title: Desired elements and timing of cancer survivorship care: one approach may not fit all.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although survivorship care recommendations exist, there is limited evidence about current practices and patient preferences.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey was completed by survivors of lymphoma, head and neck, and gastrointestinal cancers at an academic cancer center. The survey was designed to capture patients' reports of receipt of survivorship care planning and their attitudes, preferences, and perceived needs regarding content and timing of cancer survivorship care information. Elements of survivorship care were based on the Institute of Medicine recommendations, literature review, and clinical experience.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-five survivors completed the survey (response rate, 81%). More than 75% reported receiving a follow-up plan or appointment schedule, a monitoring plan for scans and blood tests, information about short- and long-term adverse effects, and a detailed treatment summary. These elements were reported as desired by more than 90% of responders. Approximately 40% of these elements were only verbally provided. Although more than 70% described not receiving information about employment, smoking cessation, sexual health, genetic counseling, fertility, or financial resources, these elements were not reported as desired. However, "strategies to cope with the fear of recurrence" was most often omitted, yet desired by most respondents. Survivors' preferences regarding optimal timing for information varied depending on the element.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study suggests that cancer survivorship care planning is heterogeneous and may not need to be comprehensive, but rather tailored to individual survivors' needs. Providers must assess patient needs early and continue to revisit them during the cancer care continuum.
authors: Dana Farber Cancer Institute; Simmons College; Harvard Medical School; Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Boston, MA; and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC rboyajian@partners.org.
authors: Richard N
authors: RN
authors: Boyajian
authors: Dana Farber Cancer Institute; Simmons College; Harvard Medical School; Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Boston, MA; and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: Amy
authors: A
authors: Grose
authors: Dana Farber Cancer Institute; Simmons College; Harvard Medical School; Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Boston, MA; and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: Nina
authors: N
authors: Grenon
authors: Dana Farber Cancer Institute; Simmons College; Harvard Medical School; Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Boston, MA; and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: Kristin
authors: K
authors: Roper
authors: Dana Farber Cancer Institute; Simmons College; Harvard Medical School; Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Boston, MA; and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Sommer
authors: Dana Farber Cancer Institute; Simmons College; Harvard Medical School; Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Boston, MA; and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Walsh
authors: Dana Farber Cancer Institute; Simmons College; Harvard Medical School; Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Boston, MA; and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Snavely
authors: Dana Farber Cancer Institute; Simmons College; Harvard Medical School; Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Boston, MA; and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Neary
authors: Dana Farber Cancer Institute; Simmons College; Harvard Medical School; Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Boston, MA; and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: Ann
authors: A
authors: Partridge
authors: Dana Farber Cancer Institute; Simmons College; Harvard Medical School; Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Boston, MA; and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: Larissa
authors: L
authors: Nekhlyudov
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001290:Attitude; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D057240:Patient Preference; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult