Surviving cancer does not mean the end of struggle for many patients, and that was the focus Thursday at a statewide gathering in Helena.

The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) along with the Montana Cancer Control Coalition (MTCCC) sponsored the educational symposium for cancer survivors, medical professionals, and individuals with an interest in survivorship care plans. The discussion focused on the care needed for cancer survivors and the tools available to assist them both physically and emotionally once their treatment is complete. The symposium provided participants with information on how to draft their own cancer survivorship plans in their own communities.

Lisa O’Brien, MTCCC chair, explains, “Cancer survivors who don’t have the benefit of a survivorship care plan often aren’t sure what happened to them. They don’t remember, it’s very traumatic, and they don’t know what to do next. They feel somewhat lost. The goal of today is to educate people about survivorship care planning and let them see that it is practical.”

For further information you can visit the Montana Cancer Control Coalition website at www.mtcancercoalition.org