The Meaning of "I'm a Survivor!"
Definitions of survivorship:
1. Having no disease after the completion of treatment
2. The process of living with, through, and beyond cancer. By this definition, cancer survivorship begins at diagnosis. It includes people who continue to have treatment to either reduce risk of recurrence or to manage chronic disease.
Acute Survivorship=the time when a person is being diagnosed and/or in treatment for cancer
Extended Survivorship=the time immediately after treatment is completed
Permanent Survivorship=a longer-term period, often meaning that the passage of time since treatment is measured in years
Thoughts when Entering Survivorhood:
✦Difficulty adjusting to and learning to live with uncertainty
✦Physical problems
✦Sexual problems
✦Fertility concerns
✦Discrimination at work after returning
✦Inadequate social network
✦Fear of reccurence
°Making one over-interpret the significance of minor physical problems
°Is a physical problem normal?
°What problems do I have to report to my Doctor?
✦Relationship problems
°Relationships between family and friends may have been tested during the treatment process and the transition into survivorship.
° Some friends may have grown closer; while others may have distanced themselves
°Family members may become overprotective
°Some may be exhausted from being over supportive
After Entering Survivorhood...Now What?
✦Keep a written record of medical treatment
° Keep complete record of medical care
° Learn definitions of medical terms
✦Manage side effects
✦Take action
° Develop a post treatment plan
° Join a patient advocacy program
° Set realistic goals
1. Having no disease after the completion of treatment
2. The process of living with, through, and beyond cancer. By this definition, cancer survivorship begins at diagnosis. It includes people who continue to have treatment to either reduce risk of recurrence or to manage chronic disease.
Acute Survivorship=the time when a person is being diagnosed and/or in treatment for cancer
Extended Survivorship=the time immediately after treatment is completed
Permanent Survivorship=a longer-term period, often meaning that the passage of time since treatment is measured in years
Thoughts when Entering Survivorhood:
✦Difficulty adjusting to and learning to live with uncertainty
✦Physical problems
✦Sexual problems
✦Fertility concerns
✦Discrimination at work after returning
✦Inadequate social network
✦Fear of reccurence
°Making one over-interpret the significance of minor physical problems
°Is a physical problem normal?
°What problems do I have to report to my Doctor?
✦Relationship problems
°Relationships between family and friends may have been tested during the treatment process and the transition into survivorship.
° Some friends may have grown closer; while others may have distanced themselves
°Family members may become overprotective
°Some may be exhausted from being over supportive
After Entering Survivorhood...Now What?
✦Keep a written record of medical treatment
° Keep complete record of medical care
° Learn definitions of medical terms
✦Manage side effects
✦Take action
° Develop a post treatment plan
° Join a patient advocacy program
° Set realistic goals