Living Well Beyond Cancer
Experts Speak on Cancer Survivorship Topics
People who have survived cancer often face a myriad of short- and long-term challenges as a result of their disease and treatment experiences.
In these video interviews, the former director of the adult cancer survivorship program, speaks with experts from the fields of oncology, psychology, nutrition and more about many of the typical issues cancer survivors face, from fear of recurrence to long-term health concerns to creating a plan for living well beyond cancer.
Topics covered
Introduction to Cancer Survivorship
Ken Miller, MD, former director of the adult cancer survivorship program, talks with Bernard Bandman, PhD, about some of the typical concerns and challenges for living well beyond cancer.
Watch Dr. Ken Miller discuss typical concerns of cancer survivors
Establishing a Care Plan after Cancer Treatment
A survivor himself, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute nurse practitioner Rich Boyajian is committed to helping other cancer survivors start off on the right foot by obtaining a treatment summary and aftercare plan.
Watch Rich Boyajian discuss treatment summaries and care plans after cancer
Fear of Cancer Recurrence
Living with the fear that cancer will return is common for both cancer survivors and their loved ones. Amy Grose, a social worker at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, discusses how to deal with fear of recurrence.
Watch Amy Grose discuss fear of cancer recurrence
Fatigue after Cancer Treatment
Getting back to full strength can take some time after cancer treatment ends. Dr. William Pirl from Massachusetts General Hospital discusses some strategies for dealing with fatigue.
Watch Dr. William Pirl discuss fatigue after cancer treatment
Depression and Anxiety after Cancer Treatment
Feeling sad, lonely, or irritable during or after cancer treatment is common once in a while, but these feelings can become a problem if they start interfering with your daily life says Karen Fasciano, a psychologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Watch Dr. Karen Fasciano discuss depression and anxiety after cancer treatment
Cognitive Changes after Cancer Treatment
"Chemo brain" and "chemo fog" are terms cancer survivors often use to describe thinking or memory problems that can occur after cancer treatment. Dr. Mary-Ellen Meadows from Brigham and Women's Hospital discusses strategies for dealing with these problems.
Watch Dr. Mary-Ellen Meadows discuss cognitive changes after cancer treatment
How Family Relationships Can Change after Cancer Treatment
Families need a game plan not only for coping with a cancer diagnosis, but also for the changes that may be prompted by cancer survivorship, according to Dr. Vaughn Mankey from Massachusetts General Hospital.
Watch Dr. Vaughn Mankey discuss family relationships after cancer treatment
Sexuality and Intimacy for Women after Cancer Treatment
Changes in sexual functioning are not uncommon after certain types of cancer treatment. Dr. Jennifer Potter from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center discusses ways to reclaim your sexuality and enjoyment of intimacy after cancer.
Watch Dr. Jennifer Potter discuss sexuality and intimacy for women after cancer treatment
Sexuality and Intimacy for Men after Cancer Treatment
Certain types of cancer treatment can affect a man's sexual functioning. Such changes are not uncommon and are usually very treatable, according to Dr. William Conners from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
Watch Dr. William Conners discuss sexuality and intimacy for men after cancer treatment
Fertility Issues for Women after Cancer Treatment
Some cancer treatments may affect a woman's ability to have children, but there are options to help preserve fertility, according to Dr. Elizabeth Ginsburg from Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Watch Dr. Elizabeth Ginsburg discuss fertility issues for women after cancer treatment
Fertility Issues for Men after Cancer Treatment
Some cancer treatments may affect a man's ability to father children, but there are options to help preserve fertility, according to Dr. Philip Kantoff from the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center.
Watch Dr. Philip Kantoff discuss fertility issues for men after cancer treatment
The Benefits of Exercise for Cancer Survivors
Getting regular exercise may provide key benefits for cancer survivors. Dr. Jennifer Ligibel from Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center discusses new research findings.
Watch Dr. Jennifer Ligibel discuss the benefits of exercise for cancer survivors
Quitting Smoking after Cancer Treatment
Anyone can benefit from quitting smoking, but kicking the habit may be especially important for cancer survivors, according to Mary Cooley, researcher and nurse practitioner at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Watch Dr. Mary Cooley discuss the importance of quitting smoking for cancer survivors
Nutrition and Cancer Survivorship
Eating a balance of nutritious foods can help boost your immune system and maintain your overall health. However, cancer survivors may find it challenging to eat well. Dana-Farber nutritionist Stacy Kennedy provides information and tips on how to follow a healthy diet.
Watch Stacy Kennedy discuss nutrition for cancer survivors
The Role of Spirituality after Cancer Treatment
Dana-Farber chaplain Jennifer Dillinger talks about faith and spirituality issues that individuals dealing with cancer survivorship may commonly face.
Watch Jennifer Dillinger discuss the role of spirituality after cancer treatment
Integrative Medicine and Cancer Survivorship
Formerly known as complementary or alternative medicine, integrative medicine brings techniques such as yoga, acupuncture, meditation, and massage into survivorship care. Dr. David Rosenthal from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute discusses the many benefits to this approach, which combines the best of Eastern and Western medicine.
Watch Dr. David Rosenthal discuss integrative medicine and cancer survivorship
Communicating With Your Care Team after Cancer Treatment
Bernard M. Bandman, PhD, Executive Director of the Center for Communication in Medicine offers real-world tips that survivors can use for speaking with their doctors and nurses when transitioning out of treatment.
Watch Dr. Bernard Bandman discuss communicating with your care team after cancer treatment
Understanding Genetic Risk for Cancer
Dr. Judy Garber from the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center discusses how some cancer risk is inherited, and what patients can do to deal with such risk.
Watch Dr. Judy Garber discuss genetic risk for cancer for survivors and their families
Post-Treatment Concerns for Breast Cancer Survivors
Dr. Ann Partridge from the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center discusses some of the potential long- and short-term side effects associated with treatment for breast cancer.
Watch Dr. Ann Partridge discuss breast cancer survivorship
Post-Treatment Concerns for Prostate Cancer Survivors
Dr. Philip Kantoff from Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center discusses some of the common concerns men face after prostate cancer treatment.
Watch Dr. Philip Kantoff discuss prostate cancer survivorship
Post-Treatment Concerns for Survivors of Head and Neck Cancer
Dr. Robert Haddad from Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center offers tips for addressing some of the short- and long-term side effects commonly linked with treatment for head and neck cancers.
Watch Dr. Robert Haddad discuss head and neck cancer survivorship