Building Your Survivorship Team, Beyond Your Oncologist - by Mariana Arnaut

Finishing cancer treatment is often celebrated as the finish line — the point where you finally get to breathe. But for many survivors, it’s not the end of the journey. It’s the start of a new chapter with its own challenges, questions, and needs.

The role of your oncologist

Your oncologist will always be a cornerstone of your care. They know your medical history inside out, monitor your scans, and are the ones who stood beside you through the hardest days. But survivorship care is about more than follow-up appointments and test results. It’s about rebuilding your health physically, emotionally, and mentally in a way that supports your whole life.

That’s why survivorship is a team effort. And while you might not need every type of expert all the time, knowing who can be in your corner and when to bring them in can make all the difference. Your oncologist and primary care provider (PCP) can help guide you to the right people, but here’s a closer look at who might be part of your care team.

Integrative Physician

Looks at your whole health, not just your cancer history. Helps manage chronic symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and hormonal changes — things that may linger long after treatment ends.

Specialists (Cardiologist, Endocrinologist, etc.)

Cancer treatment can affect your heart, thyroid, bones, or hormones. Depending on your needs, specialists can monitor and treat these areas. Your oncologist or PCP will know when it’s the right time to bring them in.

Psychologist or Therapist

Survivorship isn’t just a physical process, it’s an emotional one too. A therapist can help you navigate fear of recurrence, grief, or anxiety, and support your mental well-being as you adjust to life after treatment.

Nutritionist

Food can be one of your most powerful tools for recovery. A nutritionist can guide you on how to fuel your body, address gut health issues, manage weight changes, and reduce inflammation — all tailored to your post-treatment needs.

Physical Therapist

If you’re dealing with lingering pain, lymphedema, or need to rebuild strength and mobility, a physical therapist can help you heal safely and effectively. They can also support recovery from surgery or radiation-related changes in movement.

Health Coach

Sometimes you need someone to help you stay on track with your wellness goals. A health coach can keep you accountable, guide you in creating sustainable habits, and support you in making lifestyle changes that may help reduce your risk of recurrence.

Think of this list as a wish list. Not everyone will need such an extensive team, and not everyone can afford it. I know that many of these experts aren’t always available in hospitals or covered by insurance. But there are other ways to access this kind of support — and that’s exactly why we created The After Cancer. So you don’t have to figure it out alone.

What matters is that you have the right support for where you are right now and that you know it’s more than okay to ask for help. At The After Cancer, we connect survivors with the resources, experts, and community they need to thrive. You can start with our 10-day free trial and see how the right support can make all the difference in your life after cancer.