Lewisville, Texas, USA – No matter what form of cancer is being battled finding that treatments are successful and the disease has been effectively submitted is reason to celebrate. Patients who find themselves “cancer-free” for years following treatment, however, may still have needs that are going unaddressed. Cancer treatments themselves, although potentially life-saving, can create a host of lingering issues that go beyond strictly medical that patients should be aware of, warns Dr. Gregory Echt, the founder and lead surgeon of the Lewisville Flower Mound team.“Just because cancer has been deemed eradicated by medical professionals doesn’t mean there aren’t lingering effects on patients’ lives physically, emotionally and financially,” explains Dr. Echt. “Understanding that needs may persist for years to come is important for patients, their families and their healthcare providers. To ensure the highest quality of life following successful treatment, it’s critical that these needs be met so patients can adjust to life after cancer more readily.”
To better understand what the unmet needs of cancer survivors might be, University of Central Florida researchers launched a study involving patients who had survived the disease. Using data gleaned from the American Cancer Society’s 2010 ACS Survey of Cancer Survivors II, they looked at the needs both men and women described as feeling went unmet after they had attained survivor status. Although the results varied, researchers found some common themes among men and women:
• Men – Males, especially prostate cancer survivors, described concerns related to lingering physical issues and also in terms of their ability to have control over their physical self. They also stated concerns about the social impacts.
• Women – Female survivors reported needs that were financial related and also concerns with availability to resources for better and continued care, social support, mental health issues and more.
”Just because cancer is successfully treated doesn’t mean patients won’t have needs that continue forward,” Dr. Echt says. “To help ensure men and women both lead happier, healthier lives following treatment, it is important for patients, their families and their healthcare providers to recognized that a cure doesn’t necessarily signal an end to cancer’s effects on lives.”
About Lewisville Flower Mound-
Established by leading radiation oncologist, Dr. Gregory Echt, The Lewisville/Flower Mound Oncology Group provides a full range of cancer treatment options including chemotherapy, radiation therapy (IMRT and IGRT), prostate seed implantation, Mammo Site therapy, access to PET/CT scanner, hormonal therapy, and combination therapy.