Survivorship

Cancer is a disease for the entire family to survive, whether in terms of emotional hurt or the provision of concrete physical care. And alongside partners, spouses, and friends, many survivors care for young children. Kathryn E. Weaver, PhD, of Wake Forest University School of Medicine and her fellow researchers estimate that 1.58 million US cancer survivors live with minor children, totaling 2.85 million young people in all (Cancer. 2010; 116:4395-4401). Read More ›

MILAN—Painful vertebral compression fractures can be promptly and effectively treated with balloon kyphoplasty, an international study showed.

The Cancer Patient Fracture Evaluation (CAFE) study was the first to randomize cancer patients with vertebral compression fractures to balloon kyphoplasty or standard nonsurgical treatment (controls). The results were reported by Leonard Bastian, MD, of the Klinikum Leverkusen in Leverkusen, Germany.

Cancer survivorship can mean different things to different survivors. The consequences of cancer and its treatments can affect individuals in many ways. Read More ›

A recent editorial in the Annals of Internal Medicine states, “If survivorship is a priority, we can improve the lives of survivors.”¹ Increasing recognition of the importance of making survivorship care a priority was the motivating factor for this issue dedicated to cancer survivorship.

In 2005, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) published the report From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor: Lost in Transition that recognized survivorship as a distinct phase of the cancer care trajectory, beginning with diagnosis and extending beyond active cancer treatment through follow-up and long-term survival.¹ The report defined optimal care after cancer treatment and offered models and strategies for meeting the long-term needs of Read More ›

When a cancer patient perseveres through the stressors of diagnosis and treatment, there are celebrations and relief. But the journey is far from over. Questions about what lies ahead surface. Moving beyond initial survival from treatment is the next phase of the cancer journey, which presents its own set of challenges. Read More ›

This article describes a psychosocial model of survivorship developed at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center (HFGCC) in Newark, Delaware. We developed this survivorship program to better address the needs of our patients as they transition to life after treatment. Read More ›

WASHINGTON, DC—The role of physical activity and a healthy lifestyle was at the center of discussion at the 5th Biennial Cancer Survivorship Research Conference. Evidence increasingly points to the importance of exercise and a healthy diet in the years after treatment, and many researchers are currently exploring effective physical activity and weight loss interventions.

Americans afflicted with cancer are living longer, and the outlook for them continues to improve. On the strength of public awareness, early detection, and improved multimodal cancer treatment, cancer has evolved for many patients from an often fatal disease to a chronic, treatable condition. Read More ›

Over the past three decades, there has been a gradual yet steady increase in survivorship awareness, resources, and services. Although none of this has happened easily or rapidly, there is no doubt that the concept of cancer survivorship is here to stay. Read More ›