Cancer‐related impairments and functional limitations among long‐term cancer survivors: Gaps and opportunities for clinical practice

Abstract

This commentary provides a concise overview of the epidemiology of cancer survivorship and work, common functional limitations experienced by cancer survivors, and evidence‐based recommendations for interventions available to improve function. It also describes the US Social Security Administration's disability claims process, its eligibility requirements, and barriers for long‐term survivors in securing approval for disability claims, and offers insights for practicing clinicians in holistically addressing functional limitations in practice.

Acoustically-Activated Liposomal Nanocarriers to Mitigate the Side Effects of Conventional Chemotherapy with a Focus on Emulsion-Liposomes

“…Anticancer drugs are highly toxic, have short half-lives in vivo, have poor biodistribution, and have low bioavailability. Moreover, these highly toxic drugs lack selectivity, distribute in the entire body, and kill both cancerous and healthy cells, inducing severe temporary or permanent side effects among long-term cancer survivors [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Some of the long-term side effects include pain, hair loss, nausea, vomiting, pulmonary toxicity, neuropathy, and cardiotoxicity [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”

“…Moreover, these highly toxic drugs lack selectivity, distribute in the entire body, and kill both cancerous and healthy cells, inducing severe temporary or permanent side effects among long-term cancer survivors [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Some of the long-term side effects include pain, hair loss, nausea, vomiting, pulmonary toxicity, neuropathy, and cardiotoxicity [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Cancer cells possess self-renewal properties and evade drug-induced cytotoxicity, enabling them to develop resistance against a wide range of anticancer drugs in a multidrug resistance (MDR) phenomenon, rendering the chemotherapeutic drug ineffective [ 18 ].…”

A mixed method study of medical oncologists’ perceived barriers and motivators to addressing long-term effects in breast cancer survivors

“…There are more than 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States (U.S.), and many patients with early-stage disease now have a life expectancy similar to non-affected peers [ 1 ]. However, the disease itself and the toxicity of curative treatments may contribute to morbidity and disability that persist after initial diagnosis, often described as late and long-term effects [ 2 ]. Late effects are complications that were not present at the end of treatment and occur many years later, such as heart failure or secondary malignancies [ 3 ].…”

Trends in the Prevalence of Functional Limitations Among US Cancer Survivors, 1999-2018

“…Cancer and its treatment can lead to functional limitation, a key indicator of health associated with impaired quality of life and substantial economic burden . Although advances in diagnosis and treatment have improved cancer survival, whether progress has been made in reducing the burden of physical and social limitations among cancer survivors remains unclear.…”