Cancer Survivorship

What is cancer survivorship care?

Cancer survivorship care is the support you get after treatment ends. It includes regular checkups, watching for signs that cancer could return, and help managing any lasting side effects. It also covers guidance on healthy living, so you can feel your best for years to come.

The term "survivor" can be defined in different ways:

• No disease is found after diagnosis or the completion of treatment.
• You are living with, through, and beyond cancer. By this definition, survivorship begins at diagnosis.

As a cancer survivor, keep records about your disease and treatment. They can help other health care providers who treat you years down the road. The American Cancer Society has online tools to help you fill out a survivorship plan that details your treatment summary. These forms give future health care providers basic information about your cancer treatment and follow-up care.

Gathering survivorship information

At CoxHealth, your care team works with you to build your survivorship plan together. We'll help you understand what to watch for, when to schedule follow-up visits, and who to call with questions, so you always know your next step.

Survivorship also includes what to expect after treatment is complete. Talk to your health care provider about the short-term, long-term, and late effects of your treatment. Most providers will also talk with you about monitoring for cancer that returns or new cancers. Make sure you understand your care plan and who is following it.

Continuing a healthy lifestyle is an important part of survivorship. Ask your health care provider for personal recommendations on nutrition, healthy weight, exercise, smoking cessation, and rehabilitation. It's also important to talk with your health care provider about continued screenings for colon, prostate, breast, and cervical cancers.

If you'd rather gather survivorship information on your own, collect these items:

• A copy of any diagnostic tests performed, such as CT or PET scans.
• A copy of your biopsy pathology report.
• A copy of your operative report and final pathology report. You can get these from the hospital or your surgeon's office.
• A summary of any chemotherapy or hormonal agents you received. Ask your medical oncologist for a copy of your chemotherapy treatment summary.
• A summary of your radiation treatments. Ask your radiation therapy department for a copy of the final treatment summary.