Survivorship: Next Steps to Take

Last Updated: March 31, 2008

Once your active treatment is complete, Cancer.Net has a wide range of information to help you transition to survivorship. The following are the specific sections of this website that offer answers to common questions people have after finishing treatment:

Finishing Treatment—What Comes Next: Read Cancer.Net’s Feature article or listen to an audio podcast about what to expect physically and emotionally once your treatment is complete, and the importance of follow-up care.

Documenting Your Treatment

ASCO Treatment Summaries: Download forms to fill out with your doctor about what treatment(s) you received and outline the schedule for follow-up care.

Keeping a Personal Medical Record: Learn how to keep a complete record of your medical care and the importance of doing so.

Terms to Know: Read Cancer.Net’s Feature article defining medical terms you may hear after your cancer treatment is completed.

Managing Side Effects

Managing Side Effects: Learn more about more than 40 common side effects of cancer and its treatment, including ways your health-care team can treat them.

Late Effects: Find out more about the symptoms and management of common long-term side effects that survivors may experience.

Late Effects of Childhood Cancer: Detailed information about long-term side effects specifically for people treated for cancer during childhood.

Taking Action

Survivorship section: An introduction to survivorship, including adjusting to various life changes that often follow treatment for cancer.

Advocacy and Policy Center: Explore the role of patient advocates in the cancer community, find information on ASCO’s patient advocacy programs, and learn more about public policy advocacy.

Making a Difference: Learn more about donating your time as a volunteer to a cancer organization or treatment center.

Making Positive Lifestyle Changes after a Cancer Diagnosis: Guidance on setting realistic goals when making lifestyle changes such as better nutrition or more physical activity.

Recognizing and Celebrating Milestones: Learn about different ways to mark milestones in your cancer treatment plan and survivorship.

Institute of Medicine Report on Survivorship: Read more about this broad 2005 national report about the challenges that survivors face.

Survivorship Resources: To locate more assistance, visit this list of organizations that focus on survivorship.