Cancer Nation Releases Survivorship Survey 2025 Results
Cancer Nation worked with Edge Research to conduct our seventh annual nationwide survey of cancer survivors, exploring their experiences living with, through, and beyond cancer. The 2025 Cancer Nation Survivorship Survey captures the voices and realities of more than 2,000 cancer survivors across the United States. Cancer Nation uses this survey to turn lived experience into action by demanding the policies and care survivors need to truly thrive.
This year’s findings reveal erosion in trust and satisfaction in care, deepening financial and mental health burdens, and continued underuse of Survivorship Care Plans that could transform long-term outcomes.
New areas we explored in this year’s survey include:
- Management of chronic conditions along with cancer treatment.
- Confidence moving into post-treatment care.
- Deeper dive on Survivorship Care plans.
- Understanding the emotional toll of cancer care on mental health.
- Knowledge of Medicare prescription drug out-of-pocket caps and Medicare Prescription Payment Plan.
- Comfort with the implementation of AI in cancer care.
Cancer Nation CEO Shelley Fuld Nasso and Edge Research Senior Research Analyst Liana Gainsboro presented the 2025 survey findings in a web briefing on November 12.
Watch the full briefing below or watch it on YouTube.
Briefing Topic Chapters
- 00:00 Intro, Survey Objectives
- 03:12 Methodology & Who Responded
- 05:35 Treatment Decision-Making
- 09:20 Second Opinions
- 10:35 Patient Trust in Information & Research
- 13:22 Clinical Trials
- 15:47 Care Experience, Patient Satisfaction
- 19:36 Side Effects, Care Team Trust
- 22:00 Cancer Treatment and AI
- 25:13 Cancer & Chronic Conditions
- 26:50 Patient Emotional Health & Support
- 28:08 Emotional Support
- 29:27 Employer Support
- 30:50 Post-Treatment Care Experiences
- 34:12 Survivorship Care Plans
- 38:06 Financial Impacts
- 40:04 Insurance Challenges
- 41:40 Medicare Prescription Payment Plan
- 42:52 Key Takeaways
- 47:38 Q&A from Audience
Download the Survey Materials
Cancer Nation has made the full 2025 State of Survivorship Survey presentation slide deck (containing more slides than are featured in this briefing), along with the executive summary available for download.
Download the 2025 Survey Materials.
See our previous survey reports here.
About the Speakers
Shelley Fuld Nasso, MPP
As Chief Executive Officer, Shelley Fuld Nasso leads the public policy activities of NCCS at a time of rapid and fundamental health care system change. Prior to joining NCCS, Shelley served in leadership roles at Susan G. Komen, where she leveraged Komen’s grassroots network in Washington, D.C., and in state capitals. Shelley’s commitment to the work of NCCS is strongly tied to the experiences in the cancer care system of her dear friend, Dr. Brent Whitworth, a beloved physician who was diagnosed with stage IV cancer days before his 42nd birthday and who passed away 19 months later. Through Brent’s experiences, Shelley witnessed the strengths and flaws of the cancer care system and embraces the notion that policy change can make cancer care better for patients and caregivers.
Liana Gainsboro
Liana Gainsboro is a Senior Research Analyst at Edge Research, and since joining the team in 2019, has helped in the research design, implementation, and analysis of Cancer Nation’s Survivorship Survey. She has experience in both quantitative and qualitative studies, and is passionate about taking complex data and turning it into an understandable and compelling story. Liana frequently works on uncovering insights for health non-profits and patient advocacy organizations, including those focused on cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. Liana has a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from College of Charleston. She is also a RIVA-certified moderator.
About Cancer Nation
Cancer Nation (formerly the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship) is the nation’s oldest survivor-led cancer advocacy organization advocating for quality cancer care for all people touched by cancer. Established in 1986 by 23 leaders with expertise in cancer research, community-based support programs, cancer information services and cancer advocacy, Cancer Nation represents the more than 18.1 million Americans with a history of cancer by:
- Working with legislators and policy makers to improve cancer patient and survivor quality of care and quality of life after diagnosis,
- Advocating for changes in how our nation researches, regulates, finances, and delivers quality cancer care
- Empowering cancer survivors through publications and programs which provide tools for self-advocacy, and
- Convening other cancer organizations to address nationwide public policy issues affecting cancer survivors.
