mybonsecours
survivorship
after treatment
After treatment, your needs, goals, and questions may be different. The Bon Secours Cancer Institute will help you transition. Our patient navigators will work with all of your doctors to make sure your continuing care is as successful as your treatment. Communication with all of the partners in your care will be essential. We will help you share your health information with all of your providers and clinicians to make sure your post-treatment is a success.
sharing
Communities and sharing can be a valuable source of information, inspiration, and strength. We can help you connect with cancer survivor groups in our community. Online groups are also available.
Visit the American Cancer Society's Cancer Survivor Network to learn more.
The following list of online communities may also be of interest:
Lance Armstrong’s LiveStrong
Kris Carr’s Crazy Sexy Life blog and forums
CancerCare list of support groups
Breast Cancer community forums
Drew Olanoff’s light take on a serious subject
emotional needs
We believe that good care involves the mind and body. You may have different feelings as a survivor. It is our goal to make sure your emotional needs are addressed as part of continuing care. Our team is available to help survivors and their families adjust to life after cancer.
healthy lifestyle
We are committed to good health and look forward to sharing our expertise with you. From nutrition to exercise, we can help you define a lifestyle that continues to promote good health well after your treatment has ended. According to the American Cancer Society, there are links to healthy diet and cancer prevention. The ACS is careful to point out that there is no one food to focus on, but rather a balanced healthy diet is the key to maintaining good health. For more information, visit the ACS page here.
recommendations for individual choices
Exercise also plays an important factor in promoting good health. The American Cancer Society offers these general guidelines:
Maintain a healthy weight throughout life.
- Balance calorie intake with physical activity.
- Avoid excessive weight gain throughout life.
- Achieve and maintain a healthy weight if currently overweight or obese.
Adopt a physically active lifestyle.
- Adults: Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity, above usual activities, on 5 or more days of the week; 45 to 60 minutes of intentional physical activity are preferable.
- Children and adolescents: Engage in at least 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity at least 5 days per week.
Eat a healthy diet, with an emphasis on plant sources.
- Choose foods and drinks in amounts that help achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
- Eat five or more servings of a variety of vegetables and fruits every day.
- Choose whole grains over processed (refined) grains.
- Limit intake of processed and red meats.
If you drink alcoholic beverages, limit your intake.
- Drink no more than one drink per day for women or two per day for men.
