‘Am I meant to be okay now?’

You are now twice as likely to survive for at least 10 years after a cancer diagnosis than you were 40 years ago.1 This is only possible because of the progress made in diagnosing people earlier, and vast improvements in treatment and care.

But sadly, many who survive cancer then find themselves living in poor health. They may struggle with physical and mental health issues that affect their ability to live the life they want. Many people are not prepared for this, and can feel confused or guilty for not feeling as well as they, or those around them, expected they would.

The stories in this report show us just some of the ways that cancer can affect people’s lives once they have finished their treatment. But they also tell us that there is more that can be done to make sure that everyone with cancer gets the best possible support in the future.