![\"Professor](\"https:\/\/blogs.imperial.ac.uk\/imperial-medicine\/files\/2024\/12\/Three-Wise-Women-graphics-1181-x-660-px-2.png\")
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This festive period, Three Wise Women from the Faculty of Medicine<\/a> will be giving us the gift of wisdom.<\/strong><\/p>\n When cancer treatment ends, a new journey begins\u2014one filled with unique challenges. Professor Pernilla Lagergren<\/a>, Chair in Surgical Care Sciences at the Department of Surgery and Cancer<\/a>, explores what life is like after cancer treatment. Drawing on her clinical experience with <\/span>oesphageal<\/span> and gastric cancer patients, she shares how her survivorship research is helping to shape better outcomes for patients, their families, and the healthcare system.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n When people think about cancer, they often focus on the illness itself\u2014the diagnosis, the treatments, and the fight to survive. But once the treatment ends, another important challenge begins: what happens after cancer? As a researcher in cancer survivorship, my focus is on understanding what life is like for people who have been treated for cancer, and how we can improve that life for them.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Here, I\u2019ll explore the significance of cancer survivorship research, the insights we\u2019ve gained, and what drives my commitment to this field. I\u2018ll also highlight how my work contributes to improving the lives of cancer survivors, supporting their families, and strengthening the healthcare system.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n When a person is diagnosed with cancer, they often face a long and difficult journey. They go through treatment, which can include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. But after the treatment ends, the patient\u2019s journey does not simply stop. Life after cancer can bring its own set of challenges.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Cancer survivorship research focuses on understanding what happens after treatment\u2014both the physical and emotional effects. For example, many cancer survivors experience ongoing fatigue, anxiety, or, for the oesophageal and gastric patients I am focusing my research on, difficulties with eating. Others might face challenges in returning to work or adjusting to their new lifestyle. These issues do not always receive the attention they deserve, even though they affect millions of people worldwide. That\u2019s where my research comes in.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As a specialist nurse working closely with oesophageal and gastric cancer patients from referral to end of follow up or end of life, I have seen firsthand how cancer affects people\u2019s lives\u2014not just during treatment, but long after. It was during my clinical work that my research interest started. I wanted to know more about the factors that impact patient\u2019s survivorship and what we could do to help patients in their recovery. People might think that once cancer treatment ends, patients are “done” with cancer, but that is rarely the case.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Cancer research tends to focus heavily on survival rates and medical treatments. While these are incredibly important, we often overlook the fact that many cancer survivors face long-term health issues. These can include physical symptoms like pain or trouble sleeping, or emotional challenges such as depression and anxiety.<\/span><\/p>\n Nowadays, I work full-time as a researcher both in Sweden and in the UK and my contacts with patients do not come daily. Nevertheless, this has led to continued close collaboration and involvement of patients and their next of kin in my research, from idea generation through to publication. This is a collaboration I value extremely, especially since my research is focusing on cancer survivorship.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Through ongoing research, we are learning that cancer survivorship is about much more than just being “cancer-free.” It\u2019s about rebuilding life after cancer, addressing the short- and long-term challenges that survivors face, and ensuring their wellbeing in the years following treatment. In our research we have shed light on the short- and long-term physical and emotional challenges faced by survivors of oesophageal and gastric cancer. These challanges can significantly impact daily life, highlighting the need for better post-treatment care to address these issues. To help manage these concerns, our research aims to develop programs and tools that support recovery after treatment and empower patients to regain control over their health and future.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A central theme in my work is the importance of personalised survivorship care, which tailors rehabilitation programs and follow-up care to meet the unique physical and psychological needs of each survivor. Ultimately, our research is helping to shape more effective clinical guidelines and interventions that ensure cancer survivors receive the comprehensive care they need for the long-term.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Survivorship research is not just for the medical community\u2014it is for everyone. If you or someone you love has had cancer, the challenges of survivorship will be real for you, too. Understanding what cancer survivors go through is essential for improving their quality of life.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For example, if we can help clinicians recognise the long-term effects of cancer treatment, they can provide better care for their patients. If society becomes more aware of the struggles cancer survivors may face, it can lead to more support\u2014whether that is through better workplace accommodations or better insurance coverage for long-term care.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\nWhat is cancer survivorship?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Why am I passionate about cancer survivorship?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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“People might think that once cancer treatment ends, patients are “done” with cancer, but that is rarely the case.”<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n
What are we learning through survivorship research?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Why should this matter to the public?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n