Survivorship

Musician Andrew McMahon has made it his mission to spread the message of community and seeking mental health care like therapy for adolescents and young adults with cancer.

We asked our audience what life hacks they learned to make cancer treatment a bit easier. Here’s what they had to say.

While my taste buds have returned to normal after cancer treatment, my desire to cook and eat has not.

I’ve learned that “survivor’s guilt” can be another symptom of our disease.

I didn’t expect to be diagnosed with cancer, never mind end up with four diagnoses over the years. Here is what I learned along the way.

For patients with a history of cancer or who are genetically predisposed to it — as well as the general population — unintended weight loss may be the first sign of the disease, research showed.

I lost my hair during cancer treatment, but now that it’s growing back, I no longer obviously look like a patient.

As a mom, I have the “worry gene,” though it got much worse when my daughter was diagnosed with cancer.

For the past nine years, I’ve struggled with waves of overwhelming fear of cancer recurrence. I knew I had an issue, but until recently, wasn’t aware of how much fear was affecting my life.

The costs related to a cancer diagnosis go beyond treatment, reflecting the altered participation in the workforce for adolescents and young adults.

With each hike I complete, I feel empowered and reminded that breast cancer — and lingering lymphedema — cannot keep me down.

From music to poetry and dynamic storytelling, the first installment of CURE®’s Open Mic Showcase highlights the talents of patients and survivors of cancer.

I hated the way that hormone drugs made me feel, so I spoke with my loved ones and oncology team and made the difficult decision to stop.

After being no evidence of disease for about a year and a half, I am now fearing that I’m not fearing enough.

After going through grueling cancer treatments, I thought I’d never be back to my old self again. But thankfully, that wasn’t the case.

After going through cancer, Mother’s Day feels a bit different.

A decade ago, I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and underwent aggressive chemotherapy and an allogenic stem cell transplant. Though I still have complications related to my cancer, I’m thankful for what I still have.

Slowing down due to cancer and COVID-19 made me realize the parts of life I’ve been missing, though my new pace isn’t all bad.

Even though I’ve had no evidence of cancer for the last five years, I still stay up to date about the latest developments for the disease.

At first I was skeptical about how meditation and breathing techniques could help me with fear of cancer recurrence. But once I started practicing, I noticed a difference in my anxiety.

We asked our audience what advancements they hope to see in the oncology space within the next decade or so. Here’s what they had to say.

I’m 16 years out from my breast cancer diagnosis, but every now and then, panic still creeps up on me.

It’s essential that I maintain a sense of urgency, as well as long-term stamina, in my cancer survivorship.

After receiving clean cancer scans, I rewarded myself with a trip to the thrift shop.

Childhood cancer survivors tend to die of the same factors as the general population, though at an earlier age. Research showed, though, that these risks can be modified.

When survivorship becomes long-term, it can be an adjustment to move from active treatment to periodic surveillance.

After hearing others' cancer stories, I found myself feeling "less than" because I didn't undergo radiation and chemotherapy.

Nowadays, I think of myself more as a cancer survivor and advocate than patient. Here's what I learned along the way.