New Year Is A Good Time for Cancer Survivors to Make a New Plan

By Sheryl M. Ness, RN

Now that the new year is here, it’s a great time to make a new plan for the coming months with a focus on your health and happiness. As a cancer survivor, you’re not alone. Nearly 12 million people are living with cancer in the United States, more than 28 million estimated in the world. Early diagnosis and novel treatments, including advancements in clinical research, continue to provide cancer survivors with long and healthy lives.

I reviewed our past year of blog discussions and found five key points to consider as you plan for the coming year …

Find support in other cancer survivors. This is so meaningful. Get involved with survivor programs, in person or online … and often.

Nutrition matters. Feed your body with nutritious, healthy foods. Even small changes can make a difference.

Feed your soul. Connect with your inner self in a way that works best for you. This could be meditation, yoga, exercise, singing, dancing, or listening to music.

Look into the future for long-term survivorship. Schedule an appointment with your primary care provider to map out what you need from a medical standpoint for the year and beyond.

Address your fears and concerns. Many of the strategies above will address this; however, feeling stressed about cancer recurrence can be a big part of survivorship. Look for ways to deal with your fears. This might be formal counseling, journaling your thoughts, or talking with other cancer survivors.

My hope is that the Living with Cancer newsletter and blog will continue to add resources, support and knowledge to your lives in the coming year.