Hodgkin’s International recognizes that choosing to have a vaccine or forgoing one is ultimately a personal decision. In this article, Blood Cancer United (formerly Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) lists all of the vaccines that are recommended for survivors, and those that are NOT recommended.
Childhood cancer survivors face accelerated aging, with studies showing they develop serious health conditions nearly 18 years earlier than the general population. Even without radiation therapy, survivors remain at higher risk for secondary cancers and cardiovascular disease, underscoring the lasting impact of chemotherapy and other treatments. While survival rates have improved and new guidelines, care tools, and therapies are helping, long-term risks persist, making lifelong follow-up and protective strategies essential.
Protect yourself from COVID-19 and flu this fall and winter. Everything you need to know about new flu shots and the updated 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine.
A major new study from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study shows that AYA (Adolescent and Young Adult) cancer survivors continue to face excess health risks well into their 50s and beyond. Even decades after treatment, conditions like heart disease, frailty, and other chronic illnesses remain more common among survivors than in the general population. This is especially important for Hodgkin lymphoma survivors who were treated as teens or young adults and may not have regular follow-up care today.
For survivors who have finished treatment and are in remission, the question “Am I cured?” is both natural and complicated. In this thoughtful patient handout, Dr. Wendy Harpham explores how the word “cure” is used in oncology, why some doctors avoid it, and what survivors truly need to focus on after treatment.
Many Hodgkin’s survivors live with “chemo brain”—the frustrating mental cloudiness that can linger for years. Learn what causes it, how to manage symptoms, and what strategies can help improve memory and focus.
Cancer survivors face a 14% higher risk of developing entirely new cancers (secondary malignancies) compared to the general population, and they account for nearly 19% of all cancer diagnoses in the U.S. Oncology Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) highlight that past treatments, especially radiation and certain chemotherapies like alkylating agents, platinum-based drugs, anthracycline topoisomerase II inhibitors, and even targeted therapies, can contribute to long-term risk.
Many long-term Hodgkin lymphoma survivors face an increased risk of developing secondary cancers, often as a result of earlier treatments like chemotherapy or radiation. These risks can emerge years or even decades after treatment, making ongoing awareness and screening a critical part of survivorship care.
A collaboration between ASCO and the American Cancer Society confirms that the answer is YES. Treatments like anthracyclines, chest radiation, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy can place significant stress on the heart, increasing the risk of long-term issues such as high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or even heart failure.
In this article, Dr. Gary McClain offers strategies to help cancer survivors rediscover inspiration in their lives. Acknowledging that the journey through cancer can be overwhelming, Dr. McClain emphasizes that inspiration is attainable through intentional actions. He suggests practices such as spending quiet time alone to reflect, engaging with uplifting music, decluttering both physical and mental spaces, seeking out role models, and sharing personal stories to inspire others. These steps can assist survivors in reconnecting with their inner drive and finding renewed purpose.