Primary care physicians need to be better integrated into cancer survivor care

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recommends coordination of care for cancer survivors.  Primary care physicians, PCPs, according to ASCO are "often unfamiliar with the consequences of cancer and its treatment and seldom receive explicit survivor care guidance about potential treatment effects from oncologists" according to Dr. Melissa Hudson from the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  Dr. Hudson is an author of a recently published article in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

In the article, there are recommendations for a risk-stratified approach to caring for the patient by the PCP based on a transition of care from the oncologist to the PCP.

Components of that plan might address:

• Increased risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other chronic disease

• Psychosocial needs

• Fertility planning for patients in their reproductive years

• Known persistent and late-occurring side effects of cancer and cancer treatment

• Screening guidelines and symptoms of recurrence or second primary cancers

• Lifestyle guidance