Designing Survivorship Care for Real-World Impact

Cancer survivorship is often marked by a complex web of challenges that many healthcare systems and clinicians struggle to address comprehensively. Beyond the initial battle with cancer, survivors face ongoing issues that impact their physical, emotional, and financial well-being—issues that may persist or even intensify long after treatment ends.

For employers, these survivorship challenges not only affect the health and stability of employees, but also carry significant implications for health plan costs, workplace productivity, and overall morale. Understanding and addressing these areas of need is essential, as survivors commonly encounter…

• Physical challenges: These include long-term side effects from treatments—such as fatigue, pain, cognitive difficulties, and increased risks of secondary cancers—which may not be routinely managed or monitored. One in two cancer survivors live with multiple chronic conditions as a result of their treatment.
• Emotional challenges: Survivors often experience anxiety, depression, or fear of recurrence, which can complicate their return to normal life. These emotional challenges are often compounded by practical difficulties, as many cancer survivors report significant  challenges affording food, housing, and other living necessities, highlighting the bidirectional relationship between cancer and social determinants of health.
• Financial challenges: The financial strain of cancer can be overwhelming. The costs of treatments, ongoing medications, and follow-up visits add up quickly, often pushing patients into debt or forcing difficult choices about their care. Over a third of survivors continue to deal with cancer-related debt for at least three years post-treatment, and they pay significantly higher out-of-pocket expenses compared to those who haven’t had cancer. Moreover, nearly half of cancer survivors saw their credit scores decrease and 30% have difficulty qualifying for loans.

Unfortunately, the healthcare system tends to leave many survivors unsupported in managing these layered and ongoing challenges. While primary care providers (PCPs) are often the first line of defense in a survivor’s post-treatment journey, they often hold knowledge gaps that hinder their ability to deliver full-spectrum survivorship care. Several studies have noted that PCPs in the US feel unprepared for caring for cancer survivors with less than 40% of PCPs feeling confident about surveillance of recurrent disease.

Compounding this issue is the increasing pressure on oncologists, who are already stretched thin. By 2030, the number of survivors under the care of medical oncologists is projected to increase by 24%, and by 42% by 2040, yet this model of oncologist-led survivorship care is unsustainable. Oncologists simply don’t have the capacity to manage the complex, long-term needs of a growing survivor population, especially for those surviving 10 or more years post-diagnosis.

The specialized nature of survivorship needs—ranging from managing long-term side effects to navigating surveillance and preventive care—requires dedicated attention that neither PCPs nor oncologists are fully equipped to provide at scale. Survivors often encounter fragmented care as they move between providers, with no one coordinating their comprehensive needs. This leaves critical gaps in care, resulting in missed screenings, unmanaged symptoms, and a sense of isolation for survivors, who may not know where to turn for support.

As employers increasingly step in to play a more direct role in addressing other complex healthcare challenges—such as managing chronic conditions through targeted programs for diabetes or cardiovascular health—cancer survivorship care represents another critical area where employers can better support their employees.

Color reimagines what cancer care post-treatment can and should be.

Our Virtual Cancer Clinic offers cancer survivors access to a 50-state medical team and support system that anticipates their needs rather than leaving them to navigate challenges alone. By adopting a patient-centered approach, Color’s program for cancer survivors does not simply treat the residual effects of cancer, but aims to support the individual in all aspects of their recovery journey. This means implementing personalized care plans that are informed by cancer guidelines and designed to address each survivor’s unique health trajectory, lifestyle needs, and risk factors. Color’s team includes board-certified oncologists with specific survivorship experience, along with nurse oncologists, dietitians, and Care Advocates who work collaboratively to provide support for…

• Return to work: We assist managers and benefits teams in guiding employees through the return-to-work process, ensuring a smooth transition back to work and life.
• Recurrence risk management: We provide personalized care plans and proactive screenings to monitor and mitigate health risks, empowering survivors to stay informed.
• Post-treatment side effect management: We offer ongoing evaluations through our network of oncologists to manage fatigue, pain, and other side effects, enhancing daily well-being.
• Healthy living: We provide nutrition and exercise programs to promote long-term health, reduce recurrence risks, and build resilience.
• Emotional and practical support: We address mental health, logistical needs, and financial planning via our Care Advocates to reduce burden and improve overall quality of life.

As we celebrate each patient who rings the bell, marking the end of their treatment, we must remember that their journey is far from over. For employers, offering this level of survivorship support is critical and can lead to a healthier, more engaged workforce with lower long-term healthcare costs.

Color’s Virtual Cancer Clinic seamlessly connects oncology and primary care to empower cancer survivors with expert clinical care and holistic support for long-term health and career success. Ready to support survivors in your workforce? Contact us at learnmore@color.com.

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