Georgia's Online Cancer Information Center


back

Who is a Survivor?

According to the National Institutes of Health, “an individual is considered a cancer survivor from the time of diagnosis, through the balance of his or her life. Family members, friends, and caregivers are also impacted by the survivorship experience and are therefore included in this definition.”

What exactly is Survivorship?

Regardless of your personal definition of a cancer survivor, survivorship is recognized nationally as the span of time between an individual’s cancer diagnosis and the end of his or her life. Survivorship care has become increasingly important as the number of cancer survivors continues to grow in the US. Implications of survivorship can include the long-term and late effects of cancer and the impact of its treatment. The post-treatment experience in survivorship should address the myriad of physical, emotional, psychosocial, spiritual, and economic concerns experienced by this growing population.

Georgia's Survivors

Georgia CORE surveyed more than 800 survivors living in Georgia to evaluate their needs and how well those needs are being met. One focused on disparate populations with translations in Spanish, Korean, Chinese and Vietnamese. A survey of more than 800 of these survivors revealed a wide range of physical, emotional, spiritual and practical needs. 

The survey showed that survivors face struggles that are…

  • Physical: A lasting toll from chemotherapy, chronic pain, and radiation and other treatments
  • Emotional: Depression and a powerful fear of cancer returning
  • Practical: Mounting debt and difficulty resuming work and responsibilities
  • Spiritual: Loss of faith or hope, even end-of-life thoughts

Bar Chart 

The medical community has begun paying more attention to these needs. “Cancer treatment” has evolved to provide care for the whole person … for the rest of life.

That’s why Georgia CORE – which works to strengthen cancer care throughout our state – includes strategies to support “survivorship” in its efforts. Learn more about each of these areas of need by clicking through our cancer survivorship connection resources.

(Click image to read our most recent publication on survivorship.)

Last Updated: 10/30/2020 10:29:47 AM

For Survivors

Cancer Survivorship Connection

Guest Editorial: A three-time cancer survivor should not get COVID-19, but I did

Cancer patients and survivors should not get COVID-19. A three-time cancer survivor should definitely not get COVID. But I did. And it was not good. Here is my story and the lessons I learned that might be of value to others.

1/19/2021

Survivors helping others survive

Three women, three cancer survivorship journeys, three missions resulting in nonprofits started to help and support others fighting cancer.

11/03/2020

Lung Cancer Screening During the COVID-19 Pandemic

GASCO encourages all our members and members of the survivorship community to view the new video produced by the Medical Association of Georgia as the November offering of their "Top Docs" program.

12/04/2020

 Screening & Genetics

Georgia Tech’s Durham picked to lead cancer organization

Lynn Durham has been named the new president and CEO of Georgia CORE. Durham, currently Georgia Tech vice president for institute relations, will replace Nancy Paris, who has led Georgia CORE since its inception and is retiring.

12/07/2020

 About

Georgia CORE and partners win five-year grant for colorectal cancer prevention

The CDC-funded program will bring colorectal screening, navigation and colonoscopies to 15,000 people in southeast and southwest Georgia.

7/08/2020

Nancy Paris elevates cancer treatment and research in Georgia

Nancy Paris has served as president and CEO of Georgia CORE since its creation in 2005. At the end of the year, she will be retiring after spending her entire career in healthcare, during which she focused on addressing community health issues including homelessness, HIV/AIDS and rural health.

11/09/2020

About Us Research Resources & Education Screening & Genetics Clinical Trials & Providers Cancer Navigators Survivorship Media, News & Events Contact Us Donate Take Our Survey Link to Us

Research

Screening & Genetics

Clinical Trials & Providers

Survivorship

About Us

Resources & Education

Media, News & Events

Patient Navigation

Georgia CORE

 

Advancing Cancer Care through Partnerships and Innovation

Georgia CORE is a public-private partnership that creates collaboration among the state’s cancer organizations and institutions to connect more Georgians to quality, personalized cancer care. We welcome you to this one-of-a-kind online information center for all things related to cancer and survivorship care in Georgia.