Living with or beyond cancer

People who have finished cancer treatment tell us they often have difficulties financially, emotionally, practically and medically. We believe far more can be done to improve the lives of cancer survivors. Support for people living with or beyond cancer should not finish after treatment but should continue into a phase of supported aftercare.

What problems does a cancer survivor face?

People who have finished treatment tell us they have difficulties returning to normal life. They may:

• struggle emotionally, needing to adjust to changes treatment has made to their body
• have to cope with short-term and long-term side effects of their cancer or its treatment
• have to live with the knowledge that their cancer cannot be cured, even though they feel healthy
• have difficulties accessing information about their condition or any after effects they may experience
• struggle financially as the household income decreases
• experience problems returning to the workplace

Who is a cancer survivor?

A cancer survivor is someone who is living with or beyond their cancer. This could be someone who’s completed their treatment or having ongoing treatment for their cancer.

The cancer story is changing: there are two million people living with or beyond cancer in the UK. This figure is set to rise to four million by 2030. This number is increasing due to:

• an aging population and higher rates of diagnosis in older people
• better treatment, which means people are living for longer
• the fact fewer people are dying of cancer

Find out what Macmillan is doing to help|