CDC responds to broad challenges facing US cancer survivors – Press Release

The number of individuals living after a cancer diagnosis in the United States is projected to increase significantly over the coming decades, prompting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to emphasize the need for a healthcare system capable of meeting the diverse needs of survivors.

On November 18, 2015, the CDC released updates regarding its efforts to address the challenges of cancer survivorship. These findings were published online and appeared in the December issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine within a supplement titled Addressing Cancer Survivorship through Public Health Research, Surveillance, and Programs.

The growth in the survivor population is attributed to an aging U.S. Population alongside continuous improvements in cancer treatments and early detection methods. At the time of the report, nearly 14 million people in the U.S. Were living after a cancer diagnosis.

Projections indicate a steep rise in these numbers over the next decade. Anne Schuchat, M.D., the CDC Principal Deputy Director, stated that by 2025, there will be more than 24 million people living after a cancer diagnosis.

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.

Anne Schuchat, M.D., CDC Principal Deputy Director

Cognitive and Psychological Challenges

The CDC-authored articles in the supplement highlighted specific health struggles faced by different groups of survivors. One significant finding concerned breast cancer survivors who underwent chemotherapy and/or hormone treatment.

According to the survey data, 60 percent of these breast cancer survivors reported experiencing problems with concentration, memory, and thinking.

The data also revealed a gap in communication between patients and their medical teams. Only 37 percent of the women who experienced these cognitive issues reported that they discussed the problems with their health care provider.

only 15 percent of those survivors reported receiving interventions to treat their symptoms, such as psychotherapy, medication, or other medical treatments.

Lifestyle Barriers in Colorectal Cancer Recovery

The research also examined survivors of colorectal (colon) cancer, focusing on their ability to maintain healthy habits that could reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.

The findings indicated that some individuals treated for colorectal cancer face significant barriers to getting enough physical activity and eating a healthy diet. A primary driver of these barriers is a lack of knowledge regarding how to limit alcohol use and maintain a healthy diet.

Public Health Strategy for Survivorship

The CDC is utilizing a multi-faceted approach to manage the burden of cancer survivorship. This includes ongoing surveillance to determine the overall burden on the population and research aimed at understanding the economic and health impacts on survivors.

To implement these findings, the agency is working with territorial and state partners. The goal is to integrate survivorship activities into comprehensive cancer control efforts across the country.

The supplement concludes that concrete plans are essential to ensure the U.S. Health care system can adequately support the physical, financial, and psychological needs of the growing survivor population.