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Home » General blood cancer information » Survivorship

Survivorship

Each year more Australians are living longer and living well beyond a cancer diagnosis. The five-year survival rate for blood cancer has increased from 67% to 70% in recent years. This means 7 out of 10 people diagnosed with blood cancer are living well 5 years after diagnosis.

Cancer survivorship is part of a person’s life from when they find out they have cancer and for the rest of their life. Some people don’t relate to the term ‘survivor’ and may use other terms like ‘life after cancer’ or ‘living beyond cancer’. It includes how you feel physically, emotionally and socially. Cancer survivorship also involves spiritual and informational needs, like managing finances. Every person and caregiver experiences survivorship in their own unique way.

The Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre (ACSC) has made easy-to-understand information to help you through your cancer journey—from the time you’re told you have cancer, during treatment, and after. You can go to their website to find support and connect with health workers and online services for you and your carer. You can also visit the Common Survivorship Issues Directory for information and tools on survivorship issues.

Cancer survivorship care plans

People with cancer need long-term care and support. This is whether you are newly diagnosed, being monitored, having treatment or completed treatment. Your treatment team might suggest making a survivorship care plan. Usually this is done at the end of treatment, but it may be recommended if you are having ongoing or maintenance treatment. You can also ask to start one yourself. These plans usually:

  • Provide a summary of your diagnosis and cancer treatment
  • Outline when you need follow-up appointments and screening tests
  • List any possible late effects or symptoms to watch out for
  • Name your medical, emotional and social needs and how to manage them
  • Provide contact details of your healthcare team and when to contact them
  • Provide advice on how to adopt a healthy lifestyle
  • Shares information on cancer screening programs
  • Provide information and resources on ways to self-manage cancer survivorship.

Here are some care plans that are available to take to your treatment team:

A plan should improve communication between you and your healthcare team members. It should be reviewed regularly and as your needs change over time. It is important for you to have a general practitioner (GP) as a cancer survivor. GP’s and primary care nurses are important in managing your general health and wellbeing.

Find a GP (General Practice) near you

Resources

Cancer survivorship for LGBTQIA+ people

LGBTQIA+ people have their own unique care needs after cancer. They might feel more stress or worry during this time. Having support from their community is important for their health and wellbeing. There are cancer support services for LGBTQIA+ people that can help, even beyond a survivorship care plan. Here are some of those services:

Resources

Support for childhood cancer survivors and their families

Children and young adults who survive cancer often face many challenges. They might have long-term health problems and emotional struggles that are different from those of older adults. These could include:

  • Health impacts, such as fertility, energy and development beyond puberty
  • Low self-esteem about the physical reminders of cancer treatment
  • Health anxiety, especially associated with the idea that the cancer may return
  • Pressure and anxiety associated with reaching milestones for your age
  • Pressure to feel grateful that ‘you beat cancer’

There are several organisations that are available to support young people as they navigate survivorship:

  • The Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Service specialises in the care and support of Victorians with cancer aged 15 to 25.
  • Canteen is an Australian not-for-profit organisation that specialises in supporting children aged 12-25 who are affected by cancer.
  • Redkite is an Australian organisation that specialises in supporting families facing childhood cancer (children under 18 years old). They can help with emotional, financial and practical support.
  • Regenerate is an app that has been developed by the Victoria Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Service in Melbourne. It has information to help young people navigate life after cancer treatment.
  • The Paediatric integrated cancer service (PICS) is a Victorian based service that helps children, adolescents and young adults with cancer. They have resources to support you through long term follow-up that could be useful not matter where you are from. You can watch some of their videos below.

Listen to Ash Bell, a Leukaemia Foundation Healthcare Professional, talk about her childhood blood cancer and transition into life after cancer and survivorship.

Resources

Victoria (Paediatric integrated cancer service):

Survivorship information in languages other than English

Care and support needs after cancer in Australia may be daunting if English isn’t your first language. The Leukaemia Foundation has a dedicated page with resources that may be helpful culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) people. Other resouces that may be relevant can be found on the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre website.

General resources

References

Last updated: 20 November 2025

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