It is estimated that more than 8 million people in the U.S. today are living with cancer—they are cancer survivors! In the past decade alone, major research and treatment advances have contributed to marked improvements in survival for virtually all cancers. And with revolutionary breakthroughs in genetic engineering and biotechnology on the immediate horizon, the future looks especially promising.

Cancer is increasingly being referred to as a “chronic condition” rather than a life-threatening illness, especially when it is caught in its earliest, most treatable stages. And while there will always be uncertainty about what lies ahead, the challenge of the disease can have some unexpected results: relationships can be strengthened, emotions can be more fully expressed, dreams can be pursued with renewed vigor.

This month, cancerpage.com focuses on special issues affecting you as a “cancer survivor.” These will include:

• Is a support group right for you?

• Returning to sexuality.

• Financial and insurance issues.

• Surviving a childhood cancer.

• Setting priorities and fulfilling dreams.

• Workplace discrimination and the ADA.

• The ongoing doctor-patient relationship.

• Taking care of YOU: nutrition, exercise and overall wellness.

• Anxiety, depression and fear of the unknown.

• How your caregivers are surviving.

• The impact of your cancer on your family.

• Being single and a cancer survivor.

• Facing a recurrence.

• Living with advanced disease.

Quality of life is no longer a short-term goal for most patients with cancer. It has become a lifelong pursuit.

Special Series

African American Women Face Higher Death Risk From Metastatic Breast Cancer

Second Primary Tumors Prevalent in Wilm's Tumor Survivors

Training Boosts Cancer Patients' Quality of Life

Lifestyle Change Alters Gene Expression in Prostate Cancer Patients

Paul Newman Friend Confirms Actor has Cancer

Long-Term Testicular Cancer Patients May Develop Endothelial Injury

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors at Risk for New Cancers, Early Death

Cancer Survivor Pitches No-Hitter

Diet, Exercise Tied to Cancer Survivor Well-Being

ASCO - Heart Risks High in Childhood Cancer Survivors

Nerve Block Useful for Hot Flushes and Sleep Trouble in Breast Cancer Survivors

Outlook Relatively Favorable for Younger Myeloma Patients

Phone Counseling Helpful After Cervical Cancer

Some Women Not Told About Breast Reconstruction

Estrogen More Suppressed with Letrozole than Anastrozole

U.S. Sen. Specter Says His Cancer Is back

Video Helps Adjustment to Life After Breast Cancer

Survivors of Childhood ALL May Face Problems Decades Later

Some Advanced Cancer Patients Living Longer

Cancer Survivors Need Organized Preventive Care

Anastrozole Accelerates Bone Loss

Dexrazoxane Not Linked with Secondary Cancers in Children with ALL

Many Lymphoma Survivors Have Psychological Scars

Advances in non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Survival are Accelerating

Slightly Increased Risk of Second Primary Malignancy After Thyroid Cancer Treatment

Late Treatment with Letrozole Reduces Breast Cancer Recurrence

Many Older Breast Cancer Patients Discontinue Tamoxifen

Cancer Pill Could Affect Women's Fertility

Cancer Risk Slightly Higher in Ex-Hormone Users

GTx Prostate Cancer Drug Reduces Hot Flashes in Men

Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption in Lymphoma Therapy Linked to Maculopathy

Artifically Turning Back the Reproductive Clock During Chemo Reduces Risk of Ovarian Failure

Breast Cancer Drugs Increase Heart Risk Slightly

Chemotherapy for Hodgkin's Lymphoma Linked to Premature Menopause

Maternal Hodgkin's Disease Not Tied To Birth Outcome

Breast Cancer Often Not Ultimate Cause of Death

Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy May Raise Risk of Meningioma

