Dr. Ernie Bodai says as recently as ten to fifteen years ago, a breast cancer diagnosis had a bleaker outlook.

BODAI: "Breast cancer survivorship is on the rise, and it's now more of a chronic condition, rather than an acute disease."

Bodai is director of Kaiser Permanente's new Breast Cancer Survivorship Clinic. The program is meant to educate and support women when they become cancer-free, monitor post-treatment complications, and help them make the transition back to primary care.

BODAI: "They've just been through a very horrible journey. And we think that we have a teachable moment with them where we can talk about exercise, diet, and how important these things are in preventing recurrence."

Kaiser expects to serve about 400 Sacramento area women every year when the program is in full swing.