Honoring Strength & Science: National Cancer Survivor Month & Cancer Immunotherapy Awareness Month
Jun 16, 2025June is a powerful month in the cancer community. It celebrates resilience through National Cancer Survivor Month and advances in treatment with Cancer Immunotherapy Awareness Month. Together, these observances honor the journeys of survivors while spotlighting the groundbreaking science that’s transforming the future of cancer care.
🎗 What is National Cancer Survivor Month?
Each June, we celebrate the lives of the more than 18 million cancer survivors in the U.S. alone [American Cancer Society, 2024]. Whether months or decades post-diagnosis, survivorship acknowledges not just the end of treatment but also the physical, emotional, and social journey that continues long after.
Survivorship includes:
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Monitoring for recurrence
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Managing long-term side effects
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Psychological healing
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Lifestyle interventions that reduce recurrence risk
Today’s survivorship plans go far beyond “watch and wait.” They empower individuals with nutrition guidance, physical activity, emotional support, and integrative care strategies that help survivors thrive.
Reference:
American Cancer Society. (2024). Cancer Facts & Figures.
What is Cancer Immunotherapy Awareness Month?
Launched by the Cancer Research Institute, June also shines a light on the revolutionary field of immunotherapy—a treatment that trains the body’s own immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Unlike chemotherapy, which targets all fast-dividing cells, immunotherapy is more targeted and often better tolerated. It’s already shown success in cancers that were previously difficult to treat, like melanoma, lung cancer, bladder cancer, and certain blood cancers.
Types of Immunotherapy:
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Checkpoint inhibitors: Block the proteins cancer uses to hide from immune cells.
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CAR T-cell therapy: Re-engineers a patient’s T-cells to attack cancer directly.
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Cancer vaccines: Train the immune system to prevent or fight cancer.
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Monoclonal antibodies: Target cancer-specific markers.
References:
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Cancer Research Institute. (2024). What is Immunotherapy?
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National Cancer Institute. (2023). Immunotherapy for Cancer.
Why These Observances Matter Together
These dual June observances bridge the human experience of survivorship with the scientific innovation of immunotherapy. As survival rates improve thanks to better detection and treatment—including immunotherapies—the survivor population continues to grow, along with their need for holistic, long-term support.
Survivorship + Innovation = Hope
Together, these two movements represent a new era in cancer care:
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Survivorship is no longer just surviving—it’s living well.
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Treatment is no longer one-size-fits-all—it’s personalized and immune-informed.
Supporting Survivors: What You Can Do
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Encourage movement and wellness (even gentle daily walks reduce recurrence risk)
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Promote anti-inflammatory eating (plant-rich diets are linked to better outcomes)
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Open conversations about mental health post-treatment
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Stay informed about new treatments like immunotherapy and participate in awareness campaigns
June invites us to honor survivors and elevate awareness of cancer immunotherapy—not just for those currently in treatment, but for the future of cancer care. Whether you're a patient, provider, fitness professional, or advocate, your voice, compassion, and knowledge make a difference.
Let's continue to champion both survivorship and science—because the two go hand in hand.
References
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American Cancer Society. (2024). Cancer Facts & Figures.
https://www.cancer.org/research/cancer-facts-statistics.html -
Cancer Research Institute. (2024). What is Cancer Immunotherapy?
https://www.cancerresearch.org/immunotherapy -
National Cancer Institute. (2023). Immunotherapy to Treat Cancer.
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/immunotherapy -
American Society of Clinical Oncology. (2023). Cancer Survivorship Statistics.
https://www.asco.org
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