By Pete Govorchin, M.B.A., president of City of Hope® Cancer Center Chicago
I recently met a woman in her early 30s who discovered a lump in her breast one month before her wedding day. In a matter of weeks, her life shifted to navigating surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and fertility discussions, all while continuing to manage her career and planning her future.
Her story reflects a growing reality: Cancer incidence is rising among younger populations, with rates increasing in 14 of 33 cancer types in those under 50.
Yet, there is also good news. Today, seven in 10 people are expected to live at least five years after a cancer diagnosis — an increase of 20% since the mid-1970s. This progress reflects decades of advances in research, more precise treatment options and earlier detection. It stands as one of the most significant achievements in modern medicine.
For many survivors, the treatment and follow-up care may feel overwhelming. The physical effects may linger, from fatigue and cognitive changes to ongoing pain. The emotional impact can remain persistent, with anxiety, uncertainty and depression becoming part of daily life.
That’s why loved ones, employers and healthcare providers alike play a critical role in supporting the growing number of cancer survivors.
This article examines:
- How many Americans are living with cancer?
- Survivors need support from loved ones, employers
- Healthcare providers play a critical role
- Diagnosis is just the beginning of a patient’s journey
If you or a loved one is concerned about possible signs or symptoms of cancer and would like an initial consultation or a second opinion, call us 24/7 at 877-460-4673.
How Many Americans Are Living With Cancer?
During National Cancer Survivors Month in June, we honored the more than 18.6 million cancer survivors in the United States.
According to this year’s American Cancer Society annual report, 70% of people diagnosed with cancer now survive for at least five years beyond their initial diagnosis.
As more people enter the survivorship stage of their cancer journeys, it’s important to recognize that support for cancer survivors is an essential part of a bigger picture in oncology care.
We have a responsibility to walk alongside them during their survivorship journeys, connecting them to resources and programs that support their physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual wellbeing.
On a personal level, that can mean showing up for one another — supporting, listening to and caring for our friends, loved ones, colleagues and patients throughout every phase of their journey.
Survivors Need Support From Loved Ones, Employers
For those walking alongside their friends and loved ones going through treatment, your role matters. Create space for them to ask for help. There will be days when they feel strong and energized, and others when they don’t.
In those more difficult moments, ask how you can support. Sometimes, it’s preparing a meal, helping with childcare or simply giving them the time and space to rest. These acts may feel small, but they make a meaningful difference.
For employers, that support should extend into the workplace. Open, honest conversations about flexibility are essential. Survivors may need time to recover, adjust or manage lingering side effects, but that doesn’t diminish their capability or potential.
Survivorship and high performance are not mutually exclusive. With the right support, they can — and should — coexist.
Healthcare Providers Play a Critical Role
Most importantly, the healthcare community must evolve in how we support survivors. Follow-up care should not feel fragmented or be defined by stand-alone appointments or isolated tests. It should be coordinated, comprehensive and centered on the whole person.
That means addressing the full spectrum of survivorship needs, from nutritional support to emotional wellbeing to proactively addressing long-term treatment effects. It means walking alongside survivors every step of the way — recognizing not just their diagnosis, but their lives, their goals and their individual needs.
Meeting those needs isn’t optional. It’s our responsibility.
As part of City of Hope — a national organization advancing cancer research and treatment with an integrated survivorship program that supports patients in every part of their cancer care journey — my goal isn’t only to improve outcomes, but to help redefine how we approach survivorship.
That means sharing insights, strengthening standards of care and collaborating with the broader community to make this level of support more consistent and accessible for all survivors.
Diagnosis Is Just the Beginning of a Patient’s Journey
I often think back to the woman I mentioned earlier. Just two years after her diagnosis, she’s now holding her newborn child and embracing a future she once feared might not be possible. She credits much of that progress to the support she received along the way.
Her story is a powerful reminder that cancer is no longer the end of the story. It’s the beginning of a new and often unexpected chapter. That’s what survivorship should look like — not just longer life, but fuller life, supported by the care, compassion and collective commitment that allow people to move forward with strength and hope.
If you or a loved one is concerned about possible signs or symptoms of cancer and would like an initial consultation or a second opinion, call us 24/7 at 877-460-4673.
About Pete Govorchin, President of City of Hope Cancer Center Chicago
Pete Govorchin, M.B.A., is president of City of Hope Cancer Center Chicago, where he leads a fully accredited cancer specialty hospital recognized for its depth of clinical expertise and integrated approach to treatment, supportive care and survivorship. A dedicated advocate for patients and survivors, he works to expand access to high-quality cancer care across the communities served by City of Hope’s three Illinois locations. Additionally, he contributes to state-level policy initiatives that advance access and improve cancer care throughout the region.