Moving Forward After Cancer

Fifty percent of U.S. men and one-third of U.S. women will develop cancer in their lifetimes. There are currently more than 12 million U.S. cancer survivors. Despite the widespread nature of the disease, primary care physicians and other health care providers are often unfamiliar with survivorship issues and do not generally receive formal guidance from oncologists (cancer doctors) on how to monitor cancer survivors or manage their care.

A 2005 report from the Institute of Medicine called "From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor: Lost in Transition" described the gaps in care provided to U.S. cancer survivors. The report recommended that each U.S. cancer patient receive a "survivorship care plan."

Both the federal government and private organizations are currently working to develop and disseminate guidance to the medical community on such plans. In the meantime, you can get started on developing a plan of your own, as well as focusing on exercise and proper nutrition, both of which are important for cancer survivors. 

In addition, information on a variety of topics important for cancer survivors is now available as part of the DFCI/NCCN Cancer Survivorship Information ^TM    project, developed by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.