Cancer survivorship: Your journey begins the moment you’re diagnosed

Cancer survivorship begins the moment a person receives a cancer diagnosis. From that point on, they are surviving through appointments, treatments, decisions and the emotional shifts that come with navigating cancer.

Survivorship During Treatment

During treatment, survivorship often looks like persistence. People may not feel like they are “surviving” in the traditional sense, but they are doing exactly that by:

• keeping up with appointments
• following treatment plans
• moving step by step through a demanding and emotional time

Life After Treatment: A New Phase of Survivorship

After treatment ends, survivors often find themselves entering a new and sometimes unexpected phase. Without the structure of regular oncology appointments, there is more room to notice how the body feels. This period often brings both relief and adjustment as survivors learn what life looks like after treatment.

Survivorship Visits: A Key Milestone After Treatment

A survivorship visit is an important milestone after cancer treatment. At Allina Health Cancer Institute, this appointment is for people who have completed treatment to cure their cancer and currently have no evidence of disease.

Typically, survivorship visits:

• occur 3–12 months after treatment
• last about an hour

Many survivors describe this visit as feeling like a graduation, a meaningful moment to reflect on what they’ve been through and look ahead with new clarity.

During the visit, the provider:

• reviews the entire oncology history
• discusses side effects that continue or may appear later
• addresses emotional, physical and lifestyle needs
• provides referrals to resources like cancer rehabilitation, counseling, dietitians or sexual health support
• helps survivors reconnect with primary care for regular health needs, including preventative care visits, vaccines and routine cancer screenings

A survivorship visit is typically a one-time appointment. However, oncology follow-up continues for at least five years through regular surveillance visits, imaging and lab work.

Lingering or Late‑Appearing Side Effects

Depending on the treatments received, which can include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or immunotherapy, survivors may continue to experience:

• numbness or tingling (peripheral neuropathy)
• balance challenges
• fatigue
• reduced endurance
• difficulty returning to prior levels of functioning. 

Some side effects improve over time, while others require additional support. The goal is to identify concerns early and connect survivors with care that can help improve comfort, function and quality of life.

Support resources for survivors

Cancer rehabilitation is often recommended for survivors who need help rebuilding strength or managing lingering side effects. Rehab may include:

• physical therapy
• occupational therapy
• acupuncture

These services support survivors experiencing neuropathy, balance issues or difficulty with daily activities, helping them move toward their prior level of functioning.

No matter where a survivor is on their cancer journey, they do not have navigate survivorship alone. Support is available every step of the way.