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Puma Biotechnology is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the acquisition, development, and commercialization of novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer.

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ALISCA™: ALISertib in CAncer

Navigating Survivorship in a Way That Feels Right to You

Finishing cancer treatment is sometimes treated like the end of something, but may also feel like it’s the beginning of what’s next. You might be dealing with changes in your body, your feelings, or your daily life.

You may also be thinking about what really matters to you going forward. This time after treatment is called survivorship. And it can be different for everyone.

Navigating Survivorship in a Way That Feels Right to You

What Does “Survivor” Mean?

Some people feel proud to call themselves a cancer survivor. Others may not feel as comfortable with the term.1 Maybe you’re still in treatment, or living with side effects.2 The National Cancer Institute definition includes everyone from the point they are diagnosed for the rest of their lives.3 Because the experience for patients with metastatic cancer can be quite different from those with early stage cancer, some use the term ‘thriver.’3

There’s no right or wrong way to feel. You get to decide what survivorship means to you.

Life May Feel Different

Cancer may change how people see life. Things that once seemed important may not matter as much now.4 You may want to spend more time with the people you love, take better care of yourself, or try new things.4

This doesn’t mean you have to make big changes. Even small steps, like saying “no” when you’re tired or choosing rest over being busy, may help you feel more in control of your time and energy.5

Finding Strength

Survivorship may also help you discover strength in new ways. Maybe you feel stronger because of what you’ve been through.4 Maybe you found strength in your friends, family, faith, or support groups.

Sometimes, being strong means asking for help, being honest about your feelings, or saying you need a break. Being a survivor doesn’t mean you have to be strong all the time. It just means you’ve kept going, even on hard days.

Feeling Connected Again

After treatment ends, some people feel lost or alone.6 You may not see your care team as often. Friends may not understand what you’re going through.

Finding ways to reconnect may help. You might try writing in a journal, doing something creative, or talking with someone who’s had cancer too. Support groups, online chats, or even short conversations with others can help you feel seen and understood.7

Honoring Your Experience

There’s no one right way to honor your cancer experience. Some people like to celebrate milestones or give back by helping others. Others prefer to keep things quiet and personal.

You might want to write your story, plant a tree, wear a special bracelet, or speak up about cancer in your community. You don’t have to do anything big. What matters is that it feels meaningful to you.

Survivorship Is Personal

Survivorship is not just about being done with treatment. It can take time to find your way through the changes that follow.8 Some days may be joyful, and some may be hard.8

Take your time. Be kind to yourself. You don’t need to have all the answers. You’ve already made it through so much. Keep listening to what your body and heart need.

No matter where you are in your cancer story, your experience matters. You matter. And the way you choose to move forward is yours and it’s enough.

  • 1

    Park CL, Zlateva I, Blank TO. Self-identity after cancer: "survivor", "victim", "patient", and "person with cancer". J Gen Intern Med. 2009;24 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S430-S435. doi:10.1007/s11606-009-0993-x .

  • 2

    Kline RM, Arora NK, Bradley CJ, et al. Long-Term Survivorship Care After Cancer Treatment - Summary of a 2017 National Cancer Policy Forum Workshop. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2018;110(12):1300-1310. doi:10.1093/jnci/djy176 .

  • 3

    Mollica MA, Smith AW, Tonorezos E, et al. Survivorship for Individuals Living With Advanced and Metastatic Cancers: National Cancer Institute Meeting Report. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2022;114(4):489-495. doi:10.1093/jnci/djab223.

  • 4

    Greszta E, Siemińska MJ. Patient-perceived changes in the system of values after cancer diagnosis. J Clin Psychol Med Settings. 2011;18(1):55-64. doi:10.1007/s10880-011-9221-z.

  • 5

    NCCN Foundation, “NCCN Guidelines for Patients® Survivorship Care for Cancer-Related Late and Long-Term Effects,” Page 52, https://www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/content/PDF/survivorship-crl-patient.pdf Accessed October 28, 2025.

  • 6

    Yi JC, Syrjala KL. Anxiety and Depression in Cancer Survivors. Med Clin North Am. 2017;101(6):1099-1113. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2017.06.

  • 7

    NCCN Foundation, ”NCCN Guidelines for Patients®: Fatigue and Cancer,” Page 12, 2024, https://www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/content/PDF/fatigue-patient.pdf Accessed October 28, 2025.

  • 8

    National Cancer Institute, “Life After Cancer Treatment,” Updated: April 1, 2025, https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/survivorship/new-normal%20 Accessed October 28, 2025.

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