Getting Support After Cancer
You’re a cancer survivor now. Your cancer treatments are over, including frequent visits to the cancer center and the consistent check-ins with your cancer care team. You might feel a little bit “on your own” after treatment is over and you may be wondering, “Now what?”
You may feel excited and grateful but also may feel anxious or scared. That’s entirely normal! Every survivor is different and every survivor’s life circumstances are different. Transitioning back to “normal” life can take a little time and some help. Your cancer care team can help you with the next steps. Here are some good steps to take after cancer treatment is over.
Get Organized
Since you will see your cancer-care team less frequently, you’ll once again rely more often on non-oncology doctors for your routine medical needs. It’s important that all of your doctors are well-informed about the type of cancer you had and how you were treated for it. Because cancer treatments may cause side effects that show up months or years after treatment ends, your doctors need to know what to watch for. Make sure you have detailed copies of your personal health records you can share with your doctors.
Get Emotional Support
No one understands how you’re feeling like other survivors who have walked a similar path. Cancer survivor support groups are safe spaces to discuss struggles, worries, and emotions that are common after treatment ends.
Any major life change can be a bit scary. It’s normal that you may fear this transition from cancer patient to cancer survivor, and Compass Oncology wants to ensure that you are getting the help you need to transition into your new cancer survivor role.
