KNOWLEDGE / INSIGHT

Preparing for the Breast Cancer Paradigm Shift

BY LILLIE SHOCKNEY, RN

New perspectives on post-treatment care are needed

The incidence of breast cancer for 2007 surpassed a quarter of a million women (and a few thousand men). But the good news is that more women are surviving.

However, according to a number of studies, new oncologists aren’t increasing at the same rate as new patients. Usually cancer specialists follow their patients for at least five years and, in some cases, indefinitely; but with 10.5 million cancer survivors in this country today, this practice will no longer be possible or practical.

So where will we go? Who will assume the daunting responsibility of ensuring we are being properly monitored for recurrence, development of other related cancers (such as ovarian), menopausal management needs, long-term side effects from chemo and radiation, and in general be our “breast cancer survivor doctor?” ...

[THIS STORY APPEARS IN FULL IN THE SPRING 2008 ISSUE OF HEAL]