scholarly journals Cancer survivorship: Is there a role for cancer survivor clinics?

Cancer ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 120 (12) ◽  
pp. 1908-1909 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernesto Zanet ◽  
Mariagrazia Michieli ◽  
Umberto Tirelli
2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e17542-e17542 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. De Fusco ◽  
R. Chlebowski

e17542 Background: Tremendous advances in detection and treatment have improved breast cancer survival rates. However, with nearly 22.4 million people worldwide living with cancer, optimal survivorship care has become a major focus of health care professionals (HCPs) and patient advocates. The Breast Cancer Survivorship Alliance (BCSA) is a group of HCPs and patient advocates dedicated to enhancing patient survivorship care and encouraging HCPs to look beyond the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Methods: To identify educational needs in breast cancer survivorship, a 25-question survey was fielded at the 2007 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Electronic and print surveys were available at the Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization and AstraZeneca booths. Results: Of the 516 respondents, 29% were from the United States, 63% were from the rest of the world, and 8% did not specify a location. A total of 73% were physicians, 7% were oncology nurses, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants, and 20% represented other aspects of breast cancer care (e.g., advocates and patients). The survey revealed a lack of consensus on the definition of cancer survivor, with only 26% of respondents selecting the definition established by the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (ie, from the moment of cancer diagnosis and for the balance of life). More than half (i.e., 51%) defined cancer survivor as a patient who has been disease-free for 5 years. Overall wellness promotion, adherence, and management of treatment-related side effects were ranked as the 3 most essential aspects of survivorship care. While most practices engage in posttreatment survivorship counseling, only 16% provide patients with an end-of-treatment summary or survivorship care plan. Most respondents indicated that their institution has a survivorship program in place (39%) or in development (30%). Conclusions: Although progress has been made in understanding and implementing survivorship care, additional education is needed to optimize care of breast cancer survivors. [Table: see text]


2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 1602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafaela Azevedo Abrantes De Oliveira ◽  
Jeferson Santos Araujo ◽  
Vander Monteiro Da Conceição ◽  
Márcia Maria Fontão Zago

Esse estudo consiste numa reflexão embasada no relatório From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor: Lost in Transition e em estudos da literatura que versam sobre o tema. Objetivou-se, portanto, descrever sobre a sobrevivência ao câncer, seus aspectos e conceitos, para proporcionar conhecimento do tema que ainda é pouco estudado no Brasil. Essa reflexão percorreu três tópicos: O que é a sobrevivência ao câncer?; A identidade pós-diagnóstico do câncer. A necessidade de cuidados na sobrevivência ao câncer. A sobrevivência é um conceito subjetivo que representa o processo de viver após o diagnóstico do câncer, com, através e além da doença, perpassando pelas etapas do processo do câncer, remodelando e compreendendo as questões físicas, sociais, psicológicas e o contexto em que o sobrevivente está inserido até alcançar o equilíbrio da vida. É fundamental que a enfermagem adquira o conhecimento da temática e reconheça a importância dos aspectos simbólicos que os sobreviventes atribuem à doença, aos tratamentos e à sobrevivência.


2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. e272-e272
Author(s):  
Umberto Tirelli ◽  
Ernesto Zanet ◽  
Michele Spina ◽  
Mariagrazia Michieli

