The words of Georgia’s cancer survivors reveal: Their hardship doesn’t end with their treatment.

They’ve been fortunate, yes. But their journey is far from over…

An individual is considered a cancer survivor from the time of diagnosis, through the balance of his or her life, and our state alone is home to more than 487,000 survivors. A few years ago, Georgia CORE conducted a the first statewide cancer needs assessment survey conducted in Georgia -- that revealed a wide range of struggles that can be best grouped as…

Physical: A lasting toll from chemotherapy, radiation and other treatments, chronic pain
Practical: Mounting debt and difficulty resuming work and responsibilities
Emotional: Depression and a powerful fear of cancer returning
Spiritual: Loss of faith or hope, even end-of-life thoughts

The medical community has begun paying more attention to these struggles and needs. “Cancer treatment” has evolved to provide care for the whole person, for the rest of his or her life. That’s why Georgia CORE includes a focus on survivorship in its work and has developed brochures that identify resources to meet these unmet needs. Click on each category above to download a brochure specific to that grouping of needs.

Georgia CORE has been at the forefront of helping Georgia’s cancer survivors.

We’ve done this through research…

• Surveyed Georgia hospitals (twice) to assess how they served survivors
• Surveyed survivors (twice) to evaluate their needs and how well those needs are being met. One focused on disparate populations with translations in Spanish, Korean, Chinese and Vietnamese
• Analyzed feedback from survivors on a pilot intervention program, in partnership with the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (Learn more about our PCORI grant here.)

…and education

• Held “Best and Promising Practices” conference for healthcare providers and administrators
• Convened clinicians, practitioners and others for a second conference, “Survivorship: Up Close and Personal”
• Provided follow-up materials to wider group of stakeholders
• Published article on survivorship in Journal of Georgia Public Health Association

…and communication.

• Launched the Cancer Survivorship Connection, a major initiative that provides Georgia’s survivors with resources and tools to improve their quality of life
• Started a pilot program (in partnership with Pfizer) for survivors of prostate cancer, providing videos, articles and an app “Living With” to track symptoms and future care
• Designed and developed a telephone intervention (CORE:ReCHARGE) to improve survivorship care and outcomes  

Now, we must do more to help them.

Georgians are beating cancer more than ever, thanks to advances in research and treatments. That’s great news. But so many Georgians who have battled cancer continue to suffer. They need help in life beyond treatment. Past success shows our state has the infrastructure to provide this help. We also have a plan – the Cancer Survivorship Strategic Plan. By putting this plan to work, Georgia can address the real needs of its cancer survivors. We can also become a national leader in an emerging area of care. If you’d like to get involved with the Georgia Survivor Advocacy Council, email us.

 

 

(Click image to read our most recent publication on survivorship.)