. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2019 Jan 1.

Published in final edited form as: CA Cancer J Clin. 2017 Nov 22;68(1):64–89. doi: 10.3322/caac.21441

Table 1.

Prioritizing Patient Voices

It is essential to hear and prioritize the voices of cancer survivors. Below are select statements from two patient advocates who, despite differing backgrounds, diagnoses, and points in their survivorship journey, offer statements with common themes.
Karen Cochrane is a white, 53-year old nurse who was recently diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and is currently receiving chemotherapy. She is concerned about her overall well-being and is working toward reaching a healthy weight and being physically active. Robert Harrison is a black, 72-year old, retired, businessman who was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer 14 years ago. Currently, he is actively monitoring his cancer with his urologist. He has played an active role in his care and lost over 60 pounds, and he considers himself a cancer “thriver.” Both voice their thoughts about weight management and physical activity during cancer treatment and beyond:
“Understand that we are human systems, we are not just a disease to be treated.” “This isn’t just about surviving the treatment of cancer, it’s making sure I do everything I can to live a long healthy life.” “Weight Management and physical activity are essential components of the treatment of cancer patients and can be, should be, and must be integrated into and monitored throughout treatment to help achieve the most beneficial treatment outcomes.” “You know they (patients) are going to gain weight. You know they (patients) are going to lose muscle. From the very beginning, integrate it into treatment, so that we can minimize these negative impacts and maximize the opportunities to keep the body as healthy as possible.” “People need to be told how to lose weight and followed up. There needs to be a long standing program and support.” “It would be most helpful, and dollars well spent, to provide programs and support to teach people how to make healthy food choices and how to be physically active.” “It is not just providing some information or saying that you need to lose weight, it needs to be an ongoing life-long process.” “It isn’t easy, because if it were we would all be normal weight and very active, but with help and support it can be done.” “What has helped me was to have a plan and follow-up.”

It is essential to hear and prioritize the voices of cancer survivors. Below are select statements from two patient advocates who, despite differing backgrounds, diagnoses, and points in their survivorship journey, offer statements with common themes.

Karen Cochrane is a white, 53-year old nurse who was recently diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and is currently receiving chemotherapy. She is concerned about her overall well-being and is working toward reaching a healthy weight and being physically active.
Robert Harrison is a black, 72-year old, retired, businessman who was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer 14 years ago. Currently, he is actively monitoring his cancer with his urologist. He has played an active role in his care and lost over 60 pounds, and he considers himself a cancer “thriver.”
Both voice their thoughts about weight management and physical activity during cancer treatment and beyond:

“Understand that we are human systems, we are not just a disease to be treated.”
“This isn’t just about surviving the treatment of cancer, it’s making sure I do everything I can to live a long healthy life.”
“Weight Management and physical activity are essential components of the treatment of cancer patients and can be, should be, and must be integrated into and monitored throughout treatment to help achieve the most beneficial treatment outcomes.”
“You know they (patients) are going to gain weight. You know they (patients) are going to lose muscle. From the very beginning, integrate it into treatment, so that we can minimize these negative impacts and maximize the opportunities to keep the body as healthy as possible.”
“People need to be told how to lose weight and followed up. There needs to be a long standing program and support.”
“It would be most helpful, and dollars well spent, to provide programs and support to teach people how to make healthy food choices and how to be physically active.”
“It is not just providing some information or saying that you need to lose weight, it needs to be an ongoing life-long process.”
“It isn’t easy, because if it were we would all be normal weight and very active, but with help and support it can be done.”
“What has helped me was to have a plan and follow-up.”