My Sylvester medical team has always told me that cancer survivorship begins from the moment of diagnosis. And, although my active treatment for early-stage breast cancer — surgery and radiation — finished more than a year and a half ago, I see survivorship as a long-term project.

That’s why, in October 2025, I was excited to attend the Sylvester Cancer Survivorship Symposium’s Supportive Care sessions, learning about clinician-researchers’ newest approaches to survivorship, including supports for those on active treatment, those living long-term with late-stage cancer and lifetime survivorship for people like me, after completing initial active treatment.

Sylvester conducts extensive research into survivorship and supportive care. “We actually make recommendations based on evidence,” says Carmen Calfa, M.D., co-director of the recently established Sylvester Survivorship and Supportive Care Institute. “We conduct the clinical trials that lead to really definitive answers.”

I felt seen when Dr. Calfa said that “survivorship is the gift that keeps on giving, and it does affect the person from head to toe, physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially.”

Here are my 10 top takeaways from the Sylvester Survivorship Symposium:

1. Survivorship really does start from day one of diagnosis.

Sylvester clinicians are encouraged to refer patients for supportive care and survivorship services before they even begin treatments. These may include fertility preservation counseling, pre-chemotherapy nutrition support, pre-surgery exercise programs, and more.

Even for patients who don’t need specific supportive care early in their journeys, Sylvester clinicians are encouraged to discuss ways to mitigate treatment-induced alopecia, fatigue, neuropathy, and other side effects of treatment before it begins.

2. Experts at the Symposium emphasized that recent research and advancements have enabled a more holistic approach to patient care that focuses equally not only on treating the cancer but also maximizing the well-being of each patient. Up to 80% of survivors experience fatigue, but many don’t ask for help.

I am one of the many cancer patients who perceive fatigue as our most distressing symptom. It’s a symptom that few of us report, since we worry about “complaining” after surviving cancer.

But cancer-related fatigue is a medically recognized chronic condition. It doesn’t improve with normal amounts of rest or sleep, it disrupts daily life and it is upsetting.

The good news: Research has uncovered helpful interventions, including moderate-intensity aerobic exercise — especially yoga, as well as massage therapy, counseling, support groups, journaling and cognitive behavioral therapy.

3. Incorporate stress management into something you’re already doing.

Stress management, meditation, breathing, mindfulness practice—who has time for any of this? I don’t know about you, but I’m already busy making and eating nutritious meals, exercising, going to medical appointments, trying to stay socially engaged, and working. Instead of making yet another “appointment with yourself,” Sylvester psycho-oncologist Brittany J. Wright, Ph.D., suggested pairing a stress management technique with an existing daily activity. Her example: When you’re washing your hands, take five deep breaths, or practice being in the moment by focusing on the scent of the soap, how it feels in the water, and the other physical sensations of handwashing.

4. The RAIN method is a useful approach for handling challenging moments or stressful situations.

Dr. Wright shared this four-step approach for navigating difficult times, including cancer.

Recognize the situation, thoughts or emotions you’re experiencing.
Allow the thoughts and feelings to be there—don’t try to shove them down.
Investigate what you can do.
Nurture yourself and remind yourself that you can handle this.

None of these are easy, of course. I’m thinking of it as a practice: something I’m trying to do, even though I probably only manage a tiny piece of it the first few times. Hopefully, I’ll get a little bit better at it.

5. There are many cancer nutrition myths out there.

Sylvester experts busted several myths around cancer and nutrition. I came away with these truths:

Whole soy foods are safe for all cancer survivors, and can be highly beneficial, even for those whose cancers feed on estrogen. It’s one of the few plant-based sources of complete protein, with all nine essential amino acids. Aim to eat one to two servings daily: 3 ounces of tofu, 1 cup of soy milk, ½ cup of edamame, etc. Avoid processed forms of soy, such as soy isolates from protein powders and protein bars.
There is no evidence of a direct link between cancer and sugar. However, you do want to manage your intake of added sugars to prevent other diseases.
There is no safe amount of processed meats or deli meats. Choose healthier options whenever possible, but don’t aim for perfection.

6. Neuropathy can be treated, and there are ways to reduce the chances of developing it.

Neuropathy — nerve damage that causes tingling, numbness, weakness, or burning — affects up to 85% of individuals who receive chemotherapy. At Sylvester, the survivorship and supportive care team helps you manage it through a combination of oral and topical medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture, cold and heat therapy, massage therapy, physical therapy and other methodologies. Relief usually requires multiple concurrent therapies at the same time, so if you’re experiencing neuropathy, ask your medical team what you can try.

Importantly, I learned that wearing special cold gloves and socks during chemotherapy can reduce the chances of developing neuropathy.

7. Advance directives are designed to empower you.

Advance directives are legal documents that spell out how you want your health care handled if you’re clearly unable to make your own decisions. They’re scary to contemplate — I personally had to be dragged into creating mine, and dreaded thinking about when they might be needed.

But I’m glad I did it. Setting out your wishes and hopefully talking openly about them with your loved ones is how you ensure your care is aligned with your personal values. Don’t put off getting documents such as a living will and Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare.

8. Music therapy is amazing.

This can include listening to and/or singing music, making up songs, and more. Here are my key takeaways:

Singing or humming stimulates the vagus nerve, helping you feel more relaxed and balanced. Both also provide immune benefits by increasing nitric oxide in the nasal area. Next time I’m trying to relax through deep breathing, I’m going to add some humming.
Know those moments where you just want to scream? Try it in a song, which tends to be more socially acceptable.
Music that makes you happy can lift your mood, boost your motivation, and enhance your self-esteem. Create a playlist to help counter bad moods; begin with more mellow or sad music you like, then build up to songs that make you happy.

9. Get matched with a cancer mentor.

Loneliness isn’t the absence of people, but the absence of meaningful connection. One Sylvester expert called it “silence that screams when no one understands what you’re going through.”

A 2024 study found that cancer survivors who felt lonely had a 67% higher risk of death. This makes me even more grateful for the fellow survivors who’ve supported me in my journey.

Sylvester’s partnership with Imerman Angels aims to give every cancer survivor and their caregivers those kinds of mentors, matching applicants with people who’ve been through a similar experience. Visit ImermanAngels.org/sylvester to request a mentor or volunteer to be one, or ask your Sylvester clinician to connect you with the program.

10. Good days and bad days are normal, whether you’re a cancer survivor or not.

Cancer survivor, cartoonist, and author Jason Tharp of the Beyond Hope Project gave the day’s keynote. During his talk about being hopeful and sharing hope, this stood out: “Maybe one of the worst things about being human is that good days and bad days are completely normal.”

The Sylvester Cancer Survivorship and Supportive Care Institute, established in fall 2025, is intentionally designed with survivors’ needs at the heart of the program. By building the multidisciplinary support services- including exercise oncology, nutrition, art and music therapy, mental health therapy, acupuncture, yoga, support groups and much more — every patient has access to the services they need at any given time, throughout the different phases of survivorship. Most of these services are offered at no cost to the patient.

Request survivorship support directly by email: scccsurvivorship@miami.edu or by phone: 305-243-4922 or ask your Sylvester health care team for a referral.

The Fifth Annual Sylvester Cancer Survivorship Symposium will take place October 21-22 at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, 3300 SW 27 Avenue, Miami, FL 33133.

Written by Rochelle Broder-Singer.

Tags: Cancer survivorship care planning, Integrative cancer care programs, Post-treatment quality of life, Rochelle Broder Singer