After attending countless appointments, navigating side effects from treatments and crying on many shoulders, hearing the words you are in full cancer remission is a day you will never forget.

Every case is different, and your doctor is best suited to explain what exactly remission means for you. But according to the National Cancer Institute, you are considered in partial remission if you experience less cancer symptoms and full remission if you experience no cancer symptoms.

“It’s important to understand that just because your symptoms are gone and you’re considered in remission doesn’t mean you are necessarily cancer-free,” explains Dr. Kavi Patel, a hematology/oncology physician at Advocate Health Care. “Cancer remission simply means you are receiving treatment that is effectively reducing cancer cells in your body.”

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