title: Defining cancer survivorship: a more transparent approach is needed.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a lack of a consistent, operational definition of what it means to be a cancer survivor despite widespread use of the term. The term carries positive connotations of 'beating' cancer, but some people living past cancer do not identify with this portrayal.
  
  
  METHODS
  The term 'cancer survivor' was first developed and used in the USA for advocacy reasons and to promote research and care of this growing population. Some organizations define a cancer survivor from the time of cancer diagnosis. Researcher and policy makers may use different definitions based on their research or funding priorities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The use of the term 'cancer survivor', its acceptability and its interpretation amongst people living past a cancer diagnosis and primary treatment is relatively understudied. There may be numerous interpretations of cancer survivorship amongst people living past cancer, and some individuals may not relate to the term.                                               DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS:                          Instead of working towards a universal definition of cancer survivorship, we suggest that researchers and policy makers use operational descriptions when discussing the diverse population of people living past a cancer diagnosis.
authors: Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, 23-38 Hythe Bridge Street, Oxford, UK. nada.khan@phc.ox.ac.uk
authors: Nada F
authors: NF
authors: Khan
authors: Peter W
authors: PW
authors: Rose
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Evans
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D003289:Convalescence / Q000523:psychology; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D011379:Prognosis; D011639:Public Opinion; D012938:Social Perception; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom