Thank You Kate Middleton For Revealing Your Struggle & Telling The World Cancer Survivors Need Time & Support

What You Need to Know About Survivorship

During a visit the RHS Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital in Essex, England, this week, the 43-year-old mom of three said, “You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment. Treatment’s done, then it’s like, ‘I can crack on, get back to normal,’ but actually, the phase afterwards is really, really difficult.”

“You’re not necessarily under the clinical team any longer, but you’re not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to. And actually, someone to help talk you through that, show you and guide you through that sort of phase that comes after treatment, I think is really valuable.”

Middleton continued, according to the UK’s Press Association, “It’s life-changing for anyone, through first diagnosis or post-treatment and things like that, it is a life-changing experience both for the individual patient but also for the families as well.

“And actually, it sometimes goes unrecognized, you don’t necessarily, particularly when it’s the first time, you don’t appreciate how much impact it is going to have. You have to find your new normal, and that takes time.”

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She explained further, “It’s a roller coaster. It’s not one smooth plain, which you expect it to be, but the reality is it’s not.

“You go through hard times, and to have a place like this, to have the support network, whether its through creativity and singing or gardening, whatever it might be, is so valuable, and it’s great that this community has it. It would be great if lots of communities had this kind of support.”

Middleton’s view on survivorship comes just months after announcing she was in “remission” and focusing on recovery.

Although, she has yet to announce what type of cancer she battled or whether she underwent any other type of treatment, other than chemotherapy, we’re glad to see Middleton slowly returning to work since finishing up treatment last September.

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Life After Cancer Treatment

Many patients may feel unsure of the next steps to take after cancer treatment concludes, but we’re here to offer advice and resources one may need.

Survivorship isn’t just an end state-it’s an ongoing journey. It begins the moment a person is diagnosed with a significant health condition and continues throughout their life. You might hear people say things like, “from the moment of diagnosis, you become a survivor.” It’s a powerful sentiment that reflects the courage and resilience involved in battling a serious illness.

RELATED: Five Ways to Support Someone after A Cancer Diagnosis– Never Say ‘How Can I Help?’

Being a survivor, like Middleton, signifies redefining your life while coping with the aftermath of disease and its treatment. This phase might include the challenge of dealing with physical and emotional changes, attending regular check-ups, the fear of recurrence, or the need for long-term medication. Despite these hurdles, many survivors find unique strength, growth, and transformation during this time.

It’s normal to feel a slew of different emotions — from fear to anger to uncertainty — after learning that you have cancer, making a treatment plan, and even after finishing a treatment plan. It’s important to make sure you have the mental health support you need as well. This is a challenging time, and many people find they need a little extra support to get through it.

“Some people don’t need to go outside of their family and friends circle. They feel like they have enough support there,” psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik tells SurvivorNet. “But for people who feel like they need a little bit more, it is important to reach out to a mental health professional.”

Seeking Support: What To Do After a Cancer Diagnosis or After Finising Treatment 

Dr. Plutchik suggests trying to find a mental health professional who has experience helping people as they navigate cancer treatment and keeping your care team connected, so they can stay focused on a common goal.

“Make sure that the mental health professional that you work it is reaching out, with your consent, to the rest of your team, to the oncologist, to the surgeon … it can also be helpful to reach out to family, friends, and any other caretakers that may be involved in the person’s treatment.”

This kind of connected care ensures that everyone is on the same page when it comes to getting a patient the best possible support.

Dr. Dana Chase explains how emotional health is key during a cancer journey

When it comes to diet and exercise, Dr. Ken Miller, the Director of Outpatient Oncology at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center, previously told SurvivorNet that at least two hours of exercise per week, combined with a healthy diet, can help you in your fight against cancer.

Experts we’ve spoken to have also advised that regular exercise plays a pivotal role in both physical and mental health, ultimately helping cancer survivors regain strength, reduce fatigue, and manage stress. It’s also proven beneficial for anxiety and depression.

A nutritious, balanced diet can be a useful during and after treatment. It can refuel your body, support your immune system, and help you maintain a healthy weight. Remember to hydrate and consult a dietitian if you’re concerned on finding a meal plan that works best for you.

Recommendations for a Healthy Lifestyle: One Doctor’s Advice for Cancer Survivors

Tips For Starting Over After a Life-Changing Event

Starting over after a life-changing event, like battling cancer, is certainly arduous, but it can be done. Here’s how:

• Examine your thoughts. Take time to reflect on the tragedy or difficulty you are facing. Dr. Scott Irwin tells SurvivorNet that, often, people with cancer and chronic disease are “grieving the change in their life, the future they had imagined is now different.”
• Seek help. Irwin, who directs Supportive Care Services at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, adds that talk therapy can help people significantly:  “It’s about meeting the individual patient where they are and their feelings, how they’ve always dealt with their body image, what the body image changes mean now in their lives and their relationships, and how they can move forward given the new reality.
• Realize that you are not the first. Study the lives of other people who have faced similar difficulties. Dr. Samantha Boardman tells SurvivorNet, “Having support we know is really critical in the healing process.” She adds there is also a benefit in “talking to those who’ve, you know, been through this process, who are maybe a couple of steps ahead of you, who can tell you what it’s like to walk in their shoes and the unbelievable wisdom that one can gain from speaking to them.”

RELATED: These 5 Ripped Survivors Show That You Can Stay Fit During and After a Cancer Battle

• Visualize the future. Imagine what it will look like for you to start over.  Many people find it very helpful to create a vision board. Cut out pictures or quotes or mementos that give you a concrete picture of your future. Look to it when you are feeling down or in need of a lift. The good news? It works.

Continued Medical Care

Remember, just because treatment has concluded, don’t lose sight of the importance of continued medical care – always keep your follow-up appointments and adhere to any healthcare recommendations.

