Life After Cancer Treatment

Now that you have completed your active cancer treatment, you may be wondering –what comes next? This handout has information about the transition into life after cancer treatment and suggestions to help you be as healthy as possible as you get back to your daily life routines.

Common Concerns

Life after treatment can be filled with lots of questions and mixed emotions. While you may be relieved to be done with treatment, you may feel disconnected, alone, or worried. There may be new medical needs and difficult changes as you transition back to your daily life. All of this can make recovery stressful. While everyone is different, the following are some common concerns:

• Ongoing fatigue or feeling worn-out for up to a year or more.

• Depression, anxiety and worry about such things as health, finances, or returning to work.

• Changes in your thinking such as trouble concentrating or forgetting things.

• Physical changes to your body that make some daily activities difficult.

After Treatment Visit and Survivorship Care Plan

Once your active cancer treatment has ended, you may be scheduled for a visit with a member of your cancer care team to learn about the plan for your ongoing care and discuss any remaining concerns or issues you may have. You will receive a summary of your follow-up plan, usually called a Survivorship Care Plan. Keep this for your records and share it with your primary provider. The visit usually includes a conversation about:

• The plan for your follow-up, including a schedule for future office visits and tests.

• A plan to manage any ongoing symptoms.

• Possible side effects from your cancer treatment that might happen in the future.

• Referrals to specialists to help with specific concerns, if needed.

• Living a healthy lifestyle to help reduce your future cancer risk and to feel as well as possible.

• Other supportive services that can help address some of the needs that arise after treatment.

Supportive Services

There are specialists who can address some of the needs that arise after treatment ends. The following is a list of common specialists. Ask your provider about services that might be right for you.

• Social Workers: can help you cope with stress, as well as other concerns such as returning to work or talking with family.

• Dietitians: offer information about the best foods to improve your overall health.

• Financial counselors: answer questions about bills and help find resources.

• Physical, occupational and speech therapists: help with things like chronic pain, mobility, dressing and other functions such as swallowing and speaking.

More Information

There are lots of places to get helpful information as you transition to life after cancer treatment. Below are some reliable and accurate resources. Before making any changes however, always discuss any information you find with your provider.

Websites

• MaineHealth: www.mainehealth.org/cancer/survivorship

• Livestrong: www.livestrong.org

Learning Resource Center

Through the MaineHealth Learning Resource Center, you can find information on specific cancers, complementary therapies, mindfulness-based stress reduction, nutrition, talking to kids about cancer, caregiving, survivorship, and more. The Learning Resource Center has health educators who can find you reliable health information and local resources as well as a library of books you can borrow. Visit MaineHealth.org/LRC or call 866-609-5183.

Cancer community support centers around Maine offer a wide variety of services for people with cancer and their families Ask a member of your cancer care team or the American Cancer Society (1-800-227-2345) about community centers near you.

Facing Forward

This National Cancer Institute booklet was written to share common feelings and reactions that many people have had after treatment ended. It also offers some practical tips to help survivors through this time. Click HERE to access.

Survivorship Care for Healthy Living

This National Comprehensive Cancer Network publication was written to discuss helpful strategies for health in the post-treatment period. Sections include: survivorship; physical activity; food and supplements; weight and metabolism; preventing infections; resources and words to know. Click HERE to access.