Survivorship
There are two million people living with or beyond cancer in the UK, and this number is rising by 3% each year. Though it's a cause for celebration that more people than ever are surviving after a diagnosis of cancer, Macmillan knows that the impact of a cancer diagnosis does not suddenly stop when treatment is over.
Who is a cancer survivor?
A cancer survivor is someone who is living with or beyond cancer. This means someone who:
-
has completed initial cancer management and has no apparent evidence of active disease
-
is living with progressive disease and may be receiving cancer treatment, but is not in the terminal phases of illness
-
has had cancer in the past
Macmillan believes far more can to be done to improve the lives of cancer survivors. People who have finished treatment tell us they often have difficulties emotionally, practically and medically. We believe that support for people living with or beyond cancer should not finish after treatment.
What is Macmillan doing to support people living with or beyond cancer?
Macmillan believes that people living with or beyond cancer, and their carers, should have easy access to high quality care, treatment and support to meet their medical, practical, emotional and financial needs, even years after treatment. They should be respected and included as equal members of society and be able to take as active a role as they wish in their care and treatment.
Find out more about survivorship and people living with or beyond cancer in our Get Support section