Cancer survivorship is the process of recovering physical, psychological, social and financial wellbeing after a cancer diagnosis.
Today, there are an estimated 18 million cancer survivors in the United States; this number expected to grow over the next decade. Survivors face many difficulties such as difficulties with work relationships and family responsibilities.
Survivorship is the process of recovery from cancer
Survivorship is the term used to describe the process of recovery from cancer. It encompasses physical, psychological, social and economic difficulties people must contend with after their primary treatment has ended.
Recovering from cancer can be a long and arduous journey for some individuals, particularly those suffering from anger, sadness or worry about their disease and treatments. They may fear for both their physical wellbeing as well as losing control over daily living.
Some people may struggle to cope with these emotions or lack the strength to fight off the disease. They may require assistance from family and friends in order to get through these tough times.
Others might experience a sense of hope that their situation will improve over time, or they might consider what steps can taken to prevent cancer from returning.
These individuals may wish to learn more about the disease, how it impacts their body and how to manage any symptoms they experience. They could benefit from finding a medical professional who can provide assistance with these concerns.
After treatments are over, survivors should maintain a close connection to their healthcare team. They should visit their doctor regularly to discuss how they’re feeling and any side effects they experience. Furthermore, ask about potential new treatments that might be available to them.
Many patients need to schedule a Survivorship Clinic visit after their cancer treatment has finished. At these meetings, you can discuss any changes that have taken place since beginning your cancer treatment regimen. This could include inquiries about medicines, how to handle side effects and other health concerns that arise as a result of having cancer.
A Survivorship Clinic visit can assist you in making decisions about how to cope with these changes and receiving information about services available for you. Additionally, it offers guidance on working together with your health care team for improved self-care.
Survivorship care is the follow-up care you receive after your cancer treatment
Cancer survivorship is the process of continuing medical care after your cancer treatment. This care can help you stay healthy and avoid future issues from arising, as well as alleviate some symptoms related to both your cancer diagnosis and its treatment.
Your doctor can create a plan for your post-cancer care after treatment is complete. This document usually outlines what tests you will require and when they should conduct. It also specifies which doctors are responsible for providing that care.
Many people find that having a plan in place helps them feel more in control of their healthcare after treatment. It may also give them an assurance that someone is available for any needs they may encounter.
A follow-up care plan should contain information about your cancer, treatments you have had, medicines taken and any other medical conditions you have. It also alerts your doctor when check-ups are due and when to call about them. Furthermore, it should cover potential long-term effects from cancer treatment as well as strategies for staying healthy.
In addition to medical and physical health problems, cancer survivors often confront financial obstacles. They might have had to quit working or have other financial obligations like housing or transportation. Furthermore, they might worry how their cancer treatment will impact relationships or how others perceive them.
These issues can cause emotional and psychological difficulties for survivors of cancer treatments. Many individuals experience depression that lasts long after the course of their therapy has concluded. If you are dealing with such difficulties, speaking to a counselor or psychologist who has extensive experience working with cancer patients may be beneficial.
The National Cancer Institute offers a website to aid cancer survivors in finding long-term follow-up care. It provides instructions on how to locate a survivorship clinic near you, as well as information regarding long-term follow-up care centers for children and adolescents.
Some centers provide survivorship care programs for cancer patients with specific types or stages of their illness. These initiatives use the most up-to-date research and technology to create a tailored treatment plan tailored to your individual needs.
Survivorship care is the kind of care you receive toward the end of your life
Survivorship is the process of recovering or maintaining health and wellbeing after a cancer diagnosis. This is an ongoing journey that involves dealing with emotional and physical obstacles as well as maintaining relationships. It’s essential to consult your healthcare providers about managing these difficulties so they don’t interfere with living a normal life.
No matter if you’re dealing with cancer for the first time or a seasoned survivor, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to survivorship care. Instead, your medical team will create a personalized plan tailored to meet your individual needs and objectives.
Your healthcare team will also ensure you have access to all necessary resources, such as support groups, educational sessions, seminars and workshops, rehabilitation services, exercise programs and nutrition/dietary supplements.
The purpose of survivorship care is to maintain your quality of life while preventing future problems from arising. It takes an integrated approach that addresses all aspects of a person’s life, such as physical and mental health, relationships with family and friends, as well as finances.
Many healthcare professionals recognize the significance of focusing on each patient’s individual needs and providing survivorship care that reflects their experiences. For instance, it’s not uncommon for women who treated for breast cancer to experience anxiety and depression after their treatment ends. Oncology nurses can help these survivors manage their emotions and adjust to life after treatment by connecting them with professionals such as psychotherapists or social workers.
Your oncology nurse can also assist in creating a survivorship care plan. This document contains details about your medical history, treatments received and any necessary follow-up care required. It’s wise to update this plan regularly as circumstances alter so that you remain supported throughout this challenging time.
The American Society for Clinical Oncology offers a free survivorship care plan template you can use to craft your own personalized plan. Download and print it yourself, or have it mailed directly to you.
Survivorship care is a way for your health care team to work together
Survivorship care is a collaborative effort between you and your healthcare team to assist with dealing with the physical, emotional and financial effects of cancer treatment. It also allows doctors to better understand your needs and suggest appropriate follow-up care options.
Many medical centers provide survivorship services, which may include cancer education and rehabilitation specialists, psychologists, dietitians and other allied healthcare professionals. These teams collaborate with your doctor to create a plan tailored to your individual needs which enhances quality of life.
A survivorship care plan is a document that summarizes your diagnosis and treatments, as well as provides advice about how to take care of yourself in the future. It may include any necessary follow-up tests and potential long-term effects from treatments.
Your survivorship care team can use your plan to communicate it with other doctors, ensuring you have all the information needed for follow-up tests. It also helps keep track of treatments and their potential side effects on your body so you can ask questions about them when necessary.
Patients with a history of chronic physical or mental health issues (e.g., depression, diabetes) are especially vulnerable to developing complications during cancer treatment. These conditions can create new symptoms or exacerbate existing ones. The standard practice focuses on assessing and managing these patients’ medical needs using disease-based indicators (e.g., surveillance for early onset or late-emerging symptoms), medication reconciliation, and assessment of adherence to recommended therapies.
Due to the growing population of cancer survivors and the urgent need for effective care, creating a sustainable survivorship program has proven difficult. That is why in late 2019 the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer issued the Optimal Resources for Cancer Care: 2020 Standards. This updated standard requires an extensive survivorship program that caters specifically to patients treated with curative intent.
A survivorship care program should prioritize patient preferences and needs to maximize their understanding and involvement in their own care. Studies have indicated that such an approach can led to improved outcomes for survivors.
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