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Experts: More follow-up programs could increase cancer survival

Category: Cancer Detection and Tumor Markers

Survival rates are rising steadily for all types of cancer, but healthcare workers warn that these statistics may not continue to be so positive unless cancer treatment centers expand follow-up programs for patients who no longer show symptoms.

Radiologist, Dr Matthew Mumber said the growing numbers of people beating cancer are a huge step forward, but often times, patients are forgotten once they leave the oncology center. However increasing efforts to educate patients to make better lifestyle choices can help them avoid further problems down the road.

"Sometimes patients may feel abandoned or lost after their last radiation or chemotherapy treatment," Dr. Mumber said. "During the survivorship phase, a more patient-centric approach that supports survivors' efforts to make important lifestyle changes is more likely to have an impact."

The number of cancer survivors is growing by about 10 percent each year, according representatives from the Thomas Johns Cancer Center in Virginia.