Over the coming months we will post information on survivorship issues. All the information you will see is from "Looking Ahead... a handbook of survivorship issues" as published by the Lakeridge Health Corporation.

As unpleasant as cancer therapy may have been, many survivors experience anxiety when treatment ends.

• Ease yourself back into everyday activities.
• Establish former patterns in your work and family life.
• Focus on activities that you enjoy.
• Seek support from family, friends, other survivors, or the health- care team.
• Learn to pace yourself so that you have energy for the activities you really want to do.

Cancer can change your life forever. A new normal will take over and part of life before cancer will be a piece of the past. It may be helpful to talk to others who have had cancer. Keep in mind, however, that all cancer experiences are unique. Look ahead to a fulfilling life.

Live with cancer on your terms, not the way others think you should.

• When treatment ends, you will no longer have the frequent contact and monitoring of the health care team.
• It is important to know as much as possible about your type of cancer, and what you can do as a survivor to stay healthy.
• Learn to listen effectively and try to be realistic and reasonable in what you expect from your health care provider.
• Because cancer is a chronic disease, the relationship with your health care provider (although less frequent) will continue long after treatment ends. That is why it is important that your health care team have a good understanding of your needs, and you in turn have a good understanding of their role in your life and health.