title: Breast Cancer Survivorship: Why, What and When?
abstract: Survivorship medicine is fairly new in the realm of oncology. As we broaden our focus from treatment and prevention to include survivorship there is substantial opportunity to enhance the care of the patient. Important in successful management of recovery after cancer treatment is managing the side effects of therapy and improving quality of life. This ranges from sexual dysfunction, depression to lymphedema. Guideline-based surveillance after treatment with clear communication of care plans to the patient and their providers, especially primary care, is paramount. Thoughtful pre-surgical treatment planning, which may include neoadjuvant approaches or consideration of fertility preservation, results in superior long-term patient outcomes. Understanding the importance of the teachable moment in effecting behavioral and lifestyle changes that reduce risk of recurrence is also an essential component of excellent cancer survivor patient care. We identified the following areas for focus as they represent the key areas for accreditation and patient driven needs. Development of survivorship plans, post treatment surveillance, sexuality and fertility preservation, lymphedema management and risk reduction lifestyle and behavioral changes.
authors.affiliation: Women and Infants' Hospital, Breast Health Center, Providence, RI, USA. jgass@wihri.org.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gass
authors.affiliation: Surgery, Holy Redeemer Hospital and Medical Center, Meadowbrook, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dupree
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic, Breast Diagnostic Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Sandhya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pruthi
authors.affiliation: Mercy Clinic Breast Surgery, Clarkson Valley, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Radford
authors.affiliation: Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wapnir
authors.affiliation: Legacy Health System, Portland, OR, USA.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Antoszewska
authors.affiliation: Urogynecology, Legacy Health System, Portland, OR, USA.
authors.forename: Audrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Curtis
authors.affiliation: Cancer Institute, Legacy Health System, Portland, OR, USA.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D006801:Humans; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000517:prevention & control; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011247:Pregnancy; D011788:Quality of Life; D019529:Sexuality; D061108:Social Media; D000073859:Survivorship