Cancer Survivorship -The Effects of Cancer and Its Treatment
The word “survivorship” is often used in several different ways. One common definition is a person without cancer after finishing treatment. Another common definition is the process of living with, through, and beyond cancer. According to this definition, cancer survivorship begins at diagnosis and includes people who continue to receive treatment to either reduce the risk of the cancer coming back or to manage chronic disease. The NCCN Survivorship Panel supports the NCI’s definition of a cancer survivor: “An individual is considered a cancer survivor from the time of diagnosis, through the balance of his or her life. Family members, friends, and caregivers are also impacted and included in this definition and are therefore included in this definition.” No matter how it is defined, survivorship is unique for every person. Everyone has to find his or her own path to navigate the changes and challenges that arise as a resul...