Muna Al-Khaifi, Lead of Breast Cancer Survivorship Program and GP oncologist, Skin Cancer Clinic at Sunnybrook, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“One of the most common messages cancer survivors hear is:
‘You should just be grateful you survived.’
While survival is essential, it is not the full measure of recovery.
Many individuals continue to experience long-term physical, hormonal, cognitive, and sexual health effects following cancer and its treatment. These issues are common, clinically significant, and often under-recognized once active treatment ends.
Gratitude should never be used to minimize ongoing symptoms or unmet needs.
Survivorship is a distinct phase of cancer care — one that requires structured, evidence-based approaches focused on quality of life, not solely disease status or surveillance.
If we aim to deliver truly patient-centered oncology care, survivorship must be treated as an integral component of the care continuum.
Survivorship is care, not an afterthought.”
More posts featuring Muna Al-Khaifi.