Perspectives of a lifelong cancer survivor—improving survivorship care

Abstract

Many of the 14 million cancer survivors in the USA live with physical, emotional and day-to-day concerns related to their cancer long after their treatment ends. Addressing the needs of the growing cancer-survivor population will be a considerable task. In this article, Ruth Rechis--a 20-year survivor of Hodgkin lymphoma--describes her personal account of surviving cancer and her experience as a researcher and advocate in the field of survivorship. Results from a national USA survey on survivorship are shared, illustrating gaps in meeting the needs of long-term survivors. A list of 'essential elements' of survivorship care is highlighted to introduce all practitioners to the components necessary for the provision of care after treatment ends. Finally, Rechis provides recommendations for engaging survivors as active participants in their post-treatment, long-term survivorship care and to ensure appropriate care is universally available as part of patient-centred comprehensive care.

Surveillance and beliefs about follow-up care among long-term breast cancer survivors: a comparison of primary care and oncology providers

“…Given that the number of survivors is increasing and the projected oncology provider supply will not be able to keep up with this demand [21], it is important that patients be given information to improve communication about their care and that this communication extends to all providers in their care team. Survivorship care plans represent one important delivery route for this information [22], and expert consensus generated in the LIVESTRONG Essential Elements of Care process further supports the importance of communication and use of written survivorship care plans in quality survivorship care [23]. Patient-centered medical home and health care reform initiatives that include routes for bridging of care communication, such as patient navigation and electronic health records, represent additional routes with evidence to suggest they can improve self-management and patient satisfaction that may be useful in cancer survivorship as well.…”

Kidney cancer survivorship survey of urologists and survivors: The gap in perceptions of care, but agreement on needs

“…It is becoming increasing clear that many of the patient/caregiver concerns have not been fully addressed. 8 There are no comprehensive guidelines for the proper long-term care for KC survivors as advised by the IOM. 9 This is due, in part, to the absence of evidence-based literature to guide the development of a guideline.…”

Providing patient information and education in practice: the role of the health librarian

“…The digital, Internet era with its global access to information, has profoundly affected methods of education delivery. In the context of health care, we are now in the ‘patient revolution’ era alongside lifelong learning and cancer survivorship . People are now considered more responsible for their health and the physician–patient relationship is moving towards partnership .…”

“…In the context of health care, we are now in the 'patient revolution' era 8 alongside lifelong learning and cancer survivorship. 9 People are now considered more responsible for their health and the physicianpatient relationship is moving towards partnership. 8 However, the power of information can be meaningless and illusory if patients do not have the instruments to understand, select and use trustworthy information for making appropriate decisions about their own health needs, 10,11 or in other words, a good level of health literacy.…”