Cancer survivors, we’re celebrating you on National Cancer Survivors Day

The topic of cancer isn’t always a positive one, but think about something amazing—there are millions of cancer survivors in the United States alone. We’re celebrating them for National Cancer Survivors Day.

Let’s look at the numbers. According to the National Cancer Institute, there were 18.1 million cancer survivors as of January 2022. That number is expected to grow to 22.5 million American cancer survivors by 2040.

That’s a lot of cancer survivorship to celebrate!

Want to learn more about National Cancer Survivors Day? Our East Jefferson General Hospital cancer care team is filling in the details below.

Why we celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day

National Cancer Survivors Day is an annual occasion marked on the first Sunday in June. It’s a celebration of life for those who have survived cancer and an encouragement to those who have recently received a cancer diagnosis.

That’s certainly a cause to celebrate, right? National Cancer Survivors Day is marked in a variety of ways across the nation, with many places hosting events like art exhibits or galas for the occasion.

Defining a cancer ‘survivor’

From the moment you are diagnosed with cancer, you are considered a cancer survivor. The National Cancer Institute defines survivorship as being focused “on the health and well-being of a person with cancer from the time of diagnosis.”

Cancer is a challenge—of that, there’s no doubt. Yet, if you’re battling cancer, you are already in the process of surviving it. A cancer diagnosis isn’t an end. It’s the beginning of a journey, and we’re here to support you each step of the way.

On National Cancer Survivors Day and every day, our East Jefferson General Hospital team celebrates you and your life, now and in the future!

Finding support during and after cancer treatment

You may have heard the phrase “cancer survivorship,” but what does it really mean? Survivorship encompasses many things, including a cancer patient’s physical, mental, emotional and social health, and well-being.

To thrive as a cancer survivor, a support system is essential from the start. A cancer diagnosis and all it entails can quickly become overwhelming.

Receiving cancer treatment brings its own challenges. Cancer patients face the physical side effects of the cancer and its treatment, and having cancer can also negatively impact a person’s mental and emotional health.

Having family members and friends around to help provide you support is an important part of navigating a cancer journey. That type of support can help you handle the logistics of your diagnosis and treatment, stay socially engaged and access the services and care you need.

Life after cancer treatment also has unique challenges. Your goal will be to stay healthy and well in the years to come, keeping in mind the new health risks you may face.

Whether you’re still actively undergoing cancer treatment or not, you can access support programs available through East Jefferson General Hospital. Through our programs, you can find a support group to help you engage with others who are also experiencing cancer or cancer survivorship.

While your experience is unique, others who have walked a similar path, maybe even facing the same type of cancer, can play a vital role in helping you embrace life during and after your cancer battle.

Our cancer survivorship support group is here to help you step forward after cancer. When you ring the survivorship bell, that’s just the first step. We’re here to help you live well for the rest of your life, too.

At East Jefferson General Hospital, it’s our mission to provide patients and their families with the support they need from diagnosis to the completion of treatment and beyond. Get connected with the various support groups and services that are part of our survivorship programs.