Address Health Behaviors for Cancer Survivors
The Priority
The United States is home to almost 15 million cancer survivors, defined as individuals diagnosed with cancer, from the time of diagnosis through their lifespan[1]. Survivors face a host of physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and financial challenges[2, 3]. Comprehensive cancer control (CCC) programs and coalitions help meet the needs of survivors and their caregivers using:
- Surveillance to routinely assess the needs of cancer survivors.
- Education programs to help survivors, caregivers, and providers make informed decisions.
- Patient navigation systems to optimize treatment and care.
- Policies and systems changes to improve access to palliative care and other cancer resources or services.” [1]
What We Do
The goal of the CCCNP Health Behaviors for Cancer Survivors Workgroup is to assist coalitions to better meet the needs of survivors and caregivers. With consideration for health equity, the CCCNP disseminates information and collective findings to address needs identified by coalitions to support cancer survivors, specifically in the areas of physical activity, nutrition, mental health and emotional support services, tobacco cessation, and young adult concerns. Originally focused on tobacco control for cancer survivors, the Health Behaviors for Cancer Survivors Workgroup expanded its focus to encompass a greater range of health behaviors. In 2021 in conjunction with the American Cancer Society the CCCNP held a virtual forum for eleven CCC programs and coalitions on nutrition and physical activity (NUPA) for survivors. The purpose of the forum was to assist state and tribe/tribal organization coalitions in developing one-year action plans focusing on the implementation of evidence-based NUPA interventions for survivors. The Health Behaviors for Cancer Survivors Workgroup will continue to offer training opportunities to CCC coalitions, as well as collect and disseminate resources coalitions can use to better understand how to address a range of health behaviors impacting cancer survivors, including strategies related to social determinants of health for survivors.Resources
Dana Farber Cancer Institute Resources for Young Adults with Cancer
NCCR*Explorer (Provides incidence and survival statistics for cancers in children and adolescent and young adults ages 0-39, using data from the National Childhood Cancer Registry (NCCR). It provides detailed statistics for a cancer site by sex, race/ethnicity, and age, and allows for comparison across cancer sites and subsites).
Triage Cancer A Practical Guide to Cancer Rights for Young Adults
CCCNP Resources Address Food Insecurity (PDF)
Why Hunger Find Food Database Find community-based organizations and emergency food providers of food pantries.
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Food Insecurity and Health (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics) Quick blog on impact of food insecurity on health and links to resources
Times Record Debunking Five Myths and Misconceptions about Food Insecurity This is a great overview of myths and solutions to food insecurity
American Hospital Association Food Insecurity and the Role of Hospitals A resource that outlines steps hospitals and health systems can take to address food insecurity among their patients. It includes case studies of hospitals that have built successful partnerships to address food insecurity.
Children’s Health Watch Hunger Vital Signs A validated 2-question food insecurity screening tool based on the U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module to identify households at risk of food insecurity.
Hunger + Health Food Insecurity Screening Toolkit This toolkit gives detailed guidance for health professionals on incorporating screening for food insecurity and referral to existing resources.
- Frankly Speaking about Cancer: Eating Well for Cancer Survivors offers tips for healthy eating and nutrition, managing fatigue or changes in appetite, and recipes for healthy meals and snacks
- Nutrition and Cancer Treatment
- Managing Eating Problems
Cancer Support Community
NACDD
National Cancer Institute
American Cancer Society
- Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Survivors
- Increasing Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity Across the Cancer Continuum through Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change: A Resource for Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalitions (pdf)
- Quick Look: Chart of American Cancer Society Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Survivors
CDC
Commission on Cancer
National Cancer Institute
American Society of Clinical Oncology
American Cancer Society
NACCHO
National Cancer Institute
- Smokefree.gov
- State Tobacco Quit Lines: 1-800-QUIT-NOW
- EBCCP Tobacco Control Evidence-Based Programs Listing
- Cancer Trends Progress Report on Cancer Survivors and Smoking
Commission on Cancer
GW Cancer Center
- Advancing the Field of Cancer Patient Navigation Toolkit (pdf)
- Implementing the CoC Standard 8.1 Addressing Barriers to Care (pdf)
- Oncology Patient Navigator Training: The Fundamentals
- Oncology Patient Navigator Training Guide (pdf)
- Financial Navigation Training
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
LIVESTRONG
American Cancer Society
- Policy, Systems and Environmental Change Resource Guide (pdf)
- Policy, Systems and Environmental Change: Effectively Engaging Your Coalition When Working with the Media (pdf)
Cancer Support Community
- Cancer Transitions targets many of the physical, psychosocial, and practical issues that survivors and their loved ones may face now that cancer treatment is over
- Cancer Treatment Side Effects
- Frankly Speaking about Cancer: Eating Well for Cancer Survivors (pdf) offers tips for healthy eating and nutrition, managing fatigue or changes in appetite
- Frankly Speaking about Cancer: Bone Health for Cancer Survivors (pdf) explains why it’s important for cancer survivors to keep an eye on their bone health after treatment has ended
- 5 Ways to Support Cancer Survivors
Commission on Cancer
GW Cancer Center
- Cancer Survivorship E-Learning Series for Primary Care Providers
- Supporting Cancer Survivors Through CCC Programs (pdf)
- National Cancer Survivorship Resource Center Toolkit (pdf)
- National Cancer Survivorship Resource Center Toolkit: Provider Tools (pdf)
- Tools and Resources to Improve Care and Quality of Life for Cancer Survivors
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
LIVESTRONG
National Behavioral Health Network for Tobacco & Cancer Control
National Cancer Institute
- Office of Cancer Survivorship Resources
- EBCCP Family-Centered Advance Care Planning for Teens with Cancer
- EBCCP Coping with Chemotherapy
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
Cancer Support Community
- Find a Location
- Helpline – 888-793-9355
- Online Support: My Life Line
- Emotional and Social Issues
- Managing Stress
- Improving Quality of Life
- Living with Cancer Resources
Commission on Cancer
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
LIVESTRONG
National Cancer Institute
American Cancer Society
Cancer Support Community
National Cancer Institute
- Cancer Trends Progress Report: Life After Diagnosis
- Facing Forward: Life After Cancer Treatment (pdf)
- LiveHelp
NACCHO
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (CCCP) (2021). Supporting Cancer Survivors and Caregivers.
- Naughton, M. J., & Weaver, K. E. (2014). Physical and mental health among cancer survivors: considerations for long-term care and quality of life. North Carolina medical journal, 75(4), 283–286.
- Gordon, L. G., Merollini, K. M. D., Lowe, A., & Chan, R. J. (2016, October 31). A systematic review of financial toxicity among cancer survivors: We can’t pay the co-pay – the patient – patient-centered outcomes research. SpringerLink. Retrieved March 19, 2022.