Cancer Survivorship Issues

Over the past three decades, we’ve seen great progress being made in extending cancer survival. The risk of dying from cancer has steadily declined, and people with cancer are living many years beyond their initial diagnosis.

However, cancer incidence is on the rise. In 2024, new cancer cases in the U.S. are projected to top 2 million for the first time ever. That’s almost 5,500 cancer diagnoses a day. In the U.S. alone, this adds up to more than 18 million people living with a history of cancer.

On top of that, more people are being diagnosed with cancer at younger ages. This means more cancer survivors now have a longer life expectancy in which to deal with all the difficulties that come along with cancer survivorship.

As many cancer survivors will tell you, the effects of cancer don’t end when treatment does. Cancer survivors face ongoing, sometimes lifelong, hardships because of their disease. 

In addition to battling a serious illness, cancer survivors may also contend with

  • Limited access to cancer specialists and promising new treatments
  • Rapidly rising medical costs
  • Chemotherapy and prescription drug shortages
  • Denial of health insurance and life insurance coverage
  • Difficulty finding or keeping jobs
  • Increased risk for developing second cancers and other health conditions
  • Economic burdens due to mounting medical expenses, lost wages, and reduced productivity
  • Mental and emotional struggles
  • Strains on personal relationships
  • The profound fear of cancer recurrence

That’s why the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation believes we must continue to advocate for more resources, research, and survivor-friendly legislation to improve quality of life for cancer survivors – during and after cancer treatment. We urge everyone who takes part in National Cancer Survivors Day® celebrations to not only recognize those who are living with a history of cancer but also raise awareness of the challenges cancer survivors face beyond treatment.

Cancer Survivorship Resources

The NCSD Foundation encourages a greater commitment to resolving the issues of cancer survivorship through public education and awareness. We’ve put together this list of resources to help you learn more about the challenges faced by cancer survivors today.

Cancer Survivorship – The Numbers

Cancer Survivorship News

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