1. Follow-up care for breast and colorectal cancer across the globe: Survey findings from 27 countries
- Author
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Youngmee Kim, Jonathan Sussman, Elizabeth Jane Maher, Susan S. Buckenmaier, Anja Mehnert-Theuerkauf, Elisabeth Andritsch, Paul B. Jacobsen, Sabine Siesling, Chioma C. Asuzu, Emmanuel Luyirika, Patricia J. Garcia, Nur Aishah Taib, Luigi Grassi, Michael Jefford, Catherine Muha, Deborah K. Mayer, Sheila Diaz, Sudha Sivaram, Kevin C. Oeffinger, Maria Madeline B Mallillin, Lili Tang, Theoneste Maniragaba, Maria Die Trill, Asim Jamal Shaikh, Yosuke Uchitomi, Nguyen V Hai, Orit Spira, Michelle A. Mollica, Ovidiu V Bochis, Hyun Jeong Lee, C S Pramesh, Christoffer Johansen, Suayib Yalcin, and Health Technology & Services Research
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,Cancer Research ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Colorectal cancer ,media_common.quotation_subject ,MEDLINE ,Socio-culturale ,Globe ,Aftercare ,Survivorship ,Care ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Survivorship curve ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,purl.org/pe-repo/ocde/ford#3.02.21 [https] ,Breast Cancer ,care delivery ,Medicine ,Humans ,Supportive Care & Symptom Control ,Quality (business) ,Survivors ,media_common ,Colorectal Cancer ,business.industry ,Stakeholder ,ORIGINAL REPORTS ,medicine.disease ,CANCER ,Follow up care ,030104 developmental biology ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Oncology ,Survey Findings ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Family medicine ,Workforce ,SURVIVORSHIP ,business ,Colorectal Neoplasms - Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to describe follow-up care for breast and colorectal cancer survivors in countries with varying levels of resources and highlight challenges regarding posttreatment survivorship care. METHODS We surveyed one key stakeholder from each of 27 countries with expertise in survivorship care on questions including the components/structure of follow-up care, delivery of treatment summaries and survivorship care plans, and involvement of primary care in survivorship. Descriptive analyses were performed to characterize results across countries and variations between the WHO income categories (low, middle, high). We also performed a qualitative content analysis of narratives related to survivorship care challenges to identify major themes. RESULTS Seven low- or /lower-middle-income countries (LIC/LMIC), seven upper-middle-income countries (UMIC), and 13 high-income countries (HICs) were included in this study. Results indicate that 44.4% of countries with a National Cancer Control Plan currently address survivorship care. Additional findings indicate that HICs use guidelines more often than those in LICs/LMICs and UMICs. There was great variation among countries regardless of income level. Common challenges include issues with workforce, communication and care coordination, distance/transportation issues, psychosocial support, and lack of focus on follow-up care. CONCLUSION This information can guide researchers, providers, and policy makers in efforts to improve the quality of survivorship care on a national and global basis. As the number of cancer survivors increases globally, countries will need to prioritize their long-term needs. Future efforts should focus on efforts to bridge oncology and primary care, building international partnerships, and implementation of guidelines.
- Published
- 2020