CONCLUSION
Breast cancer is a common malignancy among women, representing 4 in 10 female cancer survivors in the United States. Long-term survival is common after breast cancer treatment, with a 5-year survival rate of 90% (ACS, 2022a).
Diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer may vary based on many factors, including type, stage, and other individual differences. Patients may be presented with various treatment options and need expert guidance to assist in decision making, weighing short- and long-term effects of each treatment choice. For most, treatment does not end with the initial surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy but may include long-term surgeries for reconstruction as well as endocrine therapy for a period of 5 to 10 years to prevent recurrence.
Survivorship for individuals with a history of breast cancer may include monitoring and surveillance of short- and long-term effects of treatment as well as screening for other secondary cancers. Patients who are actively involved in their care, with a focus on wellness goals—including nutrition, mind-body strategies, and exercise—may experience a better quality of life and have a decreased chance of cancer recurrence (ASCO, 2021).
As patients live longer with breast cancer and the associated long-term treatments, care has shifted to a chronic care model. People with a history of breast cancer will benefit from the initiation of standards and expectations to provide patients with an individualized survivor care plan to assist them in being as informed as possible about their future.
RESOURCES
Breast cancer survivorship (Cancer.net)
Breast cancer risk assessment tool
CancerCare (counseling, support, education, financial assistance)
ClinicalTrials.gov (National Institutes of Health)
National Cancer Institute (National Institutes of Health)
NCCN practice guidelines in oncology (National Comprehensive Cancer Network)
Office of Dietary Supplements (National Institutes of Health)
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NOTE: Complete URLs for references retrieved from online sources are provided in the PDF of this course.
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