Farber, other hospitals expand cancer survivorship programs

Key Points:

• Advances in early detection and treatment have increased cancer survival rates to 70% for diagnoses between 2015 and 2021, with nearly 1 million survivors living in New England last year, including over 444,000 in Massachusetts.
• Despite improved survival, many cancer survivors face lasting physical side effects, emotional challenges, and significant medical debt, with nearly half of US survivors experiencing cancer-related financial burdens.
• Medical centers like Dana-Farber, Mass General Brigham, and UMass Memorial are expanding survivorship programs offering care plans, psychological support, and financial counseling to help patients manage post-treatment health and costs.
• Survivorship care remains inconsistent, with only about one-third of patients receiving survivorship care plans, and access often depends on clinician referrals and patient participation.
• Survivors like Bradley highlight the ongoing struggles with anxiety, physical limitations, and financial costs but also emphasize the possibility of a fulfilling life after cancer through support programs and coping strategies.