Adjusting to Life After Cancer

are should be part of your treatment plan. Knowing what to expect and what you want to achieve can give you a sense of control and empower you to contribute to your care through shared decision-making. What your needs and desires are is not the same for everyone since they can be different at different stages of life. It may be letting your doctors know and asking about your desire for fertility, how treatment will impact your quality of life including ability to exercise, sexual health, menopausal symptoms, or returning to work. It may be asking whether you will be able to travel and when. Or maybe your goal is to be well enough to attend a family event like a wedding or graduation.

In addition, since some cancers are due to genetic mutations, part of your initial evaluation once diagnosed with cancer is to identify if yours was inherited. This is important since some gene mutations (abnormalities) are associated with multiple cancer risks. Knowing you carry a risk for other cancers can help you identify them early through specific screening, prevent them through risk-reducing strategies and can also help family members determine if they are at risk and thus, engage in prevention.

While life after cancer may be a “new normal”, it does not mean it will not be as good or even better. Knowing what to expect and options to manage those changes will maximize your quality of life and potentially prevent further illness.