By Cervivor Communications Director Sara Lyle-Ingersoll

When people hear the word “wellness,” they usually think of exercise, healthy eating, good sleep, managing stress, and other types of self-care. But for cancer survivors, wellness can be, well, complicated — and much more personal.

Even after treatment ends, survivors may continue navigating fatigue, pain, hormonal changes, fear of recurrence, financial stress, changes in relationships, shifts in identity, and the lasting emotional impact of a life-changing diagnosis.

That’s why wellness after cancer takes many forms. For some, it means rebuilding strength. For others, it means setting boundaries or finding a therapist. 

“Cancer brings chapters of its own — diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and, for some, recurrence. Each asks something different of us,” says Cervivor Founder and Chief Visionary Tamika Felder. “I’ve learned that survivorship isn’t always about thriving or reaching some finish line. Sometimes, it’s simply about getting through today.”

During National Wellness Month, Cervivor is taking a closer look at what wellness after cancer really means, with cervical cancer survivors and experts sharing insights on healing, peer support, and finding your own path forward.

Wellness After Cancer Doesn’t Mean “Back to Normal”

Cervical cancer survivor Patti Murillo-Casa knows exactly how complicated life after treatment can be.

“Unfortunately, many people think that once they hear the words, ‘You’re cancer-free,’ they’ll simply be able to pick up where they left off,” says Patti, who recently celebrated her 17th cancerversary. “But survivors know that’s rarely the case.”

Patti remembers feeling lost after treatment. “I couldn’t find the old me, and I struggled with depression for a while,” she says. During that time, she turned to food for comfort, eventually reaching 238 pounds and developing type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. “Coming back takes time.”

That struggle to find your footing after treatment is something cancer support professionals see often. 

“Finishing treatment is often described as a finish line, but for many people, survivorship brings a whole new set of challenges,” says Bonnie Dockham, LMSW, Executive Director of Cancer Support Community (CSC) Greater Ann Arbor, part of the broader CSC/Gilda’s Club network. 

Those challenges can include fear of recurrence, changes in relationships or identity, lingering side effects, and fertility concerns and financial stress — both of which can be particularly acute for adolescents and young adults with cancer — along with the question: “What does life look like now?”

There are physical reasons recovery can be complicated, too.

“Cancer treatment may end on a certain date, but recovery doesn’t necessarily end with it,” says Dr. Marcelle Pignanelli, MD, a board-certified endocrinologist at New York Endocrinology with expertise in obesity medicine, women’s health, and disorders of metabolism. 

The effects of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and other treatments can persist for months or years, she explains. For cervical cancer survivors, those effects may include changes in sexual and hormonal health, bowel or bladder function, bone health, and more. Pelvic radiation, for example, can damage ovarian function and lead to early menopause, with potential effects on bone density, cardiovascular and metabolic health, and quality of life.

That’s why Dr. Pignanelli encourages survivors to think of survivorship as another phase of care, not the absence of it. “The goal after cancer isn’t just survival — it’s helping you live as healthy and fully as possible,” she says. 

Wellness Looks Different for Every Survivor

So, what does wellness look like after cancer? There is no one-size-fits-all answer.

“For one person, wellness might mean reaching a physical goal, such as running a race, while for another it might mean being able to walk into their physician’s office without fear or anxiety,” Bonnie says.

Patti describes her own approach to wellness after cancer through three pillars: mind, body, and spirit. “When you work on all three together, you become stronger,” she says. “If you only focus on one, the other two suffer.”

Wellness looks different across the Cervivor community, too.

For Ana Reyes, a 2018 Cervivor School graduate and nine-year cervical cancer survivor, it means protecting her energy: “Wellness after cancer for me means giving my energy to things that bring me joy — and not feeling guilty for saying ‘no’ to things that don’t.”

Now three years NED, Emily Heitman describes wellness through everyday choices: eating more whole foods while still enjoying the “not-so-good” foods sometimes, embracing movement without making it so structured that she dreads it, reading instead of scrolling, meeting with her therapist, and recently taking up watercolor painting. 

“This journey hasn’t been easy and has come with lots of ups and downs and setbacks,” Emily says. “Taking life day by day and enjoying the small pleasures has helped.”

For Lynn Douillette, wellness exists alongside ongoing health challenges. More than six years after cervical cancer treatment, she continues to deal with radiation-related pelvic damage, neuropathy, and mobility issues. After reaching five years NED, she was also diagnosed with breast cancer. Still, she says, “I won’t give in to that ‘C’ word.” 

Progress, Not Perfection

When survivors are ready to make changes to support their health and well-being, Patti’s advice is simple: Start small.

She knows firsthand that lasting change takes time. After reaching a low point following cancer, she made what she calls a “U-turn” toward better health. Through portion control and exercise, she lost 113 pounds in 14 months.

“Nothing happens overnight, and creating new habits takes time,” she says.

