Blooming flower growing from a hand, symbolizing hope and recovery in cancer survivorship

Cancer Survivorship: Why It's Time to Prioritize Post-Treatment Care

Beau Callahan in Health & Wellness July 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how innovative survivorship programs are transforming cancer care and why investing in these services is crucial for patient well-being and long-term health."

In the landscape of cancer care, a shift is occurring—one that recognizes the journey doesn't end with the final treatment session. Cancer survivorship programs are emerging as a vital component, designed to support patients as they transition from active treatment to a new phase of life. These programs focus on addressing the physical, emotional, and psychological challenges survivors often face.

Originally fueled by a desire to distinguish their cancer center, the team at Pearlman Cancer Center embarked on a mission to create a comprehensive survivorship program. Inspired by the City of Hope's Survivorship Education for Quality Cancer Care, they recognized the urgent need to provide structured support for patients post-treatment.

Despite facing initial hurdles, including funding limitations, the team collaborated with local universities to tap into resources and expertise. This collaborative approach not only enriched the program but also highlighted the potential for academic partnerships to enhance patient care.

Building a Comprehensive Survivorship Program

Blooming flower growing from a hand, symbolizing hope and recovery in cancer survivorship

Creating an effective survivorship program involves several key components, each designed to address specific needs. The Pearlman Cancer Center's approach offers a blueprint for other centers looking to establish or expand their own programs. Here’s how they tackled the challenge:

Collaboration with Academic Institutions: Partnering with Valdosta State University’s (VSU) College of Nursing allowed for the creation of psychosocial patient education handouts. Senior-level nursing students contributed to the curriculum, gaining real-world experience while providing valuable resources for patients.

Needs Assessment: Conducting a baseline needs assessment of current cancer survivors to identify key areas of concern.
Evaluation Plan: Collaborating with a senior MSW student to develop an evaluation plan to measure the effectiveness of educational efforts on survivors’ well-being.
Resource Sharing: Assembling the survivorship program into a "kit" and offering it to other cancer centers as a blueprint for developing their own survivorship program.

Turning Knowledge into Action: The Pearlman Cancer Center developed a comprehensive "survivorship kit" that includes essential resources and tools. This kit is designed to be customizable, allowing other cancer centers to adapt it to their unique resources and patient populations. The kit includes:

The Pearlman Survivorship Kit: A Model for Success

The Pearlman Survivorship Kit is divided into four booklets, providing a structured approach to implementing a survivorship program:

The kit's consultation model involves a video about survivorship, a Post-Treatment Needs Assessment, and the creation of a Treatment Summary and Care Plan. Patients meet with a nurse practitioner, dietitian, and social worker to discuss recommendations for nutrition, physical activity, and overall well-being.

By prioritizing post-treatment care and investing in comprehensive survivorship programs, healthcare providers can significantly improve the lives of cancer survivors, helping them to thrive beyond their diagnosis.

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: 10.1080/10463356.2013.11883893, Alternate LINK

Title: Survivorship Services—We Owe It To Our Patients!

Subject: Oncology (nursing)

Journal: Oncology Issues

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Authors: Mary Ann Heddon

Published: 2013-11-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly are cancer survivorship programs and what do they aim to achieve?

Cancer survivorship programs are specialized support systems designed to aid individuals as they transition from active cancer treatment to post-treatment life. These programs address the multifaceted challenges survivors encounter, including physical recovery, emotional well-being, and psychological adjustment. They aim to improve the quality of life and long-term health outcomes for cancer survivors by providing tailored resources and support.

Can you describe the "survivorship kit" developed by the Pearlman Cancer Center and its purpose?

The Pearlman Cancer Center created a comprehensive "survivorship kit" that acts as a blueprint for other cancer centers. This kit contains essential resources and tools that can be customized to fit the unique needs of different patient populations and resource availability. The City of Hope's Survivorship Education for Quality Cancer Care program inspired the Pearlman Cancer Center. The kit itself includes materials and guidance for implementing a survivorship program effectively.

How did the Pearlman Cancer Center collaborate with academic institutions to enhance their survivorship program?

The Pearlman Cancer Center partnered with Valdosta State University’s (VSU) College of Nursing to develop psychosocial patient education handouts. Senior-level nursing students helped create the curriculum, gaining practical experience while providing valuable resources for patients. A senior MSW student collaborated to develop an evaluation plan for measuring the effectiveness of educational efforts on survivors’ well-being, showcasing the benefits of combining academic knowledge with practical healthcare needs.

What does conducting a needs assessment entail in the context of developing a cancer survivorship program?

A needs assessment involves evaluating the specific requirements and concerns of cancer survivors to identify key areas that a survivorship program should address. In the context of Pearlman Cancer Center, this was a baseline needs assessment of current cancer survivors to identify key areas of concern. This information guides the development of targeted interventions and resources, ensuring the program is relevant and effective in meeting the unique challenges faced by survivors.

What are the benefits of collaboration between cancer centers and academic institutions in creating and improving survivorship programs?

Collaboration between cancer centers and academic institutions, like the Pearlman Cancer Center's partnership with Valdosta State University’s (VSU) College of Nursing, enables resource and expertise sharing that enhances patient care. Academic partnerships provide access to research, student support, and innovative approaches, while cancer centers offer real-world experience and practical insights. This synergy can lead to more comprehensive and effective survivorship programs, better addressing the complex needs of cancer survivors and improving long-term outcomes. This model also facilitates continuous improvement through evaluation and feedback loops, ensuring programs remain responsive and impactful.