In an effort to address current cancer survivorship concerns, leading experts in the United States convened recently for the Cancer Survivorship Research Conference: Translating Science to Care, a conference jointly sponsored by the American Cancer Society’s Behavioral Research Center, the National Cancer Institute’s Office of Cancer Survivorship, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
One focus of the conference was the effects of obesity on cancer survivors. Researchers discussed studies that demonstrate how obesity may not have the same effects on all survivors.
Experts also studied the survivor’s ability to cope effectively with stress and adversity. Attempts are being made to design interventions that focus on the physical and psychosocial effects of cancer, effects that can upset survivors’ health and well-being. The conference highlighted recent scientific findings on resilience after cancer and presented a psychosocial program to enhance well-being among cancer survivors.
To address the substantial economic burden of cancer survivorship in the United States, a conference session provided an overview of recent research in employment patterns, healthcare costs, health insurance, and access to healthcare in cancer survivors. Research gaps and policy interventions to improve outcomes for cancer survivors and their families were identified.
Source: NCI.