February 21, 2025
Cancer survivorship is a lifelong journey. But for many rural cancer survivors, access to specialized follow-up care remains a challenge. Fewer doctors, long travel times and limited resources make it hard for survivors to get the support they need.
KanSurvive 2.0 seeks to change that. Building on a decade of research from the original KanSurvive program, which was funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and Centers for Disease Control, the next phase is focused on improving cancer survivorship care in rural primary care clinics. Led by Jennifer Klemp, PhD, MPH, co-leader of the cancer center’s Cancer Prevention and Control research program, and K. Allen Greiner, MD, MPH, professor of family medicine and community health, this NCI-funded initiative will test new ways to help rural doctors provide high-quality, long-term care for cancer survivors.
Rural communities make up 62% of US counties, with 16% of the population living in these areas. These communities face healthcare challenges including limited access to specialists and higher cancer risk factors such as increased tobacco use and lower rates of preventive screening.
“This means that rural cancer survivors may be more vulnerable to complications and poorer long-term health,” Dr. Greiner explained.
Using the Project ECHO model, KanSurvive is testing ways to help primary care clinics provide better survivorship care. The program will:
KanSurvive 2.0 seeks to change that. Building on a decade of research from the original KanSurvive program, which was funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and Centers for Disease Control, the next phase is focused on improving cancer survivorship care in rural primary care clinics. Led by Jennifer Klemp, PhD, MPH, co-leader of the cancer center’s Cancer Prevention and Control research program, and K. Allen Greiner, MD, MPH, professor of family medicine and community health, this NCI-funded initiative will test new ways to help rural doctors provide high-quality, long-term care for cancer survivors.
Rural communities make up 62% of US counties, with 16% of the population living in these areas. These communities face healthcare challenges including limited access to specialists and higher cancer risk factors such as increased tobacco use and lower rates of preventive screening.
“This means that rural cancer survivors may be more vulnerable to complications and poorer long-term health,” Dr. Greiner explained.
Using the Project ECHO model, KanSurvive is testing ways to help primary care clinics provide better survivorship care. The program will:
- Help providers follow the latest cancer care guidelines.
- Improve electronic health records to streamline coordination.
- Measure results and cost-effectiveness to establish a sustainable model.
“By working directly with primary care providers, KanSurvive is creating a blueprint for sustainable and high-quality survivorship care that can be replicated nationwide,” Dr. Klemp said.
If you are a primary practice provider and interested in participating in KanSurvive 2.0, please contact Catie Knight, MPH at cknight2@kumc.edu.