The December issue of American Journal of Preventive Medicine features a special supplement, titled "Addressing Cancer Survivorship Through Public Health Research, Surveillance and Programs." The supplement highlights cancer survivorship's place as a public health issue and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) role in cancer survivorship.
The supplement also includes several references and articles. It is available online at www.ajpmonline.org.
With the advances made in cancer treatment, prevention and research, those diagnosed with cancer are living longer than ever before. In 2014, 14.5 million men, women and children across the U.S. were living with cancer -- and those survivors face a unique set of physical, psychosocial, neurocognitive, emotional and financial challenges.
The supplement addresses the need for firm plans to be put in place so cancer survivors' needs, which are varied, can be effectively met by the U.S. health care system.
The supplement looks at the public health system's longtime mission -- which is to prevent diseases, prolong lives and promote health -- and how providers work toward this goal through public health programs, research and community activities.
As the CDC articles in the supplement point out, the group has conducted studies and much research to examine the needs of survivors and how they can be provided for.
“By 2025, there will be more than 24 million people living after a cancer diagnosis,” Dr. Anne Schuchat, CDC's principal deputy director, said. “In addition to better prevention and treatment of cancer, we must plan for the wide variety of issues that people may face after cancer, including physical, financial and psychological hardships.”
