After battling cancer through treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy, patients in remission face a crucial yet often overlooked phase: life after cancer. As treatments come to an end and oncology consultations become less frequent, life—family, work, hobbies—gradually resumes its course. This new stage, unique to each patient, does not necessarily mean the end of the disease; it also involves reclaiming daily life and navigating the physical, psychological, and economic implications that may arise.
Physical implications
Cancer treatments often leave lasting physical effects and long-term side effects, such as persistent fatigue, chronic pain, or hormonal changes, which must be managed on a daily basis. Additionally, treatments can weaken the immune system, leaving patients in remission immunocompromised and more vulnerable to infections. Learning to live in a changed body requires time, patience, and sometimes specialized follow-up care to accept its new functioning and restore a sense of balance.
Psychological implications
The transition from intensive medical supervision to an autonomous life can create a sense of emptiness. While regaining a new form of freedom, patients in remission may fear the end of treatment or the gradual reduction of medical check-ups, feeling anxious about the possibility of recurrence. Returning to normal life can also lead to reflections on life priorities, and it is sometimes necessary to accept that things may never be the same as before the illness. Psychological support and survivor communities are often invaluable in overcoming these challenges.
Economic implications
Between follow-up care costs, treatments for lingering side effects, and potential lifestyle adjustments, the end of therapy does not always mean the end of expenses—depending on the geographic region. Furthermore, returning to work, especially if physical or psychological limitations persist, can be a real challenge, forcing some to change careers or rethink their professional paths.
Listen to Alfonso and Stéphanie’s stories
To better understand the challenges and realities of life after cancer, listen to Alfonso Gómez and Stéphanie Samolovitch in an exclusive podcast where they share their survivor journeys—the struggles they faced, the adjustments they made, and their hopes for the future. Their testimonies provide valuable perspective on this often-overlooked stage and the unique path each patient takes in finding a new normal after cancer.
