Life after diagnosis and treatment of cancer in adulthood: contributions from psychosocial oncology research

Abstract

The number of individuals living with a history of cancer is estimated at 13.7 million in the United States and is expected to rise with the aging of the population. With expanding attention to the psychosocial and physical consequences of surviving illness, psychological science and evidence-based practice are making important contributions to addressing the pressing needs of cancer survivors. Research is demonstrating that adults diagnosed with cancer evidence generally positive psychosocial adjustment over time; however, a subset is at risk for compromised psychological and physical health stemming from long-term or late effects of cancer and its treatment. In this article, we characterize survivorship after medical treatment completion during the periods of reentry, early survivorship, and long-term survivorship. We describe the major psychosocial and physical sequelae facing adults during those periods, highlight promising posttreatment psychosocial and behavioral interventions, and offer recommendations for future research and evidence-based practice.