As Cancer Survivor Numbers Grow, Support Needs Rise

More than 15.5 million Americans are living well beyond a diagnosis of cancer. That number is expected to top more than 20 million within the next decade. While the uptick in survival rates speaks to incredible advances in detection and treatment, it also signals a need for increased services to help people enjoy better, healthier long-term recoveries. Cancer survivors have very distinct medical, psychological and emotional requirements that doctors and other healthcare professionals must be poised to meet.

As the number of survivors continues to climb, the American Cancer Society and other organizations are working to put a spotlight on needs that need to be addressed to assist in long-term recovery. Here are just a few of the areas that are likely to witness the need for growing support in the coming years to ensure survivors enjoy the highest quality of life possible:

• The need for continued, focused care – A clean bill of health after a positive diagnosis of cancer doesn’t mean the necessity for close monitoring and/or managing treatment side effects goes away. People who have been diagnosed and treated for one form of cancer may, in fact, find themselves at higher risk for some secondary cancers. In addition, side effects from treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, may linger for a time. Doctors and their patients should work closely together to ensure ongoing good health.
• The need for emotional support – Fears about secondary cancer, problems with treatment-related side effects and other issues can create the need for ongoing emotional and psychological support long after a successful battle against cancer has been waged. Doctors and patients alike should be very mindful of the impacts that initial diagnosis and treatment may have years down the road. Support groups, counseling sessions and carefully managed screening schedules can help ease concerns.
• The potential need for financial support –Cancer survivors are likely to find themselves strapped with financial burdens for years down the road. From the loss of employment to stacked up medical bills, financial burdens can take a heavy toll. Communities can help on this front by providing employment services, retraining programs and other programs to ease the financial burden survivors may face.
• The need for preventative services – Following a successful battle against cancer, it becomes increasingly important for patients to adopt healthy lifestyle habits. Healthcare providers can assist by helping patients address dietary, smoking and exercise-related concerns.

As the number of cancer survivors continues to grow, the need for ongoing support is climbing along with it. Long-term recovery demands a multifaceted approach that is designed to help patients enjoy healthy, positive outcomes.

a href=http://lewisvilleflowermoundoncology.com/about-usLewisville/Flower Mound Oncology Group, a division of Choice Cancer Care – is an independently owned and operated oncology practice.