Survivorship

Survivorship is a term that is often used when patients have completed their cancer treatment, but this does not mean that cancer patients consider themselves ‘survivors’.

When patients are transitioning from active treatment, they should ask for a summary of the treatment that they actually received from their radiation oncology team so that they have it for future reference.

The aim of after treatment care planning is to ensure that the patient has as good a quality of life as possible, and cancer societies can advise patients on the support services that they will need in their future.

Thinking about this video:

• The term ‘surviving cancer’ can be viewed in many different ways by patients and healthcare professionals.
• What is your opinion on the term ‘surviving cancer’?