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This Article Full Text All Versions of this Article: CA.2007.0001v1 58/1/60    most recent Submit a letter to the editor Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Coughlin, S. S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Coughlin, S. S.

Surviving Cancer or Other Serious Illness: A Review of Individual and Community Resources

Dr. Coughlin is Senior Cancer Epidemiologist, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.

    ABSTRACT

In order to provide appropriate individual and community support for cancer survivors, there is a great need to better understand how people who have survived cancer or other serious illness adapt positively to health challenges and to identify effective approaches for helping people cope with health challenges over their lifetime. Studies have identified a number of personal factors that are associated with resilience, increased quality of life, and positive adaptation to illness. Of particular interest is the ability of individuals to survive or even thrive despite an adverse event, as influenced by both individual factors such as resiliency and external factors like social support. The experience of having a potentially life-threatening illness can lead to positive adaptation and increased ability to thrive despite difficult circumstances. The cancer survivorship movement and the cancer community in general provide important resources for improving quality of life and alleviating human suffering and distress among patients and survivors and for adding personal meaning and hope to people’s lives.