by Kayla Jarvis, VCU MSW Intern
What Is Cancer Survivorship?
June is Cancer Survivorship Month which is a great time for us to focus on the hope of living a healthy life beyond a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. It’s also an opportunity for us to reflect on the advances in research, clinical trials, and cancer treatments that have led to an increasing number of cancer recoveries. We can’t ignore that survivorship comes with its own set of challenges outside of cancer treatments, and we’ll talk about crucial support services that can be beneficial for individuals who are in their post-treatment phase.
Let’s dive into what exactly being a “survivor” means. Some refer to cancer survivorship as the journey from a cancer diagnosis onwards, and others see survivors as individuals who have completed their main cancer treatments. Not everyone who has been through a cancer diagnosis and treatments prefers the term “survivor”. Some people prefer the term “thriver”, referring to someone who is living well after a cancer diagnosis. Others simply refer to themselves as “a person living with cancer”. When talking with someone who has been through cancer treatments, their choice of term can tell a lot about their journey through treatments and the way that they view their experience, so just remember to be open to using whatever term the person prefers. One thing is for sure: people who are either living with cancer or have been through treatment and are on the other side show us that there is cause for hope! And that is something to be celebrated.
Hope Beyond Diagnosis: Breast Cancer by the Numbers
There are currently over 4 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States. Since 1989 the breast cancer death rate has dropped by 44% which is primarily attributed to advances in treatment as well as earlier detection numbers. As of 2020, individuals diagnosed with breast cancer currently have an average 5-year survival rate of 90%. This means that, among all types of breast cancer averaged together, those diagnosed are 90% as likely to live another 5 years as those who don’t have a cancer diagnosis.
Breakthroughs Driving Better Outcomes
Some ongoing medical breakthroughs that have helped with breast cancer survival rates include shortened radiation therapy techniques which have reduced the number of recommended radiation sessions. Developments in genetic testing have given people a chance to learn more about their risk for cancer due to their family history of breast cancer and therefore allow for early preventative measures to be taken. Clinical trials are continuing to develop new ways to detect, diagnose, and reduce the risk of breast cancer. An increasing number of clinical trials are now showing the benefits of specific chemotherapy agents, and what combinations of treatments are the most beneficial. Knowledge is increasing in the advancement of targeted therapies which work to attack a specific variation of breast cancer. Progress concerning survival rates can also be attributed to the research done on the complex nature of breast cancer, the human genome, and the interaction between cancer and our body’s immune and hormone systems.
Why a Survivorship Care Plan Matters
Individuals who have been through cancer treatment and are on the other side of it have a unique set of issues to cope with and need continuing support. It is important to have a cancer survivorship plan. A cancer survivorship plan is given to you by your cancer treatment team and helps communicate important details of your care to your primary healthcare provider such as the treatments you have received as well as a long-term care plan. You should take this document with you to your ongoing appointments with your primary care physician. If you don’t have a survivorship care plan, you can ask your cancer treatment team for one. Here is an example template of a survivorship care plan from the American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/survivorship/long-term-health-concerns/survivorship-care-plans.html
Caring for Mental Health After Treatment
It is common for individuals who have been through cancer treatments to experience a mixture of emotions from relief and gratitude to depression and anxiety. There is no “right” way to feel after cancer treatment, and if you need help there are support systems out there for you and your mental health. Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation can help you find online and in-person counselors and support groups to suit your needs through our Survivorship Guide.
Three Simple Guidelines for Healthy Living
You’ll find lots of information online for advice on healthy living after cancer treatments – sometimes an overwhelming amount. So, here are three guidelines for healthy living as a breast cancer survivor: eat healthy, stay active, and prioritize sleep. Eating healthy can simply mean limiting ultra-processed foods, and focusing on adding more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to your plate. Examples of ultra-processed foods to avoid or limit include sweetened breakfast cereals, chips, hot dogs, and other foods that contain added artificial ingredients.
Studies have found that 150 minutes a week of moderate physical activity, such as walking, can ease some common post-treatment experiences such as fatigue, anxiety, depression, lymphedema, low sleep quality, bone and joint pain, and even help prevent neuropathy. Another positive benefit of regular exercise is that it has been shown to reduce the recurrence of breast cancer. Women who took 5-6,000 steps per day had a 40% reduced risk of mortality.
Supporting Survivors, Advancing the Mission
We see more evidence of success in early detection and breast cancer treatments every year, and with that, an increasing knowledge of survivorship experiences and available support systems. To breast cancer survivors, caregivers, researchers, and advocates: your efforts enable us to hope for better outcomes. We thank you for your ongoing impact and for keeping our mission moving forward.
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Webinar: Heart Health After Breast Cancer
