Plenary Session-The Patient Journey: Cancer Survivor Care

Quality survivorship care is critical for individuals dealing with the physical, mental, and emotional impacts of cancer and its treatment. Patients may not grasp the full traumatic impact of a cancer diagnosis until years later, but the mental health impacts of cancer can be significant. At the NCCN 2022 Annual Conference, a diverse panel discussed the cancer journey through the eyes of survivorship care, with voices representing both the patient and provider perspectives. Featured during the discussion were updates to the NCCN Distress Thermometer Problem List (to represent current psycho-oncology best practices more accurately), NCCN recommendations for mental health screening, and the benefit of integrative medicine both to relieve symptoms and improve overall wellness. Empowering patients to become active participants in their own treatment and strong survivors afterward was the overriding theme throughout the panel discussion.