USC cancer survivorship: A multidisciplinary effort
July 7, 2025

By Chinyere Cindy Amobi

As cancer research and breakthrough treatments help patients live longer, practitioners throughout USC’s health science schools and health system are guiding survivors from diagnosis to treatment to facing their post-care future. Through cancer survivorship programs, multidisciplinary teams of USC practitioners offer a broad range of support in areas beyond surgical and pharmacological intervention to help patients thrive, including mental health, nutritional guidance, physical therapy, stress management, chronic pain and much more. USC units and individuals involved include:

USC Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy*
A National Institutes of Health-funded grant is studying whether a customized self-management lifestyle program after colorectal cancer diagnosis empowers survivors to implement and maintain behavioral health and lifestyle recommendations like exercise, diet and alcohol use. The study is still in progress.

In collaboration with Keck Hospital of USC and USC Norris Cancer Hospital, occupational therapists help cancer patients begin the rehabilitation process as soon as possible to reduce hospital length of stay and reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infection. Therapists also help patients develop specialized care plans that involve their social support systems to improve home safety by building functional skills and preparing for the transition back to life outside the hospital.

The department offers the Lifestyle Redesign for Oncology program, which provides a personalized plan to help patients develop healthy routines that include managing pain and energy levels; using adaptive equipment to manage physical limitations; establishing rest and relaxation habits for restorative sleep; learning health nutrition habits and more.

Read “USC cancer survivorship: A multidisciplinary effort” at today.usc.edu.

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