daily life.
"Our research showed this program improves survivors' quality of life," said Karen Basen-Engquist, Ph.D., Director of MD Anderson's Center for Energy Balance in Cancer Prevention and Survivorship. "We are now working to make it broadly available in the community."
One of the goals of Active Living after Breast Cancer is to overcome the barriers that prevent many women from re-engaging in an active lifestyle, including lack of access to a gym, lack of time and the deconditioning that makes it difficult to sustain exercise for an extended period of time.
"We know that when breast cancer survivors become more physically active, it has a positive impact on their quality of life – physically, mentally and emotionally," said Tejash Patel, M.D., Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Cancer Center. "We want breast cancer survivors to not only survive, but to thrive after treatment – and Active Living after Breast Cancer may help some women overcome the barriers that prevent them from engaging in meaningful physical activity."
Active Living after Breast Cancer will be piloted at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic – Main Campus beginning in August 2014. All breast cancer survivors in the community who have completed treatment (except hormone therapy) and engage in less than 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity physical activity per week may be eligible for the program. Breast cancer survivors interested in engaging in the 12-session program may call Marina Zamora (713-442-1217). Spanish-speaking patients may call Stephanie Bonilla (713-442-1216).
About Kelsey-Seybold
Kelsey-Seybold Clinic is Houston's premier multispecialty group practice, founded in 1949 by Dr. Mavis Kelsey in Houston's renowned Texas Medical Center. More than 700 physicians and allied health professionals practice at 40 locations in the Greater Houston area. Kelsey-Seybold offers quality medical care in 65 medical specialties. The organization operates the largest freestanding Ambulatory Surgery Center in the state of Texas and offers state-of-the-art Varian TrueBeam and Varian Edge radiation therapy technology at a nationally accredited Cancer Center. An accredited Sleep Center, comprehensive laboratory services, advanced imaging and diagnostics, 24 onsite Kelsey pharmacies and one specialty pharmacy, and MyKelseyOnline, a secure web portal, are part of its comprehensive offerings. Kelsey-Seybold partners with major insurers to offer value-based commercial health plans. KelseyCare Advantage, a Medicare Advantage plan offered to Houston-area beneficiaries and affiliated with Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, has achieved the coveted 5-out-of-5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid for eight consecutive years.
Kelsey-Seybold has been recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as the nation’s first accredited Accountable Care Organization and is home to a nationally accredited Breast Diagnostic Center and Endoscopy Center.
Kelsey-Seybold Clinic achieved a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 91. NPS is the global standard for measuring customer loyalty and satisfaction. An NPS score of 70 or higher is considered by industry experts to be "world class" and an indicator of overwhelming customer loyalty.