Survivorship Care Planning
Citing shortfalls in the care currently provided to the country's 10 million cancer survivors, From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor: Lost in Transition, a report by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), recommends that each cancer patient receive a "survivorship care plan." Such plans should summarize information critical to the individual's long-term care, such as the cancer diagnosis, treatment, and potential consequences; the timing and content of follow-up visits; tips on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and preventing recurrent or new cancers; legal rights affecting employment and insurance; and the availability of psychological and support services. Read the IOM fact sheet on survivorship care planning for a brief overview of the IOM findings.
If you are newly diagnosed, receiving a written treatment plan will allow you to spend time with your doctor to determine the best treatment for you, ways to handle side effects, and potential late effects. It will also be useful in coordinating your overall care. Upon completing treatment, you should request a formal consultation with your doctor and ask him/her for a Cancer Care Summary (a summary of your diagnosis and treatment) and a Survivorship Care Plan (a plan for follow-up care after primary cancer treatment).
Your Cancer Care Summary and Survivorship Care Plan should include, but is not limited to:
• Your cancer diagnosis, treatments received (including names of the drugs and dosages) and their potential known long-term effects;
• Specific information about the timing and content of recommended follow-up (for example, screening tests for recurrences and/or secondary cancers, follow-up visits with your oncologist, etc.);
• Recommendations about preventative practices and how to maintain health and well-being (for example, nutrition, exercise and emotional support);
• Information on employment rights as a cancer survivor and access to health insurance;
• Availability of emotional support services in the local community.
During the consultation ask your doctor and/or nurse to explain this Cancer Care Summary and Survivorship Care Plan to you. It is important that you understand it. You should keep it in a safe place where you store other important personal documents and provide copies to all other healthcare providers who examine you in the months and years to come.
NCCS has been working with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) to develop templates for care plans. If you would like to know more, please visit the ASCO website.
