Cancer Support & Survivorship Care
Support through cancer treatment and beyond, close to home on the North Shore
A cancer diagnosis can bring a lot of questions, appointments, specialists, and changes to everyday life. MFM Health’s Cancer Support & Survivorship Program gives our primary care patients an additional source of specialized support close to home.
Our Oncology Survivorship Nurse Practitioner works alongside your oncology team and your MFM Health primary care team to support your health during treatment and serve as a specialized resource as you transition into life after cancer treatment.
Whether you were recently diagnosed, are currently receiving treatment, or have completed treatment, we can help you stay connected to the care, information, and resources you may need along the way.
Our Oncology Survivorship Nurse Practitioner works alongside your oncology team and your MFM Health primary care team to support your health during treatment and serve as a specialized resource as you transition into life after cancer treatment.
Whether you were recently diagnosed, are currently receiving treatment, or have completed treatment, we can help you stay connected to the care, information, and resources you may need along the way.
Recently diagnosed
Help understanding what comes next
In treatment
Support for side effects and overall health
After treatment
Specialized survivorship follow-up
Cancer support, closer to home
Cancer treatment often means frequent visits to hospitals and specialists, sometimes in Boston or farther from home. Not every question, concern, or follow-up need requires another trip into the city.
For MFM Health patients, our Cancer Support & Survivorship Program provides convenient access to experienced oncology support on the North Shore while continuing to work closely with your oncology and primary care teams.
Your oncologist stays in charge of your cancer treatment
Your oncologist remains responsible for your cancer treatment. Our role is to support your overall health, help coordinate care, address treatment-related concerns, and provide specialized follow-up as you move through treatment and into survivorship.
Understanding what comes next
A new cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. We can help you understand your care plan, organize next steps, and identify questions or concerns to discuss with your oncology team.
Coordinating your care
Cancer care may involve oncologists, surgeons, radiation specialists, primary care providers, and other specialists.
We help connect the pieces and work with your oncology and MFM Health primary care teams to support coordinated care and make sure important health needs do not get overlooked.
Staying on top of your overall health
It can be easy for routine health needs to take a back seat during cancer treatment.
We work closely with your primary care team to help you stay current with preventive care, chronic condition management, screenings, medications, and other health needs while you are receiving cancer care.
Managing treatment-related concerns
Cancer and cancer treatments can affect many areas of your health. We can evaluate concerns, help determine next steps, and connect you with appropriate care when needed.
Depending on your individual needs, this may include support related to:
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Fatigue and changes in energy
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Sleep concerns
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Neuropathy or changes in sensation
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Memory or concentration concerns
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Bone health
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Heart health
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Menopause-related symptoms
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Sexual health concerns
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Nutrition and physical activity
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Emotional well-being and fear of recurrence
Specialized support after cancer treatment
When active treatment ends, your primary care provider often becomes an increasingly important part of your ongoing health care.
Our Oncology Survivorship Nurse Practitioner serves as a specialized resource for you and your primary care team during this transition.
The goal is to help make sure your cancer history remains part of your ongoing health care while giving you access to knowledgeable support closer to home.
We can help review your:
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Cancer treatment history
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Recommended follow-up
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Potential late and long-term effects of treatment
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Preventive care needs
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Any areas that may require continued oncology or specialty follow-up
Working closely with your oncology and primary care teams
Our Cancer Support & Survivorship Program is designed to complement the care you receive from both your oncologist and your MFM Health primary care provider.
DURING TREATMENT
During cancer treatment, we can help support communication and coordination between your teams.
AFTER TREATMENT
After treatment, our survivorship NP can continue working closely with your primary care provider as a specialized resource for cancer-related follow-up, treatment effects, and long-term health considerations.
YOUR SPECIALISTS
We can also work with oncology teams at hospitals and cancer centers throughout the region. You can continue receiving cancer care from the specialists you know while accessing additional survivorship support through MFM Health.
Lorraine Drapek, DNP, FNP-BC
Lorraine Drapek is an oncology nurse practitioner with more than 40 years of experience in cancer care, including 16 years as an oncology NP. She spent 23 years practicing at Mass General Brigham, where she cared for patients receiving radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and other cancer treatments.
At MFM Health, Lorraine supports patients across the cancer care journey, including those who are newly diagnosed, receiving active treatment, and living with the late or long-term effects of cancer treatment.
Lorraine holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. Her doctoral work focused on cancer survivorship, including a specific project addressing sexual health after cancer. She works closely with each patient’s oncology and primary care teams to provide specialized support, help manage treatment-related concerns, and make cancer survivorship care more accessible closer to home on the North Shore.
Who may benefit from a visit?
You may benefit from a Cancer Support & Survivorship visit if you are an MFM Health primary care patient who:
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Has recently been diagnosed with cancer
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Is preparing to begin cancer treatment
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Is currently receiving cancer treatment
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Has recently completed treatment
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Is transitioning more of your care back to your primary care team
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Is living with late or long-term effects of cancer treatment
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Has questions about follow-up care after cancer treatment
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Wants help coordinating care between oncology and primary care
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Wants additional support managing overall health during or after cancer treatment
You do not need to wait until cancer treatment is over to ask for support.
What to expect at your first visit.
Your first visit may include a review of:
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Your cancer diagnosis and treatment history
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Your current oncology care plan
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Medications and other health conditions
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Symptoms or concerns related to treatment
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Preventive health needs and screenings
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Emotional health and quality of life
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Nutrition, physical activity, and wellness
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Recommended follow-up with oncology, primary care, or other specialists
Together, we can identify what additional support may be helpful and how MFM Health can complement your ongoing oncology care.