Cancer Survivors Month is all about honoring everyone who is currently battling cancer or has fought it in the past. It's a time to recognize the challenges faced by our community of survivors and to raise awareness of cancer survivorship.
The Importance of Cancer Survivors Month
Recognition and Support: This month is an opportunity to recognize the courage and resilience of cancer survivors. It’s an occasion for families, friends, and communities to show support to their loved ones.
Awareness and Education: It educates the public about the ongoing, yet unknown challenges survivors face even after treatment. This includes physical, emotional, and financial issues.
Advocacy and Research: It highlights the importance of continued research and funding to improve survivors' quality of life and find better treatments and, ultimately, cures for cancer.
Inspiration and Hope: Sharing survivor stories can inspire those currently battling cancer and give us both hope and a sense of community.
Key Facts & Stats of Cancer Survivorship
Prevalence: As of 2023, there are approximately 18 million cancer survivors in the United States alone. This number is expected to grow to 26 million by 2040.
Survivorship Growth: Advances in early detection and treatment have significantly increased the number of cancer survivors. The five-year survival rate for all cancers combined has increased from 49% in the mid-1970s to 70% today.
Age Distribution: The majority of cancer survivors are aged 65 or older. However, there are about 1.9 million survivors who were diagnosed as children or adolescents.
Gender Differences: Women slightly outnumber men among cancer survivors, with breast cancer being the most common type of cancer among female survivors and prostate cancer being the most common among male survivors.
Quality of Life: Many survivors report a good quality of life post-treatment, but a significant portion still faces chronic health issues related to their cancer or its treatment.
The Main Concerns of Cancer Survivors
Contrary to popular belief, cancer doesn’t end when treatments are done. Survivors experience several concerns:
Physical Health: Long-term effects of cancer treatment can include fatigue, pain and neuropathy. Regular follow-up care is crucial to manage these issues.
Emotional and Mental Health: Survivors often experience anxiety, depression, and fear of recurrence. Mental health support and counseling are vital components of survivorship care.
Social and Relationship Issues: Cancer can affect relationships with family and friends. Many feel misunderstood on several levels, while others may also face social isolation or changes in their roles within their families and communities.
Employment and Daily Life: Returning to work and daily activities can be challenging. Survivors may need accommodations or may face discrimination in the workplace.
How The After Cancer Supports Cancer Survivors
At The After Cancer, we care for cancer survivors beyond treatment with our community-driven teleheath platform. We're your digital clinic for cancer survivorship and provide:
Video Consultations with Experts: We offer individual video consultations with a dedicated team of experts committed to understanding your situation and providing tailored support. Our professionals have extensive knowledge and experience in cancer survivorship. They bring compassion to every interaction, ensuring that you receive the attention and care you deserve.
Community Membership: We recognize the complex needs of patients and the importance of integrative care in addressing them. Our membership model provides a variety of live classes, that promote physical and mental health, and educational journey designed to help you regain health and wellbeing and reduce stress.
Educational Resources: We believe that knowledge is empowering. That’s why we offer an education hub filled with the latest and most relevant information, curated by our team of experts. This resource is continually updated to ensure you have access to cutting-edge insights and advice that can help you navigate your survivorship journey.
How To Get Involved
Whether you’re recently diagnosed, in active treatment, out of treatment, or a caregiver, getting involved in our community is very simple.
Book a free call to discover how we can help you
Check our Care Team who provide individual video consultations
Browse our Education Hub
Get our free-trial to explore our Membership
Send us a message and we'll get back to you!