Cancer Survivorship
Managing life beyond diagnosis
Survivorship care focuses on helping people manage the physical, emotional, and practical challenges that can continue after a cancer diagnosis and treatment.
If you are experiencing symptoms or challenges during or after cancer treatment, talk with your cancer care team or primary care doctor. They can help connect you with survivorship programs, supportive services, and resources that fit your needs.
Collaborative care for cancer survivors
Our approach brings together a multidisciplinary team of clinicians from across Mass General Brigham with expertise in evaluating and addressing the needs of cancer survivors.
Our program emphasizes maintaining the close relationships that develop between our patients and their oncology team, strengthening communication and care coordination between the oncology team and primary care, and making sure that all patients have access to specialized survivorship services.
Common challenges after cancer treatment
Cancer survivors may experience a range of short- and long-term effects related to cancer or treatment. For many side effects, we have specialized clinical services that combine expert care and research to improve our understanding of and provide the most up-to-date treatments.
Survivorship care may help address concerns such as:
- Fatigue
- Pain
- Sleep problems
- Cognitive changes or “chemo brain”
- Sexual health concerns
- Hot flashes
- Fertility concerns
- Anxiety, depression, or emotional distress
- Fear of recurrence
- Nutrition and weight changes
- Exercise and physical activity
- Relationship and family concerns
- Return-to-work challenges
- Long-term side effects of treatment
Our teams work with patients to recognize these concerns early and connect them with appropriate support and treatment services.
Survivorship programs and supportive services we offer
- Workshops and support groups
- Wellness programs
- Mind-body programs
- Stress management and resiliency programs
- Lifestyle medicine support focused on nutrition, exercise, sleep, and healthy habits
- Exercise, physical therapy, and rehabilitation support
- Oncology social work
- Counseling and psychological support
- Family and caregiver support
- Peer mentoring programs that connect patients and survivors with others who have shared experiences
- Community support resources
- Cancer genetics programs
- Survivorship clinics
- Long-term follow-up care
- Symptom management services for concerns such as cognitive changes, neurotoxicity, and peripheral neuropathy
- Cardiac oncology services to monitor and manage heart health during and after treatment
- Lymphedema evaluation and treatment
- Reproductive health and fertility support before, during, and after treatment
- Substance use treatment and recovery support services
Resources for survivors and families
We offer resources to help patients and families navigate life after cancer treatment, including survivorship planning, wellness information, caregiving support, and guidance for ongoing care.
Resources may include:
- Survivorship care plans
- Educational guides and handouts
- Wellness calendars and events
- Community and caregiver resources
- Referrals and directories for additional support
- Information about follow-up care and survivorship planning
Patients can work with their care team to identify resources that best meet their needs.
Explore resources for patients with cancer
Get support during and after cancer care