Winding road to city representing cancer survivorship.

Cancer Survivorship: Charting a Course for Europe's Research Future

Avery Sinclair in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how Europe is prioritizing cancer survivorship research to improve the quality of life for millions living beyond diagnosis."

Cancer touches nearly everyone's lives, with over 3 million new cases diagnosed annually in Europe alone. Thanks to advancements in early detection and innovative treatments, survival rates have increased significantly in recent decades. Today, about half of those diagnosed will live for at least ten years, and this number continues to rise by approximately 3% each year.

With more people living longer after a cancer diagnosis, healthcare's focus is shifting. It's no longer solely about fighting the disease; it's also about supporting survivors in reclaiming their lives, improving their well-being, and ensuring they can thrive in the long term. This involves addressing chronic health issues, co-morbidities, and the need for ongoing support to maintain a high quality of life, return to work, and live independently.

The concept of 'cancer survivorship,' first articulated in 1985, has evolved to encompass the entire cancer continuum from initial diagnosis onward. It recognizes the distinct challenges survivors face and emphasizes the need for comprehensive care that addresses physical, mental, and social well-being. This article delves into how Europe is prioritizing cancer survivorship research to meet these needs and shape a brighter future for those living beyond cancer.

What are the Key Factors Affecting Quality of Life for Cancer Survivors?

Winding road to city representing cancer survivorship.

Cancer treatments, while life-saving, can leave lasting effects. These late effects of treatment significantly impact a survivor's quality of life. These can range from physical limitations due to surgery to the long-term consequences of radiation and chemotherapy. Developing less toxic and more effective treatments is critical to minimizing these late effects and improving outcomes for survivors.

The focus extends beyond the immediate treatment phase to encompass long-term follow-up care. This includes monitoring the impact of treatments on physical and psychosocial well-being, gathering data on innovative diagnostics, and understanding the overall quality of cancer care. This information is crucial for clinicians, policymakers, and patients alike, helping them make informed decisions and improve long-term health outcomes.

Late Effects of Treatment: These can include organ dysfunction, cardiovascular issues, and increased risk of secondary cancers.
Health Behaviors: Lifestyle choices like diet, exercise, and smoking significantly impact prognosis and overall well-being.
Rehabilitation: Comprehensive rehabilitation programs address physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and nutritional needs.

Lifestyle changes play a crucial role in a cancer survivor's journey. The use of vitamin and mineral supplements is higher among cancer survivors than the general population. Healthy habits such as maintaining a balanced diet, achieving a healthy weight, smoking cessation, regular physical activity, and the appropriate use of anti-inflammatory drugs can significantly impact prognosis and survivorship. Cancer rehabilitation is increasingly recognized as an essential component of comprehensive care, addressing not only physical but also psychological, cognitive, social, and nutritional symptoms. Effective survivorship, plans integrate rehabilitation to support survivors in returning to a rewarding life.

The Road Ahead: A Call to Action for Cancer Survivorship in Europe

The path forward requires a coordinated effort, as well as integrating survivorship care into cancer centers, and fostering a multidisciplinary approach. Researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and patients must collaborate to prioritize survivorship research. By increasing investment and creating collaborative frameworks, Europe can address the unique challenges cancer survivors face, improve long-term outcomes, and ensure a better quality of life for millions.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1002/1878-0261.12428, Alternate LINK

Title: Cancer Survivorship: An Integral Part Of Europe'S Research Agenda

Subject: Cancer Research

Journal: Molecular Oncology

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: Pernilla Lagergren, Anna Schandl, Neil K. Aaronson, Hans‐Olov Adami, Francesco Lorenzo, Louis Denis, Sara Faithfull, Lifang Liu, Franḉoise Meunier, Cornelia Ulrich

Published: 2019-01-08

Everything You Need To Know

What does 'cancer survivorship' really mean, and how has its understanding changed over time?

Cancer survivorship, as a concept, evolved to encompass the entire cancer continuum from initial diagnosis onward. It addresses the distinct challenges survivors face and emphasizes the need for comprehensive care that addresses physical, mental, and social well-being. It highlights the necessity of supporting survivors in reclaiming their lives, improving their well-being, and ensuring they can thrive in the long term. Cancer survivorship is not merely about overcoming the disease but also about fostering a fulfilling life post-treatment.

What are the primary elements that influence the well-being of individuals after cancer treatment?

Late effects of treatment, health behaviors, and access to rehabilitation programs are key factors affecting the quality of life for cancer survivors. The late effects of treatment, such as organ dysfunction and increased risk of secondary cancers, can have long-lasting impacts. Health behaviors, including diet and exercise, play a crucial role in prognosis and overall well-being. Comprehensive rehabilitation programs, addressing physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and nutritional needs, are essential for effective survivorship.

How is Europe taking action to improve the lives of those who have survived cancer?

Europe is prioritizing cancer survivorship research by increasing investment, creating collaborative frameworks, and integrating survivorship care into cancer centers. This involves fostering a multidisciplinary approach, with researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and patients collaborating to address the unique challenges cancer survivors face. The aim is to improve long-term outcomes and ensure a better quality of life for millions living beyond a cancer diagnosis.

In what ways can changes in daily habits impact the health and recovery of cancer survivors?

Lifestyle changes such as maintaining a balanced diet, achieving a healthy weight, smoking cessation, and regular physical activity can significantly impact prognosis and survivorship for individuals living beyond a cancer diagnosis. Also, the use of anti-inflammatory drugs can be another factor. These behaviors promote overall well-being and can mitigate some of the late effects of treatment. Furthermore, cancer rehabilitation is recognized as an essential component of comprehensive care, addressing not only physical but also psychological, cognitive, social, and nutritional symptoms.

How is the healthcare approach to cancer evolving to better support those who have overcome the disease?

Healthcare's focus for cancer is shifting from solely fighting the disease to supporting survivors in reclaiming their lives, improving their well-being, and ensuring they can thrive in the long term. This involves addressing chronic health issues, co-morbidities, and the need for ongoing support to maintain a high quality of life, return to work, and live independently. This shift recognizes the increasing number of people living longer after a cancer diagnosis and the importance of comprehensive care that extends beyond the immediate treatment phase.