Male Patients with Hodgkin Lymphoma Face High Risk of Infertility

Osteoporosis Common in Post-Gastrectomy Patients

Nerve-Sparing Prostatectomy Improves Subsequent Continence

In Vitro Fertilization Safe in Women Treated for Endometrial Carcinoma

Androgen-Deprivation Therapy Linked to Diabetes

Infections After Breast Surgery Costly: US Study

Smoking Increases the Risks of Radiation for Breast Cancer

Canada Cancer Group Asks Women to Bare Their Breasts Online

Cancer Risk from Hodgkin's Radiotherapy Reduced

Cardiovascular Event Rates Similar with Tamoxifen or Letrozole for Breast Cancer

Non-Breast Cancer Survival Better Among Participants in Breast Screening Program

BRCA Mutations Tied to Improved Survival in Ashkenazi Ovarian Cancer Patients

Guliani Says He Has No Evidence of Cancer

Chemo, Tamoxifen Cut Risk of Second Breast Cancer

Talking About Breast Reconstruction

Intrauterine Levonorgestrel Protects Against Uterine Effects of Tamoxifen

Joint Pain, Sicca Syndrome Increased with Aromatase Inhibitors

Mortality Remains Elevated Years After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Keeping Insulin in Check Important in Breast Cancer

Symptoms Minimal 4 Years After Successful Colorectal Cancer Treatment

Gentler Chemo Helps Patients Survive Lymphoma

Avoiding Weight Gain Important after Breast Cancer

Childhood Cancer Mortality Falling in US, But Racial Disparities Seen

Risk for Lynch Syndrome High in Young Women with Endometrial Cancer

Colorectal Cancer Survival Differs by Race and Ethnicity

Cranial Radiotherapy Tied to Elevated Adiposity, Metabolic Risk in ALL Survivors

Breast Cancer Radiotherapy Associated with Some Cardiac Changes

Dieting Reduces Lymphedema After Breast Cancer

Menopausal Symptoms Vary with Tamoxifen or Exemestane for Breast Cancer

Headache Common after Acoustic Neuroma Surgery

Obesity May Be Protective in Progressive Prostate Cancer

Persistent Risk of Other Cancers Seen with Radiation-Treated Cervical Cancer

Breast Cancer Recurrence More Likely in Black Women

Quality of Life is Key to Cancer Survival - Study

Heart Disease Risk Rises Early After Starting Androgen Deprivation Therapy

Elevated Long-Term Risk of Invasive Cancer Seen After CIN3 Treatment

Testicular Cancer Therapy Affects Risk of Second Malignancies and CVD

Combined PET and CT Detects Colorectal Cancer Recurrence, Mets

Breast Cancer Survivors Cautioned to Keep Heart Health in Mind

Cancer Treatment May Raise Later Pregnancy Risks

Prostate Cancer Therapy Raises Heart Attack Risk

Cancer Survivors Plan Everest Concert

Treatment-Related AML and MDS Rates ''Acceptably Low'' After Radiotherapy for NHL

Some Cancers Spur Divorce Risk: Study

Etheridge Gets New Musical Life After Cancer

Rheumatoid Arthritis May Be Associated with Reduced Cancer Mortality

U.S. Breast Cancer Death Rate Drops More: Report

Older Breast Cancer Patients Face Leukemia Risk

Chronic Fatigue Tied to Chronic Stomach Infection

Impaired Driving Performance Seen in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Breast Cancer Treatments Hard on the Bones

Anthracyclines Increase Heart Failure Risk in Older Breast Cancer Patients

Congestive Heart Failure Uncommon During Imatinib Therapy

Fatigue Persists After Treatment Ends

Teen Cancer Survivors Show Mood, Behavior Difficulties

Asian Men More Likely to Survive Prostate Cancer

Simple Nomogram Predicts Life Expectancy for Prostate Cancer

Fertility Concerns Persist After Stem Cell Transplantation Raises

Folate Receptor Expression Tied to Breast Cancer Outcome

Leukemia Therapy Can Impair School Performance

Neuropathy Common in Multiple Myeloma Patients Treated with Thalidomide

Declines in Physical Health Noted in Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer

Cancer Survival in US Increasing for Many Cancer Types

Western Diet - Worse Colon Cancer Outcomes

Second Cancer Mortality No Higher in Testicular Cancer Survivors

Zoledronic Acid Reduces Bone Damage in Prostate Cancer Patients

Left-Sided Breast Cancer Radiation Boosts Coronary Risk

Celebrated Tenor Admitted to Hospital

Breast Cancer Incidence Linked to Hormone Therapy and Mammography Use

Surveillance Mammography Reduces Mortality in Older Breast Cancer Survivors

Survivors of Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors May Retain Fertility After Surgery and Chemo

