Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has long recognized the need for ongoing commitment to the care of patients after cancer treatment. Cancer survival in the United States has risen steadily over the past three decades. According to the National Cancer Institute, currently more than 11 million people are currently living with a history of cancer. This good news is possible as a result of important advances in early detection and treatment. With such positive results come new challenges for cancer survivors, including the need for ongoing medical care, psychosocial support, and careful monitoring of treatment complications and cancer recurrence. Given the needs of post-treatment patients, the Institute of Medicine report From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor: Lost in Transition called for survivorship to be a distinct phase of cancer care.

In 2003, Memorial Sloan Kettering launched the Cancer Survivorship Initiative. Under the guidance of Director Mary McCabe, Memorial Sloan Kettering has coordinated an institute-wide effort dedicated to meeting the complex needs of cancer survivors and their families and developed a survivorship research portfolio that addresses issues of critical importance to survivors nationwide.

Visit Our Survivorship Services for information about our programs and services for survivors.