Improving the Care of Adult Cancer Survivors

Michael Jefford

doi:10.4103/apjon.apjon_42_19

Improving the Care of Adult Cancer Survivors

Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs. 2019 Oct 30;7(1):2-5. doi: 10.4103/apjon.apjon_42_19. eCollection 2020 Jan-Mar.

Author

Michael Jefford^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre, A Richard Pratt Legacy, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
² Department of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
³ Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.

Abstract

Internationally, there are growing numbers of cancer survivors. Survivors report a range of persistent symptoms and unmet needs, which are quite consistent, internationally. Current models of post-treatment survivorship care are suboptimal, and unsustainable given the number of survivors, and limited health workforce. The most appropriate model of care for an individual will depend on a range of patient, disease and treatment factors. Alternatives to traditional follow up have been evaluated including nurse led follow up, follow up led by a primary care physician and formalized models of shared care. There should be greater focus on implementation of proven models.

Keywords: Cancer survivors; model of care; surveillance.