Living Beyond Survival: A Conversation with Cancer Survivor and Advocate Martin Persson

Oncoly co-founder Máté Bendegúz Horváth recently sat down with Martin Persson – a fellow cancer survivor, motivational speaker and long-time advocate for people living with late effects. Their conversation explored what it means to live, not just survive, after a cancer diagnosis. It also underscored why Oncoly’s mission to provide tailored support between clinical visits resonates so strongly with patients and clinicians alike.

Cancer as a life-long journey

Máté began by recounting the diagnosis that changed his life. Three years ago, he was told he had a malignant brain tumour. While grateful for the excellent acute care he received, he vividly remembers the bewildering days between appointments and the emotional weight carried by his parents. He also saw first-hand how overwhelmed clinicians and contact nurses were, leaving little time for continuous guidance.

“I understood how overwhelmed clinicians are, how over-burdened caregivers are in cancer care… I now feel a responsibility to give something back. That’s why we built Oncoly – to ensure no one feels alone between visits.” – Máté Bendegúz Horváth

Martin’s story complements this perspective. Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia as a teenager in the 1980s, he survived thanks to aggressive treatment. Yet the long-term side effects only became clear decades later. Martin describes his brain injury and chronic fatigue as reminders that the “end of treatment” is not the end of the cancer journey. For years he felt that surviving was his only task. Today his message is different:

“My message as a speaker is ‘Live, not only survive’… I want the best quality of life all the way. After a cancer diagnosis your identity changes, and you have to rebuild your life. That requires more than just medical care.” – Martin Persson

Both stories highlight a gap between acute treatment and long-term survivorship. In Sweden, national policymakers recognise this. A new 2026 national cancer strategy aims to reduce the cancer burden and improve quality of life for patients and their relatives, emphasising rehabilitation, palliative care and support for children and young people. It also calls for research and innovation to translate new methods into clinical practice. Oncoly’s vision aligns with these priorities by offering structured guidance and data-driven insights between clinic visits.

The hidden burden on caregivers

A recurring theme in the discussion was the unseen pressure on families. Martin recalled feeling unable to share his deepest fears with relatives, even though they were his closest support system. Máté echoed this, noting that his parents felt powerless: they wanted to help but lacked resources or guidance. For caregivers, navigating insurance, employment and mental-health challenges can be as daunting as the diagnosis itself.

Oncoly addresses this by allowing caregivers, with consent, to follow the patient’s journey, receive psycho-educational resources and share their own notes. This collaborative approach reflects the Swedish strategy’s emphasis on strengthening support for relatives.

Customising support for every survivor

One of the biggest challenges after treatment is that “one size does not fit all.” Martin explained that he didn’t learn about potential late toxicities until he attended a survivor camp in the 2010s. Patients diagnosed today still struggle with fatigue, cognitive issues and anxiety. Some want to share openly, while others – like Máté initially – prefer to confide only in family.

“Everyone should have the right to build a customisable system for themselves to overcome this huge challenge,” Máté said. Martin agreed, stressing the importance of mental training and focusing on the present.

Oncoly’s platform is built around this need for personalisation. Patients can log symptoms, track daily mood, set goals and connect with peers or family members. Clinicians receive structured, OMOP-aligned data to prepare for consultations, while contact nurses can allocate their resources more efficiently. This mirrors the Swedish national plan’s call for equal access and improved follow-up, ensuring that innovative tools reach practice quickly.

Bridging research and real-world care

Both speakers emphasised the importance of connecting clinical practice with research. Martin lamented how long it took for survivors like him to learn about late effects. Máté noted that digital platforms should not only serve current patients but also generate evidence for future treatments.

Oncoly’s advisory network includes clinicians and scientists who help design studies, define meaningful endpoints and ensure the platform meets academic standards. Their guidance ensures that the data Oncoly collects can support both care delivery and research into survivorship.

A call for collaboration

Towards the end of their conversation, Martin reflected on how fragmented the current system can be. He urged hospitals, patient organisations, researchers and industry to cooperate to build better support for survivors.

“We have more and more cancer survivors in Sweden. We shouldn’t only survive – we should live. But it’s very complex to do that today… We need all parts of the system to cooperate for the best of the patients.” – Martin Persson

This collaborative mindset is enshrined in Sweden’s national strategy, which assigns responsibilities to the National Board of Health and Welfare, Regional Cancer Centres and the Comprehensive Cancer Centre network. Oncoly sees itself as part of this ecosystem – a bridge connecting patients, caregivers, clinicians and researchers.

Looking ahead

Máté and Martin agreed that a future where every patient has personalised, continuous support is within reach. Martin emphasised the role of mental wellbeing and daily mindfulness. Máté added that digital tools like Oncoly can free up clinician time while empowering patients and families.

In 2026 and beyond, Oncoly plans to pilot its platform in private and public clinics, align with Swedish data infrastructures and pursue grants and partnerships. The goal is not just to build an app, but to contribute to a paradigm shift: from episodic care to holistic survivorship. As the national cancer strategy notes, achieving this requires research, innovation and collaboration.

By sharing their stories, Máté and Martin remind us that behind every statistic is a person navigating a lifelong journey. With the right support, survivors can do more than survive. They can truly live.