The Thriving After Cancer Team identifies and implements effective and scalable strategies to support cancer survivors and their loved ones across the cancer continuum.

Populations we work with

Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Survivors

Younger survivors, compared to older survivors, have the hardest time adjusting to life after cancer, experiencing significantly more unsupportive responses from family and friends, higher depressive symptoms, and more social isolation. This group is particularly vulnerable to disruptions in their education, career trajectories, finances, intimate relationships, and family-building plans due to cancer.

LGBTQ+ Cancer Survivors

LGBTQ+ survivors experience disproportionate hardship across the cancer continuum because of discrimination and chronic stress. They have significant unmet psychological and sexual health needs, and experience insufficient social support and gaps in care across the cancer continuum. LGBTQ+ people are also vastly underrepresented in cancer research.

Support Network of Co-Survivors

Navigating life after cancer requires many sources of support, which can come from family, friends, family of choice, and romantic partners. These co-survivors provide essential informal support to those navigating cancer and need support themselves to thrive. Our work has also highlighted the importance of couple communication skills to successfully navigate challenges experienced after cancer.

Breast and Gynecologic Cancer Survivors

Breast and gynecologic cancers are among the most commonly diagnosed among women. Treatment can include surgery such as removal of breasts, uterus, or ovaries alongside chemotherapy, radiation, endocrine therapy, and/or aromatase inhibitors. Treatments can negatively affect multiple dimensions of health for years after cancer treatment ends, including sexual health, body image, and fertility.