What comes after cancer? For so many parents and caregivers, this question seems almost absurd. When your child has cancer, there’s no next year or next week. There’s just right now. Time seems to stop when your child is battling cancer.

As much as it may feel that way, more children than ever before are surviving long after cancer is gone. Survivorship for 5 years and beyond is at a record 85%! What comes after might seem far away, but take heart. Chances are better now than they’ve ever been.

For pediatric cancer nonprofits, medical professionals, families, and caregivers, understanding what improves survivorship outcomes is essential to giving every child the best chance at a full and healthy future.

Equip yourself with the knowledge of what makes for not just surviving cancer but thriving afterwards.

6 Essentials for Improving Cancer Survivorship Outcomes

#1 – Access to Comprehensive, Long-Term Follow-Up Care

One of the strongest predictors of positive survivorship outcomes is ongoing medical assessments (follow-up care). This includes:

• Monitoring for late effects (heart, lung, fertility, cognitive issues, etc.)
• Screening for secondary cancers
• Regular physical and psychological check-ups

Pediatric cancer nonprofits play a vital role in connecting families with survivorship clinics, helping cover travel costs, and advocating for health policies that benefit survivors. If you’re not someone directly impacted by cancer, you can still help by investing in these nonprofits.

#2 – Emotional and Mental Health Support

Survivorship goes beyond the physical. Unfortunately, many childhood cancer survivors experience:

• PTSD or trauma from treatments
• Depression and anxiety
• Difficulty reintegrating socially or academically

That said, there are avenues to support and improve mental well-being! Counseling, peer groups, and family therapy can help. As emphasis on survivorship increases, mental health resources for childhood cancer survivors grow, too. 

Ongoing mental health support, both during and after cancer treatment, makes a massive difference in outcomes through effective coping mechanisms, better emotional regulation, and quality of life.

#3 – Healthy Lifestyle and Preventive Education

Encouraging survivors to develop healthy habits ASAP leads to a longer, healthier adulthood. Because survivors are often at greater risk for obesity, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome, promoting:

• Nutritious diets
• Physical activity
• Regular wellness checkups

…can make a measurable difference. The more we can help shape healthy habits for pediatric cancer survivors, the better!

#4 – Family and Caregiver Education

Educated caregivers are empowered caregivers. Teaching families what signs to watch for, what follow-up tests are needed, and how to advocate for care improves survivorship. Parents, ask questions. Talk to your child’s care team about what comes after and how you can prepare now for the transition from cancer patient to cancer survivor.

As much as possible, arm yourself with credible information, techniques, and best practices for survivors.

#5 – School and Social Reintegration Programs

Survivorship isn’t just about short- and long-term physical health. Or even in combination with mental health! There’s a social and educational aspect to survivorship that cannot be overlooked—because these things do impact the quality of a child’s life, now and as they grow into adulthood.

Returning to school and “normal” life isn’t easy, especially if your child missed significant classroom time. They may have new learning struggles that weren’t there before as well. Support from nonprofits and community partners can improve:

• IEP accommodations
• Teacher training
• Peer education to reduce bullying or stigma

Together, these things help survivors regain their social and academic confidence. And that’s a recipe for lifelong success!

#6 – Research and Advocacy

Finally, continued investment in survivorship research helps clinicians develop better protocols to reduce long-term side effects and improve outcomes. We see this partly in the recent emphasis on truly individualized care, as it accounts for a child’s unique experience with cancer and treatment.

Pediatric cancer is survivable. More now than ever. We’re happy to see when pediatric cancer research goes beyond the cure and also emphasizes building fulfilling, quality lives for survivors.

Survivorship Is the Next Frontier in Pediatric Cancer Care

Curing cancer is only the first step. Living long, healthy, and fulfilling lives after cancer requires a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach—one that pediatric cancer nonprofits are uniquely positioned to support.

Whether it's funding long-term care, providing mental health services, helping families navigate school reintegration, or investing in survivorship research, every effort counts. Even if it’s just providing a smile and helping kids with cancer feel a little less alone in the world.