Content Overview 
- Summary
- Do not be surprised at the emotions that may continue to surface. Share them. Contact another survivor with a similar experience. Consider a support group.
- Relationships with your spouse or partner, family and friends change over time. Ask for help when you need it.
- Reclaim every aspect of your life if you haven't already.
- Take care with underage children
- Comply with your drug regimen if you are given one. Learn how to save money when purchasing drugs, and how to store and dispose of them safely.
- Physical and mental effects may linger. New ones may show up. Avoid an impulse to engage in risky behavior. Report new symptoms or changes in existing symptoms to your doctor.
- There is no guarantee that your cancer won't come back. Help lower your risk of recurrence or developing a second cancer: Adopt a cancer prevention lifestyle.
- Show up for follow-up physical exams and tests.
- Get a disease specific medical Follow Up Plan. Go over it with your primary care physician. Tell every doctor or other medical person about your cancer history including diagnosis, treatments and dates.
- If you do not have health insurance, do whatever you can to get it. If you do have it, do whatever is necessary to keep it. Also learn how to maximize use of your policy. Keep other basic insurance as well.
- Do basic financial planning. It will help you, first, pay off debt. (Free negotiating help is available). Then set aside money for health and other emergencies, then money to go after your dream. If debt is overwhelming, consider bankruptcy.
- At work, negotiate if you need a change to allow you to do your work. Learn how to maximize time off and prepare for a recurrence or disability "just in case." Keep track of the facts in case of a discrimination claim.
- If you want to change jobs, or even careers, you can
- If you are unable to work or may be unable to work in the foreseeable future, there are guidelines to make life easier.
- If you want to have children, consider the options that are still open.
- If you don't have a pet, consider getting one.
Post Treatment 6 months +
Comply with your drug regimen if you are given one. Learn how to save money when purchasing drugs, and how to store and dispose of them safely.
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Treatment for some cancers is followed by a regimen of chemopreventive substances that can help prevent or delay a recurrence of your cancer or development of another cancer. For example, Tamoxifen may be prescribed for up to 5 years after the end of breast cancer treatment.
You may also be prescribed other medications to take on an ongoing basis.
It is important to follow the doctor's orders both as to how to take the drugs and for how long. This is known as "adherence" or "compliance." Over the long haul, some people associate continuing to take medications with their disease. They stop taking their meds to put the entire episode behind them. It is better to think of each pill you take as part of your commitment to do what you can to maximize your health.
Even if you have health insurance, you can save money by purchasing drugs wisely. If a health insurer declines to pay for use of a drug because it is "off label" (a use other than the use approved by the FDA), appeal with your doctor's help. Survivorship A to Z provides a guide to appealing. Be persistent.
Help is available if you cannot afford prescribed drugs.
For information about how to buy, take, store, dispose of drugs, as well as tips for complying with a drug regimen, click here.
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