Your life has changed dramatically since you were diagnosed with cancer. You may be feeling scared, anxious, and sad. But you are not fighting this battle alone. Cancer survivorship is a powerful support system that supports you throughout your journey, from diagnosis, through treatment, and beyond. This is important because cancer can be a life-changing experience. Cancer survivorship care focuses on your health and well-being. It also helps improve your quality of life.
Think about it, in the past, when people were told they had cancer, they were afraid that everything would be over soon. But that's not the case anymore. Thanks to early detection and new cancer treatments, many people are living longer with cancer, or recovering from it. For example, according to the National Cancer Institute in the United States, there are more than 18 million people in the country who have recovered from cancer. And about 8 million people live 10 years or more after diagnosis.
Are there different stages of cancer survivorship?
Now let's look at the different aspects of this cancer cure. There are different opinions about this.
Some medical experts see this as related to the stage of cancer . They believe that the stage of the cancer determines the problems and needs that arise during recovery:
- Early-stage cancer: This is when cancer is detected and treated before it has spread to other parts of the body.
- Regional cancer: Here the cancer may have spread to nearby lymph nodes or tissues.
- Advanced cancer or metastatic cancer: This is when the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body.
Some other specialists see this healing process in three phases:
- Acute survivorship: This stage begins from the day of diagnosis until the end of cancer treatment.
- Extended survivorship: This can occur in the months following the end of treatment.
- Permanent survivorship: This is the chance that you will remain cancer-free for several years.
Although there are different opinions about the stages of cancer recovery, one thing everyone agrees on is that there are several physical and psychological problems that cancer survivors commonly face.
Common physical problems that can occur during cancer recovery
Cancer treatment can sometimes cause side effects. Most of the time, these will go away once treatment is over. But some can last for months or even years. Let's take a look at some of these problems:
- Cancer fatigue: This is not just tiredness. It is a feeling of extreme tiredness and exhaustion that persists despite sleep and rest. For most people, this gradually subsides after treatment is complete. However, for some people, this fatigue can last for a long time. It can also make it difficult to carry out daily activities.
- Cancer pain: This pain can be caused by the cancer itself, or it can be caused by cancer treatments.
- Cognitive dysfunction - Some call this 'chemotherapy brain fog': Cancer treatments can make it hard for you to make decisions. You may have some memory loss, and you may have trouble concentrating.
- Second cancer: This is something to be aware of. This means that you can develop a new cancer that is completely different from the cancer you had before. This condition is more common in people who have survived cancer for a long time. Importantly, this is different from recurrent cancer.
Common mental health problems that can occur during cancer recovery
Just like our bodies, dealing with cancer can have a big impact on our minds. It's very common. Let's take a look at some of these mental health issues:
- Anxiety disorders: Anxiety can occur during or after treatment. Some people feel very anxious and stressed when they are about to have a scan. Doctors call this 'scanxiety'. Some people can also develop a serious mental condition called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) .
- Depression: It's normal to feel sad, scared, and anxious when you're diagnosed with cancer. But the depression that comes with cancer is a much deeper, more serious condition. According to statistics, about one in four people with cancer will develop depression. This can have a big impact on your sleep, your appetite, and your daily activities.
- Emotional stress: The cost of treatment, the impact on family relationships, and the inability to go to work can cause significant mental stress.
- Fear of Cancer Recurrence (FCR): This is a problem that many people have. The overwhelming fear, anxiety, and worry that "Will the cancer come back?" Research shows that more than half of people who recover from cancer suffer from this fear.
Support for you as you recover from cancer
But remember that you don't have to face any of this alone. There are a lot of people and services out there to help you and strengthen you from the day you are diagnosed with cancer.
Your cancer care team usually includes:
- Doctors and other healthcare workers who diagnose and treat cancer: These may include various cancer specialists, such as medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, and radiation oncologists.
- Cancer rehabilitation specialists: These are people who help you with things like physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. They help you prepare for cancer treatment, manage symptoms, and recover after treatment.
- Palliative care providers: These provide specialized care to reduce symptoms and side effects of treatment. They also provide spiritual and emotional support. Palliative care is not just something that is provided at the end of life, but can be provided from the day treatment begins.
Many hospitals and health institutions have cancer survivorship programs. Some places even have programs tailored to specific types of cancer.
What should I expect after cancer treatment is finished?
Okay, so what happens after you finish cancer treatment? You and your medical team can work together to create a 'survivorship care plan'. This is like a road map for your future health journey.
This plan usually includes things like:
- Check-up schedules: You will probably need to see your doctor every two to three months for the first two to three years after treatment. After that, the intervals will gradually increase.
- Guidance for lifestyle changes: Your team will advise you on things like avoiding habits that increase your risk of cancer (such as smoking and alcohol), adopting a healthy diet, and continuing to exercise.
- Resource recommendations: This plan may include information about national and local support groups and counseling services where you can connect with others living with cancer.
Will I always need cancer recovery support?
This really depends on your situation. If you have advanced cancer, or if you have developed a second cancer, you may need some kind of ongoing care and support.
But maybe you're completely done with your treatment and think, "Okay, now I can go back to my normal life." Even so, it's important to get regular checkups as directed by your doctor.
The most important thing is that you can tailor your cancer survivorship plan to suit your needs and desires.
For example, your plan might focus more on how to live a healthy life after cancer treatment. Or, it might focus on how to get back to your daily routine and work.
If I have advanced cancer, how can cancer therapy help me?
If you have advanced cancer, your cancer survivorship plan may focus more on managing your symptoms and maintaining your quality of life as best as possible .
You may also want to talk about what kind of care you would like at the end of your life. For example, you may want to ask about hospice care, which is a type of end-of-life care that helps you live your final days as you wish, without pain, in peace, and with dignity.
The most important things you need to remember from what we've talked about are:
Living with cancer is like running a very difficult, grueling race. Some people are completely free of cancer after treatment, but they may feel like they are not free from cancer, and they may feel scared. Others have to continue to fight cancer, and as one goal is achieved, another challenge arises. For others, the end of their lives is not as expected.
It is in all these situations that the concept of Cancer Survivorship and the services associated with it become extremely important.
Simply put, cancer palliative care is about helping people with cancer – from diagnosis, through treatment, and throughout their lives – live as long as possible, with the best possible quality of life.
If you are undergoing cancer treatment, or have completed treatment, your medical team can help you create a cancer recovery plan that is tailored to your needs. They are also there to support you through the physical, emotional, and social changes you face along the way. So never think that you are alone in this fight. There are many people who can help you and strengthen you.
` Cancer, cancer recovery, cancer survivorship, cancer treatment, mental health, physical health, cancer support
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