That philosophy is at the heart of Survivor Slimdown, Cervivor’s wellness program, which dates to 2009, when Tamika and Cervivor Ambassadors Cindy Craddock and Pamela Akers began training for a triathlon. Cervivor relaunched the program in 2018 to help cancer survivors build healthier, more balanced lives, with Patti — now, a retired New York City police officer and Health Coach Alliance Registered Health Coach — at the helm. 

These days, the program makes wellness approachable through “Daily Upgrades” — practical tips on fitness, nutrition, sleep, stress management, heart health, and more. Monthly challenges give members another way to work toward their goals together, from last month’s 20-Day Arm Challenge to this month’s 31-Day Dopamine Challenge. On August 26, Patti and Cervivor Ambassador Karla Chavez will also co-host a virtual National Wellness Month workshop exploring the three pillars of wellness.

But progress doesn’t mean perfection. When life gets in the way, Patti encourages survivors to give themselves some grace. “Missing one day doesn’t erase your progress,” she says. “Don’t fall into a cycle of guilt — just get back on track.”

Dr. Pignanelli points to another often-overlooked part of wellness: making room for it. If possible, outsourcing or delegating tasks like cleaning, grocery shopping, meal prep, or childcare can free up time and energy for exercise, medical appointments, nourishing meals, sleep, or simply rest.

“Taking something off your plate isn’t indulgent if it allows you to prioritize your health,” she says.

Connection Is Wellness, Too 

Even with loving family and friends, cancer can be an isolating experience. As Jackie Herigodt, Director of Partnerships and Engagement at Imerman Angels, explains, there is a different kind of understanding that comes from talking with someone who has actually been there.

“Someone who has been through cancer can say, ‘I understand,’ and truly mean it,” she says.

Co-founded by cancer survivor Jonny Imerman, Imerman Angels connects cancer fighters, survivors, previvors, and caregivers with trained Mentor Angels who have faced similar experiences and are discouraged from giving advice. “Sometimes the most meaningful support isn’t someone telling you what to do,” Jackie says. “It’s having someone who can sit in that uncertainty with you, listen without judgment, and remind you, ‘You don’t have to figure this out alone.’”

That exchange of lived experience can also help survivors navigate wellness after cancer. Cervivor community member Lynn says she has learned much of what she knows about survivorship from other survivors. “I’ve learned everything I know from this group and a nephrostomy group,” she says of Cervivor’s private Facebook group. “They’re both filled with great people.”

For some survivors, supporting others can become meaningful in its own right. Cervivor Ambassador Lorie Wallace, who has served as a mentor and cancer support coach through Cervivor and Imerman Angels, has found purpose in helping others. “Through advocacy, I’ve reclaimed my purpose,” she has shared. “This work has been as healing for me as it has been impactful for others.”

But community isn’t only about navigating what’s difficult. Sometimes it’s a Friday Dance GIF Battle, a birthday celebration, or marking a cancerversary together. Joy matters and laughter really is good medicine.

Support for Wellness After Cancer

Unfortunately, there is no checklist for doing survivorship correctly. Fortunately, you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’re looking for healthier habits, trusted information, peer connection, or simply a place where people understand, support is available within Cervivor and beyond.

In addition to the organizations above, the American Cancer Society provides guidance on survivorship programs and clinics, while Triage Cancer offers free resources to help navigate practical and legal concerns, including finances, health insurance, employment, disability, and more.

Additional Cervivor resources include:

• Monthly Virtual Meetups — Find welcoming community from wherever you are through Cervivor’s monthly virtual gatherings, including Creating Connections, Cervivor Noir, and Café con Leche. 
• CervivorTV and Cervivor Podcast — Watch or listen to educational webinars, expert interviews, survivor stories, and candid conversations exploring wellness, mental health, relationships, survivorship, advocacy, and life during and after cancer. 
• GYN Cancer Survivors Retreat and Advocacy Training — Join survivors of all gynecological cancers for advocacy, leadership, and connection, September 24–27 in Scottsdale, AZ. Apply today!
• Community Events — Get moving and connect with the community at upcoming events, including Athena’s Run for GYN Cancers (September 19), the Jenn Myers Memorial 5K/1 Miler (September 26), and Ulman Cancer to 5K (September 27).

As Bonnie encourages survivors, asking for support “isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s an act of courage and strength.”

National Wellness Month is a reminder that small, intentional acts of self-care can add up over time. For cancer survivors, there is no perfect path to wellness and no finish line. Start where you are, give yourself grace, and know that you don’t have to navigate it alone.

About the Author

SARA LYLE-INGERSOLL is a content and communications expert dedicated to transforming lived experiences into impactful stories. Her award-winning magazine feature about a close friend who died from cervical cancer in their twenties led her to Cervivor, and solidified her commitment to cervical cancer awareness and prevention. Now, as Cervivor’s Communications Director, Sara brings this mission full circle.