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.
Bicuspid aortic valve is the most common congenital heart defect present at birth. However, it is often asymptomatic into adulthood. Without symptoms, most patients with a bicuspid aortic valve will be in a “watchful waiting” phase with regular medical testing to monitor for progressing aortic stenosis or regurgitation. A bicuspid aortic valve makes the heart work harder and symptoms may develop. Surgery to repair or replace the a bicuspid aortic valve can be necessary. Timing the surgery is different for every patient,
A new AI program developed at Cedars‑Sinai’s Smidt Heart Institute can detect early signs of tricuspid valve disease through routine echocardiograms, with accuracy on par with expert cardiologists. Trained on over 47,000 echo scans from 2011 to 2021, it can now classify disease severity from mild to severe. This advancement could help clinicians spot and treat valve problems earlier, giving patients a better shot at timely care and improved outcomes.
Kim Hoffman and Josh Woda, both Hodgkin lymphoma survivors who were each diagnosed in college, reconnected years later after relapsing and eventually fell in love. Their journey is a beautiful reminder that shared experiences can forge powerful bonds and healing hope. A truly uplifting story for anyone in the Hodgkin’s community looking for connection and inspiration.
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.
New data from HeartValveSurgery.com reveals important differences in re-operation rates between surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The article explains how long each type of valve tends to last, which procedure may require future intervention, and what that means for long-term outcomes. This is a valuable read for anyone considering valve replacement or planning for heart health.
Jennifer Young, a melanoma survivor, reflects on what it meant to see her daughter reach age 19, the same age she was when she was first diagnosed. She shares how her cancer experience made her more resilient, more empathetic, and more grateful for everyday moments.
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.