Stockholm, Sweden – July 21, 2025
Thanks to medical advances and better cancer treatments, more people in Sweden are surviving cancer than ever before. But as survival rates rise, a new challenge is emerging: How to support the growing number of people living with chronic cancer or in remission. According to the Swedish Cancer Society, while the country has made remarkable strides in cancer care and treatment, it is falling behind when it comes to rehabilitation and long-term support.
Survivors Without a Safety Net
More people like Ulla Jacobsson, a Swedish cancer patient currently undergoing ongoing antibody treatments, are living not just years but potentially decades after their diagnoses. For Jacobsson, the treatment is likely to continue for the rest of her life, essentially turning cancer into a manageable chronic illness rather than a fatal one.
“I’m grateful to still be here,” she says. “But living with cancer means always living with side effects, fatigue, anxiety — and very little follow-up or support after the treatment room.”
Her story is becoming increasingly common in Sweden. As cancer transforms from an acute condition into a long-term health challenge for many, patients are struggling with complex medical, emotional, and logistical needs that extend well beyond the hospital bed.
A Healthcare System Under Pressure
The Swedish Cancer Society highlights the irony: while Sweden’s healthcare system excels at saving lives, it is not adequately equipped to support those lives once saved.
“The medical system is highly effective at diagnosing and treating cancer,” says Ulrika Årehed Kågström, Secretary General of the Swedish Cancer Society. “But aftercare, psychological support, and rehabilitation services remain patchy and inconsistent. Too often, patients are left to navigate this phase on their own.”
Rehabilitation services, which include physiotherapy, psychological counselling, occupational therapy, and support groups, are not universally accessible across the country. The level of care often depends on location and personal economic circumstances, presenting equity concerns in a nation that prides itself on social justice and universal healthcare.
Increasing Demand for Long-Term Cancer Services
The number of cancer survivors in Sweden has been steadily rising, due to earlier detection and advancements in targeted therapies. According to recent statistics from the Cancer Registry, over 600,000 people in Sweden are currently either undergoing treatment for cancer or are considered survivors — nearly 6% of the total population.
This shift has prompted medical professionals to redefine cancer from a terminal illness to, in many cases, a chronic condition. But Sweden’s healthcare system, originally designed to treat acute illnesses, is struggling to evolve fast enough to handle the long-term demands of these patients.
Unequal Access to Support
One of the glaring issues, experts say, is the lack of standardized rehabilitation pathways across regions. Patients in some municipalities have access to integrated cancer rehabilitation centres, while others rely on general health services that may not be tailored to the unique needs of cancer survivors.
Christina Kapten, an oncology nurse in Malmö, says she routinely sees patients fall through the cracks after the initial treatment phase. “Some patients don’t even know what services are available, and some counties simply don’t offer the kinds of rehab care that are now essential to long-term recovery. It’s heartbreaking.”
A Call for Comprehensive Cancer Care
The Swedish Cancer Society and other advocacy groups are calling on regional health authorities and the national government to prioritize cancer rehabilitation as part of the overall treatment package. This means more funding for local rehabilitation clinics, better coordination between oncology and primary care, and improved patient education about their options after active treatment ends.
“There is a collective moral and medical obligation to ensure that surviving cancer does not come with a lifetime of unnecessary suffering,” said Kågström.
Looking Ahead
As the population ages and the number of cancer survivors grows, the need for sustainable, inclusive cancer rehabilitation in Sweden becomes more urgent. While the country has made admirable progress in increasing survivorship, the next frontier lies in ensuring these survivors enjoy a meaningful quality of life.
For patients like Ulla Jacobsson, living longer is a gift — but one that comes with its own challenges. “Cancer may not kill me,” she says. “But sometimes I wonder if I’m really living.”
If you or a loved one is seeking information on cancer rehabilitation and support services in Sweden, visit www.cancerfonden.se.