There are millions of people across the globe who are cancer survivors or what we call-thrivers. Although many people are relieved when they’ve completed their primary treatment, transitioning into “life after cancer” can lead to many emotions and unanswered questions. It’s important to work with your health care team to develop a personalized follow-up care plan. Below, we’ve provided information and resources to help you navigate the recovery path ahead.
What You Need to Know About Thrivership
To learn more about thrivership (survivorship), you can access information from the topics listed below:
To view cancer booklets focused on thrivership and/or download for use in your planner, please select from the options below.
NCI Facing Forward: Life After Cancer Treatment
ACS Life After Cancer Treatment: The Next Chapter in Your Survivorship Journey
ASCO Answers: Cancer Survivorship
ASCO Answers: Cancer Survivorship in Spanish
CancerCare After Treatment Ends: Tools for the Post-Treatment Cancer Survivor
Did You Know?
- In addition to the recommended surveillance that’s part of your survivorship care plan, it’s important to also get the recommended screenings for cancers that you’re at average risk of developing. Regular medical care can also help with the lingering effects of treatment.
- Healthy behaviors are beneficial to thrivers and can help improve quality of life. By minimizing the exposure to cancer risk factors, thrivers can also decrease their risk of recurrence, progression and other cancers.1
- There are many benefits to exercise, which you should first talk to your health care team about to ensure that it’s safe. Exercise can improve heart and lung function and lessen cancer-related fatigue.2 It can also help with issues such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem and happiness.3
- Managing weight is important. Obesity may increase treatment-related side effects, such as fatigue and lymphedema. A diet that’s rich in fruit, vegetables, and whole grains with limited consumption of red and processed meat, fat and simple sugars may reduce the risk of subsequent cancers and other chronic diseases.4
- Cancer thrivers who have had radiation therapy may have an increased risk of skin cancer.5 To reduce skin cancer risk, it’s important to adopt healthy behaviors, such as wearing sunscreen and protective clothing and avoiding sunbathing and tanning.
- There are many places that you can turn to for support as you transition into life beyond cancer. Aside from support from friends and/or family, you can ask your health care team to recommend a social worker, counselor or therapist. You can reach out to a helpline to speak with a navigator. There are also online support groups and discussion boards available, where you can connect with other people in your shoes.
Show Your Support!
June is Cancer Survivors Month
Looking for Additional Resources?
We’ve curated additional survivorship resources to help you access helpful information and support by your condition in our Health GPS. You can just select your condition and choose the long-term management option. You can also be matched to programs that can help with issues you may be facing, whether you’re feeling alone, having issues with intimacy or another obstacle. Resources can also be filtered by the medium you prefer, whether it’s a book, website, hotline, podcast, online community, mobile app, among others!