VA cancer survivors: Support available after treatment
Veterans who have completed cancer treatment now have access to specialized support programs designed to address the unique challenges that emerge after medical care ends. The Orlando VA Healthcare System launched a Cancer Survivorship Program in November 2025 to help Veterans navigate the physical, emotional, and practical concerns that persist long after their final treatment appointment. The monthly virtual program connects cancer survivors with education, resources, and peer support, recognizing that the end of active treatment often marks the beginning of a different kind of journey.
The program was created by Brittany Hahn, Supervisory Social Worker for Oncology at Orlando VA, who observed that many Veterans face uncertainty when their regular treatment schedule concludes and their medical support system changes. While treatment addresses the disease itself, survivorship brings its own set of challenges including lingering medical side effects, anxiety about recurrence, and questions about returning to normal life. The virtual format allows Veterans from across Central Florida to participate regardless of mobility limitations or distance from VA facilities, making the support accessible to those who might otherwise struggle to attend in-person sessions.
Army Veteran Thomas Jenkins, who faced lung cancer diagnoses in both 2020 and five years later, described the program as a source of vital connection during survivorship. He shared that hearing other Veterans discuss the same fears and experiences helped him realize his concerns were normal rather than isolated struggles. Fellow Army Veteran Craig Cusanelli, who served from 1970 to 1973 and underwent surgery on both lungs for cancer, found similar value in the shared experiences, noting that every participant gained something from the very first session.
Dr. Ashley Brevil, supervisory social worker for Specialty Programs, emphasized that survivorship support fills a critical gap in cancer care that many people overlook. Hahn compared the survivorship experience to an iceberg, explaining that while others may see a Veteran who has completed treatment and assume everything is back to normal, much of the struggle remains hidden beneath the surface. Anxiety, lingering symptoms, and fear of cancer returning create what Hahn describes as a new normal that Veterans must learn to navigate, often without the intensive support structure that existed during active treatment.
The program has already served more than 50 Veterans and continues to expand, providing a community where survivors can learn from each other and heal together. For disabled Veterans managing cancer survivorship alongside other service-connected conditions, this type of peer support can be particularly valuable as they balance multiple health challenges and navigate the VA healthcare system. The program represents part of VA's broader National Oncology Program, which aims to support Veterans through every stage of their cancer journey, not just during active treatment.
Veterans interested in cancer survivorship support should visit cancer.va.gov or reach out to their VA provider through MyHealtheVet to learn about available programs and resources. Those who have completed cancer treatment within any VA healthcare system can inquire whether similar survivorship programs exist at their local facility or whether they can participate in virtual programs like the one offered through Orlando VA. Connecting with your VA social worker or oncology team is the best first step to accessing these specialized support services and finding a community of fellow Veterans who understand the unique challenges of life after cancer treatment.