What is Survivorship Care?
After finishing treatment, survivorship care supports your health and recovery as you move forward with life. It's about managing both ongoing side effects and new challenges that may appear over time.
Survivorship Care
Survivorship care refers to the ongoing health care and support that a person receives after completing cancer treatment. It addresses the unique physical, emotional, and practical challenges faced by cancer survivors as they move into the next chapter of their lives.
Key Focus Areas:
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Monitoring for cancer recurrence or new cancers
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Managing long-term or late effects of treatment (e.g., fatigue, nerve pain, hormonal changes)
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Supporting emotional well being, including anxiety, depression, and fear of recurrence
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Rehabilitation and recovery: helping patients regain strength, mobility, and function
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Promoting healthy habits like good nutrition, exercise, and smoking cessation
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Coordinating care between oncology, primary care, mental health, and supportive services
** Think of it as a bridge between active cancer treatment and long-term wellness.
Follow up Care
After cancer treatment, you’ll continue to see health care providers regularly to monitor for any signs of recurrence and address lingering health concerns.
Visit May Include:
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Physical exams and imaging (CT, mammogram, MRI, etc.)
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Blood work to monitor labs or tumor markers.
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Bone density scans, especially if treatments caused bone thinning.
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Surveillance for new cancers, especially if you are at higher genetic risk.
How often you see your provider may vary, this depends on the type of cancer you were treated for and what type of treatment you received.
Managing Side Effects
Cancer treatment can have lasting effects, even after it’s over. Some may start months or even years later, these are called late effects.
Common Long Term Side Effects:
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Dysphagia (trouble swallowing)
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Xerostomia (dry mouth)
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Lymphedema
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Impaired wound healing and Skin changes
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Speech and Voice Changes
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Changes in weight and appetite
Your oncology team may refer you to specialists such as rehab therapists, endocrinologists, or pain management providers.
Mental and Emotional Health
Many survivors experience emotional challenges, even after successful treatment. Survivorship care includes mental health support to help process and manage:
Emotional Effects:
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Fear of recurrence
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Depression or sadness
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Changes in relationships
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PTSD like symptoms
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Social isolation
Support Resources:
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Oncology social workers
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Individual or group therapy
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Cancer-specific support groups (in-person or online)
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Peer navigation programs
Emotional healing is just as important as physical recovery. Please contact your provider if you feel like you need help.
Who is part of your Survivorship Team?
Oncologist
Oversees surveillance, coordinates specialized care. Can include your radiation oncologist, surgical oncologist, and medical oncologist
Physical Therapist/Occupational Therapist
Helps with strength, balance, and physical recovery
Primary Care Provider
Manages general health, vaccinations, chronic disease. Can be an MD, PA or NP
Dietitian
Guides healthy eating and nutritional recovery
Social Workers
Offers emotional support, financial help, housing resources. A great resource.
Therapist/Counselor
Provides coping strategies for stress, anxiety, trauma. Can be meet daily, weekly, biweekly or monthly.