Cancer Survivorship Issues

Over the past few decades, we’ve seen great progress being made in extending cancer survival. Cancer mortality rates continue to decline, and cancer survivors are now living many years beyond their initial diagnosis. 

In the U.S. alone, this adds up to more than 18 million people living with a history of cancer, with a little over 12 million of those being aged 65 years or older.

However, cancer survival is not without complication. Cancer survivors face ongoing, often long-lasting, hardships because of their disease. In addition to battling a serious illness, cancer survivors may also contend with

  • Limited access to cancer specialists and promising new treatments
  • Rapidly rising medical costs
  • Chemotherapy and prescription drug shortages
  • Denial of health insurance and life insurance coverage
  • Difficulty finding or keeping jobs
  • Increased risk for developing second cancers and other health conditions
  • Economic burdens due to mounting medical expenses, lost wages, and reduced productivity

Add to that emotional struggles, strains on personal relationships, and the profound fear of cancer recurrence. The effects of cancer don’t simply end when treatment does. 

Physical, emotional, and financial difficulties often persist for years after cancer diagnosis and treatment. And for the many survivors for whom cancer becomes a chronic disease, these issues become lifelong challenges.

That’s why the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation believes we must continue to advocate for more resources, research, and survivor-friendly legislation to improve the quality of life of cancer survivors – during and after cancer treatment. We urge everyone who participates in National Cancer Survivors Day® celebrations to not only recognize those who are living with a history of cancer but also raise awareness of the hardships cancer survivors face beyond treatment.

Cancer Survivorship Resources

The NCSD Foundation encourages a greater commitment to resolving the issues of cancer survivorship through public education and awareness. We’ve put together this list of resources to help you learn more about the challenges faced by cancer survivors today.

Cancer Survivorship – The Numbers

Cancer Survivorship News

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