e272 Background: The population of survivors of cancer is increasing worldwide. In Italy, 2,243,953 patients (4% of the Italian population) survived after a cancer diagnosis in 2006. The drafting of survivorship care plans (SCPs), consisting of a written treatment summary and a follow-up care plan, is regarded by both the Institute of Medicine and the American Society of Clinical Oncology as an essential step in the care of survivors of cancer. However, Salz et al. in 2013 reported in Cancer that although oncology providers have positive feelings regarding SCPs, only 52% of them ever provided any component of an SCP to their patients. Ultimately, the lack of integration of SCPs into clinical practice is due to the absence of definite guidance regarding what constitutes standards of care for survivors of cancer. Methods: We propose the establishment of cancer survivor clinics (CSCs), which consist of health professionals (i.e., medical oncologists; radiation therapists; psychologists; nurses; and other physicians such as cardiologists, gynecologists, and urologists) dedicated to the care of survivors of cancer who we have previously defined as disease and treatment free for at least 5 years and that is established within our Institution since 2013. Results: The number of these CSCs should be planned in relation to the estimated number of survivors of cancer in each country and designed within the medical oncology departments. Conclusions: CSCs should assess: 1) the occurrence of any known side effects from cancer or its treatment (i.e., neurocognitive problems, premature menopause, infertility, cardiorespiratory system dysfunctions, and chronic fatigue); 2) the concomitant presence of comorbidities and their influence on the patient’s general health status; 3) psychological disturbances (i.e., fear of cancer recurrence, anxiety, depression, and body image perception disorders); and 4) problems regarding social and employment reintegration. Moreover, CSCs should provide screening guidelines for cancer recurrence and second primary tumors, design proper clinical follow-up pathways, promote behavioral changes (i.e., smoking cessation and alcohol intake reduction), and improve screening and prevention programs for the relatives of cancer survivors.


Cancer ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 122 (15) ◽  
pp. 2426-2439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Smita Bhatia ◽  
Todd M. Gibson ◽  
Kirsten K. Ness ◽  
Qi Liu ◽  
Kevin C. Oeffinger ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e21577-e21577
Author(s):  
Malcolm R. Kell ◽  
Mitchell Barry

e21577 Background: Breast cancer survivorship aims to improve quality of life and reduce the risk of relapse after diagnosis and treatment. Smartphone applications are now widely used and facilitate many daily activities. Excercise and diet are key components of survivorship and modification of both can improve longterm breast cancer outcome. We have developed a smartphone application focused on enhancing excercise and diet following breast cancer diagnosis; Breast Cancer Survivor. Methods: A Smartphone application was developed with Portable Medical Technology, Ireland (https://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/breast-cancer-survivor/id1043485265?mt = 8). We focused on improving excercise and caloric balance to reduce body mass index. The appliction measured excercise, intensity and distance, to calculate individual energy expenditure and set a target aimed at reducing BMI by 10% over 8 weeks. In additon to excercise we gave dietry advice to focus on caloric intake. We have examined both national and international usage of the application after it was realeased free of charge, for the initial 6 months after release. Results: 770 users donwloaded and used Breast Cancer Survivor in the initial 6 months. Majority of users were in Ireland (38% n = 534), United Kingdom (24.6% n = 339) and United States of America ( 10.7% n = 147). 1376 session of use were recorded and off these 44.2% (n = 608) were return users. BCS app was used for an average of 2.2 minutes per session.Following initial release and local media coverage usage peaked at 401 sessions and then plateaued at 118 sessions after 6 months with only social media coverage. Conclusions: Smartphone application is an effective lifestyle modification, targeting breast cancer survivors. Breast Cancer Survivor has been widely used with only limited promotion. Breast cancer survivorship can be promoted with a smartphone application.


2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 113-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Feuerstein

A 6-year cancer survivor shares how participating in the development of his cancer survivorship care plan yielded physical and emotional benefits, and laments that such plans are not more readily available.


2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (14) ◽  
pp. 2319-2327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy M. Leisenring ◽  
Ann C. Mertens ◽  
Gregory T. Armstrong ◽  
Marilyn A. Stovall ◽  
Joseph P. Neglia ◽  
...  

The Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) is a comprehensive multicenter study designed to quantify and better understand the effects of pediatric cancer and its treatment on later health, including behavioral and sociodemographic outcomes. The CCSS investigators have published more than 100 articles in the scientific literature related to the study. As with any large cohort study, high standards for methodologic approaches are imperative for valid and generalizable results. In this article we describe methodological issues of study design, exposure assessment, outcome validation, and statistical analysis. Methods for handling missing data, intrafamily correlation, and competing risks analysis are addressed; each with particular relevance to pediatric cancer survivorship research. Our goal in this article is to provide a resource and reference for other researchers working in the area of long-term cancer survivorship.


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