Colorectal cancer survivors

Survivorship is a success, but it’s also a responsibility. We are your allies, ready to share the latest information about being a colon cancer or rectal cancer survivor and taking steps to stay cancer-free and healthy.

After treatment has completed, colorectal cancer survivors may face physical, emotional, and social issues.

While you may be relived to have your treatment completed, adjusting to your "new normal" can take some time. We have useful resources that can help during this phase of recovery.

Doctors sometimes recommend cancer rehabilitation to help their patients return to their regular activities of daily living. These programs aim to restore and maintain your physical and emotional well-being.

Participating in cancer rehabilitation may help patients experience a faster and more complete recovery.

Survivor’s guilt can range from questions of “Why me?” and “Why did I survive?” to depression and even suicidal thoughts.

Some may try to make sense of why they survived, and others didn’t, while some people may feel guilty about the changes their families are going through.

Exercise is generally safe and beneficial after treatment for colorectal cancer. In fact, studies have shown that exercise is effective at reducing certain side effects from treatment.

Always talk to your doctor before starting any exercise program.

After treatment completes, a common response to the stress of a cancer diagnosis is to worry about it happening again. When cancer comes back it is called a recurrence, and fear and anxiety about recurrence can take strike at any time.