Dateline DFCI
New Perini center helps cancer survivors of all ages address the long-term effects of their treatment
Since opening its doors 10 years ago, the David B. Perini, Jr. Quality of Life Clinic at Dana-Farber has been helping survivors of childhood and adolescent cancers address heart problems, fertility issues, learning challenges, and other long-term consequences of their treatments. Hundreds of patients have benefited from the clinic's medical care, education, and support, while Perini Clinic staff members have conducted research to help improve the health of newly diagnosed patients and survivors.
Eileen Perini, Lisa Diller, and David Perini
With the clinic as a model, the Institute has launched a program to give those who have faced adult cancers the same level of specialized, coordinated care. The Perini Family Survivors' Center will initially focus on three disease areas: breast cancer, genitourinary cancers such as prostate cancer, and Hodgkin's disease, a cancer of the lymph system. The center will draw on the expertise of physicians at DFCI and Brigham and Women's Hospital and offer services throughout Dana-Farber.
"Adults with cancer are surviving in growing numbers, and we are in a unique position to learn from them."
Lisa Diller, MD
"Adults with cancer are surviving in growing numbers, and we are in a unique position to learn from them to improve survivor care," says Lisa Diller, MD, who is guiding the center's development. Diller will continue as medical director of the pediatric survivor program, which will become part of the larger center.
During a mid-November ceremony, friends and supporters gathered to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Perini Clinic and applaud the new program's establishment. At the center of the festivities were DFCI Trustees Eileen and David Perini, whose son's death from cancer more than a decade ago propelled them to launch the David B. Perini, Jr. Quality of Life Clinic as a tribute to his generous and hopeful nature.
Holcombe Grier, MD
According to Chief Medical Officer Lawrence Shulman, MD, innovative research into cancer survivorship is greatly needed — especially to develop therapies that will boost cure rates and reduce the long-range effects of the disease and its treatment. "We hope that Dana-Farber will become a leader in adult survivorship research and care," he says, "just as the Perini Clinic already is for childhood cancers."
More information about survivorship services is available at www.dana-farber.org/pat/surviving.
