Liza Patterson holds her daughter on the beach

Cancer Survivorship

At MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, we recognize that a diagnosis of cancer impacts every aspect of life. The transition from getting you healthy through active cancer treatment to keeping you healthy through post-treatment care is critical to your long-term health.

With an aging population and advances in cancer treatment, the number of cancer survivors has increased dramatically in recent years and is projected to increase from 18 million to more than 22 million by 2030. While improvement in the rates of overall cancer survival is very encouraging, survivors may face physical, emotional, social, spiritual, or financial challenges because of their diagnosis and treatment.

Educational Resources

Janis Newton sits in front of a microphone wearing headphones during a podcast recording

Multimedia

Our Hollings Cross Talk video series and Cancer Chat podcast offer inspiration and insight about patients and programs at Hollings. In this Cancer Chat episode, Janis Newton, director of the MUSC Wellness Center, discusses the Survivors' Fit Club with participant and breast cancer survivor Leslie DeMark.

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Caring for yourself

A cancer diagnosis can leave you feeling scared and uncertain. To help you navigate the ups and downs of treatment, it's important to practice good self-care, like setting aside time to breathe and relax and including exercise in your daily routine.

No one beats cancer on their own, so remember it is always OK to ask for help. Our Comfort Corner also offers resources, tips and inspiration to assist you and your caregivers in navigating your cancer journey.

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Survivorship Research

The Survivorship and Cancer Outcomes Research (SCOR) Initiative at Hollings brings together cancer researchers with a diverse range of specialties in order to improve clinical care and quality of life for cancer survivors and their caregivers.

More about SCOR

Meet our survivors

immunotherapy patient Andy Abrams smiles and looks relaxed during his infusion treatment

To Catch a Cancer

Andy Abrams likes to say he’s the poster child for routine cancer screenings. In his case, one screening led to the diagnosis and treatment of two cancers.

prostate cancer survivor Larry Ferguson poses in an exam room in his dental practice

Prostate Cancer Survivor

Prostate cancer survivor shares his story to encourage other men to know their options and take action.
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Oral Cancer

"It's been an experience," is Susan Shelton's understated way of explaining her journey with oral cancer.

a woman points off camera in a goofy manner while another woman looks at her and laughs

Mirroring Positivity

Carol Sullivan was stunned to learn she had ovarian cancer. She decided to pursue aggressive medical options - and to consciously maintain a positive mindset.

a doctor and patient pose in an exam room with a small framed artwork

HIPEC Hope

A specialized chemotherapy treatment allowed a retired art teacher to continue with her love of painting, despite a rare cancer diagnosis.
a man sits in a relaxed manner in a comfortable chair and chats with a woman across the room

CAR-T Therapy

CAR-T-cell therapy has given one lymphoma survivor another chance to see the world with his wife.

a man carries a woman in ankle deep water at the beach

Esophageal Cancer

After esophageal cancer treatment, Huger man is grateful for time with his family.

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Robotic Lung Surgery

Debbie Grenier dreaded surgery. She still has major scars from a surgery 45 years ago. So she was astonished at her experience undergoing robotic lung surgery.

a woman sits on a wooden bench in her backyard with a Chihuahua on her lap

Multiple Myeloma

Dr. Hamza Hashmi hopes an immunotherapy drug in clinical trials will one day lead to a cancer cure. For now, it's enough to help one woman lead a normal life.

More survivor stories

“ I'm surviving cancer because of my unwavering attitude, my family, friends, and prayer and the amazing research that’s been done in oncology and modern medicine. I think most oncologists would tell you your attitude is a lot of the battle. ”

Jennifer Attisano, breast cancer survivor

Jennifer Attisano holds her dog

Survivorship News