Lung Cancer Prognosis Better for Non-Smokers Than Smokers

High Testosterone Linked to Worse Breast Cancer Prognosis

Breast Cancer Prognosis May Be Inherited

Brain Cancer and Its Treatment Impair Children's Schooling

Residual DCIS After treatment Can Be Considered a Pathologic Complete Response

Presence of Multiple Carcinoid Tumorlets in Lung Linked to Good Survival

Counseling Tied to Improved Survival after Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery

BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutations Have Little Effect on Breast Cancer Survival

Venous Thromboembolism Associated with Cyproterone Use for Prostate Cancer

Many Cancer Survivors Go Back to Work as Usual

Cancer Drug Curbs Radiation-Induced Vision Loss

Capsule Endoscopy Identifies Small Bowel Melanoma Metastases

In Memoriam - Beverly Sills & Joel Siegel

New Fertility Hope for Children with Cancer

Lower Limb Lymphedema Common in Survivors of Gynecological Cancer

Hormonal Prostate Cancer Therapy May Boost Risk to Heart

Perfenidone May Reduce Established Post-Radiation Fibrosis

Survival Up in Multiple Myeloma

Shorter Radiation Course Feasible in Breast Cancer

Diet and Exercise Important After Breast Cancer

Study Questions Chemo Brain Link to BC Chemo

Aftereffects of Prostate Cancer Treatments Vary

Long-Acting Cytarabine Prompts Problems in ALL Patients

Parenthood Often Possible in Hodgkin's Survivors

New Graft Technique Following Cancer Surgery

Exercise Program Improves Well-Being in Breast Cancer Survivors

Women with Lung Cancer Survive Longer Than Men

Childhood Leukemia Survivors Have Decreased Height in Adulthood

Lymphoma Survivors' Quality of Life Often Reduced

Yoga Method Gives Immune Boost to Breast Cancer Survivors

Elizabeth Edwards Finds Cancer Struggle Links Her to Voters

Emotional Health Often Strong After Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Deaths Decline More Slowly for Some

US Breast Cancer Mortality Declining Faster for ER-Positive Tumors

Test Identifies Early Chemotherapy-Related Hearing Loss

Low Calcium Predicts Bone Loss in Prostate Cancer

Loved Ones Also Stressed By Cancer Diagnosis

Post- Polypectomy Colonoscopy Sched Confirmed

Testicular Cancer Survivors at Heightened Death Risk

Fred Thompson - Actor, Possible Presidential Candidate, and Cancer Survivor

Survival Improves Against Melanoma

Fitness Gains Last in Breast Cancer Survivors

Infertility Drugs Safe After Borderline Ovarian Tumor Treatment

Longterm Side Effects Different with Prostate Treatment Options

Survival Time Grows For Cancer Patients Like Tony Snow

Advice Lacking on Reconstruction After Mastectomy

Tony Snow Diagnosed with Metastatic Recurrent Colon Cancer

Early Discontinuation of Tamoxifen More Common Than Reported

ALL Treatment Outcomes Improved in Adolescents

Treatment-Related Cardiotoxicity Persists for Hodgkin's Disease Survivors

Life-Long Follow Up For Second Cancers Advised for Childhood ALL Survivors

Preventing Bone Loss During Hormone Therapy

Radiation for Breast Cancer Ups Heart Disease Risk

Childhood Cancer Survivors at Increased Sarcoma Risk

Simple Revaccination Schedules Effective After Cancer Treatments

Age, Other Factors Up Risk of Respiratory Infections after Lung Cancer Surgery

Tamoxifen's Benefits Extend For Years Beyond the Active Treatment Phase

Exercise Improves Life for Breast Cancer Patients

Prostatectomy Approaches Have Similar Continence Impact

Continuous Letrozole Better Than Continuous Tamoxifen in Early Breast Cancer

Hodgkin's Disease Therapy Ups Heart Attack Risk

G-CSF During Chemotherapy May Increase Leukemia Risk

Absolute Risk of Second Cancer Small After Hairy Cell Leukemia

Outcomes of Esophageal Cancer Operation Not Worsened by Obesity

Male Breast Cancer Survivors Have Increased Risk of Second Cancers

Diabetes Drug May Inhibit Radiotherapy-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction

