On this page:

• Living After Cancer, Part I: September 17, 2005
  U of M experts gave presentations and answered questions about common problems encountered by survivors after treatment. .
• Living After Cancer, Part II: October 22, 2005
  A panel of cancer survivors discussed the challenges they have encountered and the choices they have made in their life after cancer.

Living After Cancer, Part I

View slide presentations from the event:

• Julie Ross, Ph.D.: Health Issues in Survivors (PDF)
• Daniel Mulrooney, M.D.: Clinical Care for the Survivor (PDF)

About 100 cancer survivors and their families and friends attended the first Living After Cancer session. U of M experts gave presentations and answered questions about common problems encountered by survivors after treatment.

Julie Ross, Ph.D., who leads the Cancer Center's research on causes and prevention of cancer, spoke about cancer trends in the United States, major findings of the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, and common health issues for cancer survivors. Ross emphasized the importance of using the research of childhood cancer as a model for researching adult cancer. Adults need access to clinical trials, she said, and physicians, institutions and hospitals need to coordinate in researching adult cancer.

Daniel Mulrooney, M.D., who sees survivors of pediatric cancer in the Cancer Center's Long-Term Follow-Up Clinic, spoke about specific physical complications faced by cancer survivors, including cancer recurrence, a second cancer, and compromised cardiovascular and endocrine systems.

Mulrooney said that beyond the physical effects, it's important to recognize mental health and social issues survivors can face: anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, feelings of loss, difficulty re-entering school or the workplace, and difficulty applying for insurance after being treated for cancer.

While the long-term complications of surviving cancer may seem troubling, "knowledge is power," said Mulrooney. He recommended the following Web resources for cancer survivors:

For childhood cancer survivors:

• Children's Oncology Group
• Candlelighters
• Beyond the Cure: On this site, you can develop a personal risk profile of potential late effects specific to your diagnosis and treatment.

For adult cancer survivors:

• American Cancer Society
• National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cancer survivorship information

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Living After Cancer, Part II

This program featured a panel of cancer survivors discussing the challenges they have encountered and the choices they have made in their life after cancer.

Moderator:

Ruth Bachman, member of the University of Minnesota Cancer Center's Community Advisory Board; survivor, soft tissue sarcoma

Panel Members:

Christopher Bohen, M.A., English literature, storyteller; survivor, childhood cancer (lymphoma) and bladder cancer as an adult

Laura Devereaux, M.A.I.R., vice president, Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance; survivor, ovarian cancer

Joanne Disch, Ph.D., director, The Densford Center, University of Minnesota School of Nursing; survivor, breast cancer

Paul Leland , CPA, member of Advocates for Colorectal Education (ACE); survivor, rectal cancer