The number of cancer survivors is growing at a rate of 2% per year. Currently, 65% of people diagnosed with cancer are expected to live at least five years after diagnosis. By 2022, there will be an estimated 18 million cancer survivors.

At least two thirds of the cancer survivors have one or more chronic health conditions and about one third suffer from a life-threatening illness that is a direct consequence of their treatment. These health problems may include fatigue, nerve damage, memory loss, heart and kidney failure, blurred vision, lung disease and second cancers. Survivors are more likely to suffer from emotional issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety.

While there have been tremendous advances in treating and curing cancer, the resulting improvements in survival rates are not enjoyed equally by all. In fact, there are significant differences in survival along racial, ethnic and socioeconomic lines.