Remember, embracing these coping strategies can help you navigate your way into survivorship with greater ease and renewed energy. Just remember – slow and steady wins the race! You’ve overcome huge hurdles, it’s okay to take this new stage of your life at your own pace.

Resilient learning to overcome any obstacle

Additionally, health checkups are an integral part of maintaining wellness and spotting potential health issues early. This holds true for everyone, but even more so for a person who’s in the throes of survivorship.

One of the main reasons you’ll want to maintain routine health checks is to monitor for recurrence. While the hope is always for complete recovery, there’s a possibility of the disease returning—even with successful treatment. Regular checkups allow you to keep a vigilant eye on the situation, leading to early detection and treatment if any problem emerges.

Managing Other Health Conditions & Healthy Lifestyle Changes, Matters Too!

A survivorship journey can occasionally lead to new health conditions, including heart problems, diabetes, or osteoporosis. Routine screenings and monitoring help keep these conditions under control, ensuring they don’t escalate into major health risks.

Regular checkups also serve as an opportunity for your health care provider to give advice on healthy lifestyle changes. This includes exercise, a balanced diet, stress management, and quitting habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption—factors that can significantly lower the risk of recurrence or other health issues.

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Managing Your Mental Health in the Face of a Health Challenge or Major Life Change

It’s only natural for health challenges to have some sort of effect on one’s mental health. Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik previously told SurvivorNet that emotions will be fluid when facing a diagnosis. SurvivorNet has some tips to help keep your mental and emotional health in a good space if you find yourself coping with a stressful situation.

The National Institute of Mental Health advises to seek professional help if you are experiencing severe or distressing symptoms that have lasted two weeks or more, such as:

• Trouble sleeping
• Changes in appetite
• Struggling to leave bed in the morning because of your mood
• Trouble concentrating
• Loss of interest in things you usually enjoy
• Inability to perform normal daily functions and responsibilities

Equally as important is recognizing the value of self-care. The National Institute of Mental Health offers practical guidance on how to boost your weekly self-care routine.

• Regularly exercising
• Eating healthy, regular meals
• Staying hydrated
• Prioritizing sleep
• Exploring relaxation programs or techniques
• Setting goals/priorities
• Staying positive
• Connecting with others

Battling cancer and life after cancer comes with a ton of emotions. These can range from “anxiety, depression, financial toxicity, social isolation, and PTSD,” SurvivorNet expert and researcher at Moffitt Cancer Center Dr. Shelly Tworoger says.

Psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin also shared some simple tips to help you maintain good mental health and reduce stress amid adversity.

When it comes to dealing with anxiety, Dr. Strongin says it’s important to have a healthy relationship with your anxiety and get to know it rather than fear it, avoid it, or push it away.

Coping with Intense Feelings

Dr. Strongin explained, “By learning more about your anxious thoughts and tendencies, one can begin to answer their anxious thoughts even in moments when there aren’t any answers. For cancer patients, the worry thoughts tend to be, ‘Will I survive?’

“It’s important to let those thoughts come in and really be able to tolerate them before answering them. This is a very powerful coping skill.”

Dr. Strongin suggests medications to help with anxiety and depression if other approaches are not as effective. She also urges cancer warriors to explore telemedicine.

Dealing With Treatment Costs

When it comes to paying for treatment, the bills can feel overwhelming. While there are resources that may help in some cases, Niv Persaud, managing director at Transition Planning & Guidance LLC, in Atlanta, Ga., told us in an earlier interview there are some other steps those diagnosed with cancer may want to take, including:

• Calculate deductibles and estimated out-of-pocket costs for medical treatment.
• Total the amount you have available in your emergency reserve, health savings account, and flex spending account.
• Tighten your budget by reducing or eliminating non-essential expenses. Look at money spent on shopping, food delivery, entertainment, subscription services, etc.
• Review your payroll deductions and reduce or eliminate those that are optional where it makes sense. Some pre-tax deductions will have minimal impact on your take-home pay. Before making any changes, ask your HR contact to calculate the impact.

Should you ever borrow from a retirement plan to pay for treatment? Karger said there are no hard and fast rules.

“Personally, I think when you’re faced with a life threatening illness, your health is number one,” he told SurvivorNet. “You do whatever you have to do.”

People struggling to pay for cancer treatment also have a few options to get help with medical bills. Many cancer centers have social workers or patient navigators on staff who can help patients navigate finances, work out payment plans, and look into whether they are eligible for any financial assistance programs.

RELATED: Guide to Financial Planning After a Cancer Diagnosis: Planning Is So Important For Peace of Mind

Meanwhile, Sara Goldberger, president of the Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW), said oncology social workers can help. Many people, however, don’t know to ask if a social worker is available to them and aren’t aware of the resources they can help them find.

“There are a wealth of organizations and opportunities to help people with the costs of cancer,” Goldberger said. “Obviously, it’s a very deep well of need, and there’s not help for everyone in every situation, but knowing to ask is so important for patients and families.”

Goldberger said there are state and federal programs like Medicare, Medicaid and unemployment that many people don’t know they’re entitled to. There are also hospital foundations that raise money for patient assistance, support from advocacy groups and patient assistance plans sponsored by pharmaceutical companies to help provide free drugs or funds to assist with copays. A social worker can help patients find ones for which they qualify.

She said if a social worker isn’t available through your care center, she would encourage people to call on the advocacy community. There are national, regional, and local organizations that can help patients find the resources they need.

“Being your own best advocate is so important,” she said. “Figure out what you need and ask people for resources. There is a lot of need, and people are stressed out and struggling. COVID clearly didn’t make it any better, but there is money out there to help.”

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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