Building a comprehensive cancer survivorship program

Abstract

There is a significant increase in the number of people surviving cancer as a result of improved detection and better treatments. In the United States (US) alone, these numbers are estimated to reach 20 million by 2026 [Miller et al (2016) CA Cancer J Clin 66(4) 271-289)]; [Bluethmann et al (2016) Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 25 (7) 1029-1036]. Living through cancer treatment represents a life-changing event, often including residual and long-term emotional, physical, psychological and spiritual sequelae. Survivorship programming must encompass the clinical management of medical issues, local support services for patients and their caregivers, protocols for communicating with community primary care providers (PCPs) and education for all clinicians in the survivorship continuum on the issues impacting survivors. This article will discuss a range of issues that should be addressed when developing a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary cancer survivorship care.

Advancing community–academic partnerships to achieve breast health equity: Applying the community‐based participatory model to build capacity for sustained impact

“…Patient navigation has been shown to be effective to increase breast cancer screening rates [31][32][33][34][35][36] In terms of data monitoring and future funding, our findings indicated how knowledge of survivorship and supportive care was limited, presenting an opportunity for future education and enhancement. Survivorship models have been defined at comprehensive cancer centers [37][38][39] but should include culturally tailored support programs. There is also a need to understand more about access and uptake to genetic counseling in our region, particularly to ensure equitable access to these important services.…”

Cancer as a Chronic Illness in Colombia: A Normative Consensus Approach to Improving Healthcare Services for those Living with and beyond Cancer and Its Treatment

“…Survivorship care plans are often seen as a mechanism to improve care coordination and patient support, but a recent systematic review and meta-analysis found that, although feasible, there was no evidence that they improved patient outcomes [ 24 ]. Overcrowding in surveillance clinics and constraints in the treatment-focused setting have driven change in the UK with risk-stratified pathways and new models of survivorship care [ 25 ], but this change is dependent on patient data and planning future projections for capacity and service utilization.…”

Progress and Challenges in Survivorship After Acute Myeloid Leukemia in Adults

“…Very few NCI designated cancer centers offer a survivorship clinic especially targeting adult survivors [ 81 ]. Several models of survivorship care programs exist, ranging from centralized to decentralized approach to a mixed model [ 82 ]. Telemedicine is being incorporated to facilitate cross-regional care; however, unreliable technology, not having computer access, and low computer literacy can make this method challenging in some rural areas [ 83 ].…”