Cancer Survivorship
A person is considered a cancer survivor from the time of diagnosis through the balance of life. There are many types of survivors, including those living with cancer and those free of cancer. What being a survivor means to you may change over time, and some people might prefer another term entirely to describe themselves.
These pages focus on helping survivors cope with the issues they may face after completing cancer treatment or if they are living with metastatic or advanced cancer. To learn more about survivorship and NCI research, see our Office of Cancer Survivorship page.
Cancer Survivorship | Did You Know?
An individual is considered a cancer survivor from the time of diagnosis through the rest of life. Learn why the number of cancer survivors is increasing and more.
Choose an issue to learn more
-
Life After Cancer Treatment
Adjusting to physical and emotional changes after cancer treatment and coping with fear of recurrence as a cancer survivor.
-
Follow-Up Medical Care for Cancer Survivors
Once you're done with cancer treatment, you should receive a follow-up care plan from your doctor. Learn more.
-
Late Effects of Cancer Treatment
Regular checkups, healthy eating, and exercise can help manage late effects.
-
Family Issues
Discusses common family problems and issues that often occur after treatment and ways to cope.
-
Coping with Advanced Cancer Long Term
People with advanced cancer are living longer due to new cancer treatments.
-
Care for Childhood Cancer Survivors
Get your child's treatment summary, survivorship plan, and recommendations on follow-up care.
-
Questions to Ask Your Doctor When You Have Finished Treatment
Suggested questions for cancer patients to ask their doctors after treatment is finished and they are planning for follow-up care and next steps.
As hard as treatment is, many cancer survivors say that the experience led them to make important changes in their lives. It helped them learn the value of being grateful for each day and for the people in their lives.