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Wellbeing, Survivorship and Previvorship

Learn how to manage the long-term health, quality of life and emotional well-being effects from cancer treatment or prevention. Stay up to date by signing up for our community newsletter.

Risk Management & Treatment > Wellbeing, Survivorship and Previvorship

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Wellbeing, Survivorship and Previvorship

Wellbeing refers to an overall sense of health, meaning, purpose, and feeling supported. Wellbeing includes emotional health and the ability to manage stress. 

Most people experience distress when they are diagnosed with cancer or learn that they are at high risk for cancer. This distress can affect many aspects of healthcare and can persist during and after treatment or prevention has ended. There are guidelines for measuring distress, pinpointing its causes, managing it and helping improve the overall wellbeing of people facing cancer. 

For people who have been diagnosed with cancer, survivorship focuses on their health and wellbeing from the time of diagnosis  through treatment and beyond.

Previvorship focuses on the health and wellbeing starting when people learn they are at high risk and throughout their lives.

Both terms recognize that fact that for some people the consequences of a cancer diagnosis or risk can last long after medical care has ended. 

Read more about topics related to wellbeing, survivorship and previvorship in the sections below. 

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Webinar: Is this my new normal? Navigating life detours due to risk management or treatment

Emotional Health

Most people diagnosed with, or at high risk for cancer have some distress. Learn about the resources and services that provide emotional healthcare and support to survivors and previvors. 

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Nutrition, Exercise & Weight

Leading a healthy lifestyle contributes to overall wellbeing. Read about nutrition and exercise guidelines and resources to help you maintain or improve your fitness.

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Sexual Health & Intimacy

Many aspects of cancer treatment or preventive care affect sexuality and intimacy. Learn about available options and resources to address sexual side effects and improve sexual health. 

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Palliative & Integrative Care

addresses quality of life issues for patients and their families. Integrative medicine combines traditional medicine and complementary medicine to treat the whole person; mind, body and spirit. Read more about the services each provides.  

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Survivorship & Previvorship

Cancer treatment, prevention and surgical cancer can lead to short- and long-term health concerns for survivors and previvors. Learn about the services and resources available to address these issues. 

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Find Experts
Find Experts

Finding mental health experts

Support for severe distress

If you are experiencing severe distress and cannot wait for a referral to a mental health care professional, please call the experts at the National Suicide Prevention Helpline. 

  • The National Suicide Prevention Helpline is a network of crisis centers that provide free and confidential emotional support for people in suicidal crisis or extreme distress. Dial 988 for help.    

Finding professional support related to cancer distress

The following resources can help you locate a mental health expert in your area. 


Other ways to find experts

Get Support
Get Support

FORCE offers many peer support programs for people with inherited mutations. 

Open Clinical Trials
Open Clinical Trials

The following studies on the emotional effects of cancer are enrolling patients: 

Multiple cancers 

Breast cancer

cancer

Last updated September 13, 2024