After treatment and survivorship care

After cancer treatment

After cancer treatment, it’s important for patients and their families to feel like they have a clear plan of what’s next, including support and information about living well and adjusting to new circumstances.  

Survivorship is generally considered to be the phase in a person’s life after completion of initial cancer treatment. Living with cancer and being a cancer survivor is a very individual thing. People who are living with cancer or have a cancer experience will find their own way to describe their situation and this can change over time. People will often identify with what best suits them at the time, based on where they are in their cancer journey.

At the end of treatment, it’s important to have information about your next appointments, blood tests and scans.  We will provide you with this information in the last few days of your treatment. Your Oncologist and Nurse will also talk to you about any possible symptoms or side effects. Some treatments can keep working for several weeks after the last treatment. We will make a plan with you based on your individual needs.

Keeping a diary and writing down questions as you think of them can be helpful. Some useful questions to ask can be:

• What is my plan of care now?
• Does my GP have this plan?
• What symptoms/problems should I watch out for?
• Who should I contact if I develop new symptoms?
• What happens if there are signs my cancer has come back?

Keeping in touch with your GP and managing other health problems or chronic illnesses can make a difference in your recovery.

Physical, psychosocial and financial impacts of cancer

The Physical, Psychosocial and Financial impact of cancer and its treatment can last for many years:

There is a range of physical, emotional, social and financial challenges people face after cancer treatment, we encourage you to speak to your local care team to make a plan which best suits you.

Things you might like to talk about include:

• Going back to work after a long time away.
• Dealing with financial concerns.
• Rebuilding relationships with friends and family.
• Establishing a new 'normal' and returning to day-to-day life.
• Feeling uncertain about the future.
• Coping with fears of cancer returning.

There is also a range of online and print resources available for people and their families:

The Cancer Council Australia has produced a booklet called ‘Living Well After Cancer, A guide for people with cancer, their families and friends’. The booklet is available in each of our clinics and online.

WeCan is an Australian website for supportive care in cancer, there is a range of information about common concerns faced by people affected by cancer.

The Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre has a range of online and printable resources we recommend, including a short film ‘Just Take it Day to Day’ about being a cancer survivor.

Health promotion and general wellness

To see what’s happening in your local area see our Community Noticeboard or have a look at the activities in your local cancer centre at your next visit.

Your local Cancer Council Tasmania Centre also runs a range of support groups, workshops and information sessions, including private one on one support.

Healthy Eating plays an important role in cancer prevention and in living well after a cancer diagnosis, Cancer Council Australia has a helpful ‘Eat for Health’ booklet which is a good place to start. Eat Well Tasmania is a state-wide non-government organisation which champions healthy eating.

Exercise is an essential part of self-care and a healthy lifestyle, there is good evidence to show exercise helps with fatigue management, sleep and mood. There are a range of ways to access information about exercise to meet your individual needs;

• The Cancer Council Victoria has online resources.
• Talk to your Oncologist about the types of exercise you can try.
• Ask your health care team to see a physiotherapist at your local cancer centre to help make an exercise plan for you.
• Speak with your Oncologist about a referral to a community Physiotherapist or Exercise Physiologist.
• Join a local community group or walking club.

It’s never too late to Quit Smoking, if you or someone you know would like to give it a go call 13 78 48 or visit Quit Tasmania

Reducing or avoiding Alcohol can improve general wellness, the Tasmania Department of Health offers online resources, or you can talk to your GP about ways to reduce alcohol use.

Useful links

Living Well After Cancer

A guide for people with cancer, their families and friends. Produced by the Cancer Council of Australia. View the Living Well After Cancer website here.

The Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre

A range of resources about being a cancer survivor. View the Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre website here.

WeCan

An Australian supportive care website to help people affected by cancer. View the WeCan website here.