Cancer Survivorship

Many words of wisdom are shared in CDC’s Stories of Survivorship, a tribute to members of the CDC family whose lives have been touched by cancer.

Cancer survivors often face physical, emotional, social, and financial problems as a result of their cancer diagnosis and treatment. Also, survivors have a higher risk of having their first cancer come back, getting a second cancer, and having other health problems due to—

The side effects of treatment.
Genetic changes, such as those that can cause hereditary breast and ovarian cancer and Lynch syndrome.
Risk factors that contributed to the first cancer.
Unhealthy behaviors like smoking, obesity, and lack ofphysical activity.

Cancer survivorship affects not only the cancer patient, but also his or her family members, friends, and neighbors who often helpwith daily tasks.

Fast Facts About Cancer Survivorship

Nearly 14 million Americans are alive after being told they have cancer.
A CDC study found that the largest groups of cancer survivors were breast cancer survivors (22%), prostate cancer survivors (19%), and colorectal cancer survivors (10%).
One out of every 10 cancer patients who receives chemotherapy gets an infection that requires a hospital visit.

2014 Cancer Survivorship Research Conference

The biennial Cancer Survivorship Research Conference brings together researchers, clinicians, cancer survivors, advocates, policymakers, and public health experts to share the latest research and interventions designed to improve the long-term health and quality of life for cancer survivors and their families. This year's conference will be held in Atlanta on June 18–20.