Breast cancer survivorship

Abstract

Most individuals diagnosed with breast cancer will experience long-term survival. Following initial active treatment for breast cancer, survivors may experience a variety of medical, physical, and psychosocial consequences that may affect overall health and wellbeing. Clinicians providing care for breast cancer survivors should be comfortable addressing long-term effects of cancer and its treatment, including cardiovascular toxicity, sequelae of estrogen deficiency, chronic pain, fatigue, cognitive concerns, sleep issues, and psychosocial concerns. In addition, providers should promote health maintaining behaviors including healthy lifestyle, treatment adherence, and appropriate surveillance. Survivorship care should be individualized based on treatment received with regular assessment of active symptoms and comorbidities.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Late effects; Survivorship.