Publications
Long-Term Follow-Up Care After Treatment for Primary Breast Cancer: Strategies and Considerations
Authors: Maria Alice Franzoi, MD, PhD, Wolfgang Janni, MD, PhD, Jessica Erdmann-Sager, MD, Cristina KlineQuiroz, DO, Henning Schäffler, MD, Kerstin Pfister, MD, Amanda Fazzalari, MD, and Ines Vaz Luis, MD, PhD
Publication: American Society of Clinical Oncology Educational Book
Abstract
Advancements in early detection and multimodal treatment strategies have significantly improved survival rates for early-stage breast cancer, now exceeding 80% at 10 years. However, breast cancer survivors (BCS) often experience persistent physical, psychological, and social challenges as direct consequences of cancer and its treatment. Effective survivorship care requires a proactive, multidisciplinary, and team-based approach to address these burdens comprehensively. Despite growing recognition of the complex needs of BCS, a persistent gap remains between symptom burden, supportive care needs, and actual care delivery. This disparity underscores the urgent need to innovate and optimize survivorship care models. This article explores the most prevalent symptoms and concerns experienced by BCS, particularly those arising from systemic and local therapies during post-treatment follow-up phase, and outlines evidence-based strategies for their management. Additionally, it examines the role of technology as a promising enabler in enhancing the quality, efficiency, accessibility, and patient-centeredness of survivorship care. By integrating multidisciplinary, proactive symptom management with digital health tools and innovative care approaches, health care systems can be equipped to better support BCS, ultimately improving their long-term health outcomes and quality of life.
Practical Applications
• A significant proportion of breast cancer survivors face physical, emotional, and psychosocial challenges that negatively affect their quality of life and adherence to endocrine therapy.
• These challenges often arise from systemic and local therapies, and are insufficiently addressed by current survivorship care models.
• A proactive, multidisciplinary assessment and management strategy focusing on both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches should be systematically implemented.
• eHealth tools can enhance survivorship care delivery by improving communication between patients and providers, increasing access to supportive care, facilitating information exchange, supporting care coordination and role delegation, and boosting patient empowerment and self-management. Hybrid clinical trials assessing their effectiveness and implementation can inform their integration into routine care.
More information here.