Calcium Lowers Colon Polyp Formation

Hereditary Retinoblastoma Survivors at Risk for Sarcoma

Prostate Cancer Treatment May Shorten Penis

Lung Cancer Patients Need Help to Quit Smoking

Being Active May Ward Off Prostate Cancer Death

Even With Lung Cancer, Quitting Cigarettes Helps

U.S. Black Women Have Lower Breast Cancer Survival

Black Cohosh Won't Cool Hot Flashes

Women at Higher Risk of Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia

Breast Cancer Patients Need Not Wait 2 Years after Treatment to Conceive

Breast Cancer Regimen Linked to Cognitive Decline

Long-Term Second Cancer Risk Increased After Stem Cell Transplant

Quality of Life in Prostate Cancer Survivors Varies with Initial Treatment Type

Cancer Survivors Urged to Maintain Healthy Weight

Different Doses of Docetaxel Suitable for Second-Line Treatment of Breast Cancer

Radiation Plus Chemo Doubles Survival Time After Lung Cancer Surgery

Radiation Increases Risk of New CNS Tumors in Childhood Cancer Survivors

Incontinence Not Excessive in Parkinson's Patients After Prostatectomy

Prostate Cancer Hormone Treatment May Up Diabetes and Heart Disease Risks

Osteosarcoma Recurrence Rare, and Sometimes Treatable

Cancer Survival Tied to Season of Diagnosis, Sunlight Exposure

Preterm Births Are More Common Among Female Survivors of Childhood Cancers

Breast Reconstruction Not As Safe for Obese Women

Breast Cancer Survivors at Increased Risk for Suicide

Chemo Has Long-Term Impact on Brain Function

New Test Predicts Colorectal Cancer Outcomes

Active Women with Breast Cancer May Live Longer

Chemo for Leukemia Doesn't Harm Brain Development

Childhood Cancer Survival Linked to Suicidality

Some Long-Term Stem Cell Transplant Survivors Produce Viable Sperm

Aerosmith Bassist Diagnosed with Throat Cancer

Herceptin Cancer Drug Wins Final British Go-Ahead

Not All Women Change Lifestyle After Cancer

Diet Changes May Slow Recurrent Prostate Cancer

Prior Lymphoma Therapy Tied to Problems After Stem Cell Transplant

Exercise May Benefit Colon Cancer Survivors

Mortality From Acute Lung Injury or ARDS High After Lung Resection

Seeking Help for ED after Prostate Cancer

Radioisotope Treatment Can Trigger Airport Alarms

Exercise Improves Life for Breast Cancer Survivors

Bone Scans Not Needed in Men with Low PSA After Localized Prostate Cancer Therapy

Harm to Colon From Radiation of Prostate Can Be Long-lasting

Previous Prostate Radiation Therapy Linked to Higher-Grade Bladder Cancer

Cost a Barrier to Care for Many US Cancer Survivors

Brain Tumor Patients Motivated to Exercise

Sjogren's Syndrome Associated with Increased Lymphoma Risk

Gene Transfer Appears Safe As Treatment For Erectile Dysfunction

Thyroid Cancer Raises Risk of Second Cancer

Few Young Cancer Survivors Get Best Follow-Up

Survivors of Childhood Cancer Face Employment Woes

Prostate Cancer Therapy Linked to Bone Loss

Leukemia, Lung Cancer Risk Higher in Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Survivors

Immune Malfunction May Be Complicit in Long-Term Fatigue

GnRH Therapy Boosts Diabetes Risk in Men with Prostate Cancer

Breast Cancer Survivors Often Forgo Mammography

Tamoxifen Extends Survival in ER-Positive Breast Cancer

Recurrent Melanoma More Common Than Once Thought

Testosterone Levels Rebound after Androgen Deprivation