Thriving Beyond Cancer: Exploring Cancer Survivorship
Navigating the journey beyond cancer treatment can be both exhilarating and daunting. For many survivors, the end of active treatment marks the beginning of a new chapter, one filled with hope, uncertainty and the need for ongoing care and support. This phase, often referred to as cancer survivorship, focuses on the health and life of the individual after cancer treatment has completed. It goes beyond beyond diagnosis and treatment phases and addresses the physical, psychosocial and economic issues of cancer.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) defines cancer survivorship as begin on the day of diagnosis and lasting for the rest of a person's life. This includes people who have no signs of cancer after treatment, those who are receiving extended treatment, and those with advanced cancer diagnoses.
The Importance of Cancer Survivorship Care
Survivorship care aims to address the unique needs of individuals who have completed cancer treatment. This is a comprehensive approach that is designed to help survivors manage the long-term effects of cancer and its treatment, monitor for recurrence, and promote overall health. The key components of cancer survivorship care include:
Monitoring for Recurrence and New Cancers
Regular follow-up appointments are essential for monitoring potential recurrence of the primary cancer and screening for new cancers. These visits often include physical exams, imaging tests, and lab work.
Developing a Survivorship Care Plan
A personalized survivorship care plan will generally be created in the months following completion of cancer treatment and is an invaluable tool for managing life after cancer. This plan typically includes:
Treatment Summary: Detailing the treatments received, potential long-term effects, and recommended follow-up care.
Follow-up Schedule: Outlining the frequency and type of follow-up visits and tests.
Health Maintenance Recommendations: Guidance on diet, exercise, and lifestyle modifications.
Resources and Support Services: Information on support groups, counseling services, and financial resources.
Treating the Whole Person
The transition from active treatment to the survivorship phase is an opportunity to prioritize health concerns that may have been secondary during active cancer care or that emerged as a result of cancer treatments. This phase also allows survivors to focus on optimizing overall health and addressing factors that may increase the risk of cancer recurrence or the development of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Some areas of focus can include:
Managing Long-term and Late Effects
Cancer treatment can have lasting effects on the body. Individuals may experience physical, emotional, and cognitive changes months or even years after treatment ends. Survivorship care focuses on managing these long-term and late effects, which can include:
Physical Health Issues: These can range from chronic pain, fatigue, and lymphedema to heart problems and secondary cancers.
Emotional and Psychological Health: It is common to experience anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress after a cancer diagnosis. Access to counseling, support groups, and mental health services is vital.
Cognitive Changes: Known as "chemo brain," survivors may face challenges with memory, attention, and executive functions. Cognitive rehabilitation can be beneficial.
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Health promotion and disease prevention helps survivors lead healthier lives post-treatment. This can include:
Nutrition and Diet: Encouraging a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to support overall health and reduce cancer risk.
Physical Activity: Regular exercise to improve physical fitness, reduce fatigue, and enhance mental well-being.
Smoking Cessation and Alcohol Moderation: Reducing risk factors that can lead to cancer recurrence or the development of new cancers.
Address Stress, Sleep and Digestive health: Each of these factors play a role in immune function and the body’s ability to fight off illness, including cancer.
Embracing Life After Cancer
Cancer survivorship care is about more than just monitoring health; it’s about empowering survivors to thrive and live fulfilling lives. A comprehensive approach to health allows for survivors to reclaim their health as they navigate through their cancer journey.
