Empowering breast cancer survivors: Results of a community-based survivorship clinic.

Abstract

29 Background: Based on advances in detection and treatment, survival for breast cancer patients has increased over the past decade with 5-year survival rates approaching 90%. Survivors remain at risk for treatment related side effects, which can profoundly impact their quality of life. The Breast Cancer Survivorship Clinic (BCSC) was established in January 2016 to provide patient-centered care to survivors with the intent to maximize quality of life, empower decision making, and facilitate care coordination in order to pursue a life of wellness and overall health in patients’ lives after cancer. Methods: A Survivorship Nurse Practitioner (SNP) meets newly diagnosed breast cancer patients to introduce survivorship as part of the treatment course for those treated with curative intent. Upon completion of active treatment, survivors are scheduled to see the SNP to review their Survivorship Care Plan (SCP) outlining treatment history, surveillance schedule, side effects of treatment, and recommendations for cancer screening and health maintenance. Survivors are surveyed to assess symptoms and concerns at the end of treatment, as well as assess patient empowerment after meeting with the SNP. Results: Over the first nine months of BCSC, 95 patients have been seen. The most common concerns related to physical side effects include fatigue (57%), hormone changes (39%), and insomnia (39%). Survivors report fear of recurrence (58%), finances (47%), and anxiety (35%) to be among their greatest psychosocial concerns. 86% said they would appreciate reviewing a SCP with the SNP. After meeting with the SNP, 93% felt better or much better able to understand their illness, cope with illness, and keep themselves healthy. After meeting with the SNP, 92% felt more confident in their health and felt as though they can better help themselves. Conclusions: The first months of the BCSC have been a success with excellent reported empowerment via validated survey measure. Continued refinement in program development will ensure the initial successes of the program will continue in order to provide all survivors with late/long-term side effect management, physical/emotional support, and survivorship care planning at the completion of cancer treatments.