People live longer with cancer, and that raises new care challenges.

Five-year cancer survival has improved substantially over the past decades, and experts say the growing number of survivors now face physical, mental and financial needs that require more focused care.

People diagnosed with cancer today are about 50% more likely to survive five years or more than they were four decades ago. Advances in diagnosis and treatment have produced a larger population of cancer survivors and shifted attention from only treating the disease to supporting life after diagnosis. That shift has exposed new, ongoing needs in physical health, mental health and financial protection. Policymakers and medical groups have begun to identify gaps in survivorship care. Noted findings: - For many cancers, roughly 7 in 10 people now survive five years or more, compared with fewer than 5 in 10 about 50 years ago. - Survivors commonly face lasting treatment effects, medication burdens described as "pill fatigue," and heightened risks of secondary illnesses such as heart disease and additional cancers. - Many people who have had cancer report higher out-of-pocket medical spending, with some spending more than 20% of their annual income on care. - A 2025 Lymphoma Research Foundation report highlighted gaps in survivorship care, and a bill in Congress, the Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act, has been proposed to address coverage, employment and other survivor needs. Summary: Rising survival rates mean more people are living with the long-term effects of cancer and its treatment, creating interconnected physical, psychological and financial challenges. Research and advocacy groups have outlined care gaps, and legislation has been introduced to address those needs. Undetermined at this time.